THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN
BULLY BOY PRIMED FOR ALLY PALLY GLORY AND LIVERPOOL TO BE IN ASCENDENCY
In this, my last column of the year and before my traditional predictions in January, it is worth taking time out in this extraordinary footballing year to take stock of where we are. The Premier League and Championship will be gearing up for a Christmas resumption but the lower leagues are carrying on apace and no-one can honestly say with any certainty what effect this punishing schedule will have on our returning stars. One can only surmise and my belief is simply this…the bigger the squad and the more talented the roster, surely means the less effect the extra demands are going to be which can only ensure second half success from Man City. So to the leagues…
PREMIER LEAGUE
Man City might be five points behind Arsenal but they will soon bridge that gap and odds of 4/7 are more than fair. But who will get second? Well Liverpool have only had a few of their squad go to Qatar (six I believe) compared to Man City’s 16!!!) so they will be less
encumbered than most. Add to that, their long term injuries will have had six weeks recovery with no loss of game time AND a January transfer window with big bucks available to be thrown in the ring and you can make a case for a Scouse resurgence. Current odds of 10/1 on a Man City/Liverpool straight forecast are more than fair and 12/1 is available on MC/Liv/Arsenal in that order, which unless we get a Gunner meltdown is based upon much the same premiss.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP Anyone backing my pre-season prediction of Burnley at a whopping 16/1 are sitting pretty on their ante-post voucher, with options available, to cash out or hedge. STAND FIRM. The brand of football they are playing is refreshing and when you consider that the points they have lost in drawn matches have mostly been from conceding late rather than from they scoring late to equalise, it all bodes well. Far better to have a saver on SHEFFIELD UNITED at 11/4 but with too many points
PHTM DECEMBER 2022
between the top two and the traditional powerhouses, my advice is, if youv’e backed Burnley at 16/1 then save on the Blades, if not then sit it out.
LOWER LEAGUES Unlike the elite leagues, there is no winter/World Cup break and it could be party time in the Steel City as SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY are confidently expected to outrun Ipswich and highfliers Plymouth and pip them to the title. At 7/2 they represent fair odds. In League 2, I fancy NORTHAMPTON TOWN, again a pre- season pick to bridge the gap over Leyton Orient and anyone not availing themselves at 10/1 (pre-season) should take the 9/2 on offer now.
EFL CUP The old League Cup is now at the last 16 stage and in truth, it’s hard to look beyond Pep’s boys, but 6/4 is hardly a working man’s price and my two against the field are NEWCASTLE (again highlighted at 16/1) but now a best priced 6/1 and LEICESTER CITY at 20/1. Their poor start to the season seems to be beyond them now and going into the World Cup, they were the form horses.
KING GEORGE Speaking of which, Bravemansgame is a flat track bully and I would be looking to oppose with ex-superstar ENVOI ALLEN, but keep bets to a minimum until he has been declared. The betting suggests he will run but there is many a slip between cup and lip. But 6/1 is great value.
DARTS Which brings me nicely on to this month’s headline and now that MICHAEL (BULLY BOY) SMITH has finally got the monkey off his back, I think he is fantastic odds for victory at the Alexandra Palace in the PDC World Darts Championship next month. Last year he threw away victory in the final, this year he won’t make the same mistake. Take the 8/1 now. Good punting…
Bernie the Book 87
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