The Golden Nuggets: 2010/11 - Scottish Premier League

By Sports Magician

LEAGUE WINNER

Newsflash: The winner of the 2010/11 Scottish Premier League will come from the 'Old Firm'. But will it be the Gers or the Celts? Both Glasgow giants have lost fire power in the off-season; Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd have departed Ibrox, while Robbie Keane’s loan at Celtic is over, although Neil Lennon continues to leave the door open for his return. The Rangers squad was never the biggest, and at the present rate, with players on the way out rather than the way in, it will be a real challenge for Walter Smith to secure a third consecutive title in what will be his last season in football as a manager.

Lennon was given the manager’s job at Celtic on a full-time basis in the off-season after a successful stint in the hot-seat towards the end of last season. Celtic ended the season without a trophy and will be keen to put that right this time around. Celtic, like Rangers, don’t have millions to play with in the transfer market and have been on the prowl for experienced players they can draft in to the squad on free transfers or loan deals. Charlie Mulgrew and Cha Du Ri have joined the club and more arrivals are expected before the start of the season, although attempts to sign Sol Campbell appear to have hit a roadblock with other suitors attracting the ex-England defender’s attention.

In terms of favouritism, most bookmakers are awarding Celtic the edge, and that seems about right to me. And for that reason, we will snap the 2.00 available at BWIN before it’s too late.

PICK: 4*CELTIC WIN SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE @ 2.00 (BWIN)


WITHOUT THE ‘OLD FIRM’

Hearts massively underperformed last season and talk out of Tynecastle during the off-season has been about ensuring a top three place in the league this season. Talk is cheap, but frankly I don’t see much of a difference squad-wise between those looking to contend in this market - Dundee United, Hibernian and Motherwell, with Aberdeen possibly in with a chance of getting in on the mix.

There has been some movement in and out for Jim Jefferies’s side - the loss of Michael Stewart being a marginal blow, but they have been able to keep Burnley’s hands off Andrew Driver…for now. Kevin Kyle has arrived to bolster the attacking options after seeing out his contract at Kilmarnock. If any side should be favoured in this market, then you’d have to say Hearts have the slightly better squad than their rivals, so to see them third in the betting is an opportunity for us to move in on.

Craig Brown improved Motherwell’s fortunes when he arrived last season and they too appear overpriced in this market. Although with such a young squad they could find it tough to keep a high level of consistency from beginning to end. Hearts offer the outstanding value in this market and should they start the season well, we could be in a position soon after to ensure a positive return on all of the likely contenders.

PICK: 5*HEARTS WIN SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE WITHOUT THE OLD FIRM @ 5.50 (WILLIAM HILL)

PICK: 2*MOTHERWELL WIN SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE WITHOUT THE OLD FIRM @ 9.00 (SKY BET)

Sports Magician