THE GOLDEN NUGGETS
by Sports Magician

2009/10-1
PICKS IN PLAY: 0
TALLY: N/A

Welcome to the first instalment of the Golden Nuggets for the 2009/10 season. Following a successful stint towards the end of last season, the Golden Nuggets return for the new campaign and you can take advantage of the three selections on offer each and every Friday for the duration of the season. You will find selections from all over Europe and South America over the course of the season and can expect a very healthy points total by the conclusion of the campaign. And you’ll then be able to utilise those profits to gain further at next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

This weekend sees the action kick off in England in all divisions other than the Premier League. And that’s where the focus will be, on the outright markets for the Championship, League One and League Two.

CHAMPIONSHIP OUTRIGHT

For much of the summer Newcastle have remained ante-post favourites to win the Championship and make a quick return to the Premier League. Despite continued turmoil and indecision at the club, they still remain among the three top contenders for the division according to bookmakers. At present, I’d say Newcastle will be fortunate to claim a playoff spot.

The team I consider most likely to return to the Premier League at the first attempt are West Bromwich Albion. Under new management in Roberto Di Matteo following the departure of Tony Mowbray to Celtic, the Baggies look well set for a strong campaign. West Brom have kept most of the squad together, including Jonathon Greening, as well as adding young strikers in Simon Cox and Reuben Reid who scored 29 and 19 goals in Leagues One and Two, respectively last season. Ismael Miller also returns from long term injury and provides WBA with healthy and varying options upfront.

Winner

West Bromwich Albion	7.00  @
Middlesbrough FC	8.00  @
Newcastle United FC	8.50  @
Ipswich Town	11.00  @
Sheffield United	13.00  @
Reading	17.00  @
Queens Park Rangers	22.00  @
Cardiff City	23.00  @
Leicester City	26.00  @

Di Matteo will keep West Brom playing in the same fashion that players and fans alike became accustomed to under Mowbray and by the end of the season they should justify their current tag as favourites for the division.

PICK: 3* (EACH-WAY) WEST BROM TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP @ 7.00 (1/4 ODDS 1-3 PLACES) (BWIN)

LEAGUE ONE OUTRIGHT

Charlton have seen a batch of senior players leave the club, mainly due to expiring contracts, and with the club still in the shadow of a proposed takeover, it hasn’t been easy for Phil Parkinson to make the acquisitions he may have wanted to with the season on the horizon. Arguably the club’s prized asset – Andy Gray – still remains at the Valley after a move to Barnsley has stalled due to the uncertainty of the takeover at Charlton. Having Gray still at the club to start the season will come as an unexpected bonus for a side that will rely mainly on youth in pursuit of a return to the Championship.

Despite the exodus of players, many of whom were on contracts too big to sustain in League One, Charlton have acquired the services of Christian Dailly. The experienced Scot will be able to help bring along young talent such as Jonjo Shelvey, and has been joined at the club by Frazer Richardson (from Leeds) and Miguel Angel Llera (MK Dons).

Leeds United	4.50  @
Norwich City	8.00  @
Charlton Athletic	13.00  @
Milton Keynes Dons FC	11.00  @
Huddersfield Town	12.00  @
Millwall	17.00  @
Brighton and Hove Albion	17.00  @
Southampton	23.00  @
Colchester United FC	34.00  @

Leeds are very short priced favourites for League One but having sold Fabian Delph to Aston Villa and with WBA casting their eyes on Jermaine Beckford, I don’t see the value or justification in such a price whatsoever. Charlton may not be the ‘sexy’ pick in League One, but they offer decent each-way value on a club that possesses young talent hoping to prove their worth.

PICK: 1.5* (EACH-WAY) CHARLTON TO WIN LEAGUE ONE @ 13.00 (1/4 ODDS 1-3 PLACES) (LADBROKES )

LEAGUE TWO OUTRIGHT

The big story in League Two has been the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson at Meadow Lane as Director of Football. How long Eriksson remains at the oldest club in professional football with respect to the long term aim of taking Notts County back to the top tier of English football remains to be seen. However, in the short term the prospects look good for Notts County and manager Ian McParland, especially thanks to the arrival of Lee Hughes and Luke Rodgers. The newly acquired duo should be able to provide the club with plenty of goals as they aim to fire their way into League One.

The group behind Eriksson’s arrival clearly have the finances and resources that make Notts County the big player in the division. Sven can make himself useful throughout the season by utilising his many contacts in the game which should ensure that Notts County get the pick of players available on loan from clubs higher up the food chain. A lot of attention will be focused on the club because of Eriksson’s involvement, and I think they can take the first step on what is a long term plan.

Winner

Notts County	6.50  @
Rotherham United FC	9.05  @
Bradford City	13.00  @
Shrewsbury Town	13.00  @
Northampton Town	13.00  @
Bury	15.10  @
Chesterfield	17.00  @
Crewe Alexandra	17.00  @
Bournemouth FC	18.00  @

PICK: 2* (EACH-WAY) NOTTS COUNTY TO WIN LEAGUE TWO @ 6.50 (1/4 ODDS 1-3 PLACES) (STAN JAMES)