COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL IS BACK: Not even a month has passed since EURO 2016 and we are back with the first competitive weekend of fixtures for the new season! All the major leagues across Europe will be back in action after their short break, which of course is great news for all us football fans. So lets see if we can start the new season winning some money on the BETDAQ Exchange.

COMMUNITY SHIELD
Last season we saw the biggest shock winner of the Premier League in Leicester City. It was incredible, now the question on everybody’s lips is: ‘Can they do it again?’ While I don’t know if they will compete for the league again, I certainly don’t think this team was a once off. I expect them to have a strong year again. They have been beaten well in their couple of pre-season friendlies, but the same as I said before the Euros, I think friendlies can show up very false signs.

Leicester’s defence struggled in their games against PSG and Barcelona but lets remember how solid they were last year. They were excellent, tough to break down and a real nuisance to attacking players. I expect closer to this than their preseason defensive form. Then look at their attack, from what we have seen of Ahmed Musa he will be a great addition to the side. A bundle of energy with incredible speed. This seems a perfect fit. Leicester have played some brilliant attacking football in preseason, although they have lost they actually played really well.

Man United have certainly gotten stronger during the offseason, and could get even stronger with the addition of you know who. I think it could take them a bit of time to settle however, and in their preseason showing I’m not overly convinced that they are a brilliant bet at less than evens against last years League Champions. Neither team has seen the results this preseason, but what we are seeing here is Leicester being underestimated again this season until they prove they’re the real deal again. I for one, think they are the real deal. Verdict – Lay Man United

QPR v LEEDS
I think QPR are a real dark horse to win the Championship this year, or at least win promotion. They are currently 46.0 to lift the trophy which is right in the middle of the pack. For me they should be much lower odds. I think Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink is a great manager for the team. He finished off last season strongly, and I expect him to carry this momentum into the new year. He has gotten rid of much of the surplus players in the squad and I think has found himslef a team with some very strong players.

They don’t have the financial backing that Newcastle do, but I think with a lower amount of pressure hanging over them they can really perform this season. They start their campaign off at home against an unpredictable Leeds side. This club is a bit all over the place in terms of their ownership, but they still do have a decent side. Looking at the pricing for this one though, I think QPR are a steal at 2.16.

At home in such a tight pitch is a great advantage for them. It is always a tough place for teams to go, because the pitch is so small, and the fans are always so close to the pitch. Hasselbaink will push his players to play with intensity, you just have to look what he did at Bury to see that. So with a fresh season and coming in under the radar I really fancy QPR to do the job on Sunday. Verdict – QPR Win

BIRMINGHAN v CARDIFF
Birmingham are another side I expect to have a good season this year, and I think they can challenge for promotion to the Premier League. Similar to QPR, I think Birmingham will really benefit from having a strong manager. Gary Rowett has done a great job since joining Birmingham in 2014 and I expect this to be a step up from last year.

Birmingham looked a Playoff side for most of last season but just dropped off towards the end of the season. They looked to have tired out but I don’t see the same thing happening this time around. Howett will have his side well drilled and disciplined throughout the year and I think you will see them strengthening as they progress. They are quit a reasonable price against Cardiff, and similar to above again, I think Birmingham will be able to make home advantage count to get their season underway. Verdict – Birmingham Win

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