Monday 7th October 2024

In Across the Leagues today:

• United to pull the plug?
• Shock potential in Scotland…
• Coming up this week… 

Turn on the floodlights…

We don’t get involved much in the football ‘specials’ markets…

I’m a stats man. And when it comes to betting on who will be the next Manchester United manager, for example. There’s not a lot I can tell you there…

United to pull the plug?

Countless sports media ‘platforms’ will line up for hours to gas in your ears about the latest gossip and rumours. Boardroom bust-ups. Dressing room unrest. You know the kind of thing…

One thing I will point out today though - as we stand on the eve of this month’s International break…

When Man Utd finally put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer out of his misery, in late November 2021. The announcement came straight after an International break…

With the Old Trafford powers-that-be having a bit of thinking time on their hands over the next week or two - with the next United fixture not coming until Saturday, 19th October. You can see why Skybet have got Erik ten Hag as the 4/6 (1.67) favourite in their Next Premier League Manager to Leave market.

But then again… there’s another International window coming up next month. The last one of the year. And a lot can happen between now and then…

Building up the charge…

Football, sport, betting - it’s all full of twists and turns…

Like Man City’s annual title charge, it can take us a while to build up a head of steam…

We’re still waiting for our first big acca to land this season; for our first winning streak to roll along. It will come…

In the English Football League (EFL), where there are Championship, League One, and League Two teams just arriving on 10 games played for 2024/25. The form and bet-specific stats on your Across the Leagues website will only become more useful, powerful, and profitable in your hands from now on…

• For example, here’s one little-known nugget that I’ve been keeping my eye on. Oxford Utd are doing well as a newly-promoted side in the Championship (10th). But the U’s have the clear worst record in the division when it comes to winning the Most Corners. Landing that bet in just one of their 9 league matches so far. Look out for opponents as the bet for the Most Corners/ Corners Match Bet/ -1 Corner Handicap

Shock potential in Scotland…

In our Scottish Premiership pre-season preview, we noted that Aberdeen were 100/1 for the title. And that lead striker Bojan Miovski was likely to be leaving in the August transfer window…

Well, we’re now in October. Aberdeen have won seven out of seven in the league. Level on points with Celtic. And the Dons’ 100% start to the season extends to all competitions; for an overall record of played 13 won 13. Impressive stuff…

Miovski did indeed set sail for pastures new. He’s now at Girona in Spain. Anticipating his departure, we went for Aberdeen’s Ester Sokler as a 50/1 Each Way long-shot for Scottish Premiership Top Goalscorer…

That wager hasn’t worked out well so far. In fact, Sokler is yet to score in the league. While his teammate, Pape Habib Gueye has been leading the way - on five goals, sitting top of the scoring chart as it stands. However, the Senegal striker is now out injured for a few months. The plot thickens…

The bookies haven’t budged too much from their ante-post opinions for our man. Sokler is still 50/1 Each Way at best (William Hill). With Bet365 at 40/1. And BetVictor just 20/1.

• Incidentally, if you fancy Aberdeen to keep it up and go all the way for the Scottish Premiership title this season - the bookmakers now have that upset priced at 50/1 - 25/1

Turn on the floodlights…

I’ll be back towards the end of the week. With UEFA Nations League fixtures for us to take a look at from Thursday onwards. And League One and League Two fixtures at the weekend.

And as the evenings begin to draw in, autumn shivers creep under the draft excluder - and the floodlights go on at football grounds up and down the land…

You and I will be getting muddy, and getting down to action. With the traditional, stacked football calendar racking up several weeks of back-to-back, midweek & weekend fixture lists…

From the Premier League, EFL, and Scotland… to the European leagues… domestic cups… and of course the UEFA Champions League, Europa League AND Conference League.

Lots to look forward to. I’ll see on Thursday.

P.S
Want to get in touch? Email me at: oliver.upstone@oxonpress.co.uk

Enjoy the football…

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Across the Leagues