Football
Derek Bilton, ESPN.co.uk betting writer 5y

Man City's Sterling to strike vs. Liverpool in Community Shield?

Our banker bet won again in midweek and we also tipped Tottenham to beat Real Madrid, but Los Blancos failing to find the net in that one cost us a potential 4/1 winner. The EFL season starts in England this weekend, while Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp resume hostilities as Liverpool face Manchester City in the Community Shield

Running total: -£2.75

The Banker

Leeds look rightful betting favourites to win the Championship and can be backed at 9/2 to win the title with bet365. The Whites may just have pulled off the signing of the summer by extending the contract of Marcelo Bielsa, who has been entrusted to get the Yorkshire giants back into the Premier League promised land at the second time of asking. Leeds roared out of the blocks last term, losing just three of their first 24 matches. But after topping the table for much of the season they fell away badly at the end and eventually lost that titanic playoff semifinal second leg to Derby at Elland Road. A few of their brighter young talents have gone over the summer but Leeds still have a strong squad and the youngsters from last season will be that bit older and wiser this time around. Their star man remains Pablo Hernandez but if ever there was a signing that signalled their intent to have a real go this year then Helder Costa is it.

Fulham and Cardiff City are expected to be their biggest threats for the title but Leeds should have learned plenty after the heartbreak of last season and the Bielsa factor could see them get over the line to justify ante-post favouritism.

Selection: £6 on Leeds to win the Championship at 9/2 with bet 365.

The First Goal Flutter

Manchester City are 10/11 favourites to beat Liverpool and lift the Community Shield this weekend. The Citizens claimed an unprecedented domestic treble last season while the Reds walked away with a sixth European Cup triumph. However, Liverpool's preseason has been troubled, and they've not looked anywhere near their best and a defence that was brilliant for much of last season has been getting breached with alarming regularity. If the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson are not on their game then Raheem Sterling could cash in. The Manchester City man said recently he was glad to see Klopp's side claim a sixth European title in Madrid but there will be no room for sentiment at Wembley and Sterling looks a bet to score first.

Selection: £2 on Sterling to score first at 5/1 with bet365.

The Tasty Treble

West Brom look a spot of value at 21/10 to beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Only champions Norwich (93) scored more goals than the Baggies (87) last season while the jury is out on Forest under new boss Sabri Lamouchi. Elsewhere, Stoke City spent over £30 million on players last season but failed to mount a serious promotion challenge. Hopes remain high though that Nathan Jones can get them going this season and they look worth a bet at 4/5 to beat QPR at home. Finally, Blackburn (17/20) can build on a season of consolidation last year and are fancied to see off a Charlton side who may struggle in England's second tier after their League One playoff success last season. The Championship treble pays better than 9/1 with bet365 and can help followers start the season with a bang.

Selection: £3 on the treble at 9.32/1 with bet 365.

The Wildcard Tip

There's a real feeling in Germany that Borussia Dortmund could win the Bundesliga this season. Indeed after considerable summer investment, with six new players in and the likes of Jadon Sancho really blossoming, the side who finished just two points behind Bayern Munich last season are aiming break the Bavarians' seven-year stranglehold on the title.

This weekend they will try to lift their sixth DFL Supercup and we rate them as good things at 11/5 to edge out a Bayern side who look a club in transition both on and off the pitch. Experienced duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have left and they've looked a bit vulnerable at times during their pre-season campaign.

Selection: £2.50 on Borussia Dortmund to beat Bayern Munich at 11/5 with bet365.

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