Betting column: Preston and Stoke tipped for the draw

North End head back to Deepdale still looking for their first win this season and whilst the changed side in midweek found nothing in the cup, they looked ok at Norwich last weekend.

Stoke are a bit of an unknown quantity again this season, with some decent names at this level on paper.

Again though, they have not clicked yet and like North End will be itching for their first win.

I think both sides will still be waiting come teatime though, fancying a 1-1 draw at 6/1. If you fancy a first scorer, last weekend’s selection Scott Sinclair came good and he can still be backed at odds of around 9/1.

With the latest developments leaving fans less likely to watch live football this season, we could do with a nice little wager or two to fill the void for an interest!

The Premier League looks no easy task for punters this weekend, with Sunday arguably seeing the best of the action.

The lunchtime kick-off sees Man United travel down to the south coast to face Brighton looking for a result to banish the memories of last weekend’s embarrassment at home to Crystal Palace.

These are teams which the Red Devils would have swept aside in years gone by and whilst you cannot back them with confidence these days, I do think they look value at 4/5 to win here.

I always say a good side does not become a bad one overnight and this should be remembered when having a bet.

They are not a great side clearly, but they are still a good one.

For a bit of a free leg in the treble I am going to be a little lazy and stick Chelsea in there at ½ away at West Brom.

I said before the season started it could be a very long season for the Baggies and whilst they have had no easy start fixture wise, they have looked poor and out of their depth so far. This Chelsea side will be using a game like this to gel their new signings and this should spell trouble for the league newcomers.

To complete the weekend treble, hopefully we will be keeping our slips safe overnight and not in the trash can, rolling it over to Sunday where I fancy Leeds United to head down the M1 and get three points at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. The Blades have found themselves with a touch of second season syndrome so far since they have come back, and whilst it is still early days, this a tough one against a Leeds side who have scored seven in their first two games.

When you compare that to Sheff United not scoring in the league yet, you have to say 7/4 for Leeds looks a big price. In the good old days, Bramall Lane would have been a cauldron on Sunday, but this is sadly not the case, and this must help the away side.

The treble pays 6/1 and looks to have every chance.