Jack Wright’s Top Five Ante-Post Outright Bets

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming English football season, we have been busily scouring the hundreds of ante-post markets for value. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of backing a long-term winner before the first whistle blows.

In this post, we are diving deep into the crystal ball of football predictions to bring you Jack Wright’s Top Five Ante-Post Outright Bets. Spanning the top five tiers of English football from the National League via the Championship, get ready for expert analysis, insider insights, and bold predictions that could give your betting bankroll a serious boost.

Ready to discover which teams and players could be your golden ticket? Let’s kick off our journey through the most promising ante-post bets for the 2024/25 English football season!

1. Premier League Top Goalscorer: Alexander Isak 
2. Premier League Most Assists: Bruno Fernandes
3. West Ham Top Half Finish & Luton as Top South East Championship Club
4. National League Top 3 Finish: Southend
5. Leeds Champions, Luton and Bolton Top 6, Birmingham Top 2, MK Dons Top 3 & Doncaster Top 7

2024/25 Season Preview on The Football Betting Pod: Abundant Ante-Post Angles

We’re back, as host Daniel Jenkins is joined by bettingexpert Football Editor, Sam Ingram, and bettingexpert contributor, Jack Wright, who serve up fifteen selections between them.

The pair take a forensic look at the ante-post outright betting markets with the aim of serving up a number of value selections ahead of the return of domestic football in the Premier League, Championship, League One and Two.

Premier League Top Goalscorer: Alexander the Great hitting the right notes for Toon

England, Premier League.

Erling Haaland looks to become the first player since Thierry Henry in 2006 to win the Golden Boot three years in a row. At a price as low as 1.50, the traders clearly think that is (forgive the pun) a shoo-in.

But with such prohibitive odds on the jolly we have the chance to exploit value elsewhere in the market. There is a chance the prolific Norwegian may not sweep all before him again this term.

Manchester City of course have 115 charges for alleged financial irregularity to answer at the end of the year, if found guilty that could lead to a points deduction or even expulsion from the league. Pep Guardiola’s future remains in some doubt which in turn could have a knock on effect on his players.

Last season, Haaland saw a nine-goal drop off (from four fewer games) compared to his debut campaign in England, and it is not beyond reason he could suffer more injury issues. Only a late sprint finish, which saw the 24-year-old bag seven goals in the last five games, eased him over the line. Several rivals were snapping at his heels to take his crown as late as April.

Tremendous Value

One of those rivals was Alexander Isak and at 17.00 represents tremendous value to challenge again this term. The Swedish international averaged 0.8 goals per 90 across the Premier League campaign with only the Golden Boot winner averaging more (0.9) while only two players scored more than his 21 goals.

Since arriving in England the 24-year-old has fired 31 goals in 52 league games and should kick on again in his third season with Newcastle. The Toon struggled with injuries and European commitments last term – something they do not have to contend with this time around.

That should also help Isak get more game time with no need for rotation and less risk of injury. Also, unlike most of his rivals, he had his feet up over summer, with Sweden not participating at the European Championship.

Playing this as an each-way selection means that should Isak fail to win the Golden Boot but finish in the top four as he did last season. A return would be the equivalent of a 2.50 odds winner.

• Ante-Post Selection 1: Alexander Isak Premier League – Top Goalscorer (Each Way) (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 17.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Premier League Most Assists: Bru knows it’s time for his mates to finish his chances

England, Premier League.

When scanning through the hundreds of ante-post markets, seeing Bruno Fernandes at 17.00 to provide the most Premier League assists really grabbed my attention. My initial reaction was surely that it was the wrong price.

Having scratched the surface, I noticed that maybe it wasn’t so wrong after all. Maybe it was recency bias coming off the back of the Euros where I had written many times how Bruno had provided the most (eight) assists in qualifying.

The Portuguese international also supplied eight assists for his Manchester United teammates last season, with 19 players across all clubs managing to top that total. Eight was also the (not so) magic number in 2022/23, exactly half the number of Kevin De Bruyne, who was top of the pile.

In fact since joining the Red Devils in 2019/20 Bruno has only hit double figures for assists once and that being the only time he has finished in the top four in this market when his total of 12 was bettered only by the 14 of Harry Kane.

Not for a lack of trying

So why am I putting him forward this season as one of my Top Five Ante-Post Outright Bets? Well his relatively low output isn’t through a lack of trying.

Last season, Fernandes created 22 “big chances” with only Mo Salah (23) able to top that number. Putting that into context, Ollie Watkins, who topped the assists chart with 13, created exactly half that amount.

As far as “key passes” also known as “chances created” our selection was well clear. His total of 114 was eleven more than closest challenger Pascal Groß with Martin Ødegaard the only other player to make it to three figures.

In short, Bruno was let down by his teammate’s wayward finishing. Could that happen again? Absolutely. But odds of 15.00 are too big to overlook for a player expected to create similar opportunities again and who will be on most of his side’s attacking set-pieces.

• Ante-Post Selection 2: Bruno Fernandes Premier League – Most Assists (Each Way) (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 15.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Premier League and Championship Double: Underrated pair to offer double delight

England, Premier League and Championship.

Next up, using two of the multitude of markets to form a very nice priced double. Both can be backed as singles but having had a tough time picking out my strongest fancy of the pair for the benefit of my TRACKED BETS they are going together and warrant a maximum stake.

I was a little bit upset with West Ham. Their timing was terrible. Just as I thought I had them in my pocket flying nicely under the radar they announce the signing of Crysencio Summerville is imminent with Dortmund striker Niclas Füllkrug reported to soon follow.

As a result their price for a top-half EPL finish has been trimmed but still offers tremendous value in my opinion at 2.00.

Few would argue that despite David Moyes’ sterling work and night of European glory, the appointment of Julen Lopetegui is an upgrade. Having previously managed Real Madrid and the Spanish national team he has been brought in to return European football to the London Stadium.

It is his spell in charge at Wolves that makes this selection even more appealing given he also brings his knowledge of the Premier League. As already mentioned there has been support in the transfer market with Max Kilman already through the door following his £40m move from Wolves on a seven-year contract. It appears more quality will be added before the window slams shut.

Let us not forget the Hammers have finished in the top half of the table in three of the last four years under Moyes. Anything other than a top-10 finish under the new regime wouldn’t be regarded as anything other than a failure.

“It would be a shock if this battle was even close”

The second leg is for Luton to win the South East Regional battle in the Championship. To do that, they simply need to finish higher than Watford, QPR and Millwall.

The Hatters invested sensibly in their squad following their surprise promotion to the Premier League – arguably, recruiting players who would be assets at Championship level were easier to obtain whilst holding top-flight status.

They have kept the core of their squad together and will have the financial muscle to replace any that do leave before the closing of the transfer window. Crucially, they also have retained the services of Rob Edwards, who can have them in and around the top six at the very least.

That kind of bar looks too high for their three regional rivals. Watford only finished six points above the relegation zone last season and have the very inexperienced Tom Cleverly still at the wheel. Ismaël Koné has left for Marseille with another star asset, Yáser Asprilla, expected to follow him out of the Vicarage Road exit. It is hard to see where the goals will come from while they look a little creaky at the back.

QPR more than flirted with relegation for a large part of last season but in Martí Cifuentes they have one of the most admired coaches in the second tier. Keep him and there will be no danger of the drop and instead eyes on breaking into the top 10.

Millwall were another side that struggled under poor management last term. Enter club legend Neil Harris to ride to the Lions rescue and guide them to the comfort of a 13th placed finish. It would be a surprise to see the Londoners build on that but could creep a few places higher if Macaulay Langstaff can transfer his prolific goal scoring in the fourth and fifth tier to Championship level.

In summary, it would be a shock if this battle was even close come the business end of the season.

• Ante-Post Selection 3: West Ham Premier League – To Finish in Top Half & Luton England Championship – Regional Winner Top South East Club (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.81
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

National League Top Three Finish: Southend to surge – time to back the blues

England, National League.

Things finally look to be back on the up for Southend United. For a while all Shrimpers fans could have wished for from this season was to have a team to support.

Last month a consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees finally completed a takeover of the club which was formed in 1906. In the second tier as recently as 2007, a year which also saw them reach the League Cup quarter-finals.

With several lifelong fans forming the consortium, Southend can now look to begin a journey of upward trajectory once again. That starts with a promotion push this season.

Manager Kevin Maher has worked wonders during his time in charge. Navigating a transfer embargo and suffering spells where he and his players were not paid with the Shrimpers Trust supporters’ group loaning the money to at least appease that situation.

Working Wonders

Despite all the off-field noise, Maher guided the club to a ninth-placed finish last term. Had it not been for a 10-point deduction, they would have made the play-offs and finished sixth.

That strong performance was built on defensive solidity, with no side conceding fewer than their 45 goals – 20 less than title winners Chesterfield. Only 21 of those came at Roots Hall, which is also the lowest total in the league, and they will look to once again turn their home ground into a fortress.

The club website reported last week, “We are on course to sell more season tickets for the 2024/25 campaign than we have done since the 2006/07 season in the Championship.” In numbers, that is 4000.

With positivity all around, some shrewd acquisitions and the foundations to mount a serious challenge at the top of the table, I wouldn’t put you off any pro-Southend angle. However, I have fallen on the Top 3 Finish market and what looks like a great price of 5.00.

• Ante-Post Selection 4: Southend National League – Top 3 Finish (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 5.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Skybet RequestABet: See you in Vegas!

England, Championship, League One and League Two.

I wanted to end my Top Five Ante-Post Outright Bets piece with a monster long shot. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy throwing some loose change on a bet at triple-digit odds and watching it unfold over the course of the next ten months.

This caught my eye as I was flicking through the seemingly never-ending list of RequestABets. It can be found at SkyBet here or by following the path Football>Specials>Cross-Competition RequestABets 24/25.

I’ll briefly break down my reasoning for each of the six legs.

In the Championship, Leeds are rightful favourites to lift a trophy manager Daniel Farke has previously done twice before. After missing out last season despite amassing a huge 90 points, the only slight concern is any Wembley hangover after their defeat to Southampton in the play-off final.

Four of the last five favourites have duly obliged in the English second tier and this looks a much weaker renewal than the one the Yorkshire club finished third last term. They can overcome the loss of Archie Gray and Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville and return to the promised land of the Premier League.

I have already discussed Luton at length and don’t need add much more as to why I feel they can at least claim a place in the top six.

Bolton were expected to be lining up alongside Leeds and Luton this term. Oxford had other ideas though and sprung a surprise victory in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

No more heartbreak please

That was a second successive season of play-off heartbreak for the Trotters but they continue to keep faith in manager Ian Evatt who has progressed the club in each of his four full campaigns in charge. One suspects he will have to continue that progression to still be in situ this time next year.

Most key personnel remain for another tour of duty, while there have been some nice additions of young talent. Arguably, snapping up the services of Scott Arfield could be the shrewdest move for a side that doesn’t need a lot of tweaking – certainly to once again grab a top-six place, which is all we need them to do.

Birmingham are a very warm order to bounce straight back to the Championship at the first time of asking. Blues have been busy in the transfer market. They have a massive budget, and it would be seen as a disaster if highly rated head coach Chris Davies fails to deliver the title in his debut season as number one.

I wouldn’t be backing Brum at such short odds as a single, but they are fine as part of this particular RAB. We also get the added wiggle room of a runner-up finish doing the job for us.

League Two selections MK Dons and Doncaster are both extensively covered in my League Two Prediction Ante-Post Outright Preview which you can read in full here.

• Ante-Post Selection 5: Leeds to win the league, Luton and Bolton to finish in top 6, Birmingham to finish in top 2, MK Dons to finish in top 3 & Doncaster to finish in top 7 (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 151.00
• Bookmaker: SkyBet
• Stake: 2/10

Jack Wright’s Top Five Ante-Post Outright Bets Odds via bet365 as at 16:25, 2nd August 2024 – odds for best bets may now differ.

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