The Scottish football league begins in earnest this weekend with 30 teams bringing the curtain up on another season of hopes and dreams.
For some north of the border 2010/11 will be a campaign to tell the grandkids about in generations to come, recalling worn old tales of glory - whilst for others this season will test their faith in the beautiful game to its limits. Scottish lower league football is miles behind what our cousins on the continent enjoy, it's more Skoda than Samba, but it's ours and we wouldn't have it any other way. Keep your 100 million pound transfers, we'll have frozen pitches, a winter fixture backlog and a pie and Bovril any day of the week.
Another plus point about following the first, second and third divisions is that bookmakers often overlook it, pricing games up on past glories without ever putting the leg work in, this of course makes it a happy hunting ground for shrewd punters. Similarly with the Championship in England, any team can win it - so it's worth doing a bit of 'behind the scenes' research.
Dundee led the way for the vast majority of last season before falling apart down the home straight, gifting Inverness the flag. Terry Butcher’s men went up whilst Airdrie United and Ayr United made way for Stirling and Cowdenbeath. Dundee will be under the leadership of new boss Gordon Chisholm this term but the board invested heavily last year in an attempt to buy their way out of the league and failure to do so has left them in trouble. The dark blues should go well but I don’t believe they will be in better shape than last time and I certainly don’t believe their narrow 11/5 (Bluesq) price tag represents value for money.
Falkirk were relegated from the SPL but we all know that doesn’t mean that they will bounce straight back up again. The Bairns are inexperienced at this level and they will visit grounds this season that many of their better players didn’t know existed. There is no doubt that they will start with a good mix of grafters and skill but on the tight, uneven pitches at this level, brawn rather than brain usually prevails. The 2009 Scottish cup finalists have been forced to shed a number of their high earners and will go off as the 5/2 (Bet365) second favourites.
Punters seeking a big priced each way punt may find fortune in Greenock Morton. The Ton suffered a dip in form last season, narrowly avoiding relegation, and have been priced up accordingly. Chairman Douglas Rae has since ended the contracts of manager James Grady and a number of passenger players, replacing them with new boss Allan Moore.
The 45 year old steered Stirling to success in division two last year whilst operating on a part time contract but in his new job he has been promised enough money to bring in eight new players. It is surely any manager's dream to start from scratch but Moore will also inherit some decent players already at Cappielow including English striker Peter Weatherson who would make the starting line up of the majority of Scottish clubs. In the 2008/09 campaign, Morton troubled the leaders under Davie Irons and another big season looks likely. Allan Moore is looking forward to managing his first full time outfit and has already promised to steer Morton back to the top flight with the full backing of the board. This should bring their hefty support flooding back to the cowshed and they look a value each way bet at 25/1, 1/4 the odds 1-2-3 with Paddypower.
Down in division two and Airdrie United were desperately unlucky in the league above last time out. The Diamonds suffered badly with injuries throughout but once settled they managed a very strong finish indeed. They have one of the better stadiums in the division, promoting passing football and if they can get off to a strong start and steer clear of big time injuries then they also look place value at 9/1 with Paddypower.
Scottish teams to follow this year-
Morton each way
Airdrie Utd each way
