4 Things for Bettors to Consider for the New 2023/24 Football Season

Football, like all sports, tends to evolve over time. As coaches put new strategies into place, the game itself starts to change. There are numerous examples of this. For instance, the changing role of the full-back, who is now more likely to be an attacking weapon rather than a pure defender, is a characteristic of the modern game. And goalkeepers’ tendency to play out from the back makes for more passes per game on average.

But if football itself changes, it should also follow that football betting strategies must adapt. Below we have picked out four areas that bettors should consider as we embark on a new club season in Europe. Some are general trends in the game, whereas others refer to more specific circumstances. But these facts should be considered before you place a football bet.

1. Rule Changes Mean More Goals, Cards, and Corners Are Likely

The big talking point for the new season has been the addition of more minutes to the games. English football authorities have decided to use the model adopted at the World Cup to ensure that the ball is in play for the maximum time possible, which in practice means adding extra injury time. We have already seen a bunch of games with over 15 minutes injury time. It means more goals are likely, as well as corners and yellow cards. This is also particularly important for those who partake in live betting, as they may be offered the opportunity to cash out their bets if an inordinate amount of time is added. Still, it give punters the opportunity, as it seems that more goals are likely across the season.

2. The Strength & Depth of the Premier League Should Be Factored In

Ask anyone who will win the Premier League, and you’re most likely going to hear Manchester City as the answer. And rightly so, given the treble winners are odds-on favourites with the bookmakers. Yet, the strength of the Premier League overall is growing, and City will not have it all their own way. The traditional threats of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal still remain, and Chelsea and Spurs are always tough, but City will also have to deal with Newcastle and Aston Villa. The point is that the days of teams exceeding 100 points feel like they are in the past, in the short and medium term. City are ruthless, but they only gained one win against the top nine teams away from home last season. The season will be more “attritional” than many expect. City will likely win the Premier League again, but they may lose and draw a lot of games along the way.

3. Spanish Champions League Teams Have Weak Squads

Speaking of the strength of the Premier League, La Liga has been characterised by a lack of spending this summer. Sure, Real Madrid spent big on Jude Bellingham, but the majority of Spanish clubs have been penny-pinching, Barcelona included. Sure, many of them can still put out brilliant first elevens, but squad depth is important for the Champions League, and it may hurt them later in the season. Real Madrid, for example, are very light in attack after the departure of Karim Benzema. An injury to a key player like Vinicius Jnr could derail their Champions League campaign. Burnout is also a big problem in modern football, and we’d argue that Spanish clubs trimming down their squad sizes due to financial hardship will have an impact on the Champions League and Europa League.

4. Europa League Outrights Should be Avoided Until Spring

Speaking of the Europa League, the competition proper will get underway in a few weeks, and we will predict that a lot of punters will be backing Liverpool to go all the way this season. It’s understandable, given the Reds are a Champions League quality team. However, the Europa League is not always given priority by ‘big’ teams, and you have to remember that eight Champions League teams (those who finish in 3rd place in their groups) will be parachuted into the competition in the spring. Last season, the likes of Barcelona, Sevilla, and Ajax dropped into the tournament. The point, as such, is that it could look all the more precarious for Liverpool – or any other team you are backing – in March. Best be patient in this competition, seeing how seriously your selection is taking it, and what they might be up against after the Champions League Group Stage is completed.