It's time to dust off the old crystal ball - it’s out with the old and in with the new.
The turn of a New Year is always an appropriate point to take stock - and seek out a few value punts.
And so I’ve taken a look at each division and picked those bets which I believe, at this stage of the season, look as though they could go somewhere.
The easiest - and I think most interesting - way of looking at these is to pick one from the top five divisions of English football - so that's what I've done.
And I hope it gives you some food for thought at least…
Gianluigi Donnarumma to win the Premier League Golden Glove - 12/1
I thought I was going to be left to write about Aston Villa winning the Premier League as my value punt. They are 16/1 to lift the title before kicking-off against Arsenal.
And that was a very, very difficult sentence for this Birmingham City supporter to write.
So it’s time for a scout around because while West Ham to go down would be my first choice (2/5) it doesn’t add much juice - and we all like a bit of juice, don’t we?
The Golden Glove market is particularly interesting.
Arsenal’s David Raya is currently odds-on. But, speaking to a mate of mine who covers the Gunners for a living, he reckons that there’s an air of nervousness surrounding the Emirates as the big Premier League crown moves into sight.
And while Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez is second in the pecking order with eight shut-outs to his name, Manchester City’s big custodian is tugging at their tails.
It would not take too much by way of a drop-off in form for that gap to narrow during the second half of the season.
Manchester City are battle-hardened. They know how to win big prizes and their form at the Etihad remains rock-solid.
Donnarumma has played a huge part in them piecing together their campaign.
He’s going to play week in, week out, too.
It’s not going to take much to change the dynamic on that market. And I believe Manchester City could tighten the screw in the next couple of months.
Chelsea don’t convince. Trouble could be afoot, there. I think there’s something in the jitters setting in at Arsenal. Manchester City, as ever under Pep Guardiola, are poised to pounce.
(Odds will display when market is available).
Sheffield United to win Championship promotion - 10/1
Ruben Selles was quickly booted out of Bramall Lane in the Autumn after an experiment with fantasy football backfired - and old war horse Chris Wilder was brought back to resume his love affair with the Blades.
It has not been plain-sailing from Day One. But now that Wilder has established a true identity for his side, results have picked up.
Victory in their last match of 2025 saw the price leap in six points from 16/1 to 10/1 on Sheffield United returning to the Premier League.
And while it will take an improvement for them to reach the kind of points total necessary for a top six spot, there are reasons to believe.
First, they boast significant firepower at this level.
Patrick Bamford and Danny Ings are getting on but the latter, in particular, has done it at the top level. Tom Cannon should be improving with increased exposure and Tyrese Campbell, at the age of 26, is nearing his prime.
Furthermore, there is a significant supply line. Callum O’Hare was brought up at Aston Villa watching Jack Grealish rise through the ranks and there is more than a hint of that in his play.
Gus Hamer was last season’s Player of the Year in the Championship and remains a reliable source of inspiration, if not perspiration, at times.
The Blades have collected 22 goals from their last nine outings and, importantly, five of their last eight games will be at Bramall Lane during the run-in.
They are building up a head of steam.
In a division that is now showing signs of a pecking order being established, Sheffield United look primed for a charge during the second half of the campaign.
(Odds will display when market is available).
Peterborough United to finish in League One top six - 12/1
Out of all of the competitions in the top five tiers of English football, this is the one that is the most tricky to call.
Twelve points separate Stockport County in fourth, from Exeter City who lie just one place above the relegation zone, in 20th.
Fortunes can quickly ebb and flow in this division and there are a couple of teams worth watching.
Luke Williams is a man I’ve kept tabs on since hearing rumours that he was a coach of note during his time as assistant manager at Swindon Town eight years ago.
Having interviewed him during his time at Notts County - he lifted the Magpies back into the Football League after a battle royal with Wrexham - it was pleasing to see him get a shot at the big time with Swansea City.
Okay, that didn’t work out. But Posh director of football Barry Fry has zeroed in on a guy who loves setting up his teams to play.
That’s reflected in the results at present too. Posh have drawn just two times this season - ironically one of those was against Reading in their last outing.
However, a four-game winning streak has pushed them back in contention and a top six spot looks within reach.
The other team to watch is Blackpool. Ian Evatt is starting to see the green shoots of recovery at Bloomfield Road after taking charge from Steve Bruce.
It’s 21 points from 12 games under his stewardship so far. Including a four-goal thumping of Rotherham.
More importantly, their last three matches have been shut-outs, which always keeps the scoreboard ticking over.
Evatt knows all about this division, too. He was at Bolton last term and has specific knowledge of League One. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
(Odds will display when market is available).
Bromley to win League Two - 7/2
Andy Woodman has put together a powerful outfit at Hayes Lane.
And no more can the critics say that the plastic pitch gives them an unfair advantage after it was torn up following their promotion to the Football League.
They are big, strong and powerful. But a lot of their potency surrounds striker Michael Cheek who has risen through the leagues with the Ravens.
If he stays fit - and he bagged a hat-trick against Crawley this week - there is every reason to think that Woodman can earn another promotion.
Bromley went top of the pile with their victory in Sussex and are currently riding the crest of a wave.
Woodman has been around the block as a manager after being a goalkeeping coach at a number of top-flight clubs.
He’s seen most of what football is about. And if he can keep Cheek fit, the Ravens are looking good to see it home.
(Odds will display when market is available).
Solihull Moors to finish in the National League top seven - 12/1
Okay, hear me out on this one as we head into the National League.
My local club, Solihull Moors. Going nowhere under Matt Taylor. The Moors earned just three points from the opening eight games before he was shown the door.
Former Northern Ireland international James Quinn did an excellent job steadying the ship before ex-Halifax Town boss Chris Millington took charge.
Since the hapless Taylor was booted out, the story has been one of gradual improvement.
The Moors now sit four points behind Southend who occupy seventh.
While the top five have carved out a healthy advantage, there isn’t much to choose between the rest.
The accrual of points since Taylor’s exit is 29 from 16 games.
Now, extrapolated over the remainder of the season - at the current rate, the club is on course to hit the 74-point mark.
That would have put them into the play-offs every year since the league was expanded.
And in the past couple of games, there are just signs the Moors are hitting form.
In the last two home matches, they have smashed 11 goals. Four against Sutton United and they’ve put seven against rivals Tamworth.
They currently trade at 12/1 to make the top seven. And a huge 200/1 to be promoted.
A long shot, maybe. But one that is worth consideration.
(Odds will display when market is available).
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
