Football fans have plenty to look forward to in 2024, with the upcoming calendar packed with a ton of exciting events at club and international level.
Quality always trumps quantity when it comes to predicting the outcome of games, so read on as we pinpoint five unmissable football tips for the year ahead.
Premier League
It would be fair to say that things have not gone to plan for Manchester United during the first half of the season, but they should improve in the New Year.
The Red Devils showed plenty of spirit in their recent home game against Aston Villa, recovering from a two-goal deficit to secure a 3-2 victory.
That result moved them up to sixth in the Premier League and they look a good bet at odds of 8/5 to claim a top-six finish at the end of the season.
Injuries have not helped United’s cause up to this point, and positive results should start to flow when everyone is available.
Newcastle United and West Ham United will likely be their main rivals for a top-six spot, but Erik ten Hag’s side are strongly fancied to get the job done.
Bundesliga
Every professional blackjack player will testify that winning runs eventually end and this may apply to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season.
They are chasing their 12th consecutive German league title, but have been dealt a tougher hand than they have become accustomed to in recent years.
Leverkusen are yet to be defeated in the league this season and went into the winter break with a useful four-point lead over the reigning champions.
While Bayern have a game in hand, they must also visit Leverkusen in February which gives their title rivals the advantage in the race.
Odds of 9/4 for Leverkusen to finish top are exceptional value when considering that some casino games only pay Evens for outcomes which are effectively a coin-flip.
Champions League
Manchester City have been all-the-rage in the outright market for the Champions League as they strive to win the competition for the second successive season.
Pep Guardiola’s side breezed through the group stage and should have little difficulty seeing off the challenge of FC Copenhagen in the last-16.
Another run to the final is undoubtedly not beyond the realms of possibility, but they may ultimately come up short in their quest to go back-to-back in the competition.
Real Madrid leap off the page as likely winners at odds of 6/1 having been as impressive as Man City during the opening phase.
The 14-time European champions have been paired with RB Leipzig in the last-16 and should make it through to the quarter-finals with the minimum of fuss.
Europa League
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Evan Ferguson has been making waves with Brighton & Hove Albion over the past year, and he could help the club scoop the jackpot by winning the Europa League.
The Seagulls have booked their place in the last-16 of the competition after impressing in the group stage and will fancy their chances of making further progress.
They look overpriced at odds of 14/1 and could deliver a casino-sized windfall to punters if their emerging Irish superstar delivers the goods.
European Championship
Some bookmakers rate England as the 3/1 favourites to win the 2024 European Championship, but they make zero appeal as a betting proposition.
Unlike online casino players, manager Gareth Southgate is renowned for being overly cautious and this factor will once again prevent the Three Lions from winning major silverware this summer.
By contrast, France are overpriced at odds of 4/1 to win the tournament given the depth of quality in their squad and they are strongly fancied to lift the trophy.
Portugal could give punters a good run for their money after impressing during qualifying, while Spain and Italy should also not be underestimated.
Home advantage may help Germany, although their recent performances in friendly matches have been rather underwhelming.