Right Said Fred: United cut to 20/1 to win the title

United are the big movers at Betfred with fans in their droves backing them to win the Premier League.

With the Reds kicking off the new season on Friday at home to Fulham, we have cut them from 33/1 to 20/1 to win the title outright.

I do see a decent season on the cards for us and I'm full of hope that United can build on the FA Cup final win over City.

Much will depend on how our new signings settle - and the form of so inconsistent Marcus Rashford.

He needs to put the disappointment of being dropped by England for the Euros behind him and get back to staring for United week in week out.

He's 9/2 favourite at Betfred to score first at Old Trafford on Friday  - and 40/1  for the golden boot.

City remain the team to beat and are 6/5 to be champs again with Arsenal at 7/4, Liverpool 7/1, Chelsea 16/1, mighty Man United at 20/1, Newcastle and Spurs at 25/1 while Aston Villa make up the top eight at 50/1 for the title.

Number 13 proved lucky for Betfred winner Greg Capper.

For that's how many weekend football matches in which he predicted the winning team...and his £1 accumulator bet won him a handsome £2,833.

And the 65 year old didn't even include his own favourite team Birmingham City on his coupon...although he does reckon they will end up  League One champions.

Grandad Greg went for opening day of the season wins for Bristol Rovers, Lincoln, Bolton, Huddersfield, Stevenage, Stockport, Wrexham, AFC Wimbledon, Cheltenham, Doncaster, Walsall  - and away from the EFL in the National League Dagenham and Oldham.

The regular in the Betfred shop 

 near his  home in Birmingham took just 20 minutes to complete his amazing winning coupon.

He said: "Most of the choices were pot luck but I was impressed by Huddersfield's summer spending and I have always liked Bolton so thought a bit about them as I did not to include Birmingham!"

Greg failed a fitness test in his youth at his beloved Birmingham City and his heart condition meant he couldn't serve the country in the Royal Navy.

Now Greg, who became a car mechanic before retirement, can't fly because of his underlying health issue .... but that won't be stopping him splashing his winnings on a holiday.

He said: "The winnings are in the bank but not for long as I fancy a cruise or a nice trip to Cornwall...and all it will have cost me is £1."

It was a close run thing for regular customer Greg,  with Cheltenham scoring their winner in the 90th minutes and Wimbledon being two down before triumphing 4-2 against Newport. Interesting that Greg didn't let his heart rule his head as his own team Birmingham, who are favourites with us to be League One champions, surprisingly only drew their opener against Reading.

What a great summer of sport we're all enjoying...and it's most certainly not over yet.

This weekend marks the opening round of fixtures in the Premier League - and Betfred Super League Magic Weekend takes place at Elland Road in Leeds.

With United playing on Friday I'll be able to focus on the six RL games starting with Hull FC v London Broncos on Saturday.

Then it’s the two blockbuster games - Wigan v Saints and third-place Wire attempting to block Leeds' traditional late surge into the Betfred Super League top six play offs.

On Sunday Hull KR, who are surprise leaders of Betfred Super League, are top of the bill when they play Catalans Dragons - a game sandwiched between Leigh v Salford and Huddersfield v Castleford.

At this business end of the season, Betfred have holders Wigan as the 10/11 favourites to win the Grand Final with Wire and St Helens both at 9/2, HKR at 5/1, Catalans at 14/1 with the Rhinos at 33/1 - and my home town team Salford out to 40/1.

Here's Oldham born  legend Paul Sculthorpe's take on RL ahead of Magic Weekend. Paul, a rugby league Betfred TV pundit, writes:

"Like everyone else, I never expected Wigan to get thumped the way they did at Leeds on Saturday. 

 "It’s certainly opened things up at the top of the Betfred Super League, not to mention the odds on the outright winner with Betfred 

The Warriors, who like most clubs have had their injury problems, and  could put the loss partly down to fatigue,  following their mid-week defeat of Leigh Leopards on Tuesday.  This catch up fixture was due to the World Club Challenge early in the year.

"However, like injuries it is all part and parcel of the game, and I’m sure it’s not an excuse Matty Peet will be using, especially as his team went down for the third time in five weeks.

"While our neighbours have their own problems, the Saints took another step in the right direction with a gutsy win over a resilient Salford Red Devils.

"It took a Moses Mbye golden point drop goal to claim the vital two points.

"I was at the game and must say thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s absolutely no doubt there is still a lot of improvement to be had in the Saints performance, especially in regards to the quality in attack - and of course a few defensive errors that ultimately kept Salford in the game.

"But, what I did see was a big shift in intensity, especially when the game got heated. The return of the big man, Alex Walmsley was a huge boost. I thought Al was outstanding in his first game in over four months, as was Matty Lees and Curtis Sironen.

"As well as the 17-16 win, there were so many  positives to be taken from the game for Saints. 

"Young full back Harry Robertson continues to enhance his reputation, coming up with some outstanding ball carries from back field. It was an excellent bit of elusiveness that put Saints on the front foot for the final set of the game. Add to that a big double carry from big Al, that put Saints in the perfect field position for Mbye to boot the winner.

"Super sub Jake Burns, yet again proved why our coach Paul Wellens  has put so much faith in him. Some excellent service from dummy half, including some smart awareness and soft hands at the line to put Joe Batchelor over the whitewash.

"The players should take a lot of confidence from the win, and take it to Magic weekend where we  face an out of sorts Wigan side.

"The Warriors were dealt their own disciplinary woes ahead of Saturday's derby, after half back Harry Smith was red carded for dropping an elbow on former Saints liability James Bentley.

"Wigan, like Saints will no doubt raise their game for the old enemy, but missing both starting halves, Smith and by far their best player Bevan French, I’m backing Saints to take the two points. I’ll go for a win by more than eight.

"Let's hope the fans get behind this special RL weekend, which this year has been taken to Leeds United Football Club, due to the unavailability of its spiritual home, St James Park in Newcastle.

"Six games, 12 sets of fans, over two days in one stadium really does show our great game at its best."

Finally the good life getting in touch with nature is the highly ambitious plan for a big Betfred winner.

He won £75,000 from a £2.50 bet on the French Lotto when  his four numbers 7, 21, 24 and 31 were drawn.

The customer at the Betfred shop  in Wolverhampton has now revealed  his heart warming scheme to splash the cash  on  buying land in Scotland to  plant fruit trees and vegetables 

"I'd love to help people who are not so fortunate as myself and give away the produce, " said the kindly 51 year old father of one.

The roofer, who lives near the shop where he's a regular punter, said: "That is my dream...and with this fantastic win it is looking like a possibility. I have some money already but £75,000 is a huge boost.

"A little plot in rural Scotland really would be my idea of heaven. I love the quiet life and nature  -  and want to help pensioners and anyone else who is struggling.

"I go for the French lottery because the odds are so good. As for the actual numbers you have to look at the stats such as past draws and choose accordingly."

Most folk who win so much with us fancy a nice holiday or posh  car but not this big hearted fella. He's got  a dream and I'm delighted to be in a position to help him fulfil it. To win so much from a tiny stake is what we're all about at Betfred...and the spin off potentially  helping people is a brilliant bonus.