Championship - Hull v Blackpool

Following on from the seasonal preview for the Championship we come to the first game of the season and a tasty looking one on paper in Hull vs Blackpool.

Hull didn’t make waves last season but their defensive record is eye-catching - having conceded only 19 goals, fewer than all bar QPR and Swansea – only at home, which is where they start tonight. Their win total of only 7 last season was equal to two relegated sides, which does not bode well for a team as short as 13/10.

Improve is expected under the tutelage of former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson with Matty Fryatt, James Harper and Robert Koren who has impressed deeply in pre-season, scoring a belter against Liverpool, but all the signs point to them being an away side – They set a club record 17 game unbeaten streak on their travels last season – although their defensive signings of Jack Hobbs and Paul McKenna should make them even harder to break down.

Their flaw in that is their goals scoring tally of just 19 infront of their own fans leaves them very vulnerable to a side like Blackpool who while less productive away from home – 5 teams scored more than them in away games last season – Still represent a huge threat.

Relegated Blackpool have lost key men like David Vaughan and Charlie Adam from their squad but as discussed, Ian Holloway has brought well and a lot of talented players remain, especially for this division. They were unlucky to go down last season, having faced a very tough task at Old Trafford on the last day and going down valiantly.

Ian Holloway has added Kevin Philips and Barry Ferguson to his squad which bodes well and suggests that you have to go as high as Tottenham in last season's table to find a team with more away wins than Blackpool, while Hull won just once at home against top-half teams which suggests that quality opposition could break them down. Don’t be afraid to think positive though which the likes of ex – Arsenal youngster Jay Simpson and Aaron McLean likely to make the starting line up.

To conclude, title tips Blackpool will have a tough time of things here and while I wouldn’t put you off them at 23/10 backing the draw might be the best way to go. The Tangerines will be giving their all and rate an interesting position tonight if not rocked over too early but have not won any of their last 9 away while three of the opening 5 Hull games were draws last season. For that reason, backing the time of the first goal to be over 26 minutes may pay off with both sides finding their feet early on before going for it.

Meanwhile in the Bundesliga reigning Champions Borussia Dortmund should make a winning start to their title defence against Hamburg tonight. While even coach Jurgen Klopp suggests things will never be the same again there’s no getting away from the impression the Westphalians left when surprising many by running away with the title last season.

While the home side are without Nuri Sharin (who is one of many Bundesliga players to be picked by Jose Mourinho to try and prize the title away from Barcelona) and also theirs top goalscorer from the last two seasons, Lucas Barrios, due to injury, they’ll be pumped for this occasion and should get the better of last season’s eight placed finishers with ease.

Advice – Hull v Blackpool

1 pt Draw (12/5 General)

1 pt first goal after 25 mins (10/11 Paddy Power)

Advice – Bundesliga

2 pts Borussia Dortmund (8/15 general)