Ardal South East odds as ex-Newport County star boosts teams hopes

Newport City have been installed as favourites the Ardal South East 2023/24.

Welsh bookmaker DragonBet has them as the team to lift the trophy come May in a dramatic change to their circumstances from last year.

Sam Houldsworth’s side finished five points above the drop zone last year and a whole 30 points behind league winners Abertillery Bluebirds. The summer transfer window has been good to them though and most recently former Newport County striker Matt Green fronted up their business. The 36-year-old boasts 266 EFL appearances with 49 goals and 20 assists and has been appointed as their captain.

NexGen Sports Holdings Ltd took over the club in January with Houldsworth remaining in charge, and on Saturday they beat one of their proposed title rivals Goytre 1-0 in the Welsh Cup. Goytre – who had mounted a title push in 2021/22 but suffered a heavy points deduction, and finished eighth last year but after re-signing a few players, are considered a promotion contender again.

FAW Amateur Trophy winners Trethomas Bluebirds are third favourites, and having won the Ardal South Cup in 21/22, they will want to turn their success from the cups to the league. Risca United who share the same home ground of the Bluebirds suffered a play-off defeat to Baglan Dragons last year, but they’re predicted to be two places below what they finished last season.

As for the newly promoted teams, Aberbargoed Buds and Abercarn United have the same odds, and that is that they may be near the bottom end of the table, but currently have enough to survive. Treharris Athletic Western who were moved from the Ardal South West, and lost their manager Nana Baah, are predicted to be involved in a relegation battle. Dean Raven is in charge now and got his reign underway with a win in the Welsh Cup.

Lliswerry and newly promoted Hay St Mary’s are being heavily tipped for relegation. Both have odds of 33/1 which is the furthest of any team and then tipped to join them is Tredegar Town.

The season gets underway with a triple-header on Friday night. Goytre are at home at Plough Road against Tredegar Town, meanwhile, Trethomas Bluebirds host Aberbargoed Buds, and Treharris welcome Lliswerry.