South Wales Premier League Division One tables predicted with Bargoed, Tonyrefail, and Llanishen verdicts
Llanishen are one of the newcomers to the South Wales Premier League.
The new South Wales Premier League season is edging ever closer, and the bookmakers have already had their say on who could be celebrating promotion next spring.
With the Division One East and Division One West title races both featuring a fascinating mix of ambitious promoted clubs, relegated sides looking to bounce straight back and established outfits eager to go one better than last season, there is plenty to look forward to.
Here’s a look at how Welsh bookmakers DragonBet see both divisions shaping up ahead of kick-off.
Division One East: Royal Stars and Splott lead a tightly-packed field
There is very little to separate the leading contenders in Division One East, with Cwmbach Royal Stars and newly-promoted Splott Albion installed as joint favourites at 11/4.
Splott arrive with plenty of momentum after securing promotion and will be hoping that confidence can carry them straight into another title challenge. They are joined among the promoted clubs by AFC Bargoed and Trelewis Welfare, who are both priced at 9/2, suggesting the bookmakers believe last season’s promotion-winning form could continue.
Also sitting at 9/2 are Cwm Welfare, who were handed a reprieve after avoiding relegation despite finishing in the drop zone. Having been given a second chance, they’ll now be aiming to make the most of their unexpected stay in the division.
One of the most intriguing teams to watch could be AFC Penrhiwceiber, who have been relegated from the Premier Division and begin life back in Division One East as 6/1 shots. Relegated clubs often target an immediate return, although they’ll face no shortage of competition.
Llanrumney United are priced at 7/1, while Tongwynlais follow at 8/1.
Further down the market, Cwrt Rawlin, Porth Harlequins and Red Lion are all available at 12/1, while Treorchy begin the campaign as outsiders at 16/1.
Division One East title odds
| Club | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cwmbach Royal Stars | 11/4 |
| Splott Albion | 11/4 |
| AFC Bargoed | 9/2 |
| Cwm Welfare | 9/2 |
| Trelewis Welfare | 9/2 |
| AFC Penrhiwceiber | 6/1 |
| Llanrumney United | 7/1 |
| Tongwynlais | 8/1 |
| Cwrt Rawlin | 12/1 |
| Porth Harlequins | 12/1 |
| Red Lion | 12/1 |
| Treorchy | 16/1 |
Division One East: Promoted sides face immediate challenges
The opening weekend in Division One East also throws up some intriguing encounters, with several of the early promotion contenders immediately facing each other.
Cwm Welfare, who were handed a reprieve after last season’s campaign, begin against promoted AFC Bargoed in what could be an important early fixture for both clubs.
Another promoted side, Trelewis Welfare, face Cwrt Rawlin away from home, while Llanrumney United welcome Treorchy.
There is also an interesting clash between Tongwynlais and relegated AFC Penrhiwceiber, with the latter hoping to launch an immediate promotion push following their drop from the higher division.
Division One West: Cardiff Hibernian handed favourites tag
Over in Division One West, Cardiff Hibernian head into the new season as clear favourites, with odds of 7/4 placing them ahead of the chasing pack.
Behind them are one of the relegated clubs, Tonyrefail, who are priced at 7/2 as they look to secure an immediate return to the Premier Division.
Two more sides relegated from the top flight, Bettws and Vale United, also feature prominently in the betting, although Bettws are viewed as stronger contenders at 4/1, while Vale United are available at 7/1.
Joining Bettws at 4/1 are promoted Tonypandy Albion, whose impressive campaign last season has clearly caught the bookmakers’ attention.
Another promoted club, Llanishen, begin at 6/1, alongside Sully Sports, while fellow newcomers Barry Athletic are priced at 13/2 as they prepare for life at a higher level.
Caerau All Whites and Vale United both sit at 7/1, before the odds stretch to 12/1 for Cogan Coronation.
At the foot of the betting, FC Porthcawl and Grange Albion are both outsiders at 20/1, although long odds have often proved little obstacle in South Wales football.
| Club | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cardiff Hibernian | 7/4 |
| Tonyrefail | 7/2 |
| Bettws | 4/1 |
| Tonypandy Albion | 4/1 |
| Llanishen | 6/1 |
| Sully Sports | 6/1 |
| Barry Athletic | 13/2 |
| Caerau All Whites | 7/1 |
| Vale United | 7/1 |
| Cogan Coronation | 12/1 |
| FC Porthcawl | 20/1 |
| Grange Albion | 20/1 |
Division One West: Cardiff Hibernian begin with a major test
Division One West favourites Cardiff Hibernian will begin their campaign with one of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend as they welcome Tonypandy Albion.
Tonypandy arrive with plenty of confidence after winning promotion last season and will provide an early test of Hibernian’s title credentials.
Elsewhere, promoted Barry Athletic face their first challenge at the higher level away from home against Cogan Coronation, while another promoted side, Llanishen, travel to Caerau All Whites.
Relegated clubs will also be looking to make an immediate impact, with Bettws travelling to Vale United in a meeting between two sides aiming for a swift return to the top flight.
Tonyrefail, another relegated side and one of the division’s leading title contenders, begin away from home against FC Porthcawl, while Sully Sports travel to Grange Albion.
Plenty of storylines before a ball is kicked
Both divisions appear finely balanced heading into the new season, with the bookmakers expecting promoted clubs to make an immediate impact. At the same time, several relegated sides are tipped to challenge for a swift return.
In the East, three promoted teams are among the leading five in the betting, while relegated AFC Penrhiwceiber will hope to bounce back at the first attempt. Cwm Welfare, meanwhile, have the opportunity to prove they belong after earning a reprieve.
The West offers a similarly compelling picture. Cardiff Hibernian have been installed as favourites, but they’ll face stiff competition from relegated trio Tonyrefail, Bettws and Vale United, as well as ambitious promoted sides Tonypandy Albion, Llanishen and Barry Athletic.
If the bookmakers are to be believed, supporters on both sides of South Wales are set for two fiercely competitive promotion races.
