Rejoice! The football season is back after a long summer with next to no major round-ball action to keep us entertained since the end of May.

Simon Grayson's men kick-off their 2011/12 campaign at the home of newly promoted Southampton on Saturday evening, live in front of the Sky Sports cameras, hoping to poop the party of last year's League One runners-up.

St Mary's will be rocking for the curtain-raiser as the Saints gear up to take their first steps back at this level in three years but Leeds should not be discounted at a whopping 2/1 to spoil the jubilant home crowd.

The Whites enjoyed a successful first season back in the Championship and were unlucky not to reach the playoffs after fading late on in their bid for the top six.

Southampton have been priced up as 23/20 favourites to start the new season with three points and with Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma missing through injury, it's easy to see why the hosts have been handed the shorter price.

But Grayson can still call upon the likes of Robert Snodgrass, Max Gradel and Ross McCormack to fire the visitors to victory and the value certainly lies with the away side. If you fancy the game to end all square then take the 23/10 on offer with official betting partners Sportingbet.

There were 151 goals in Leeds' Championship fixtures last season and if you're expecting another goal frenzy at St Mary's, Over 2.5 goals can be snapped up at an appetising 4/5. Season openers are usually laden with goals and for the daring amongst you, the Over 3.5 goals market could see backers rewarded at a stonking 11/5.

Sticking with the goals markets, Both Teams To Score, an ever popular market for punters has been chalked up at 8/13 and Scottish international striker McCormack is appealing at 7/1 to break the deadlock in the tea-time kick-off. Skipper Jonny Howson is on offer at a larger 10/1 to score first.

The Sportingbet Podcast has plenty more great bets for the weekend. The podcast team have previewed the new Football League season including today's game, the new Premier League season plus the weekend's racing action over the past fortnight. There's also the chance to chase a £100 Free Bet playing Five For a Ton! Listen at Sportingbet.com or on iTunes and best of luck this weekend!