Premier League Betting

Reigning Champions Manchester United have not rested on their laurels after domestic success last season, with £50m spent on bringing in young Spaniard ‘keeper David De Gea, defender Phil Jones and winger Ashley Young. With well over a month before the transfer window shuts they continue to be linked with big names and could conceivably come into September with Wesley Sneijder or Samir Nasri in their ranks.

Premier League odds

The gauntlet has been laid down swiftly by the Champions, and this season we have four or five teams capable of stepping up to the challenge. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all expect their teams to challenge, whilst big money spending Liverpool and Tottenham both have the players to get involved.

Second place Chelsea are under a new manager again after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked and 33 year-old Andre Villas Boas was brought in from Porto after winning the League and Europa League last season. The second favourites (3.75 with Stan James and Coral) have so far added no signings to their side, but having spent £50m in January on Fernando Torres, there’s little space in their team that needs cover. The major news in terms of players has been the long term injury suffered by Michael Essien, whose energy was missed last season as injuries blighted his game. The hope will be that Ramires continues to grow into the all action midfielder Chelsea need, whilst it has been said that David Luiz may be given the chance to step into a holding midfield role, helping his game adapt to England before moving to centre back, and also using his on the ball composure and natural defensive instincts. Their attack is overrun with goalscorers, Anelka, Drogba, Kalou, Malouda and the emerging Daniel Sturridge all in competition for what is likely to be a front three with Torres.

Third placed Manchester City are many people’s pick as United’s main challengers this year. A fantastic finish to the year saw the likes of Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany grow into the side and their FA Cup win was greatly deserved. Having ousted Arsenal for third place and gone straight into the Champions League (for the first time) without qualifying, the Blue half of Manchester can fully begin to kick on to the big time now. However, joint top league goalscorer and easily their most influential player Carlos Tevez looks set to leave. 43 goals in 63 games just shows the impact of the Argentine forward, and how Roberto Mancini replaces his captain will be crucial. Dzeko and Balotelli have yet to prove their consistent goalscoring capabilities and, with the money they have, their will be an incoming striker. Much has been reported of one Argentine leaving and another coming in. Sergio Aguero is the name on everyone’s lips, and there is no doubt he’s a world class quality buy. Before then, City have bought in nothing exceptional, with Gael Clichy coming in, alongside centre back Stefan Savic, who is an unknown quantity to most fans but has the potential to emulate another Eastern European in Manchester, the Reds Manchester United. Manchester City are best priced at 5.00 with Bet Fred.

Fourth favourites and the team no one has faith in anymore are Arsenal. Even their own players seem desperate to leave. Fabregas and Nasri seem destined to follow Gael Clichy out the door, and now Arsene Wenger’s football philosophy is being questioned even further. The capitulation of their season last year (or the year before that, and the year before that and far too many times) after Christmas, especially after losing the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham, was far too often an occurence for fans and pundits alike. The quality of Wilshere and Van Persie is obvious, but Arsenal lack winning mentality, and until their manager sorts that out they are not worth backing, even at best odds 10.00 with William Hill.

The only other two teams possibly capable will realistically be targetting Champions League as their main achievement for the year. For all the talk last year that Spurs felt they could win the league, their second half of the season contained little to suggest they really could and they even missed out on the Europa League after finishing sixth. Other than two future investments, their only transfer of note has been free signing Brad Friedel. While Heurelho Gomes has had outstanding games for all the right reasons, he’s had them for all the worst ones too. Friedel has never been a daft mistake kind of goalkeeper, and can be equally as spectacular with his shot stopping. Their problems seem much the same as last year, and if Jermain Defoe continues to be goal shy then they will struggle for a striker good enough to carry them. And if Luka Modric gets his transfer wish they will be shorn of world class talent in the heart of their midfield. What to do their divides opinion, but £30m+ gives them money to spend across the squad. Tottenham are priced up at 51.00 by Bet365, Sky Bet, Stan James, William Hill and Bet Fred.

It is Liverpool who are the team who look set to burst into the top four. Big money spent on Downing, Henderson and Charlie Adam, with it obvious there is still work to be done at left back, Liverpool’s new owners have given Dalglish a chance to make a real statement of intent this season with players who know the English game and still have years left to prosper. Add to that the big money January signings Carroll and Suarez have no had time to settle, Liverpool will no doubt be dangerous. King Kenny’s resurgent side impressed consistently in 2011, attacking with verve, style and intent. However, it is a push to suggest their defence matches up to that of Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea, whilst their midfield and attack are on a par at best. Liverpool are one to watch definitely, as their new signings click and the toll of the Europa League can be seen.

Last season’s top three are the ones to watch again. Manchester United were unconvincing for much of the year yet were relatively comfortable Champions, and they are the only ones to have drastically improved themselves in the transfer market. Their best signing may be the extended contract of Wayne Rooney, who looked a shadow of his former self until late on in the season, and the real Rooney from word go will have more impact than any new signing could. Unless they have trouble settling in a new goalkeeper, it is really hard to see past the Champions.

Recommended bets:-
Manchester United Champions: 2.8 Paddy Power
Manchester City E/W (1/3 for 2nd place): 5.00 Bet Fred.

The other Premier League betting previews available at Free Bet Finder you might find useful are:

Premiership Relegation betting
Premiership top goalscorer betting

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