Post Transfer Deadline Premiership Betting Round-Up

The Premiership teams have now concluded their transfer window business and we can now look at the Premiership outright market to see if there is any value based on how the start of the season has developed.

Chelsea have stabilised their team with Didier Drogba scoring freely at the moment. There are rumours of some unrest with Nicholas Anelka wanting a new contract but club policy wishing to wait until a player over 30 has less than one year left on his current deal before negotiating. John Terry and Ashley Cole have signed long term deals and the fans will be happy with these players agreeing to commit the best years of their careers to the club. Chelsea have started excellently and are the favourites priced at 2.05 to win the league.

Manchester United had a very surprising 1-0 defeat to Burnley recently. Such a slip-up so early in the season could really hurt their bid to win another Premiership title. Other teams will be thinking if Burnley can beat them we must have a chance. Those thinking that the defeat to Burnley showed weakness without Ronaldo increased their calls for a big signing before the transfer window closed which did not transpire. The onus is focused on Wayne Rooney to continue scoring the goals to maintain their title bid. I still believe that their 3.75 will shorten and think this is a value bet. Michael Owen is under pressure to score the goals to support Rooney and his contribution may prove pivotal in their push for the title this season.

Arsenal have yet again failed to beat Manchester United and by losing their match, albeit in controversial circumstances, they are already chasing a deficit in points to the top teams. Only a loyal fan could expect a team without Adebayor and Toure (both sold to Manchester City) to be genuine title contenders. Although Cesc Fabregas has stayed with the club despite speculation linking him to Barcelona the odds of 7.00 for Arsenal to win the league will only drift I feel as the top two widen the gap between them and everyone else. Rather than the big four I feel there is now a big two with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City making up the chasing pack.

Liverpool have odds of 8.00 to win the title. Having lost to Tottenham they were under pressure straight away to chase the leaders. They are already six points behind the leading teams and they could be out of the title race already having suffered two defeats in the league. In order to win the title they are going to have to win nearly all of their remaining matches and you look at their forward line in particular and should Torres not score for a few games or himself and Gerrard suffer an injury we must consider them unable to achieve the title this season.

Spurs have won all three of their opening games and have strengthened their team with the signing of Niko Kranjcar on transfer deadline day. Perhaps crucially, despite much speculation of a move, David James did not re-join Harry Redknapp at Spurs. This is said to be down to the Tottenham board being unwilling to pay large wages for another top goalkeeper with Gomes and Cuidicini, who Redknapp is reported to be unimpressed with, still on the books. Fans who are excited by the 26.00 odds should be aware that they have lost influential midfielder Luka Modric to a broken leg for six weeks. I have tipped them to finish well in the league this season, but perhaps top spot is out of reach for them.

The last team worth discussing is Manchester City. They have started well and have strengthened their squad by the signing of Joleon Lescott from Everton with Richard Dunne moving to Aston Villa. They now have, on paper, a very strong team with plenty of strength in depth. Considering their strong start, if they continue to gel as a team and play well they must be considered at least strong contenders for a champions league finish. Can they win? They will be a surprise Premiership winner but the odds of 11.00 may continue to shorten if they maintain their good start. They have a game in hand and have yet to concede a goal in the league. For punters my tip is to watch this space.

The next round of Premiership matches are played on the 12th September.

By Malcolm Clarke