Betting Choice's Premiership Betting Preview for 08-09 Season

July 22, 2008 - Lawrence Foley After Manchester United clinched back to back championships last season, the pressure will be on them to continue their domination, and on everybody else to stop them.  And before we start, let's not kid ourselves, in all likelihood this season's top four will be made up of the usual suspects, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.  The only question really is which one of the four is going to take the Premiership crown, and in my book, that's going to be Chelsea.

Felipe Scolari has taken over a side which on paper needs little strengthening.  The fact that Chelsea managed to get within two points of a United side that conceded only 7 goals at home all season proves that, and is a testament to the quality and strength of character in their squad.  That was despite the fact that they lost manager Jose Mourinho early on in the season and missed key players at important times during the campaign.   Portugal internationals Deco and Jose Bosingwa have arrived in West London and they will add further depth to the embarrassment of riches already at the club.  The most important signature Chelsea can secure this summer though, will be that of Frank Lampard, who is stalling over a new contract and in whom Inter Milan have stated their interest.   Manchester United will push Chelsea all the way, but the possibility that they may lose Ronaldo swings the balance of favour to Chelsea.

I'm not sure that observers have fully realised the consequences of Alexander Hleb's move to Barcelona, but losing the Belarusian playmaker is a huge blow to Arsene Wenger's side as his partnership with Fabregas made them tick.  Samir Nasri may have been signed, but it remains to be seen whether he can adjust to English football quickly enough to replace Hleb, whilst the loss of Flamini and Gilberto Silva leaves them without a holding midfield player to provide some much needed steel. Of the other two big four sides, I expect Liverpool to be the ones to close the gap.  The penny finally seemed to drop for Rafael Benitez around halfway through last season, when he suddenly realised that the best way to accumulate points is to field the best side available to you.  Fernando Torres should be the first name on the Liverpool team sheet next season, and provided he and captain Steven Gerrard remain fit they should overtake Arsenal into third place. 

Torres himself is favourite for the top goalscorer award, and rightly so, I'd even be tempted to back him at the 7/2 currently on offer.  However, given the difference in price it would probably prove better value to back him to win the PFA Player of the Year at 8/1.  If you're looking for a bigger price top goalscorer bet then the two Manchester United strikers should get a greater percentage of their goals this season, regardless of whether Ronaldo stays, and both are attractive prices on betfair at present.
 
Recommendations:
Chelsea to Win Premiership - 15/8 (Paddy Power)
Liverpool w/o Man Utd & Chelsea -  5/4 (General)
Fernando Torres to win PFA Player of the Year - 8/1 (Paddy Power)
Wayne Rooney Top Premiership Goalscorer - 24/1 (Betfair)
Carlos Tevez Top Premiership Goalscorer-  40/1 (Betfair)