Friday, August 10, 2007

PREMIERSHIP ANTE POST


As promised, here are my thoughts on the Premiership, I have decided to reproduce them exactly as they were given to email subscribers, as I write, it appears all the odds are still available. Will put the lower leagues up overnight, or first thing tomorrow morning.......


I really feel that there are some excellent bets in this email and suggest that, even if you do not normally bet long term, that you take a long hard look at the contents.

OUTRIGHT

No real shocks for me here, United should retain their crown. Much has been written about the challenge from Liverpool this season and the money the Merseysiders have spent. They should indeed close the gap, but have a lot of ground to make up and need to start collecting wins on the road. Away from Anfield 18 goals, a total fewer than Wigan and Fulham and only two more than relegated Charlton, was nowhere near good enough.

Chelsea already enter the season with injury concerns and seem dependent on the goals of Didier Drogba, who will be missing for several weeks in mid season at the Cup of Nations.

United were lucky with injuries last season, but look much stronger this time round, what team in world football would not be, with the addition of Tevez, Nani, Anderson and Hargreaves. The defence still looks a little suspect, but Sir Alex's men scored 19 goals more than anyone else last season, that is a full half goal per game and they hardly look likely to score fewer this time round.

6 points Manchester United 2.375 outright, general quote.

Not going to put this up as a bet, but Tottenham should prove to be the best of the rest, currently quoted at 2.375, without the big 4. They have held on to Dimitar Berbatov and spent a fortune on Darren Bent, Robbie Keane has signed a new contract and even a poacher like Jermain Defoe, will be lucky to get a look in. With Lennon, Bale and Chimbonda eager to get forward at every opportunity, they have a surplus of attacking options.

The big minus is that Ledley King is out for 2-3 months and the Dawson- Gardner partnership, has yet to prove it works. Regardless of that, they looked booked for 5th place at worse, a spot they have occupied for the last two seasons.

Spent a long time looking at the handicap list and like the look of Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.They have no shortage of pace and goals up front with Roque Santa Cruz joining Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts, with David Bentley and Morten Gamst Pedersen just behind, they will be a match for all but the very best. They were quite adventurous on the road last year, only Bolton outside the top 4 had more wins, if they can win a few more at Ewood Park, they should improve on last years 10th spot. Maybe a repeat of 2005's 6th place is possible and that should take them close on the handicap, where they receive a 34 points start. Ladbrokes looks the place to go, as they give fewer points to the teams I see as potential dangers.

If that is not available to you,or makes limited appeal, they can be backed at 6.0 for a top 6 spot with Bet 365/ Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, amongst others.

2 points each way Blackburn Rovers +34 points handicap 16.0 1/5 odds 1234 Ladbrokes.

GOALSCORERS

I covered this in an earlier message, at that time I did not suggest a bet. If you missed that, it went a lot like this ....

New Arsenal signing Eduardo Da Silva, looks set to take the Premiership by storm and given the number of chances the Gunners create, could even have a chance in the league topscorer market, where he is quoted at 26.0. He really has only Van Persie and Adebayor for competition in the Arsenal market and this proven goalscorer, 7 in 12 games for Croatia and 34 in his domestic league last season, could be outstanding value at 3.25.
The Manchester United market is worth a second look. Carlos Tevez has been made favourite at 3.00, ahead of Rooney and Ronaldo, both quoted at 3.50, after those talented three, it is 7.0 Saha and 13.0 Solksjaer, who are not likely to see too much start time.
Given that Tevez took time to get going at West Ham and as an emotional individual, may well have been affected by the transfer wrangle, I would have to look to oppose him. Hard to see Ronaldo having as good a season this time round, even if he does, he will struggle to match his tally of 17 goals. Which leaves us with Rooney, who despite having a rough time for much of last season, still notched 14 goals and will surely have benifitted more than most, from the summer break. He appeared in good shape in the Inter game in midweek, when almost 74,000 turned up for a friendly game !

The more I think about these markets the better the bets look, in the Arsenal list, Adebayor might miss 3-4 weeks, due to the Cup of Nations. Zagreb fans are convinced that Da Siva is the real deal and will turn into the poacher that the Gunners have been crying out for.

4 points Edourdo da Silva top Arsenal scorer 3.25 Sunderlands// 3.0 paddy power/ sky

Sunderlands Online
Rooney really looks good value in the Manchester United list, just cannot see him not improving on last years total. He looks hungry at the moment and is looking to improve upon his record of a goal every 2.5 games for United. I read that much of his pre season work has been aimed at work in the box, indicating that he will be the target man this campaign.

Sunderlands also have a massive quote of 51.0 Nani, who scored a much talked about goal last night and is regarded as the best young talent in Portugal, not quite sure where that leaves Ronaldo ! A small saver must be worthwhile, he is as low as 13.0 with Hills, of course, only the quickest of you are likely to get on this price. he is the same quote online as Alan Smith, who moved to Newcastle a week ago !

6 points Rooney top Manchester United goalscorer 3.50 Sunderlands.. 3.25 Sky/ Hills
0.5 points Nani 51.0 Sunderlands.

Good Luck.
Sunderlands Online

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