Premier League 2009/10 – Winners and Losers
It all starts again this weekend with Manchester United looking to defend their Premier League crown. Without Ronaldo and Tevez in the squad United do appear to be weaker and we believe the title will be close run thing with Chelsea 9/4 (Ladbrokes), Manchester United 2/1 (Bet365) and Liverpool 4/1 (Coral) the three teams we believe will be fighting it out come the end of the season.
Manchester United still look the team to beat and their only weakness looks to be a lack of depth upfront. The surprise arrival of Michael Owen could be a masterstroke however and if he can take the chances United make then who knows, maybe Ronaldo and Tevez won’t be missed at all.
Chelsea have a new manager (again) and everything is rosy once more at Stamford Bridge, but how long will that last? The blues have a squad filled with quality and enough depth to mount a serious challenge once again. We do believe that their main priority is the Champion’s League and that winning another Premier league title is secondary, so their challenge might not be sustained if their European campaign is going well.
The loss of Xabi Alonso will be a blow to Liverpool, but they showed last season they are now capable of making a sustained challenge for the title and we think this could be their year with United looking to have their weakest squad for some time and Chelsea chasing their European dream. Fernando Torres had a tough second season, but that often happens and we expect him to bounce back with 20 plus goals this season and if he does, then his goals could fire Liverpool to the title.
Arsenal have lost Adebayor to Manchester City and like Manchester United they look a bit light up front. Some people think Arsenal may fall out of the top four this season, but we reckon they will still finish fourth although they might be a little way off the leaders. At 10/1 (Ladbrokes) Arsenal are a good price and at those odds may tempt a few punters looking for a bit of value, but they’re not fur us even at those very attractive odds.
Manchester (or should that be Moneychester) City have been heavily backed to win the title and are 12/1 (Paddypower). They are throwing money around like confetti and have signed some quality players to be fair. Carlos Tevez, Shay Given, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Emanuel Adebayor are all exceptionally talented and would get a game for any team in the Premier League.
Mark Hughes has basically signed a whole new team and we think it could be difficult to get them to gel and so we think breaking into the top four could be the best they will manage this season. City might have to wait another season before mounting a serious challenge and we don’t think they will be in contention this season.
No other teams look capable of establishing themselves as real title challengers this season. There is the possibility that one or two teams could break into the top four and Everton 10/1 (Coral) to finish top four, could be one of them. Tottenham Hotspur 7/1 (Skybet) are another.
Aston Villa done well to maintain a challenge for so long last season, but their squad still doesn’t look to have enough strength in depth and the loss of Gareth Barry could prove significant. We think a top half finish might be the best they can manage this season.
Fulham could be dark horses at 66/1 (Coral) to finish in the top four and might just be worth a little bet at that price. Under Roy Hodgson they have become very difficult to beat and if they could just add a few more goals to their game, could improve again this season.
In the relegation betting we think Hull 10/11 (Bet365), Portsmouth 11/4 (Coral) and Wigan 9/2 (Skybet) are all likely candidates along with newly promoted Wolves 6/4 (Paddypower).
Burnley are favourites 8/13 (Skybet) to go back down, but they more than held their own against Premier League opposition in one off cup matches last season and having a bet on them to stay up 11/8 (Skybet) looks a bet worth some consideration.