The Premiership should be one of the best seasons ever with genuine competition between the tiers for the first time in a while (many would say) last season – Headed by the sadly departed Blackpool but aided by the likes of Wolves, Newcastle, and Sunderland – Not that you would say the latter is a “lower tier team”.
The term 'Big Four' looked like it would be the face of the Premiership for years to come but now thanks to the emergence of Manchester City and Tottenham, there is now a “Big Six” who will be fighting out the title and European slots this season, which is all for the better.
Back to the task in hand, which is backing Manchester United to record a record 20thtitle. It’s the obvious choice but a fair one given that they have 9 points in hand on Chelsea based on last season’s form and should only get stronger.
The claims of frontmen Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are obvious, - Both having the potential to score to double their totals from last season, thanks to injury and settlement, and the latter for experience.
They have seen Paul Scholes, Edwin Van de Sar and Gary Neville all retire, while Wes Brown and John O’Shea have been sold to Sunderland, but the right moves have been made with the highly rated defender Phil Jones from Blackburn and David de Gea from Atletico Madrid to replace Van de Sar in goal, along with Ashley Young from Aston Villa for another £20m to given an extra edge to attack.
Their defence - as mulled over in the – team – by – team preview – has had bolstering thanks to Phil Jones, although Vidic and the ever – green Rio Ferdinand are more than likely to keep the majority of the Premiership at bay.
David De Gea will need to improve to do as well here as he did at Athletico but his talent can carry him through along with an able defence. Whether he’s the replacement United have been looking at for Edwin Van Der Sar (who probably isn’t replaceable in all senses of the word) remains to be seen but he’ll hold his own at this level with ease.
Supporters of Chelsea should not worry that their biggest summer signing so far is manager Andre Villas Boas, who is hoping to breathe new life into a squad that did look very lacklustre (by their high standards now expected on multiple occasions last season.
Some will see a lack of new blood as a reason to oppose this side and that’s fair but Chelsea must be rated as big a threat as ever but there could be some tactical problems thought the season on issues like Fernando Torres and just what formation to play. I don’t buy problems about width and creativity while the likes of Maldouda and Lampard still ply their trade at Stamford Bridge.
The improvement - tenth in 2008-09 (50pts), fifth in 2009-10 (67pts) and third last season (71pts) – of Manchester City has made them an attractive proposition for man and it’s not hard to see why but the gap between the noisy neighbours and their rivals is still 9 points and the signings of Aguero may not change that single headedly, especially while big 4 clashes are still a problem for them. They could well finish second but I’d be confident United have too much for them.
Arsenal should go close as ever and strictly speaking the 10’s that Coral and Hills offer is the fairest price of the title contenders but their mistakes take away that appeal. Injuries are always a threat, while defensive mistakes may be the Achilles heel yet again. As an Arsenal fan it does pain me to say it, but while the talent is there the flaws may stop us.*
Liverpool have been dismissed in recent year’s but it’s easy to forget it’s just 2 seasons since that sensational campaign in which they nearly usurped Manchester United and their 4-1 win at Old Trafford will live long in the memory. Their last 2 campaigns have been little short of awful for Merseysiders but they should be well prepared to mount a big challenge with the new talent they’ve packed in, although their away record and possible overload of midfielders is a slight worry.
Tottenham won’t be winning the title but fully deserve to be discussed here, having gone to the quarter finals of the Champions League in impressive style, taking down the two biggest teams in Serie A along the way. Failures against lower league opposition (only 3 from 18 against Blackpool Wigan and West Ham) did not help although things will only be harder with Liverpool having stepped things up a gear this season, so while they can pick up plenty of points a title or Champions League push could be beyond them.
Also, as a sneaky tricast, have a punt on the Man Utd/Man City/Chelsea top three, just in case City are stronger than the Blues over the course of the season. It pays 16/1 with Hills, Totesport and Betfred which is massive too considering the table last season.
Advice
5 pts Manchester United (2/1 Hills)
1 pt Man Utd/Man City/Chelsea Tricast (16/1 Hills)
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