The upcoming transfer window offers teams the opportunities to refresh their personnel and jolt their league position. It has an impact on the football betting odds offered and therefore presents an opportunity to football betting fans to get some value as the equilibrium of the season so far is disrupted. The top team’s activity in the transfer window is important to these changes so let us look at what they may do in the transfer window to be ready to capture potential value as it appears.

Chelsea

With their upcoming transfer ban being decided after the window expect Roman Abramovich to spend big in the transfer window. Chelsea’s squad are ageing and Ancelotti will know that three or four young signings with the ability to make an immediate impact both now and over the next two seasons are vital to Chelsea’s success beyond this season. Expect furious activity this January from Chelsea.

Most of the transfers will probably be younger players with European reputations however there has been rumours of a £45 million Franck Ribery bid with Manchester City also said to be interested.

Man Utd

Alex Ferguson has reassured Nani that he has a future at Old Trafford and looks like he will await the development of Danny Wellbeck, Federico Macheda and Johnny Evans to replace the ageing Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. With Wayne Rooney spearheading the team, Ferguson looks to have purchased all the prospects he wishes to replace senior squad members.

There is not normally any activity during the January transfer window from Old Trafford. They will need to perform well if they are to catch Chelsea after Christmas. Emerging into top players are Evra, Anderson and Carrick which reduce the need for new signings. Owen Hargreaves return from long term injury will be as good as a new signing for them.

Arsenal

As always the club stresses to the press that there is money available for Arsene Wenger. True to form, he rarely spends it preferring business stability to irresponsible signings. Arsenal are in transition and I expect more integration of players like Wilshere, Ramsey, Randall and Gibbs. The injury to Gibbs and Van Persie may force transfer activity, but I think Wenger would prefer to try out Carlos Vela as a replacement to the injured Dutchman. In terms of football betting, analyse the team as you did in the first half of the season as there will be no drastic changes, other than the impact of their current injuries.

Liverpool

The Merseyside team managed a good 2-0 away to Everton in the derby but still remain prone to random defeats. Because they have been eliminated from the Champions League that revenue is cut, meaning they probably cannot spend even if they want to. Football betting fans may find value in their opponents in the second half of the season. Aquilani, their £20 million summer signing should be in the team from now on and he will be like a January signing, but will this be enough to save them? Their financial situation is publicly unstable and they could end up as another “Newcastle Utd and Leeds Utd” footballing tragedy of mismanaged finances.

Manchester City

Seven draws in a row and a lacklustre Robinho has shown the City fans that big spending is not the only ingredient to success. Mark Hughes position is under threat as the big name players need a Capello-type manager to lead them it seems. If he survives the chequebook could be used as a weapon again in January. City failed to sign Kaka and other big names and the biggest names are the players they crave. They may be the only team to rival Chelsea in spending, but look like they cannot rival them on the pitch. Football betting fans could see Manchester City look value if they strengthen in the right areas.

By Malcolm Clarke