The Premiership title race will be contested by the same four or five teams and probably won by one of the usual two teams in Chelsea or Manchester United. At the lower reaches of the league teams like West Ham, West Brom, Newcastle, Stoke, Bolton and Wolves will be among the most likely teams to be forced to fight for survival and there is much more opportunities for good odds on the relegation market.

Newcastle are an enigmatic club and since Sir Bobby Robson was sacked they have endured a steady decline in terms of both fortune and status. They have already released a number of unwanted reserve players as well as winger Fabrice Pancrate. Nicky Butt has confirmed he will leave the club, possibly moving to Ipswich with former team mate Roy Keane or into retirement after a long and glittering career. The club has been linked with moves for Stephan Hunt and Jimmy Bullard to strengthen their side for the Premiership campaign.

The clubs otherwise excellent Championship promotion season was marred by the Steven Taylor, Andy Carroll fight which left Taylor nursing a broken jaw. Although the victim of the assault the news unofficially filtering from the club suggests Taylor was responsible for the fracas and may leave the club in the off-season. Considering £90,000 per week defender Fabricio Coloccini may be sold along with fellow high earners Joey Barton on £60,000 per week and Alan Smith on £50,000 per week to ease a high wage bill, there is some major squad rebuilding still needed before the turmoil of a period of overspending and financial mismanagement can be left behind. Lots of young players have broken through this season but are they Premiership quality? If they are not up to standard then Newcastle will be in trouble.

As a supporter of Newcastle Utd it would pain me to tip them for relegation but at the moment I think I am forced to say they are likely to put financial stability ahead of squad requirements. Mike Ashley has lost millions investing in the club and wants a return on his investments. When he eventually gets a stable footing only then will he consider a strategy to get the club moving. More probably he will try to sell it again at that point. In the centre of defence and in the midfield there are overpaid stars in need of replacement. Unfortunately Newcastle are neither able nor willing to pay the going rate for adequate replacements.

This suggests their Premiership survival could be at stake. Savvy dealings in the transfer market will be required and the jury is still out on manager Chris Hughton as to whether he can deliver in this respect. For football betting fans this is an opportunity for some profits, for Toon Army members this is another season where it will be touch and go whether survival and further stabilisation can be maintained.

By Malcolm Clarke

Manchester United did just what they had to and won with 1 to 0 against Everton home at Old Trafford. It wasn´t so impressive win, but its at the same time a strenght to win against a stronge side as Everton without impressing.

Beside that great game we can even look forward to an intensive north england derby between the rivals, Newcastle united vs Sunderland at St Jame´s park.

Here are my thoughts and picks from todays game:

Liverpool – Chelsea – Liverpool to win @ 2.30

These two team have played sooo many games latley because of all the games in different cup-games besides all the Premier League matches. Totaly Liverpool and Chelsea have played 21 ( !! ) matches between each other since the season 2004/2005 unitll now so the players know each others for sure.

If we only look at the Premier League matches since 2004 / 2005 we have totaly nine games with 2 wins for Pool, 2 draws and 5 wins for Chelsea. At the same time Liverpool won the last game away at Stamford Brigde and are still competing with Chelsea and United in the top of the league, something they haven´t been doing the last years.

Before this game Manchester United is in the top of the league with 53 points, 5 more then both this team. Since 23 games have been played and Manchester United is showing a great strenght I think this game between Liverpool and Chelsea is totaly decisive for the comming. If Liverpool or Chelsea wins today they have a chance on United but if they draw I think it will be tough to come back.

When these two teams met in autumn at Stamford Brigde most people and experts thought that Chelsea would win pretty easy but Liverpool showed that they wanted to play with the big cats this season and won. In fact Liverpool have shown great capacity against the big 4 by winning against both Chelsea (away) and Manchester United (home)m and shared the point against Arsenal away. So seven out of totaly 9 points so far against the top competitors was long time ago.

Unforunatley both this teams have dropped lots of unnecessary points against teams from the middle and bottom of the table and thats why United are in top.

What about the squads today?

Chelsea will probably have to play against their important defender Ricardo Carvalho because of an injury. Essien and Joe Cole will miss the game aswell. In Liverpool Torres is going fully now and will be able to play. My guess is that Liverpool will play with Torres alono on top, and Riera, Gerrard and Kuyt behind him.

On the central midfield i think Aloso and Mascherano will clean up behind to attacking players and these two defensive midfielders are really good in big games. Reina will ofcourse watch the goal and in front of him I think Aureloi, Carragher, Skretl and Arbeloa will play defenders.

Chelsea will probably face the following 11 players: Petr Cech, José Bosingwa – John Terry – Alex – Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard – John Obi Mikel – Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou – Didier Drogba – Nicolas Anelka

My theory is that Liverpools stronger midfeild will win this game for the home team and thats why I pick Liverpool as my winner here. Its even silly to say that the homecrowd will be a great support in this kind of matches. It feels like its now or never for Pool and with “You´ll never walk alone” from the kup every player will lift 10% more.

The odds is picked from Bwin.com odds

/Good Luck, Amrish