This year’s Premier League has been the most interesting season in several years, since all the teams still have anything to play for. No team has run away from the rest of the teams in the top of the table and all of the teams in the bottom of the table still have the chance to avoid relegation.

In these two texts I will give you my best bettingtips for the coming round.  As I do sometimes I have chosen to split the text into two different posts since there are lots of matches to go through. First I will give you all the matches with the odds and then I will give you my best bettingtips for each match in this round. I will also give you my analyzes on why I bet like I do. All the odds are picked from bwin football sportsbetting.

Here are the first three matches in this round with the odds on each of them:

Manchester United vs. Manchester City odds – home win: 1.72, draw: 3.50, away win: 4.40

Arsenal FC vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers odds – home win: 1.22, draw: 5.50, away win: 12.00

Birmingham FC vs. Stoke City odds – home win: 2.45, draw: 3.10, away win: 2.85

And now I will give you my best tips and the odds + analyze:

Manchester United vs. Manchester City, my bettingtips: away win @ 4.40 in odds

It was long time ago that I thought that Manchester City actually could beat Manchester United in their own theater of dreams. But this time at least think that they have a reasonable chance to do it. Do you remember the last game between these two teams here at Old Trafford? Craig Bellamy scored 3 – 3 for City in the 90^th minute and everyone thought that the game was going to end with a draw. Even more when the announced four minutes where passed. But, somehow, Michael Owen managed to score 4 -3 to Manchester United when the clock stood on 95.30. You can call it furgie-time or whatever you want, but somehow this red machine manages to score these important goals.

That time the former united player and City-manager said that he understood why all the teams complained of all the advantages that Manchester United got while he was playing there but could not see from the same perspective.

What does this story actually have to do with my bet and bettingtips in this match? It’s as easy that City was almost close to win (or at least take one point) last year against Manchester United away. Now they have a stronger squad, are doing better in the league, and finally – they have a smarter manager. So I don’t think that this is a long shot. In addition to that, Manchester United lost their first league game in the last round against Wolverhampton away. I defiantly believe that Manchester city have the skills to disturb Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in this game and find the odds at 4.40 interesting on the away win in this derby.

Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton, my bettingtips: home win @ 1.22 in odds

Arsenal had the 0 – 4 lead away against Newcastle and everyone had counted in those three points for Arsenal. But in a strange way their game totally collapsed and Newcastle came closer and closer. Okay – it has to be said that Arsenal got an early red card in the beginning of the second half. And okay, Newcastle got two scores on Penalty. But it is still insane that Arsenal could “loose” two points that easy in the second half.

Because of that miss, I am pretty sure that Wolverhampton will pay the price in this game. Arsenal will win and they will do it comfortably. Even though Wolves took a strong win against Manchester United in the last round home at Mollineux, this is more or less mission impossible for them.  I actually think that 1.22 in odds on Gunners is a pretty valuable odds, even though it’s not that high. I really think that Arsenal will win this game and place a bet on them. I would also recommend you to keep an eye on the special bets (halftime/fulltime or handicap) on Arsenal.

Birmingham FC vs. Stoke City, my bettingtips draw @ 3.10 in odds

This is a pretty hard match to predict. My feeling says that Birmingham should be favorites, which they are, but the statistics says that Stoke is in a good form at the moment.  So this match can end in both directions. Or why not with a draw that both teams might be satisfied with?

I don’t find any other odds valuable to bet on, so my bettingtips on this game is a draw at 3.10 in odds.

In the next text I will give you my best bettingtips from the rest of the seven games in this round.

Next round is on the weekend, which is normal on this time of the year when the games come a bit more often then in the beginning of the league. I will give you my best bettingtips on every game that is played in this round, which is spread over several days. First of all I am going to give you all the matches and all the odds so that you can have an overview, and then I will give you my best bettingtips per each match. I will choose to split the text into two texts. All the odds are picked from bwin football betting:

Aston Villa vs. Sunderland, odds: home win: 2.05   draw: 3.35  away win: 3.40

FC Arsenal vs. Manchester City, odds: home win 1.70 draw 3.75  away win: 4.40

Newcastle United vs. West Ham United, odds: home win: 1.80 draw: 3.60  away win: 4.00

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. FC Chelsea, odds: home win: 6.50 draw: 3.80   away win: 1.50

And here is my best bettingtips for these four matches:

Aston Villa vs. Sunderland, bettingtips:  draw @ 3.35 in odds

Aston Villa is my favourites in this game thanks to their home advantage, but they have not played as well as I thought that they would do, before this season started. They have already sacked their first manager (Martin O’neal) and brought in Gerard Houllier instead of him. But that haven’t either given that positive effect that I think the club was hoping to get.

Sunderland on the other hand has been playing better then I thought and they are hard to defeat. In this game I think that Aston Villa has become to big favourites with “only” 2.05 in odds, which is not value to bet on according to me. I have been thinking which best is the best in this game, draw or away win and came to the conclusion that draw probably is most value bet.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City, bettingtips: draw @ 3.75 in odds

What a great game between two teams that are challenging Manchester United in the top of the table. Both these teams have been going strongly in the last couple of matches and are fighting in the absolute top of the league. My feeling is that Arsenal is a really strong side home at Emirates stadium but that Manchester City can beat any team in the league when they are playing as best. Arsenal is defiantly a favourite to win this game thanks to their home advantage, but the odds (1.70) is way to low to bet on.

Arsenal outplayed Chelsea here at Emirates just after Christmas, but Chelsea’s form is very bad at the moment, so don’t be fooled by that win. And Manchester City has also been playing very well lately so Roberto Manchini is safe on his place as manager.

If Arsenal would pay about 1.90 – 2.00 in odds I would bet on Arsenal, but since we only get 1.70 in odds on the home win, I find 3.75 in odds on draw way more interesting, so that is my bettingtips on this match.

Newcastle United vs. West Ham United, bettingtips home win @ 1.80 in odds

West Ham is in the bottom of the league, while Newcastle is about in the middle. But since West ham sacked Gianfranco Zola and replaced him with Avram Grant they have started to take more points and at least have connection with the teams above the relegation mark.  Newcastle has also sacked their former manager, but it was quite a controversial decision from the owner, because they went well above expectations and that the old manager was also loved by both players and fans.

But that is history now, and now the players and supporters have to stand behind their team and the new manager. Newcastle has Andy Carroll on top and that is one of the best players in the league. I would guess that he is playing for the nation team very soon. He, together with the other players has a good chance to win home against West Ham and I try 1.80 in odds on the home win.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. FC Chelsea, bettingtips home win @ 6.50 in odds

This might be a really long shot, but I just cannot bet on Chelsea to the odds that they are standing at. Chelsea has only won one game in their last 8 – 9 games and are falling apart. Something is really wrong with the club, and since Abrahmovic sacked their assistant manager I can’t recognize Chelsea any more.

Wolves are struggling in the bottom of the table and even though the results haven’t gone their way, they still fight in every game. And that is a fact that I think can be the difference in this game. As I wrote, this bet is a big risk bet. But I still think that it is way more valuable to bet on Wolves in this game then on Chelsea.

The rest of the games of this round will be presented in next text.

Now I have presented my thoughts regarding Premier League’s top scorer for you. In this text, I have searched for some other interesting season bets to invest your money on. All the odds is picked from bwin online fotboll betting, and here is my mix of bettingtips and the odds that I choose between:

Premeier League 2010 / 2011 – to finish top 4

Odds:

FC Chelsea, odds: 1.02

Manchester United, odds: 1.12

Manchester City, odds: 1.50

FC Arsenal, odds: 1.55

FC Liverpool, odds: 2.25

Tottenham Hotspur, odds: 3.50

FC Everton, odds: 7.50

Aston Villa, odds: 9.00

This bet means four winners since there will be four teams that will end on top four. That is why the odds are so low compared to other bets. Manchester United and Chelsea will for sure end on top four, everything else would be a great surprise for me. However, at the same time they pay 1.02 and 1.12 in odds. If you want a “safe” bet this are defiantly two sure bets. However, I would not place my money on these since the teams are to big favourites. Maybe I could invest some money on Manchester United at 1.12 in odds but never on Chelsea.

My bettingtips on this bet is:

Manchester City to end on top four @ 1.50 in odds.

Manchester City is my outsider to win the Premier League this year after all their new players that they have bought. Mancini finished strongly last season after have preplaced Mark Hughes as manager and this year he have a even stronger squad to choose from. I feel that teams like Liverpool and Arsenal can find it hard to finish top four and if Manchester City does, at least one of Liverpool or Arsenal have to step aside. I find the odds 1.50 worth betting on here and pick Manchester City to end top four.

Which team will finish highest in the Premier League 2010 / 2011?

Manchester United, odds: 1.20

FC Liverpool, odds: 4.50

FC Everton, odds: 18.00

My bettingtips: Manchester United @ 1.20 in odds

As I mentioned above, Manchester united might was worth betting on to ending top four in the league. Then I find this bet way more worth betting on that top 4. Since I cannot see Everton ending top four, and since I find it hard for Liverpool to end top four this year either, I find 1.20 in odds on Manchester United to finish higher then Everton and Liverpool interesting.

Everton finished eighth in the league last year and Liverpool seventh. Manchester United finished second, only one point behind winning Chelsea. United where whole 22 points before Liverpool and 24 points ahead of Everton last year, and still it is Man United that has bought the most interesting player (Hernandez). Therefore, I almost see this bet as 20 % guaranteed return on investment later in spring even though you should not see betting as sure money.

Teams to be relegated from Premier League 2010 / 2011?

odds:

Blackpool, odds: 1.25

West Bromwich, odds: 1.80

Wolverhampton Wanderers, odds: 3.25

Wigan Athletic, odds: 3.25

Newcastle United, odds: 4.00

Bolton Wanderers, odds: 5.00

West Ham United, odds: 5.50

Blackburn Rovers, odds: 7.00

Stoke City, odds: 7.00

Birmingham City, odds: 7.00

Fulham, odds: 8.50

Sunderland, odds: 11.00

From this list I think that Sunderland, Fulham and Birmingham feels safe to not being relegated after this season. All of them have to strong teams. Stoke and Blackburn feels pretty strong, but I am not that sure over these teams as over the three I mentioned above. Stoke is living a lot on their strong home stats at Air Britannia, where they take lots of their points.

Looking down a bit on the list it is not strange that Blackpool is the biggest favourite to being relegated. According to me its too low odds to bet on @ 1.25. West Bromwich pays 1.80 in odds and that is too low according to me as well, especially since I think that they can avoid relegation this year. So my best bettingtips on which will be one of three teams to be relegated is:

Wigan Athletic @ 3.25 in odds.

Wigan had a tough season last year, and it will probably get even tougher this time since both West Bromwich and Newcastle has joined Premier League. I feel that over 3 times money back on Wigan to being relegated is valuable to bet on and that is what I bet on here.

Good Luck with your premier league betting

/Amrish

However, Germany has actually impressed more on me then Argentina, since Argentina where one of my potential winners before the World cup started. Germany came to this World cup without really being one of the favourites, which feels a bit strange now when they have proved so much. Germany is a strange nation when it comes to World cup. They are not often counted as one of the biggest favourites, but still they always makes it at least to the quarterfinals, often further then that. Now the two big giants face again in a world championship and I will try to give you my best game tips from this match:

Argentina vs. Germany, odds: Argentina to win, odds: 2.35, draw, odds: 3.35, Germany to win, odds: 2.85

My bettingtips:

Argentina vs. Germany, Argentina to win @ 2.35 in odds

This is a hard game to predict, but I have a feeling that Argentina is the better side. Those two teams actually played a friendly just before the world cup and that time Argentina won with 1 – 0. In addition, not only that, they where even way better then Germany in that game. But that was then and this is now. Because Germany has shown that, they are a totally different team then theu where in the qualification and the friendly’s. When Michael Ballack got injured most of us thought that Germany was going to get a tough championship. Instead all the youngsters has grown to world class players and are really good at the moment.

Both Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira and Thomas Muller where pretty unknown for most of the non-German people before the World cup started and now its them who are holding the team up. It was those three who outplayed England totally and now they are in a new quarterfinal.

But I think it will end here. Argentina has even better players in their squad with players like Leo Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez on the attacking line. They have more players to bring on if it wont work with these, such as Diego Milito, Kun Aguerro and Martin Palermo.

Behind all these attackers, Argentina has De Maria, Juan Veron and Javier Mascherano. There are muscles in the Argentenean team as well, clearly.

This will be a great offensive battle to watch and I think that the South Americans will win with stand as winners. My feeling is that both teams will try to play the way they have played so far in the World cup, which means many players in the attacks. Argentina is the favourites both according to me and the odds and me that bwin offers. But I have leaned to never underestimate Germany, so I keep the stake low.

Argentina vs. Germany, over / under 2,5 goals – Odds: Over 2,5 goals 1.90 in odds – Under 2.5 goals 1.80 in odds

My bettingtips:

Argentina vs Germany, over 2,5 goals @ 1.90 in odds

This is a really good bet if you ask me. Both of these teams are offensive in their way of playing and they have also played like that. Both Argentina and Germany have their strongest players in the attacking line or as offensive midfielders which makes me believe that it defiantly can be more then three goals in this game.

I am a bit surprised that bwin holds under 2,5 goals as favourites in this game since both teams are playing as offensive as they are.  I rather think that this game can end like 4 – 2 in any direction then 1 – 0.  In the second rounds, first matches both Argentina and Germany showed that they keep attacking even though they have the lead, and that is really good for this bet. Germany took an early lead against England but they kept attacking. With fast counter attacks and fantastic passing skills, they made the English players look chocked. The game ended 4 – 1 to Germany and who could have expected five goals in that game?

Even Argentina showed in their game, against Mexico, that they kept attacking after their early lead. They had 1 – 0 but kept playing forward which lead to both 2 – 0 and 3 – 0. After that, Mexico scored a goal but Argentina’s win was never threatened.

Therefore, I have big hopes that it will be scored at least three goals in this game, maybe even more, and am happy to get as high odds as 1.90 on this bet from bwin sportsbetting odds. This time I choose to bet a higher stake since I find the bet so good.

Good luck with your World cup betting

/Amrish

As an add on to talking about market speed then I think that it is only fair that we now discuss the dangers of betting in running and how market speed ties in with that. The amount of time that you will have to place your wager while an event is in progress is really dependent on the type of event. If you are watching the final round of the US Masters from the Augusta National for instance and Tiger Woods hits a 320 yard drive off the 15th tee in the closing stages to set up a possible birdie chance, then you have several minutes before he walks down the fairway and plays his next shot in which to place a bet.

Likewise in a game like Tennis for instance, there is a period where the players change ends where the action actually stops for a brief period. Cricket is another game where in running betting moves relatively slowly except in circumstances where it is drawing to the close of the match and a vital wicket or run could change everything.

So in short, you have a lot more time in which to operate when betting in running in certain sports over others. Sports like horse racing and football are very fast moving and the action is constant and especially in sports like horse racing. As soon as a horse race begins then the action is constant all the way until the finish line thus making the in running betting activity very frantic indeed and mistakes and misclicks are common place. Staying on the subject of mistakes for a minute, I feel that we really ought to touch on the subject of best price for a minute.

BEST PRICE

Before the betting exchanges came along, we as punters were really programmed to back horses or anything else for that matter to achieve a positive result. Be it either backing your fancy to win or to run into a place, we were still wagering money on the outcome of a result that had to be positive in order for us to win. But the betting exchanges changed all that. Now suddenly a negative event like a horse falling or a team losing could be a money earner for us.

Punters already were aware that getting the best price when backing something to win was highly advantageous. If you could get 10-1 when most other people were only getting 8-1 then you had a far better chance of being a successful punter in the long term than those that basically just took any old price. So when people go on the exchanges they are already programmed to try and get a better price when backing.

But here comes the snag and a pitfall that although may seem terribly obvious, many new exchange punters have fallen into numerous times. That trap is when it comes to actually LAYING. Whenever you are looking to lay something then you are looking to obtain the SHORTEST possible price and not the highest.

Remember, when you lay then you are accepting a bet from another punter or group of punters so you are in fact offering them odds on a particular event. Because you are offering someone else odds then it only stands to reason that you want to offer the skinniest price that you can possibly get away with. If you believed in your own mind that England had absolutely no chance of lifting the 2010 Football World Cup then you want to offer the shortest or to take the shortest price you can manage in the slim possibility that you are wrong.

If you could LAY England to win the World Cup (meaning that you were accepting other peoples bets who thought that they would win) at 2.0 (Even money) then this would be a tremendous result for you as England at Even money to win the World Cup before the event even started is far too short a price. Even if you lay them and you are wrong and they go on to lift the trophy then you are still only paying out even money.

But you should not LAY England at any price simply because you don’t expect them to win the competition. If you lay England at 100.0 (99-1) then you have offered odds of 99-1 to other punters who want to back England which is still grossly wrong but in the other direction and in a direction that can seriously hurt you I might add. So to recap then, when you are looking to back your fancy then you are looking for the best possible price which means the highest possible odds. But you are looking for the shortest possible lay price when you are opposing a selection.

You can also request a price as well on the betting exchanges. Let us say that you fancy England to win the World Cup but you think that the price that is currently on offer of 9.0 (8-1) is a little too short. You think that 11.0 (10-1) is a more realistic price. You can then simply place a bet into the system at 11.0. Of course when you do this then you are dependent on someone or a combination of people being willing to LAY England at that price as well and this means also waiting until the prices to BACK below your requested price of 11.0 have been snapped up and the price has moved out.

But if for any reason you wish to cancel that bet either because you have had a change of heart or maybe because you want to free up funds to make another bet then you may cancel the entire bet at any time as long as the bet or a portion of the bet has not been taken.

MARKET SPEED

There are many potential pitfalls that can hurt novice or even experienced betting exchange users for that matter. It is all so easy to click on the wrong bet or to click something in haste or even to click something correctly but you end up doing the wrong thing simply because you were under extreme time pressure.

As has already been mentioned, exchanges have a very large number of markets. These markets which are mainly on sporting events but can also be on non-sporting events as well tend to vary widely in terms of length. For instance, a men’s Tennis match at Wimbledon could take anywhere from between one and a half to four hours depending on how far the match goes. A F1 Grand Prix takes just under about two hours while a test match will take at least three days and possibly as long as five.

But one thing that you will quickly come to recognise on the exchanges is that certain markets are vastly more popular than others. Most of this is to do with the overall level of public interest. That level of interest can also increase dramatically whether or not an event is televised as televised events tend to attract all of the punters who like to bet “in running”.

But what tends to happen is that the market will actually speed up the closer to the off it gets. The amount of action in those final few minutes before a horse race for instance will be very substantial indeed.

This will mean that the prices will be changing far more rapidly than at any other time except of course for in running betting which is a completely different story whatsoever.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson

But the operating instructions are very extensive indeed and also far more up to date so I would literally advise any new betting exchange user to read them and to really get used to the system before you jump in and take the plunge.

What confuses many new betting exchange users is the sheer number of options that they face whenever they place a bet. If we take a look at a typical betting exchange screen for a Champions League match between Arsenal and Juventus would show us something very similar to this.

BET LAY

Arsenal

2.2        2.3       2.4         2.6           2.7          2.8
3240   2170      630       1720        450        8230

Juventus

2.8        2.9       3.0         3.1           3.2           3.3
160      3450     5675      1230       3812      4560

Draw

3.0        3.1        3.2         3.4           3.5           3.6
2130    1120      310         590        6720       3915

This shows us the current prices not just to back Arsenal to win but to also lay Arsenal to lose. We can also see the price for Juventus to win and also to lose and on top of that we also have the price of the draw and the lay price of the draw. So here we have six separate individual bets on one single football match.

The best price at this particular moment in time for Arsenal to win the game is 2.4. If you thought that the gunners were unlikely to win this game then you basically have one of two options. You could BACK Juventus at sports betting odds of 3.0 AND BACK the draw at 3.2 or you could simply LAY Arsenal to lose at 2.6. It needs to be pointed out here that the prices that are underlined represent the best available prices to back and lay at this particular moment in time and the figures underneath those prices are the amounts that are available to back and lay.

Obviously whether you want to back Arsenal, Juventus or the draw then you want to do so at the best available prices and the best available prices at this particular moment in time are Arsenal at 2.4, Juventus at 3.0 and the Draw at 3.2.

But the pace of exchange betting is so frantic and especially as an event nears kick off that the odds and amounts that you see on the screen are really only a small fraction of time as money is being pumped into the market every second and prices are being taken and asked for every single second as well.

One of the first things that confuses novice exchange users is the difference between the back and lay sides and I will set about explaining that here. If you want to back Arsenal to win for £20 in the above example at 2.4 then you can as there is a total of £630 waiting to be matched at that price. But for every backer then there must be a layer and that £630 at 2.4 represents the total money that has been placed at that price by all of the people who are looking to LAY Arsenal at 2.4.

Likewise if you wanted to LAY Arsenal at 2.6, this means that if you lay them to lose at that price then you are entering into a bet with someone or some people who want to BACK Arsenal at that price. This might seem terribly confusing at first glance but it is really rather simple once you get the hang of it. On the screen then those prices and amounts are situated in boxes and to place a bet then you simply click on the box in question and follow the simple steps.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson

The football betting opportunities in the FA Cup are more diverse when teams far apart in terms of skill and status square off in the early rounds. Because the top teams often rest key players for these matches particularly against comparatively weak opposition it is difficult for the bookmakers to compile the odds because the exact line up of the stronger side is often shrouded in secrecy before the match begins. Liverpool without Gerrard and Carragher demands different odds than when they play. Upsets are a part of FA Cup tradition and punters do support the underdogs to get that big win when the upsets do occur.

In the old days before Sky television an FA Cup match was one of the only times an armchair fan was able to watch a football match from their home. It was therefore something the average football fan looked forward to. Because of the novelty and excitement of watching the match on TV fans were very keen to watch the FA Cup. It meant a lot to the players too as being on television, winning cups and earning medals was the reason they played the game as they were not paid the exorbitant wages current players enjoy. They played for the love of the game and for their team mates.

Unfortunately football is so widely available to armchair supporters that, like anything else that is constantly present on TV, the novelty wore off. The large amount of football on television has even been known to destroy people’s interest in football in some cases. You can now watch a match almost every day of the week if you wish and that is a lot of football.

When Leeds beat Manchester Utd at Old Trafford recently by 1-0 with a goal from Jermaine Beckford this reminds fans that the FA Cup is still relevant to modern football and upsets can still occur. Because the top players are better prepared for football with high-tech training, diet, and psychological preparation the chances of a third division team with plenty of heart toppling a Premiership side is perhaps smaller than in previous eras of football. It can still happen, as Man Utd fans know only too well.

Chelsea are my tip to win the FA Cup this season as other favourites like Liverpool and Arsenal tinker with their teams a lot during Cup games and are vulnerable to upsets. Chelsea are always strong in their starting eleven and they will be tough to beat this year under Ancelotti. You can currently place a bet at odds of 4.75 for Chelsea to win the cup and bwin.com share my view they are the team to beat with second favourites Arsenal priced way back at odds of 7.25.

My recommendation to the readers is to take a look at the live streaming that bwin offer in their live betting section. Watching the magical FA cup matches, particularly in the early rounds where upsets can and often do happen, whist betting live is a great way to participate in the various twists and turns these football matches have.

By Malcolm Clarke

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

Bet on Chelsea at 1.70

Football betting odds can often tell you a lot. Chelsea are currently offered at odds of 1.70 which is less than 50% of the current odds for Manchester United at 3.50. For Chelsea to be viewed as twice as likely to win the title as Man Utd at this point of the season tells me that a tip on Chelsea is valid. Due to their imminent transfer ban after the next transfer window I think that they will spend big in January to secure their immediate future and this will only help strengthen their squad.

Bet on Man Utd at 3.50

This is probably the value bet of the current market although they have it all to do to haul back the mighty Chelsea. Wayne Rooney has stepped into the role of principal goalscorer excellently. Whilst the team miss the sheer brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, many players who had to assume defensive duties to accommodate Ronaldo are now able to flourish as attacking players once again. I believe that this season may be the one season where Chelsea holds a definite edge as the Man Utd team adjusts. Historically, Man Utd always does well after Christmas so Chelsea will need to win most of their games to win the title. 3.50 may look very high odds for Man Utd to win the league come the end of the season. Today’s news reports that Vidic may want to leave for a warmer climate but he will not be sold before the end of the season so football betting fans should not worry about them selling him during the January transfer window. Manager Alex Ferguson never allows this sort of disruption mid season. The edge Chelsea may have is that they will probably strengthen in January whilst Man Utd probably will not.

Bet on Arsenal at 5.25

Arsene Wenger is currently three points behind Manchester Utd but with a game in hand. They are certainly contenders but have no recognised left back after Keiron Gibbs suffered a broken foot this week. It is devastating for Gibbs who is being watched by Capello for possible late inclusion into the England World Cup squad. First choice left back Gael Clichy is still three weeks away from returning to action. You question whether Arsenal can win the required amount of points to win the Premier League and they lost to Sunderland despite being favourites for that match. They do seem to have a habit of losing winnable matches they should win, a habit not shared by the other top teams.

Bet on Liverpool at 25.00

The newspapers are hammering Liverpool with article after article about manager Rafa Benitez who is again facing the sack after Liverpool exited the Champion’s League in the group stages. This will put great financial strain on the club who are already struggling under large debts and needed the TV revenue from a good Champions League run to help service the debts the club has. Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the Merseysiders and I would not bet on them at the moment even at 34.00. I know from personal experience supporting Newcastle Utd that when off field activities go wrong this is often reflected on the pitch.

Slowly but surely it looks like the 2009/2010 football season will be a two horse race between Chelsea and Manchester Utd. Manchester may rue the decision not to splash some of the cash on a replacement for Ronaldo but are performing well so far. You worry about them if they get an injury crisis and have some important decisions to make regarding long term squad players as Scholes, Van Der Sar, Neville and Giggs are almost at the end of their careers.

My tip for the Premier League at the moment is Chelsea at 1.70.

By Malcolm Clarke