With pre-season well underway and the transfer market continuing to build towards an exciting crescendo it’s time to begin looking at the best bets for the Premier League season.
For all those putting their mortgage on Manchester United to win the title again, or Swansea to be relegated, it might be time to think outside the box for those bets which offer better value for money.
Manchester City to be crowned champions
Three years ago, when it looked like City might go belly up after being left high and dry by Thaksin Shinawatra, it was impossible to imagine they might one day challenge for the Premier League title.
However, nearly a billion pounds later and City are in the Champions League and have ended their long wait for silverware by winning the FA Cup.
Sheikh Mansour’s vision for the blue half of Manchester is starting to materialise and in Roberto Mancini the club have a manager who might divide opinion but will normally get the job done.
In 2005 we watched the money Roman Abramovich had poured into Chelsea come good as they lifted the first of three Premier League crowns.
It stands to reason then that before too long the club with the most money will eventually buy the title.
City are 4/1 to do just that next season, a decent price for a team which continues to improve year-on-year.
Of course, local rivals United (7/4) will have a big say in the destination of the title but having brought in youth this summer it might be a season of transition for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.
Could the blue moon finally rise for Mancini & co?
Javier Hernandez to secure the golden boot
This Mexican speedster caught us all by surprise last season when he burst on to the scene at Old Trafford, scoring 20 goals in 45 appearances for the Red Devils.
His ability to score when United needed it most earned him comparisons with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a man who knew a thing or two about goalscoring.
Hernandez’s performances look as though they have cemented him a place in the United team, alongside Wayne Rooney, and you’d expect him to be one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson’s team sheet next season.
Hernandez is 17/2 to be the top goalscorer in the Premier League next season, a very appealing price when you consider the amount of ammunition he is going to receive from the likes Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia.
Rooney and wantaway Carlos Tevez are the 8/1 favourites.
Sunderland to the league’s next best
A look at totesport’s Premier League market without the top six makes for some interesting reading for value hunters.
As most people will predict Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool will probably make up the top six we are looking for the next best team.
Sunderland are 6/1 to finish seventh effectively, a great price when you think Steve Bruce has kept the majority of his squad together from last season, while adding some quality in David Vaughan, Craig Gardner and Connor Wickham.
The Black Cats threatened to finish in a European spot last season before tailing off due to a crippling injury crisis. Having added some strength in depth Sunderland could get the better of the likes of Everton (13/8) and Aston Villa (7/2).
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