Football Bet

Liverpool today unveiled Robbie Keane as their new signing, bagging him for £18m plus another potential £2m depending on performances and appearances.

The big-money transfer has been met with some criticism, with Rafa Benetez changing his usual policy of buying younger players with a potential for profits upon resale. At 28 years old, Keane will be worth a fraction of the £18m fee paid in a couple of years time, and he will need to perform otherwise Benetez could find himself under major pressure.

Some say Keane may have been the final piece of the jigsaw for the Reds to win the Premier League for the first time in 19 years, but I can’t see him making much of a difference, no matter how formidable the striking line-up is now.

Sky Bet have already opened a number of betting markets on how he will fare, making him odds of 7/1 to outscore Torres and be the side’s top scorer. They also think he is likely to get around 10.5 goals, with odds of 5/6 for him to get either side of that in the Premier League this season.

Keane is just 2/1 to score on his debut against Sunderland on the 16^th August with the online bookmaker, and odds of 6/1 to get booked in that game. Longer-odds bets include him to score a hat trick on his debut at 25/1, and 28/1 for him to be the Premier League’s top scorer in 2008/09.

The 2/5 on offer for Torres to be top scorer for Liverpool, despite being short, seems like great value, even if he is half as prolific as last season. It may also be worth backing Keane to net two or more goals at Sunderland at odds of 10/1.

As we count down to the start of the Premier League season 2008/2009, the transfers are hotting up and we are getting a clearer picture of what the squads may look like at the start of the season.

With big names signing new contracts, and the main players looking likely to stay for at least another season, Chelsea have now become joint favourites with Manchester United at odds of 2.9 on Betfair. United have seen their odds get longer over the summer as they have been at the centre of the Ronaldo transfer saga, made no major signings, sold players, and lost their assistant manager.

Getting Scolari as their new manager is also a major coup for the Blues, who will be expected to bring in the big trophies in the very near future.

There has been significant amounts bet on Arsenal and Liverpool to lift the Premier League trophy, with the betting around odds of 6.00 and 8.4 respectively. Whilst they may seem unlikely to break into the top two, Arsenal are huge favourites to top the League at the end of August at 3.5. Manchester United have surprisingly long odds of 9.00 and may be worth betting on, despite their tricky early run.

Unlike last season, there has been little talk of another team breaking into the top four, with Tottenham being the favourites to do so at 6.4. Their odds are likely to slide even further if the sales of either Keane or Berbatov do leave White Hart Lane, and this bet can be layed all day.

The premiership season is fast approaching and its time to bet on the team you think will take the title. Will it be one of the big four, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool? Or will a new team emerge as premiership contenders?

I’m going with Chelsea this year. With new manger Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm and Deco in midfield I think they will have what it takes to win the title. Last year was close and Chelsea, under Avram Grant, were a side who showed the potential to take United all the way next season. Under Scolari they will play, attractive attacking football but my only concern is their defence. Scolari is not known for his defensive qualities and I think could be a potential problem for big Phil. Chelsea are priced at 15/8 by Paddy power to finish top of the table.

United (5/4 with Bet365) will without question be challenging at the top and if they keep hold of Cristinao Ronaldo they will be favourites to retain the title. Assistant Manger Carols Queiroz looks to be leaving the club for the Portuguese national side. He will be missed and was a huge factor in the success story of Sir Alex Fergusons team last season. If he leaves some believe Ronaldo will head for the exit as well, due to two’s strong relationship.

Arsenal will be looking to improve on the last couple of seasons after having a great start last year but then struggling in the later stages. If Emmanuel Adebayor leaves for AC Milan, the gunners will need to buy a striker before the season ends. They lacked a consistent goal scorer last season and will need to find some quality upfront if they want to mount a serious title challenge this year.

Liverpool will always be mentioned at the beginning of the season but have consistently under performed. Even with Fernando Torres scoring 33 goals last season they were unable to challenge Chelsea and United. If they can get Villa they will surely be mounting a stronger bid next season. I fancy Liverpool this season and priced at 7/1 by 888sport and I think they are worth a bet. Pundits tip them every season and they have always failed, but they are definitely improving so this could be there year.

If you fancy a wild card I would go with either, Portsmouth at 500/1 (Bet direct), Tottenham at 80/1 (Betfred) or Man City at 200/1 (Blue Square). All have decent sides and cash to spend over the summer.

Let me know who you are betting on to win the 2008/2009 Premiership by leaving a comment below and make sure you visit us again soon to discuss more football betting!