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.