THE PREMIER LEAGUE is back so besides finally getting a chance to watch your favourite team again you also get a chance to lose some more money. Well, nobody sets out to lose money and the house does always win but regardless we have a list of ten bets that could ensure you get a nice cash injection in May.
After crunching the numbers and throwing many darts against various pieces of paper with bets written on them, here are the ten that may or may not be successful depending on a huge number of variables:
LMA Manager of the year- Louis Van Gaal 9/2
Man United are 5/1 to win the league outright but Van Gaal to win manager of the year at 9/2 seems better value overall. Sure, Van Gaal’s brash style might bring United the title but a good showing that falls short (like Brendan Rodgers last season) could still give Van Gaal the award. And with an improved Chelsea and Manchester City still to overcome, that could be more likely this year. There is already a Van Gaal love in so that could be reflected in the awards if his side do ok.
Points for winning team- Under 87.5 5/6
Man City finished with 86 points last year in a competitive season and even if you think Liverpool will regress, Man United should fill that void. With so many teams looking strong, it is hard to imagine someone running away with it so under 87.5 points looks a good bet.
Liverpool to finish outside the top 4- 8/11
There is a growing consensus that Liverpool will struggle without Suarez even with the new additions and many think their place in the top 4 will be taken by Man United. Not great odds but if you believe it as strongly as some others, 8/11 can still make you some money.
Top Midlands club- Stoke 5/4
One word: Bojan. Nine words: Is he anywhere near as good as this video?
Most clean sheets- Spurs 40/1
With 13 clean sheets Hugo Lloris was only three clean sheets off the top two keepers from Chelsea and Arsenal last season. You would probably always take Cech/Courtois and Chelsea (5/4) but for Spurs to be those odds after getting so close last year (the year of the gilet no less) is a little too ridiculous.
Top Scorer- Diego Costa 7/1
Had Costa not played since the La Liga win his odds would probably be higher. If you take this bet you are hoping that the World Cup displays were due to injury rather than something more. Last season Chelsea fans, admirers and Jose Mourinho all said a striker was the missing piece. If you are one of them, maybe have a bet and find out.
Wayne Rooney goals- Over 15.5 10/11
Rooney covered this total last year and that was meant to be his down year. With all the talk of his pre-season rejuvenation under Van Gaal, this should be a very achievable tally for Rooney. 8 of these.
And eight of these and you are in business.
Team to concede least goals- Chelsea 5/4
Chelsea are 5/4 to concede the least goals and 5/4 to keep the most clean sheets. They conceded 10 less goals than anyone else last year but only tied the clean sheet table and were only 3 ahead of third. Basically if you love Chelsea’s defence, then back this rather than the clean sheet lottery. Also, they have Thibaut Courtois this year. Maybe I should revise the clean sheet tip too.
To concede the most goals in one match- Southampton 18/1
After all the departures there is bound to be one day early in the season where Southampton get annihilated and all the pundits can put on their sad faces and talk in hushed tones about how hard it is for small clubs to hold onto their players. When they ship 6 on the opening day at Anfield, you will thank me.
Top 10 finish- QPR 7/2
Harry Redknapp, Robert Green, Rio Ferdinand, Armand Traore, Adel Taarabt and (a possibly overweight and possibly still there) Loic Remy are just a host of mid table names waiting to make a mid table charge with QPR this season. Lets be honest, Redknapp could get 7 junior league players, two buckets and two deckchairs into the top half of the table.
Tell me you can’t picture ‘Arry talking out of the car window on February 1st giving Sky Sports News reporters the names of a few players that will give him his final push?
Phil Neville to be so boring on Match of the Day he fractures another physio’s ankle — over 1.5 ankle 5/6
Probably the only banker here really.
