Bwin’s Burning Issue: Who will win the Premier League title?
bwin has teamed up with Vital Football to give fans the chance to air their views on football’s biggest issues.
Every week, we’ll be inviting readers to offer their take on what we consider to be the biggest talking point of the week.
Today, with the start of the Premier League just days away, our burning issue is: Who will win the title?
Why not have a look at the odds and take advantage of the ‘match your bet` offer!
Given their status as defending champions, it won’t be too much of a surprise to learn that Manchester United are bwin’s favourites to retain their Premier League crown with odds of 7/4.
The Red Devils certainly looked like champions-elect in yesterday’s 3-2 Community Shield win over rivals Manchester City, while six friendly wins out of six – including a 2-1 victory over Barcelona – also inspires confidence.
However, with Roberto Mancini choosing not to call on record-signing Sergio Aguero or want-away striker Carlos Tevez on Sunday, the Citizens are unlikely to have shown their full potential.
As such, they could still be in a position to mount a concerted challenge to their neighbours’ domestic supremacy.
Already third-favourites in bwin’s title betting market with odds of 33/10, City are looking to further improve their chances of success by re-entering the transfer market, with Mancini insisting his preparations for the new season are not yet complete.
Should a Samir Nasri or Wesley Sneijder be added to the ranks at the Etihad Stadium then City will surely offer United a more rigorous test as the season unfolds.
Chelsea are sandwiched in between United and City in bwin’s title betting market with odds of 12/5, although with a new manager and an ageing squad it remains to be seen whether the Blues can re-capture the title they surrendered last season.
And then there’s Arsenal to consider. Can the Gunners really mount a challenge given Arsene Wenger’s inability to bring in defensive reinforcements over the summer and the expected departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona?
Odds of 8/1 give Arsenal a chance, albeit a slim one, with Liverpool similarly priced at 9/1.
There is a school of thought which says the Merseysiders will be in the mix this season as they will not have to cope with the distraction of European competition.
Sir Alex Ferguson certainly expects Kenny Dalglish’s men to be in the hunt, with the United manager declaring Liverpool ‘back on his radar’ after a summer of frenzied transfer activity at Anfield.
That said, Liverpool have conceded 15 goals in six pre-season fixtures, suggesting they are still a work in progress.
This leaves Spurs, a top-four side two years ago, as the best of the rest with title odds of 40/1.
They might have kept hold of Luka Modric – for now – but Harry Redknapp’s failure to address his striking options means a Europa League place could be the best the White Hart Lane faithful can hope for.
But what do you think? Is the title destined for Old Trafford? Can Manchester City usurp their local rivals? Can Andre Villas-Boas revitalise Chelsea, Arsenal prove their doubters wrong or Liverpool and Tottenham improve sufficiently to upset the four market-leaders? Are there any outsiders set to push into this race at the top or is the Premier League now a closed shop?
It’s over to you?
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