The Golden Nuggets 2010/11 - English Premier League

By Sports Magician

LEAGUE HANDICAP

Liverpool finished 23 points adrift of Premier League winners Chelsea last season after experiencing a woeful campaign that saw them ousted from the top four in the country. Roy Hodgson has had a great start to his Liverpool career, signing Joe Cole, retaining Steven Gerrard and the likelihood that Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano are both to remain at Anfield for another season, at least. Blue Square are offering Liverpool a 14 point start in the league handicap market and if the Reds can achieve the 75 points or so needed to put them in the frame for a top four spot, then they will be in the shake up to win this market.

The Golden Nuggets have already tipped Bolton for a top half finish at 5.00, which would require them to achieve around the 50-point mark. Owen Coyle’s side are awarded a 40 point start in the league handicap market by Blue Square. Bolton finished 14th last season with a total of 39 points, but I expect a better showing from the Reebok outfit this season and with a 40 point start they too will be in the mix to win this market.

West Brom are expected to spend the entire season fighting for survival but the Golden Nuggets believe that Roberto Di Matteo’s side may not struggle as badly as most predict. Avoiding relegation will be deemed a success for West Brom and with their young and skilful side it is not a task that is beyond them. The 40-point mark is often spoken of as the figure needed to ensure safety but it’s not since the 2002/03 season that any side has needed to achieve 40 points or more to retain their Premier League status. West Brom are being given a 47 point start and even a total of 35 points will mean they are in the running to win the league handicap market. I believe 40 points is an achievable total for West Brom and so we are happy to back them in this market.

Below is a list of the handicaps awarded to each team in the Premier League by Blue Square.

Chelsea (scratch), Manchester United (+4), Manchester City (+7), Arsenal (+8), Liverpool (+14), Tottenham (+16), Everton (+23), Aston Villa (+26), Birmingham (+35), Blackburn (+37), Fulham (+38), Sunderland (+38), West Ham (+39), Stoke (+39), Newcastle (+40), Bolton (+40), Wolves (+44), West Brom (+47), Wigan (+47), Blackpool (+54).

PICK: 3*LIVERPOOL (+14) WIN PREMIER LEAGUE HANDICAP @ 16.00 (BLUE SQUARE)

PICK: 3*BOLTON (+40) WIN PREMIER LEAGUE HANDICAP @ 16.00 (BLUE SQUARE)

PICK: 3*WEST BROM (+47) WIN PREMIER LEAGUE HANDICAP @ 16.00 (BLUE SQUARE)

Sports Magician