The Golden Nuggets 2010/11 - English Premier League

By Sports Magician

WITHOUT THE BIG FOUR (CHELSEA/MANCHESTER UNITED/ARSENAL/MANCHESTER CITY)

It’s an indication of just how poor Liverpool were last season that William Hill have priced up a ‘without the big four’ market in which Roy Hodgson’s side are one of the sixteen remaining teams. Essentially the Golden Nuggets see this as a match bet between Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton. The new season is just hours away and as we speak Liverpool have kept all of their big guns. Javier Mascherano looks likely to leave before the window closes, but he will start the season in a Liverpool shirt. Tottenham achieved the maximum last season by breaking into the top four and the Golden Nuggets expect them to tail off slightly. Everton are a side we see as the bigger threat to Liverpool but David Moyes’s side will have their work cut out to keep pace with a rejuvenated Liverpool.

PICK: 4*LIVERPOOL WIN PREMIER LEAGUE WITHOUT THE BIG FOUR @ 2.38 (WILLIAM HILL)

WITHOUT THE BIG SIX (CHELSEA/MANCHESTER UNITED/ARSENAL/MANCHESTER CITY/LIVERPOOL/TOTTENHAM)

In this market we are effectively eliminating many of the contenders and view this as a straight match bet between Everton and Aston Villa. Martin O’Neil’s departure in the week of the new season is hardly ideal and if Villa has been performing to their optimum potential in the past couple of seasons – this is the year we may well see them dip below that. Everton, as mentioned above, are a side continuing to move forward, while Villa are just trying to maintain the status quo.

PICK: 4*EVERTON WIN PREMIER LEAGUE WITHOUT THE BIG SIX @ 2.25 (TOTESPORT)

STRAIGHT FORECAST

Richard Keys and Andy Gray will no doubt spend the first few weeks of the season ramming down everyone’s throats that the Premier League title race is wide open, blah, blah blah. And that the Premier League is the best in the world, when actually that accolade belongs to La Liga – as long as you like football played with a technical excellence rather than just being fast and furious. When the season reaches its closing stages it’ll be the same two giants battling out for the top honour. Manchester United are intent on reclaiming the title and with the additions they have made and the fresh look about them in the build-up to the season, we’ll be backing them to pip Chelsea to the post.

PICK: 1*(STRAIGHT FORECAST) MANCHESTER UNITED 1ST/CHELSEA 2ND @ 7.00 (BETFRED / VCBET)

ASTON VILLA TOP SCORER

John Carew had a great second half of last season and he can upstage Gabriel Agbonlahor as Villa’s top Goalscorer. Due to the impending departure of James Milner, penalty duties will be up for grabs and it may well be that Carew takes on that responsibility. Should that be the case then our selection will be strengthened further, but even if not, Carew is a better finisher than his strike partner who still has plenty to learn.

PICK: 3*JOHN CAREW TOP ASTON VILLA SCORER @ 3.25 (LADBROKES)

EVERTON TOP SCORER

Mikel Arteta has committed his future to Everton and the Spaniard is expected to be for the Toffees what Cesc Fabregas is to Arsenal. The creative lynchpin of the side and with the ability to score goals, too. Arteta was fantastic when he returned from long-term injury last season (13 apps/6 goals) and he seems massively overpriced by Bet 365 and Ladbrokes. Given Louis Saha’s inability to stay fit throughout a season and the unknown of how Jermaine Beckford will perform in the Premier League, it’s not the worst shout in the world to throw a point on Arteta, who along with Tim Cahill, will be expected to chip in with a regular supply of goals.

PICK: 1*MIKEL ARTETA TOP EVERTON SCORER @ 17.00 (BET365 / LADBROKES)

WEST BROM TOP SCORER

The Golden Nuggets are tipping Graham Dorrans for an excellent first season in the Premier League and the attacking midfielder could prove to be the difference between West Brom staying up or going down. The Scot is the club’s penalty taker and is always in and around dangerous set pieces. West Brom play an attractive brand of football and are capable of creating chances at the top level. Dorrans is arguably the most accomplished finisher at the club and has more than a fair chance of being his side’s top Goalscorer.

PICK: 3*GRAHAM DORRANS TOP WEST BROM SCORER @ 5.50 (CORAL)

WEST BROM v BLACKPOOL

The Golden Nuggets have already tipped Blackpool to finish bottom of the Premier League at odds against and before a ball has been kicked they are now no bigger than odds-on. West Brom have the credentials to stay in the division whereas Blackpool absolutely do not. A match bet between the two is a maximum confidence selection.

PICK: 5*WEST BROM TO FINISH HIGHER THAN BLACKPOOL @ 1.50 (CORAL)

Sports Magician