Premiership Preview 2008/09 – A preview of the 2008/2009 Premier League season
FOOTBALL – PREMIERSHIP 2008-09 SEASON PREVIEW
The race for the Premiership title is likely to be lead by reigning champions and 2007-08 Champions’ League winners Manchester United. They are likely to be hotly pursued by Chelsea, last season’s runners-up in both competitions. Although on last season’s form they seem unlikely to challenge the top two for the title, neither Arsenal nor Liverpool can be dismissed from the title race. Certainly they must be well-fancied to challenge for the remaining two Champion’s League qualifying positions, at the very least. Contenders for the remaining European place, in the UEFA Cup are more difficult to predict. Based on last season’s form, any of Everton, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Manchester City could grab the UEFA Cup spot. The 6th place side could also qualify for the UEFA Cup, based on the results of the FA and Carling Cups, along with Tottenham’s finishing position, since they have already qualified, by virtue of winning last season’s Carling Cup.
At the other end of the table, newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City are certain to find Premiership competition a good deal hotter than that in the Championship, and have to be the bookmakers’ favourites to return from whence they came. Hull seems almost certain to return to the Championship, but Stoke and West Brom are fancied to surprise a few people. Fulham only escaped relegation by virtue of superior goal difference over Reading, while Bolton, Sunderland, Wigan, Middlesborough and even Newcastle were hardly awe-inspiring last season and were all involved in the struggle for survival until the last few games. The battle to avoid relegation is likely to be more competitive than the title race, and it is a difficult task to nominate three sides for the drop. If forced to choose based on value, the perhaps controversial relegation shortlist would be Hull, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Blackburn and Newcastle. Bet on Premiership Relegation with 888sport or Ladbrokes
Manchester United
To win the Premiership: 11/8 (skybet)
To be relegated: 7500/1 (Stan James)
The 2007-08 season was particularly poignant for Manchester United, being fifty years since the Munich air disaster. Sir Alex Ferguson’s successors to the Busby Babes played the season of their careers, the Red Devils winning their tenth Premiership title in the closest recent contest, by two points on the last day of the season.
Coincidentally, the win also marked a century since United won their first League title. Ferguson has given a clear indication that he expects Cristiano Ronaldo, who has made no secret of his desire to join Real Madrid, to remain at Old Trafford next season. He also stated that he expects to make only one signing this summer, as he believes his young squad will prove more consistent this term, aided by winning both Premiership and Champions League. A quality striker is believed to be the priority, with a shortlist of Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov, Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz and Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko. United seem certain to finish in the top 3, and with the expected improvement, must again go mighty close to an 11th title. However, given the strength of Chelsea, in particular, 11/8 seems plenty short enough.
Chelsea
To win the Premiership: 21/10 (totesport)
To be relegated: 5000/1 (Stan James)
New Blues’ coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, the former Brazil and Portugal manager, officially took up the reins at Chelsea on the 1st July and wasted no time in making his first signing. He has already completed an £8 million deal, with Barcelona, for central attacking midfielder Anderson Luis de Souza (“Deco”). His arrival will further deepen the midfield strength, with class acts such as Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele already competing for places. Despite Deco’s arrival, former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has temporarily abandoned hopes of signing Frank Lampard. However, the Inter Milan coach is “100% certain” Lampard will make the move next season.
Chairman Roman Abramovich is determined to rebuild Chelsea as champions this season, willing to offer Liverpool a world record transfer fee of £85 million to entice Euro 2008 winner Fernando Torres to aid their challenge, paying whatever it takes to sign the world class striker.Spaniard David Villa is another who impressed Abramovich at Euro 2008. Chelsea has expressed interest, but the striker is apparently quite content at Valencia. Other big names include Real Madrid’s Robinho, FC Porto’s Ricardo Quaresma, as well as Bayern Munich’s Frank Ribery and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o of Barcelona. Certainties for a top-3 finish Chelsea will, at the very least, run Manchester United close in the race for the Premiership title. Overall, the Blues’ squad has possibly more strength in depth than United’s. Given Abramovich’s determination and financial backing, along with Scolari’s tactical nous, they have every chance of regaining the title.
Arsenal
To win the Premiership: 11/2 (vcbet)
To be relegated: 3000/1 (totesport)
Arsenal is a “poor relation” to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. With a predominantly British board of directors, manager Arsene Wenger can only dream of the buying power of foreign investors. However, Alisher Usmanov, a many times billionaire from Uzbekistan, owns 25% of the club. If allowed to purchase more shares, Usmanov may help Wenger’s dreams become reality. Striker Emmanuel Adebayor made it clear that he thinks last season’s performances warrant a pay rise to a weekly £120,000. He has also stressed that if such an offer is not forthcoming, he will seek similar reward elsewhere. Barcelona is favourite to sign Adebayor, though with some lingering doubts over the fate of Didier Drogba, Chelsea has emerged as genuine challengers. Adebayor’s prospective transfer will realise some much needed cash for Wenger, who regularly relies of his transfer market acumen to mount any type of challenge for honours.
Eduardo’s injury, coupled with Robin van Persie’s fragility left Arsenal desperately short up front at the end of last season. With Adebayor set to leave, the need to buy in that area is paramount. An extra centre-back is a must, as is a defensive midfielder to replace the departing Mathiue Flamini. Given Wenger’s penchant for playing the game as it should be played is likely to result in tons of attractive play, but nothing to show at the end of the season, as the latest batch of talented youngsters are blooded in the ongoing team building process. The Gunners are bound to be outspent by their main rivals and third place must be seen as a success.
Liverpool
To win the Premiership: 8/1 (vcbet)
To be relegated: 2000/1 (totesport)
The 2007-08 season at Anfield was notable for the internal turmoil involving owners, shareholders and manager Rafa Benitez. The timing of the worst of this “war” was in April, coinciding with the Reds’ preparations for their Champions League semi-final (their third in the four seasons under Benitez) against Chelsea. Benitez has been with Liverpool since 2004 and has struggled with a talented squad who persistently seem to underachieve. Success in Europe and domestic cup competitions has ensured him the fans’ support, but winning the Premiership League becomes increasingly important as each unsuccessful season passes. As ever, Liverpool will enter the 2008-09 season talking of a genuine title challenge, but evidently wholesale investment in players is required to make it even a remote possibility.
Benitez’s pursuit of main transfer target, Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, drew nearer to a conclusion after Martin O’Neill said the player can leave once Liverpool meets their £18 million valuation. Liverpool’s co-owners are willing to approve the expenditure imminently. The current Anfield side seems overburdened in central midfield and is lacking in width. Two speedy wide players with the ability to run at defenders would prove a great enhancement. Despite monumental efforts and extraordinary scoring achievements by Fernando Torres as a lone striker, a top-class partner is vital. Bearing the above in mind, Liverpool could mount a realistic challenge for the title, but realistically a top-4 finish is more likely, and 8/1 is a fair reflection of their chances.
Tottenham Hotspur
To win the Premiership: 66/1 (Paddy Power)
To be relegated: 125/1 (totesport)
Spurs, widely tipped to finish in the top-four and claim a Champions League position, faltered at the beginning of the 2007-08 season, leading to the departure of Martin Jol, who had guided them to a fifth-place finishes and UEFA Cup qualification in the previous two campaigns. However, after Juande Ramos took charge in October, the north Londoners steadily climbed up the table, finishing 11th. They won the Carling Cup, thus qualifying for the 2008-09 UEFA Cup. Ramos has been busy in the transfer market since April, signing Croatia’s exciting Luka Modric. The Spaniard has considerable funds, which can only be enhanced by selling striker Dimitar Berbatov, possibly to Manchester United. With Aaron Lennon out of favour, a replacement winger is vital. Paul Robinson does not appeal to Ramos, but PSV’s Heurelho Gomes appears close to completing his £10 million move. However, with Paul Robinson’s prospective transfer to Middlesborough, a competent back-up is also needed.
Darren Bent has been found lacking in front of goal since joining the club in a £16million deal from Charlton last summer. Sunderland has expressed interest, but the £12 million asking price may prove a stumbling block. David Bentley has been mentioned several times with regard to a move to White Hart Lane in an exchange deal involving Aaron Lennon. Lukas Podolski would be perfect for Ramos should Berbatov decide his future lies elsewhere, particularly with the German settling so enthusiastically on the left-flank for his country at Euro 2008; traditionally a problem area for Spurs. Despite being fancied, in certain quarters, to trouble the leading clubs, skybet’s offer of 9/4 “without the Big 4″ seems ridiculously short. Spurs have two hopes of troubling Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – Bob Hope and no hope!
Aston Villa
To win the Premiership: 200/1 (Paddy Power)
To be relegated: 66/1 (totesport)
Villa has improved steadily since manager Martin O’Neill’s appointment. Last season, they finished a very respectable 6th, within 5 points of a UEFA Cup place. American owner Randy Lerner cannot guarantee unlimited funds, and the lack of revenue from European football means Villa need to sell before they can spend serious money. Gareth Barry’s imminent move to Liverpool will realise £18 million with perhaps another £10 million available. Despite a budget a fraction of the size of that of league’s top sides, O’Neill is not afraid “push the boat out” to obtain players that fit his master plan. Youngsters Gabriel Agbonlahor, a product of Villa’s youth academy and pacey Ashley Young, a £10 million signing from Watford, are definite plus factors in O’Neill’s attempts to further the team’s recent success.
However, his team-building plans are likely to be undermined by the exit of some key performers. The prime areas for unease are (apart from Gareth Barry) are Swedish defender Olof Mellberg’s move to Juventus and on-loan keeper Scott Carson returning to Liverpool. Steve Sidwell will join from Chelsea for £5 million as a cut price replacement for Barry. Anton Ferdinand (West Ham) constitutes an appropriate replacement for Mellberg though Villa will have to compete with Spurs for his services. Paul Robinson is the most likely solution to the goalkeeping issue, while Wayne Hennessey from Wolves is another option. Villa is fancied to mount a serious challenge for Europe though 11/2 “without the Big 4″, with vcbet looks a little short.
Everton
To win the Premiership: 200/1 (William Hill)
To be relegated: 66/1 (Paddy Power)
A fifth place finish received widespread acclaim for coach David Moyes, who showed his Premier League rivals that money is not necessarily needed to contend at the top of the league. Duly rewarded with European football for this season, Everton will look to break into the Premier League’s top four, as they did three seasons ago. In six years in charge at Goodison, Moyes has re-branded the club as a top-half side who pride themselves as a good passing side from the middle in a variation on the 4-5-1 formation. Worryingly, Moyes has yet to extend his existing contract which expires at the end of the 2008-09 season.
Everton will have to offload some players in order to generate extra expenditure. Quality defenders who can step in to replace centre-halves Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka should they pick up any injuries are definitely required.£16 million Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho, and one Europe’s most highly sought after players, is the kind of big name signing Everton need to start attracting, if they are to match their Champions League ambitions with intent. Top-5 contenders again, but difficult to see them troubling the top 4.
Manchester City
To win the Premiership: 250/1 (Paddy Power)
To be relegated: 33/1 (skybet)
The Sky Blues best recent Premiership finish in 2007-08 was tarnished by an embarrassing sideshow involving manager Sven Goran-Eriksson and Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who evidently has plenty of ambition, but little patience. Even a double over Manchester United for the first time since the 1970s wasn’t enough to save Eriksson’s job, with City finishing 9th. Mark Hughes’ appointment appears a shrewd move. Hughes’ task will be to convince players like Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Richard Dunne to remain at the City of Manchester stadium, before moulding a team out of exciting youth team products, the Eriksson draft, along with any new signings of his own. Entry to the UEFA Cup, via the Fair Play league, hands their extremely demanding owner a touch of glamour. Discussions to date indicate that finance is not an issue, so Hughes will have substantially more cash at his disposal than other “mid-table” coaches.
Shinawatra’s “Fantasy Football” approach has made Barcelona’s faded talent Ronaldinho his primary summer target, offering the player a ridiculous sum to join the club. If City can retain their key players, overall the squad is in good shape, apart from the strike force. Two top-class strikers are essential. Although David Moyes insists he isn’t for sale, Everton’s Andy Johnson features highly on Hughes’ list, whilst the proven goalscoring of Roque Santa Cruz from former club Blackburn is attractive. City has agreed a fee for CSKA Brazilian striker Jo of around £18 million. Premier League concerns over third party ownership issues have apparently been resolved and the transfer is likely to go through imminently. German Lukas Podolski is frustrated at Bayern Munich and might be tempted by the Premiership, along with a substantial pay increase at City, though his price tag has risen to £15 million after Euro 2008. The attacking left midfield role he has assumed for the German national side will prove ideal at City, particularly weak in the wide areas. Given the virtually unlimited funds available, a pair of quality full-backs would also improve City’s chances of success. Under “Sparky’s” guidance, the Sky Blues are fancied to mount a serious challenge for European qualification and look a fair bet at 8/1 “without the Big 4″ with Paddy Power.
Newcastle
To win the Premiership: 300/1 (Boylesports)
To be relegated: 22/1 (Paddy Power)
Last season, Sam Allardyce’s “Bolton” football failed to inspire the Magpies’ faithful and was sacked after seven months. Kevin Keegan was his surprise replacement. Keegan eventually restored the faith of the fans, finishing 12th with 43 points, reviving memories of the 90s, when Newcastle were challenging for titles. The almighty saviour of Tyneside, Keegan is highly revered by the Toon faithful who are fiercely optimistic that “King Kev” will guide their club back into the top echelon of the Premier League, particularly with his penchant for attacking football. Newcastle are very poor in defence, conceding 65 goals last season, more than anyone except the relegated teams.
With the possible exception of Steven Taylor, they are short on quality. Replacements for Joey Barton, who is doing time and the departing Emre, are vital. Argentina playmaker Pablo Aimar could fill the void left by Emre, in a £4 million deal. Paris Saint-Germain’s Didier Digard would easily accompany Aimar in a new-look midfield. Newcastle seem likely to reproduce their moderate form of the first half of last season and are more likely to be involved in the relegation battle than that for European places. In fact, 22/1 about the Magpies playing Championship football next season is quite appealing.
Portsmouth
To win the Premiership: 500/1 (Paddy Power)
To be relegated: 25/1 (Paddy Power)
Pompey celebrated a milestone season in 2007/08, as they gained their inaugural place in European football by beating Cardiff City in the FA Cup Final. For much of the season, Portsmouth were realistic contenders for 5th place in the Premiership, but their FA Cup run saw them finish a respectable 8th. For 2008-09, manager Harry Redknapp will seek to establish Portsmouth as a genuine top-10 side in the Premier League, with the objective of securing another season of European football. Redknapp’s successful signings have transformed Portsmouth into a compact unit that most sides fear. Jermain Defoe is likely to reach double figures in goalscoring, but a right-sided winger would definitely help to improve his record in front of goal. Shaun Wright-Phillips is Redknapp’s target for this role, but is weighing up his future at Chelsea under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari first. Alternatively, Nolberto Solano is available on a free transfer from West Ham.
Despite an unsuccessful offer of £9 million for Liverpool’s Peter Crouch, the England striker remains top of Redknapp’s transfer “hit list.” Patrick Vieira is another possible target. This may seem like folly, but Redknapp intends to test Inter’s resolve by exploiting Vieira’s friendship with Sol Campbell. Finance is unlikely to be an issue, with the backing of Russian billionaire Alexander Gaydamek. Portsmouth can continue their progress in the Premiership and look massively overpriced at 500/1. They look a cracking bet at 12/1 with Ladbrokes “without the Big 4″ and at 40/1 with bet365 a top-4 finish is by no means out of the question. A decent UEFA Cup run is also expected.
Blackburn Rovers
To win the Premiership: 1000/1 (skybet)
To be relegated: 14/1 (Ladbrokes)
The Riversiders’ 2008-09 season is a cause for concern following the departure of manager Mark Hughes to Manchester City. “Sparky” has undoubtedly been the driving force behind the team’s improved form, with a 7th place finish in 2007-08. His replacement, Paul Ince, is regarded as one of the most promising English managers, but despite success with Macclesfield and MK Dons, it is a quantum leap to the top flight. Indeed, Ince needed special dispensation from the Premier League to take up the post, as he lacks the requisite coaching qualifications. Further doubt has been cast by the desire of classy midfielder David Bentley to move to pastures greener, a fact he made crystal clear to Ince in a recent meeting. The likely sale of Bentley should provide decent funds, but the majority of that will need to be spent in replacing him. Blackburn’s midfield lacks pace and solidity, especially if lacking Bentley’s young legs, and would benefit from a holding player, along with another more attacking colleague.
With Tottenham the favourites to land Bentley, Ince may not face a problem if a cash / player deal can be struck to bring Aaron Lennon to Ewood Park. Tottenham’s proposed bid is understood to 0involve England winger Lennon plus £8 million. Low attendances and a small squad leave Blackburn out of their depth as a top-10 side. “New boy” Ince faces a summer of trawling the European or lower domestic leagues for bargain basement recruits. Bulgarian international Ivelin Popov, another right sided midfielder, has already trialled at the club, while troubled Newcastle defender Abdoulaye Faye is a prime target. Taking all the uncertainties into consideration, 14/1 about Blackburn’s relegation seems a reasonable proposition.
West Ham United
To win the Premiership: 1000/1 (888sport)
To be relegated: 9/1 (Paddy Power)
The Hammers started the 2007-08 season with new hope and anticipation. Welsh striker Craig Bellamy from Liverpool and Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal offered great potential, supported by the signing of Kieron Dyer from Newcastle. However, a seemingly never-ending sequence of injuries to several key players devastated the season. In spite of these difficulties, which necessitated Curbishley extensively utilising youth academy players Freddie Sears and James Tomkins, he achieved the objective of a top-10 finish. Obvious comparisons were made to Charlton, who (with Curbishley in charge) made an exciting start to the season before sinking into anonymity. This season, Curbishley will be anxiously keen to change that assessment and thrust his side into the European calculations. Curbishley is not popular with the supporters and seems under relentless pressure to deliver.
The demands on the manager are not likely to be lessened by the appointment of new Director of Football, Italian Gianluca Nani. Nani’s remit is to find the world’s “wonder kids” and a long list of unproven teenage talent has already been associated with Upton Park. Curbishley would rather rely on proven quality with Reading striker Kevin Doyle heading his transfer targets, while Everton’s Andy Johnson remains in-demand. Additionally, Eidur Gudjohnsen would provide a perfect link-up to strikers Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy. With the Icelandic links to the club’s benefactors, the £4 million striker, surplus to requirements at Barcelona, is understood to favour a move back to London. However, spending power is likely to be limited as the club’s owners, administered by Icelandic bank Landsbanki, victims of the current “credit crunch.” The prospect of the Hammers contending for a European place is laughable. A more likely scenario is a poor start to the season, with Curbishley being the first managerial casualty of the season (7/1 with skybet), likely to be replaced by Croatia’s Slaven Billic.
Middlesborough
To win the Premiership: 1500/1 (888sport)
To be relegated: 8/1 (Ladbrokes)
Boro looked, for some time last season, like relegation candidates but eventually secured 42 points, finishing 13th. Questions have been raised over manager Gareth Southgate’s ability to cut it in the top division. Southgate has already admitted that he must fulfil the needs of chairman Steve Gibson, arguably the most loyal owner in the Premiership. However, Gibson’s loyalty may finally erode should Southgate fail to guide the club towards European qualification. The manager insists he will keep faith in inexperienced goalkeepers Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull after the departure of Mark Schwarzer to Fulham. However, a move for out of favour Tottenham ‘keeper Paul Robinson would be a decent transfer for both sides.
George Boateng’s future at The Riverside is uncertain and Stewart Downing has been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham. Reading’s attacking midfielder has expressed an interest in an immediate return to the Premiership following the Royals’ relegation and Southgate has already put in an offer of £3.5 million. Other targets include American international midfielder Michael Bradley from Dutch side SC Heerenveen and Didier Digard from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite Steve Gibson’s willingness to provide the finances required, it is difficult to foresee Middlesborough improving on last year’s effort. Relegation seems a far more realistic prospect than Europe and Southgate’s survival in the hot seat to the end of the season will be a major surprise.
Sunderland
To win the Premiership: 2000/1 (skybet)
To be relegated: 9/2 (888sport)
2008-09 might well be a case of “second season” syndrome for the Black Cats, especially given the team’s dismal away record last season (2 wins and 3 draw from 19 games). Despite two years in management, Roy Keane is a rookie at the top level and caused some consternation by overspending on transfers last season, the prime example being £6 million+ for Cardiff City’s Michael Chopra. The fiery Irishman apparently demanded some £50 million from chairman Niall Quinn to strengthen the team. However, little activity in the transfer market suggests that some compromise has been reached. In the 2007-08 season, Keane’s troops managed only 36 goals, whilst conceding 59. Top scorer Kenwyne Jones hit the back of the net a mere 7 times and injury means he will miss a large part of the 2008-09 season.
Sunderland desperately needs a regular goalscorer, along with fresh blood in midfield to supply the front line. Carlton Cole from West Ham, a reasonable buy at around the £2 million mark, would strengthen the attack. Darren Bent, struggling for a first-team place at Tottenham would be ideal, but Spurs are looking for £12 million. James Beattie should be easier (and substantially cheaper) to lure away from the Championship’s Sheffield United. Celtic’s attacking midfielder / winger would seem to fit in nicely with Keane’s Irish contingent. His £10 million price tag could prove value in improving a lacklustre midfield. The defence is in need of more experience, but with Richard Dunne content at Manchester City, Keane is still searching fir a quality centre-half. The target for 2008-09 will be consolidation of the Black Cats’ Premier League status, with any improvement on last season’s finish of 15th a stunning success.
Bolton Wanderers
To win the Premiership: 5000/1 (vcbet)
To be relegated: 10/3 (totesport)
The Trotters made an appalling start to the 2007-08 season, compounded by Nicolas Anelka’s transfer. Fans lost all hope of the club surviving in the Premiership, with coach Gary Megson bearing the brunt of the supporters’ frustrations. However, he ended up as a hero, having maintained Bolton’s status in the Premier League by a single point. The 2008-09 season promises to be far more successful for Bolton, who has already spent £15 million this summer, attracting Birmingham’s Fabrice Muamba to the Reebok Stadium along with Swedish Striker Johan Elmander. However, this money is likely to have been the surplus from Anelka’s transfer and how much more cash is available is open to question. Megson is interested in Walsall’s 16-year-old prodigious midfield talent Sean Geddes, but is likely to face stiff competition from other top-flight clubs.
El-Hadji Diouf seems desperate to be elsewhere, leaving Bolton in the market for a leading striker. Portuguese Miguel Veloso would be a complete steal from Europe’s elite club, assuming the versatile player can be convinced of a future in Lancashire. Bolton are expected to improve greatly on last season’s finish of 16th and, despite the bookmakers rating them as no-hopers, are fancied to return to the days of “fortress” Reebok, with an outside chance of a top-5 finish.
Wigan Athletic
To win the Premiership: 5000/1 (vcbet)
To be relegated: 10/3 (Boylesports)
Former manager Paul Jewell managed to keep The Latics in the Premier League, with Chris Hutchings as his assistant. However, when Hutchings took over in the hot seat, Wigan was soon in trouble, wallowing in the depths of the league table last November. Owner Dave Whelan made a shrewd appointment, in the shape of unsettled Birmingham coach Steve Bruce. Ex Manchester United star Bruce’s arrival at the JJB stadium brought about a more organised style of play and an upturn in results. Bruce enjoyed an impressive season, easing the Latics relegation worries, which must have been particularly satisfying as it was at the expense of former club, Birmingham, with whom he did not part on amicable terms.
Even though the prospect of relegation was an afterthought by the end of the season, Wigan’s 14th place was only four points clear of the “drop zone”, an indication that there is plenty left to work on. Wigan’s premier transfer target must be a quality striker to partner Emile Heskey. Marcus Bent spent a season on loan from Charlton, but their playing styles are too similar to form a particularly potent partnership. Bruce has recently offered to sign striker Amr Zaki on loan from Egyptians Zamalek. Bruce signed Daniel De Ridder for Birmingham, and is keen to renew his acquaintance with the speedy Dutch winger. He is also keen on defensive midfielder Hendry Thomas, from Olimpia, while Newcastle winger Charles N’Zogbia is also a target. Owner Whelan has always been fairly generous with his cheque book and therefore a £15 million budget should at least be afforded to Bruce. With Bruce in charge for a full season, relegation does not appear to be an issue, but how much more the Latics are capable of achieving remains to be seen.
Fulham
To win the Premiership: 5000/1 (vcbet)
To be relegated: 5/2 (VC Bet)
With Lawrie Sanchez spending £23 million on new signings last summer, few would have envisaged that the Cottagers would be end up in a relegation “cat fight” lasting until the final day of the season. However, manager Sanchez was sacked, being replaced by former Swiss and Inter Milan coach, Roy Hodgson, who succeeded (just) in keeping Fulham in the Premiership, underlining his solid leadership qualities. His task was eased by the return of central midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who had missed much of the season with a cruciate ligament problem. His return to the team sparked Fulham to a run of form which saw them move out of the bottom three with one game remaining, after a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City. Fulham still needed to win away at Portsmouth on the last day of the 2007/08 season to avoid relegation and it was Danny Murphy’s headed goal from Bullard’s free kick that gave Fulham the victory, ensuring their Premier League survival, courtesy of superior goal difference over Reading.
Hodgson has overseen a mass clear-out at Craven Cottage this summer, adding Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, trying to rule out a repeat of last season’s debacle. Fulham were particularly poor in defence last season, failing to find a sound replacement for Zat Knight (now at Aston Villa). A quality centre-back is essential to Fulham’s 2008-09 campaign. Hodgson has been attempting to sign defender Josip Simunic from Hertha Berlin for some time. A replacement for former captain Brian McBride as the new leading striker is an absolute necessity. Dave Kitson of Reading has been the subject of negotiations and the signing of Zoltan Gera from West Brom will also assist. A return to Craven Cottage for Liverpool’s Steve Finnan would add some class to Fulham’s backbone, complimenting Simon Davies on the right side, to supply more ammunition to the attack. Finance is unlikely to be a problem, as Harrods owner Mohammed Al-Fayed is likely to allow a considerable budget. However, while a change of personnel may avoid relegation issues, Fulham still seem destined for no better than mid-table mediocrity.
West Bromwich Albion
To win the Premiership: 5000/1 (skybet)
To be relegated: 6/5 (William Hill)
The disappointment of the previous season’s play-off final defeat was quickly replaced, in 2007-08, with the Baggies claiming the Championship title and reaching the semi-finals of the FA cup. West Brom appear to have taken over Bolton’s of being the leading “yo-yo” side, unable to stay in the top division for more than s season or two at a time. However, in Tony Mowbray, West Brom has one of the brightest, most promising English managers in the game, and they seemed better equipped for the challenge of the Premiership this time round. In contrast to the other promoted sides, Stoke City and Hull City, West Brom should be adaptable enough to cope with the Premiership style of play, without wholesale changes in the playing personnel. Nevertheless, Mowbray has the realistic target of survival for this season and is anxious to avoid a repeat of 2005, when the Baggies escaped relegation, despite propping up the table at Christmas. Fancied to stay up, without setting the world on fire.
Stoke City
To win the Premiership: 7500/1 (Stan James)
To be relegated: 4/9 (Bet365)
Potters manager Tony Pulis is ready to find out how keen West Ham are to hold on to centre-half Danny Gabbidon, by offering £2 million. Twenty-eight year old Gabbidon joined West Ham in 2005, but has made less than sixty starts for the club, recently being troubled by a groin strain. Pulis is keen to sign an experienced defender to bolster the heart of the defence. This may prove to be a wise move, as despite their impressive promotion from the Championship, the quality strike forces the Stoke defence will face are in a totally different class to anything they experienced last season. However, despite being second favourites for the drop, Stoke played some classy looking football last season and are fancied to surprise those who expect a speedy return to the Championship.
Hull City
To win the Premiership: 10000/1 (Stan James)
To be relegated: 1/3 (skybet)
The Tigers are seeking to strengthen their squad for their Premiership challenge by signing Turkish international and former Sheffield United winger Colin Kazim-Richards, from Fenerbahce. Manager Phil Brown is toying with a £2 million offer, which would double the club’s previous transfer record. Brown has also re-signed winger Craig Fagan from Derby for £750,000 and is in discussions with Greek international midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos. However, the signing of Plymouth’s Peter Halmosi seems unlikely, as the Pilgrims rejected both a £2 million offer and a cash / player offer involving Ryan France or John Welsh. Hull has joined QPR and Stoke in their attempts to sign Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner. Gardner, 27, was out of favour at White Hart Lane for the majority of last season. He still has a year on his current contract, but current manager, Juande Ramos, will not resist any move. Some serious signings are necessary, if Hull is not to prove to be a “one-season wonder.”
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
Images Credit: BBC
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Learn how to spell Middlesbrough.
no chance of middlesbrough going down huth wheater downing tuncay alaves gary oneill added to new signings digard and emnes plus the youth we havin breaking through!we just need to sign a goalkeeper ie paul robinson and have a outside chance of europe!watch middlesbrough score a hatfull of goals this season on the bench mido allidiare adam johnson mmm relegation i somehow dont think so!
Neil,
Paddy Power are currently offering 12/1 about Middlesbrough finishing in the top 6, and 80/1 about a top-4 finish. Fill yer boots, & the best of luck!
wat a moron..
as if west ham or blackburn will get relegated..
if any1 should be in that list it should be the 3 promoted clubs… with the likes of bolton, sunderland and fulham..
GAFFA????? ERM WHAT DO YOU MEAN…THE LIKES OF SUNDERLAND/?? WE HAVE SIGNED BETTER PLAYERS THAN LAST YEAR SO IAM EXPECTING A SLIGHTLY BETTER SEASON! MAYBE A MID TABLE FINISH…AND AS FOR BLACKBURN..HA HA I RECKON THEY HAVE ONE OF THE WORST MANAGERS YOU CAN POSSIBLY HAVE!!!!! THEY WILL STRUGGLE ALL SEASON IN MY BOOK…..ALONG WITH STOKE AND HULL….MAYBE THEY WILL FALL……NEWCASTLE WILL STRUGGLE TOO…….I SUPPOSE YOUR A CHELSEA FAN OR MAN U??? ARSENAL????
[...] Bet123: 1.Manchester United; 2.Chelsea; 3.Arsenal; 4.Tottenham; 5.Tottenham; 6.Aston Villa; 7.Everton; 8.Manchester City; 9.Newcastle; 10.Portsmouth; 11.Blackburn; 12.West Ham; 13.Middlesbrough; 14.Sunderland; 15.Bolton;16. Wigan; 17.Fulham; 18. West Brom; 19. Stoke; 20.Hull [...]
Newcastle to go down this year
Even the over expectant geordies are
not expecting much