No handicap for Arsenal to win Premier League

Chelsea's hopes of winning back the Premiership have been hit by the news that John Terry will be out for up to a month after injuring his knee on Saturday. Terry injured medial knee ligaments in training that kept him out of his side's penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday and with Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Salomon Kalou, Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, Wayne Bridge and Paolo Ferreira also missing at the Wembley curtain-raiser concerns are growing among Chelsea fans that their season is doomed before it has even begun. The bookies make Chelsea 7/4 to reclaim the Premiership crown they lost to United last season and those odds may drift further if Drogba's knee injury proves to be more serious than first feared. The Ivorian international is already set to miss the opening matches of the season against Reading and Birmingham, which the Blues will nonetheless expect to win. However, if Mourinho's men do make a stuttering start to the campaign you can expect those odds to start drifting further. Boosted by Sunday's win and a plethora of new signings waiting in the wings United are in to 5/4 for the title. Sir Alex Ferguson's team look in ominous form, although their defence still looks suspect as evidenced by Rio Ferdinand's failure to deal with Florent Malouda, who outmuscled the England defender on the way to cancelling out Ryan Giggs' equaliser. The Red Devils' rearguard also looked ragged in their recent 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan. All of which makes Arsenal's 12-1 for the title look increasingly attractive. Several bookies have already shortened them to 9/1 since we tipped them as a worthwhile each/way option last month. Pre-season wins against PSG, Inter, Lazio and Ajax suggest the Gunners are in fine fettle despite the loss of Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg. Liverpool will also be a force to be reckoned with, especially as Steven Gerrard looks set to play in central midfield this season and Fernando Torres already serving notice of his quality in front of goal. However, it seems Rafa Benítez still doesn't know what his best XI is, which could result in more harmful tinkering with the Reds' lineup. Sporting Odds are offering 15/1 about Liverpool winning the league with an eight-point advantage in the Handicap market, which is enticing. But not nearly as generous as the same price about Arsène Wenger's men winning with 15-point head start. With United playing off scratch and Chelsea off +1 only Blackburn Rovers, who could be the surprise package this season (at +30), or Manchester City, who could also be dark horses (at +40) can possibly pip the Londoners in this race. Sporting Odds Premiership Handicap market:Manchester Utd +0 (15/1), Chelsea +1 (16/1), Liverpool +8 (15/1), Arsenal +15 (15/1), Tottenham +19 (15/1), Newcastle +28 (15/1), Blackburn +30 (15/1). Manchester City +40 (12/1) SportingOdds are offering all new customers £100 worth of free bets. Click here and open an account today. SportingOdds is interactive, instant, bringing you the fun and excitement of a revolutionary way of betting. SportingOdds aim to provide you with an unrivalled in running service, coupled with a comprehensive range of betting opportunities. With a blend of best prices, mass in-play coverage and various customer incentives, SportingOdds is a favourite with punters from Dundee to Dover.