Premiership Betting Guide For the Upcoming 08-09 Season

One of the most interesting battles in the upcoming Premiership season will be for the 'best of the rest' title, or as the bookmakers kindly put it 'without the big four'. Tottenham were almost everybody's tip to win it last season, but a poor start to the season found them in the drop zone and managerless, leaving them an impossible task.I don't see it being easier this season, and whilst they are worthy favourites at present, if the rumours prove true and Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane leave, then the bookmakers will need to have a rethink. The problem essentially lies in the fact that next season may prove to be a 'transitional' one, an all too familiar phrase for supporters of Tottenham who have seen countless false dawns at the club over the past ten years. Given time Juande Ramos can take Tottenham into the upper echelons of domestic and European football, but I think next season will come too soon.Better then to side with an Everton team who finished fifth last season and for a while looked like they might pip Liverpool to the fourth Champions League spot. David Moyes' men finished five points clear of nearest challengers Aston Villa in sixth place last season, and are a solid and consistent unit. Anything around the 6/1, 11/2 mark looks very attractive, particularly when considering that most firms pay e/w on three places, effectively meaning that you will receive a return if Everton finish in the top 7.At the other end of the table it is difficult to see past the three promoted clubs for relegation. I am surprised that so many bookmakers are laying odds against about West Brom avoiding the drop, but they do look a class apart from the other two promoted clubs. The fact that Hull and Stoke both look certainties to go down means that there appears to be only one berth remaining, and I'd rather invest in an alternative to the baggies. What little value there is in this market would appear to lie with two clubs managed by Alex Ferguson's ex protégés Roy Keane and Paul Ince. Sunderland had a decent season last term, but could be victims of the fabled second season syndrome suffered in the past by the likes of Ipswich and Reading. I think the men from Wearside will end up nearer the wrong end of the table along with a Blackburn side that could be going the wrong way after the departure of Mark Hughes. It looks likely that Blackburn will lose star man David Bentley, and possibly Roque Santa Cruz as well. In response to this Paul Ince has drafted in an ageing Robbie Fowler who couldn't get a game at Cardiff and is reportedly set to sign MK Dons captain Keith Andrews, last seen strutting his stuff in League 2. Recommendations:Everton w/o Big Four - 11/2 (General)Sunderland to be relegated - 5/1 (General)Blackburn to be relegated - 12/1 (General)