Premiership Betting Tips

Although the Premiership season is barely into second gear, it's hard not to be impressed with the turbo injection-fuelled start which Manchester United have made to their 2006/07 campaign. The bookmakers have certainly been impressed and the Red Devils are now a best-priced 5/2 to be crowned champions, but are as short as 15/8 in a place. Indeed, the start that Sir Alex Ferguson's charges have made has been far more visually impressive than that made by the remaining triumvirate that make up the 'big four' - and that quartet obviously includes Chelsea - and, as a result, the Stamford Bridge outfit are now available at a top-priced 4/7 with William Hill to capture their third successive Premiership title. The departure of Ruud van Nistlerooy seemingly hasn't impaired United's attacking impetus, and they've managed to win their last three games without the services of one Wayne Rooney, who has been serving a ban. Rooney did, however, leave the impression that he means business this term on the opening day of the season when scoring a brace during his team's 5-1 demolition of Fulham at Old Trafford. Louis Saha has been nursed back to match fitness and has etched his name onto the scoresheet twice in United's four matches played, as has the evergreen Welshman Ryan Giggs who, despite looking forward to celebrating his 33rd Birthday on November 29, is playing with all the exuberance of a determined rookie. It has to be said, Sir Alex's transfer activity was sparse during the summer. More were shown the exit than the entrance, so to speak, but the one signing theu did make was a very good one, that of Michael Carrick from Tottenham. With all due respect, Darren Fletcher just didn't cut the mustard in the middle of the park for United last term while for all Alan Smith's tenacity, his instinct is still to attack rather than defend. As such, the appointment of Carrick will bring stability to Man Utd's midfield. Sir Alex is unlikely to see much of a return in the way of goals for the £18million he paid for the 25-year-old, but the rewards will definitely be reaped in other ways and, with Rooney available for selection ahead of United's mouthwatering clash with Arsenal on Sunday, bet365 make him and Saha the 4/1 joint favourites in the first goalscorer market for that clash with the Gunners. That form make the Malcom Glazer-owned club the 10/11 market leaders in the match result betting, while the draw is offered at 11/5, and Arsenal are 11/4 to collect all three points. However, Wenger's men have beaten Manchester United just twice at Old Trafford in their last 15 league meetings at the Theatre Of Dreams. Also on Sunday, Chelsea entertain a side that has often proved to be their nemesis over the past few seasons, Liverpool. Bet365 have also priced this fixture up and go 5/6 Chelsea, 11/5 the draw, and 3/1 about an away win for the Reds. Despite the fact that Pool boast anything but an impressive record when travelling to Stamford Bridge, Rafa Benitez's charges have beaten Chelsea the last twice, in the Community Shield in August and when they locked horns in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April. However, to say that Liverpool have made an inauspicious start to the season is to be kind. The Reds were held to a draw by Sheffield United, scraped to victory against West Ham and were then well and truly put to the sword by bitter Merseyside rivals Everton when thrashed 3-0 in their Derby at Goodison Park last weekend. Add to this the fact that their two-legged Champions League qualification victory over Maccabi Haifa was workmanlike at best, and Liverpool have now been pushed out to 14/1 for the Premiership with Hills, having started the season at a top-priced 8/1. However, the Magic Sign, Ladbrokes, are not taking any chances with the Anfield outfit and have them as short as 7/1 for the title. All in all, this weekend will provide a footballing feast for both supporters of the Premiership's 'big four', and for the mutual spectators. One thing's for sure, while it's still very much early days, this weekend could be a defining point for the teams aspiring to win the title, especially for Liverpool if they can get one over on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.