2009/2010

Wigan Athletic

Manager: Roberto Martinez
Stadium: The JJB
2008/2009 Finish: 11th Position

Premiership Outright: 2500/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 7/2 Bet365

Transfers In:
Scott Sinclair, James McCarthy, Jason Scotland, Jordi Gomez

Transfers Out:
Antonio Valencia, Antoine Sibierski, Henri Kamara

Key Player – Jason Scotland
Manager Roberto Martinez knows an awful lot about Jason Scotland after his spell at Swansea with the Trinidad & Tobago forward. Scotland averaged a goal ever-other-game while at Swansea so it’s clear why Martinez wanted Scotland as his main coup for the season. He’s a big presence in the final third and a player who can score both in the air and on the floor. Wigan don’t posses the most prolific of front lines so the omen will be on Scotland to score the majority of the goals for the ‘Latics’ this season.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – Wigan have done well to cement their place in the Premiership and it was a credit to everyone involved at the club that they finished the 2008/2009 season in 11th position. However, they’ve lost a few players since the end of last season, most notably Ecuador international Antonio Valencia. Wigan have now lost a player who can create a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing and that’s going to be very hard to replace. However, the look a solid enough side and, providing they get it together in the final third, should do enough to avoid a relegation scrap and end up in safe water.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 14th Position

West Ham United

Manager: Gianfranco Zola
Stadium: Upton Park
2008/2009 Finish: 9th Position

Premiership Outright: 1000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 12/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Fabio Deprela, Luis Jimenez, Herita Ilunga

Transfers Out:
Diego Tristan, Lee Bowyer, Freddie Sears, Kyel Reid

Key Player – Carlton Cole
Carlton enjoyed his most fruitful season to date, scoring 12 goals for ‘The Hammers’ last season. Not only did he improve his relations with the West Ham fans but he also won over Fabio Capello. Carlton Cole now has a taste of International football and with the World Cup in South Africa looming ever larger, Carlton will be eager to impress once again this season in a bid to book his ticket with the England squad to South Africa next year.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – West Ham didn’t make the most impressive of starts last season but finished it in fine style, ending the season in 8th position, just outside the European places. However, although West Ham, under Zola’s guidance, have become a very tough side to beat, especially at home, they still lack consistency. Some disappointing run of results cost ‘The Hammers’ last season but if Zola can correct those consistency issues, West Ham should finish in the top half of the table for a second consecutive season.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 10th Position

Sunderland

Manager: Steve Bruce
Stadium: The Stadium of Light
2008/2009 Finish: 16th Position

Premiership Outright: 1000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 8/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Darren Bent, Lorika Cana, Paulo Da Silva, Fraizer Campbell

Transfers Out:
Dean Whitehead, Greg Halford, Michael Chopra, Dwight Yorke

Key Player – Darren Bent
Darren Bent never really got a look in at Tottenham under Harry Redknapp. Now he will ply his trade under Steve Bruce, who obviously has a soft spot for the former England international, after he shelled out a club record fee of £10 Million for the ex Spurs bench warmer. There will be doubts over his confidence after only a handful of appearances at Tottenham but with a bit of ‘tender loving care’ Darren Bent could be a huge success at Sunderland. He will get the run of games he needs to build his confidence and regain the goalscoring touch he actually never lost.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – Sunderland have spent most of their recent history flirting with Promotion and relegation. They’ve finished the 2008/2009 campaign just two points above safety in 16th position but we fancy them to spare the nails of their supporters this time around and secure a more respectable finish. Their defence could still do with a few reinforcements but their options in the final third should be enough to guide Sunderland to a boring and somewhat rare mid-table finish this season, much to the liking of the Sunderland fans.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 11th Position

Stoke City

Manager: Tony Pulis
Stadium: The Brittania Stadium
2008/2009 Finish: 12th Position

Premiership Outright: 3000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 10/3 Bet365

Transfers In:
Dean Whithead

Transfers Out:
Seyi Olofinjana, Vincent Pericard

Key Player – James Beattie
Stoke signed James Beattie from Southampton during January earlier in the year and he has been an absolute bargain for Tony Pulis. His 7 goals in just 16 appearances for Stoke last season help guide Stoke not only to safety but also to a 12th place finish. He’s great in the air but he can also earn his wages with his feet. Stoke tend to play route one football and that will almost certainly benefit James Beattie who’s a nuisance to contend with in the air. He’ll be Stoke’s main striker this season and should reward the Stoke fans with another fruitful season.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – Stoke aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they know how to get the job done, albeit in a scruffy manner. They use the strength and height of their players to their advantage and are a huge threat from all set pieces, especially from a special Rory Delap throw-in. Their form at The Brittania in front of their home fans will be crucial in their bid to avoid relegation once again and we think they’ll pull it off once more and secure another season in the top flight.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 13th Position

Portsmouth

Manager: Paul Hart
Stadium: Fratton Park
2008/2009 Finish: 14th Position

Premiership Outright: 2000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 15/8 Bet365

Transfers In:
Frederic Piquionne, Steve Finnan, Aaron Mokoena

Transfers Out:
Glen Little, Peter Crouch, Glen Johnson, Noe Pamarot, Jerome Thomas, Sean Davis, Lauren, Djimi Traore

Key Player – David James
Portsmouth look weaker than ever with big players being shipped out of Fratton park left, right and centre in a bid to even out the bank balance. Portsmouth now look to posses a squad destined for trouble this season and fans will be hoping David James will be their savour in the Pompey goal. The former England shot-stopper has come under a lot of criticism in his time, a lot of it justified, but he’s still a very talented goalkeeper and Portsmouth will need some big displays from their number 1 if they are to avoid a relegation dogfight.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – There has been too many outgoings then incoming transfers at Portsmouth to have any genuine confidence in Paul Hart’s side. Glen Johnson was their best player by a country mile last season – he went. Peter Crouch was their most prolific striker – he also went! Portsmouth now have a blunt attack with a vulnerable back four, especially if Sylvain Distin does leave for pastures new. It’s hard to see who will create the chances for Pompey let alone will actually score the rare few they do create. However, after looking at other teams who shape up as much weaker sides then Pomepy, we think they’ll have enough to just survive… Just!

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 16th Position

Hull City

Manager: Phil Brown
Stadium: The KC Stadium
2008/2009 Finish: 17th Position

Premiership Outright: 5000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 10/11 Bet365

Transfers In:
Seyi Olofinjana, Steven Mouyokolo

Transfers Out:
Sam Ricketts, Ryan France, Michael Bridges, Dean Windass

Key Player – Geovanni
The Brazilian is hardly what you would call a ‘team player’ but the lad has one lethal right foot. Geovanni scored a handful of memorable goals last season and single handily guided Hull to some huge results. He is a temperamental sort who needs a lot of love it would seem and Phil Brown does look a little reluctant to give him that attention. However, Geovanni is a potential match winner and everyone at Hull needs to get behind their little play-maker if they wish to have any chance of staying up.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – In our honest yet brutal opinion, we feel Hull City are doomed. Their finish to the 2008/2009 season was abysmal and although things can only improve for ‘The Tigers’ we simply can’t Phil Brown producing the magic needed to lift Hull safely away from relegation. Hull got off to the best possible start last season, winning games a plenty, but they are a team who thrives on confidence and suffers frustrating lulls when they’re low on team morale. A few defeats early on could get the relegation ball rolling for Hull.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 18th Position

Fulham

Manager: Roy Hodgeson
Stadium: Craven Cottage
2008/2009 Finish: 7th Position

Premiership Outright: 1000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 12/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Bjorn Helge Riise, Stephen Kelly

Transfers Out:
Collins John, Moritz Volz

Key Player – Breda Hangeland
Roy Hodgeson has a gem of a player in Norwegian international – Breda Hangeland. He was literally their rock last season and was by far and away their stand-out player of the previous year. His immense performances at the back for Fulham not only led to him gaining the captaincy for his country but also seen him linked with several of the Premierships top clubs. Fulham will have a tough job keeping hold of Breda but if they do he will be a huge asset for them.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – Fulham were a frustrating side to play against last season. They play with 10 men behind the ball and don’t give the opposition an ounce of space. This showed in their goals against column with Mark Schwarzer conceding just 34 goals throughout the whole of last season. That’s just under one-goal-a-game which is some statistics for a club that has spent the vast majority of it’s Premiership career battling for survival. However, Fulham now have to contend with European commitments and with their squad not as strong as others, their final league position could suffer if they don’t get their priorities in order.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 9th Position

Burnley

Manager: Owen Coyle
Stadium: Turf Moor
2008/2009 Finish: Championship Play-off Winners

Premiership Outright: 7500/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 8/13 Bet365

Transfers In:
Richard Eckersley, Brian Easton, Tyrone Mears, Steven Fletcher, David Edgar

Transfers Out:
Alex McDonald, Alan Mahon, Gabor Kiraly, Steve Jones

Key Player – Steven Fletcher
Burnley’s big expenditure this season has come in the way of former Hibernian forward Steven Fletcher. Manager Owen Coyle obviously felt his Burnley side lacked the aerial presence required in the final third and Steven Fletcher is the man called in to complete that duty. Fletcher scored 43 goals in 156 appearances while at Hib’s and the Burnley fans will be hoping he has his goalscoring boots on for their first ever season in the Premiership.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – Burnley gained promotion via the play-off’s but we can only foresee them heading straight back where they came from. They don’t have enough quality within their ranks to contend with the high standards the Premiership sets and it would take a colossal team effort for Burnley to avoid a scrap for survival.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 20th Position

Bolton Wanderers

Manager: Gary Megson
Stadium: The Reebok
2008/2009 Finish: 13th Position

Premiership Outright: 2000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 11/2 Bet365

Transfers In:
Zat Knight, Sam Ricketts, Paul Robinson, Sean Davis

Transfers Out:

Key Player – Jussi Jaaskelainen
The Finnish international has become an integral part of the Bolton set up and has now occupied the Bolton Number 1 shirt for the past twelve years in the Premiership. When Bolton come under pressure, Jussi is often their last line of defence and what a defence it is. His immense shot stopping talent combined with his ability to command an often lacklustre defence has seen him command the respect from all his peers. If Bolton are to to remain in the Premiership, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be because of their Number 1.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – Bolton seem to do just enough each season and despite their lack of fresh faces over the summer, we still feel Bolton will have just enough in the tank to avoid the drop for yet another season. Bolton have made a name for themselves by being physical and they will want to assert themselves once again this season in a bid to secure their Premiership status for a 12th successive year.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 12th Position

Blackburn Rovers

Manager: Sam Allardyce
Stadium: Ewood Park
2008/2009 Finish: 15th Position

Premiership Outright: 1000/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 7/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Franco Di Santo, Gael Givet, Steven N’Zonzi, Elrio van Heerden, Lars Jacobsen

Transfers Out:
Roque Santa Cruz, Matt Derbyshire, Aaron Mokoena, Andre Ooijer, Tugay (Retired)

Key Player – Benni McCarthy
The departure of Roque Santa Cruz during the summer now leaves ‘Big Sam’ with one out-an-out forward to play with. Benni McCarthy endured a difficult season at Ewood Park last term with his first team appearances significantly reduced after falling out of favour with both Paul Ince and Sam Allarydyce. However, Blackburn’s forward options are now down to the bare bone and McCarthy will now be called upon in a bid to revert the striker back to his old goalscoring ways. He also has a world cup over the horizon and will want to impress ahead of the finals, providing he gets the call.

Football-Betting.co.uk Opinion – This is arguably the weakest Blackburn team I’ve ever seen. Their striking options look limited while their defence hardly fills us with any confidence. Fans will be pinning their hopes on Morten Gamst Pedersen returning to form while El Hadji Diouf will need to aid his side with a few goals while avoiding the red cards in the process. Blackburn are fortunate they have a manager with relegation experience in Sam Allardyce because without him they could be facing an uphill task this season.

Football-Betting.co.uk Prediction: 15th Position