The Sports Bookie Blog

CHELSEA v TOTTENHAM

The game of the weekend takes place in the Queen’s capital, as Chelsea and Tottenham battle it out in a replay of last season’s Carling Cup final. The two couldn’t have more different starts to the season – the Blues look unbeatable, thanks to Deco, while Spurs have been simply awful.

The question is who will be playing in this encounter. Rumours abound that Chelsea are close to signing Robinho, while Spurs look set to clinch Russian star Roman Pavlyuchenko. Spurs are in need of some support for Darren Bent, who has yet to carry his pre-season form onto a Premier League pitch.

Read full Chelsea v Tottenham preview

Last Five League Results
Chelsea: 4 wins (Wigan, Pompey, Newcastle, Man Utd), 1 draw (Bolton)
Tottenham: 1 win (Reading), 1 draw (Bolton) 3 losses (Sunderland, Boro, Liverpool)

Prediction: A comfortable Chelsea win

SUNDERLAND v MANCHESTER CITY

Watch out for Keano! Whilst all eyes were on Man City’s failure to lure big-name players, Sunderland quietly bought a whole new team over the summer. And it’s a team filled with quality too. Djibril Cisse got off to an excellent start from the bench last weekend and will be looking to start this week, while Anton Ferdinand has completed his switch to the Stadium of Light.

Mark Hughes will be happy having seen his side quickly forget their opening day defeat with a convincing over West Ham. Jo is now back from the Olympics and much is expected of the costly Brazilian, after a string of useless/luckless strikers have passed in and out the doors at Eastlands.

Last Five League Results
Sunderland: 2 wins (Spurs, Boro), 3 losses (Liverpool, Arsenal, Bolton)
Man City: 1 win (West Ham), 4 losses (A Villa, Boro, Liverpool, Fulham)

Prediction: A tight one, but Sunderland will just nick it thanks to home support

CELTIC V RANGERS

It’s the first Old Firm derby of the season and typically there’s not much between these two. Both have identical records: two wins and one draw. Both also have new signings to show off, more so Rangers who welcome Maurice Edu and Kyle Lafferty to their first red-hot-cauldron encounters. Meanwhile Kenny Miller will face scorn, most likely from both sets of supporters, having represented both sides of the divide on numerous occasions.

Gordon Strachan will be hoping Georgios Samaras and Shaun Maloney can keep up the good work up front, especially considering their his only realistic strike options (both Vennegoor of Hesselink and McDonald are injury doubts). It’s hard to call these games, best just to sit back and enjoy.

Last Five League Results
Celtic: 4 wins (Falkirk, St Mirren, Dundee Utd, Hibs), 1 draw (Dundee Utd)
Rangers: 3 wins (Hearts, Falkirk, St Mirren), 1 draw (Aberdeen), 1 loss (Aberdeen)

Prediction: A draw, which will suit Kilmarnock who have the chance of topping the SPL this weekend

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA v REAL MADRID

The Spanish league kicks off this weekend and the pick of the opening weekend’s clashes comes at the Estadio Municipal de Riazor. After four years of mid-table obscurity Deportivo fans are starting to forget the days when they actually used to compete against Madrid at the top of the tree. With Coloccini removed from their defence things won’t be getting any better.

Real look set to lose Robinho who, despite the heavy criticism, did his fair bit in terms of goalscoring last season to help guide his side towards winning the league. But in Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy Madrid boast arguably the most prolific, if slightly ageing, strike partnership in La Liga.

Last Five League Results
Deportivo: 2 wins (Barcelona, Levante), 3 losses (Zaragoza, Atletico, Villareal)
Real Madrid: 4 wins (Bilbao, Osasuna, Barcelona, Levante), 1 draw (Zaragoza)

Prediction: A Real Madrid victory to set their stall out to all challengers

FIORENTINA v JUVENTUS

After finishing fourth Fiorentina fans are salivating at the chance to take a big scalp on the opening weekend of Serie A. Although manager Cesare Prandelli has ruled out a title challenge this year, many will be expecting them to be there or there abouts with a new strike partnership of Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino leading the line.

Claudio Ranieri duly delivered the good times back to Juve on their return to the top flight, leading the team to third place last season. Palermo hot shot Amauri joins an enviable attack of Alex Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaqunita. Tough to call, but there could be goals galore, just like the 2-3 thriller in Turin last March.

Last Five League Results
Fiorentina: 3 wins (Torino, Parma, Palermo), 1 draw (Sampdoria), 1 loss (Cagliari)
Juventus: 2 wins (Lazio, Atalanta), 2 draws (Sampdoria, Catania), 1 loss (Siena)

Prediction: Sitting firmly on the fence, a draw as both sides cancel each other out

>>Check out the latest bookmaker reviews and ratings onsite at BookieLabRat.com. Don’t throw away your betting profits by wagering with the wrong bookie!

Here’s the latest EPL preview from the crew at Bodog Sportsbook. 

This weekend the capital’s two big spenders come face to face, following very differing starts to the season. Luis Felipe Scolari has picked up where Avram Grant left off, on a winning streak (bar that night in Moscow). Tottenham have nil points and a fractured dressing room. Surely this can only go one way?

They may not have gone crazy in the transfer market but Chelsea have certainly bought wisely this summer. Deco and Jose Bosingwa have fitted into the starting line up with ease, a rarity in recent seasons for Chelsea new boys. Still, Robinho is expected to arrive by Monday, and that could upset the apple cart – two of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel will surely lose playing time because of the move.

Juande Ramos must be jealous of the Brazilian’s selection headache. Now that Dimitar Berbatov has plainly given up trying in training, the Tottenham boss is left with just one experienced striker in the shape of Darren Bent. A good pre-season for the Englishman has yet to materialise in the league.

No wonder there’s still talk of Russian duo Andrey Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko arriving before the transfer deadline. The Russian pair would boost Spurs’ confidence no end, but getting them before Sunday’s fixture looks unlikely.

So in reality Sunday’s fixture should be based on current clientele. Despite spending big, Spurs’ new signings have yet to shine. Both Luka Modric and Gio Dos Santos were expected to explode onto the scene but that has yet to happen. New goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has yet to prove he’s any better than Paul Robinson too.

Down at Stamford Bridge, Deco has become an instant fans favourite (how soon they forget the Barcelona games), scoring in his first two games. Up front Nicolas Anelka still looks out of place in the Chelsea set up, but a goal on the opening day should keep his confidence up until Didier Drogba returns from injury.

Tottenham may have beaten the Blues in the Carling Cup final last year but there’s no looking past the Chelsea home form. Scolari’s men haven’t lost at home in the league for four years. There isn’t a cat’s chance in hell that an underperforming Spurs side can get three points at Stamford Bridge. And the leaky defence should provide enough chances for a comfortable Chelsea win come 90 minutes.

Prediction: Chelsea Win

Get the best odds on Chelsea v Tottenham EPL fixture live. (Compare odds live across the top online sports bookmakers). 

Check out the latest online sportsbook reviews and ratings at BookieLabRat.com.

Baton  Rouge, Louisiana  - LSU  has moved  up the  kickoff time  of  its  home opener  Saturday  against  Appalachian State  due  to concerns  over  Hurricane Gustav.

Originally  slated for  3 p.m.,  kickoff will  now  be 11  a.m.  in  anticipation  of an  evacuation  of  New Orleans  and  an anticipated  traffic contraflow order by the governor of Louisiana in preparation for the impact of Gustav.

“We  understand the  reason for the change  in the kickoff time and I can tell you that this team will be ready to play no matter what time the game starts,” LSU head coach Les Miles said.

“We are excited about playing our season opener in Tiger Stadium in front of the greatest fans in college football and we just hope  that the time change doesn’t inconvenience our fans too much. See you in Tiger Stadium.”

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Here’s an update on the La Liga Title Race and safe money betting from the team at Bodog Sports.

The folks at Sky Sports’ Revista De La Liga will be happy, having started a campaign for all Brits to get behind the Spanish side at Euro 2008, in the absence of any Home Counties to support. It’s fair to say, not many of us were rooting for the Germans come the end of June as Fernando Torres led his side to victory.

So now it’s back to the day job. La Liga has been one of the most exciting leagues to watch in the last few years, second only to the Premier League. Real Madrid are looking to make it three-in-a-row, while Barcelona are making a fresh start. But who should you be looking at to make you some easy money this season?

Atletico Madrid - Prediction: 3rd

It’s sod’s law isn’t it. When Fernando Torres left his hometown club for Liverpool the Atletico fans were baying for blood. But it turns out his departure really was the best thing for the club, as they finished fourth, their highest achievement since their last La Liga title in 1995/96.

Diego Forlan was brought in to replace El Nino and provided a perfect partner for Sergio Aguero, as the two scored nearly 40 goals between them.

In preparation for Champions League football this season Javier Aguirre has been busy, signing up defensive duo John Heitinga and Thomas Ujfalusi, while adding an attacking option with ex-Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle, a player who, like Forlan, has excelled in Spanish football. The signs are good for an even better season than last.

Barcelona - Prediction: 2nd

Barcelona have taken a leaf out of Madrid’s books this season – shaking things up a bit with the appointment of Josep Guardiola as their new manager. The former Barca midfielder has wasted no time in building a new side too, dropping the axe on the likes of Deco, Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta. They’ve been replaced by Arsenal’s Alexsandr Hleb, Man Utd’s Gerard Pique and Seydou Keita. The biggest signing however has been Brazilian right back Dani Alves, who was officially the dirtiest player in La Liga last season!

Guardiola will be hoping the new faces can hit it off as well as those Madrid brought in last year. Up front, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o have a lot to do – Henry to find his Arsenal form, Eto’o to rediscover his love for Barcelona. It all sounds a bit like ‘transition season’ to us though, and second place won’t be deemed failure for a new manager in his first job.

Real Madrid - Prediction: 1st

Despite winning the league Bernd Schuster came on the receiving end of similar stick to that of previous boss Fabio Capello. The first half of last season provided a few shocks, most notably an early exit from the Champions League in the last 16 stage for the fourth year running. But Schuster turned it round to win the title with ease.

Real have been quieter on the transfer front so far this summer compared to other years although, to be fair, the chasing of Cristiano Ronaldo took up a lot of their spare time. Rafael van der Vaart is the only big name signing so far, but with the imminent departure of Robinho expect a quick replacement in the guise of David Villa or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The loss of Wesley Sneijder to injury will be a blow but with so few changes to a side with statistically the best goalkeeper in the world and a bunch of in-from Dutchmen it’s hard to look past Madrid making it three titles in a row this season.

Sevilla - Prediction: 4th

It was a horrible season for Sevilla last year. It all started with tragedy, after young midfielder Antonio Puerta collapsed on the pitch and later died in hospital. It’s no surprising results took a turn for the worse. Before too long Juande Ramos upped sticks to Tottenham, effectively killing off their first season in the Champions League.

It’s a testament to Manolo Jimenez, who stepped in as caretaker manager, that he managed to steer the side to fifth place. Well, him and the lethal strike partnership of Luis Fabiano and Freddie Kanoute. If Sevilla can keep Spurs at bay in regards to poaching either of those, Sevilla could claw their way back into a Champions League spot, having spent wisely over the summer.

Valencia - Prediction: 6th

It was a laughable season for Valencia last term. Sacking two managers in the space of six months would usually prove fatal (see Charlton FC), but it was thanks to caretaker manager Salvador Marco that the club scraped out of the relegation zone to finish tenth.

Ex-Almeria boss Unai Emery has now taken the reigns of what, on paper, should be a very tight ship. In David’s Villa and Silva they have two world-class European champions, whilst the addition of Getafe striker Pablo Hernandez should fire them up the table. Last year’s wobbles might take a while to forget though.

Villarreal - Prediction: 5th

The Yellow Submarine were surprise runners up last year, having finished outside the top four the previous two seasons and having sold hitman Diego Forlan to Atletico last summer. It was the form of Spanish midfielder Marcos Senna, Turkish Euro 2008 hero Nihat, and ex-Man Utd striker Giuseppe Rossi that has delivered them Champions League football this season.

The elevated status has pushed the Villarreal board’s hand in the transfer market, snapping up hotly rated American striker Jozy Altidore. It’s not perhaps the biggest transfer of the summer, but with a largely unchanged side a top four finish is achievable if this small squad are lucky with injuries.

Best of the Rest

Deportivo La Coruna have had a disappointing few seasons of late, after being real title-challengers in the early noughties (and winners in 2000). They seem resigned to staying in mid-table for the foreseeable future if they keep selling their best players, like Fabricio Coliccini. They’ll be relying on the attacking options of Omar Bravo, Mista and Riki to push them towards a European spot.

Almeria were the surprise package of last season, finishing eighth and taking some impressive scalps along the way (Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid). They may have lost manager Unai Emery to Valencia, but the young talent still remains, with Premier League interest in striker Alvaro Negrado. Under promising new boss Gonzalo Arconada a push for Europe isn’t out of the question.

Real Mallorca finished an impressive seventh last season, after a number of seasons flirting with the bottom of the table. Unfortunately a mass exodus of talent, including La Liga’s top scorer Daniel Guiza, means mid-table will be seen as success this season, despite English businessman Paul Davidson’s purchase of the majority of shares in the club.

>>Bet on La Liga at Bodog Sportsbook
>>Find out more about Bodog, a popular online sports bookmaker that accepts bettors from around the world including the United States of America (Bodog Sportsbook Review and Rating)
>>Check out the latest sports betting news and views here at BookieLabRat.com

NCAA College Football Betting Odds - New College Kicks Off (Aug 28)

For the best odds on online NCAA football betting, make sure to visit the Pinnacle Sportsbook. This week is the last chance for NCAA football punters to cash in on futures odds to win the BCS Championship outright before the season gets underway on Thursday.

No. 3 USC is the preseason favourite to win the BCS title, priced at +350* to win the national championship in January. Southern California opens its season on Saturday when it travels to Virginia to face the Cavaliers. With first-string quarterback, Mark Sanchez, expected to be in the lineup, PinnacleSports NCAA Betting Lines has the Trojans as 20-point road favourites for the contest with the total set at 46 ½.

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If you’re looking for more value on the NCAAF futures board, look no further than No. 6 Missouri. Heisman Trophy hopeful, Chase Daniel, leads the Tigers on Saturday against the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini, in a game that could have BCS implications for both schools. The Pinnacle Sportsbook has Mizzou as 8 ½-point home favourites for the tilt, with the Tigers priced at +1500* to win the BCS championship this season.

Also listed at +1500* to win it all is No. 9 Clemson, which hosts the most highly anticipated matchup of the weekend. The Tigers entertain No. 24 Alabama on Saturday, and are set as 5-point favourites on the NCAA Football betting lines at the Pinnacle Sportsbook for the matchup. Handicappers are expecting Clemson to be at the top of the ACC this season, so a solid performance against the talented Crimson Tide will go a long way in solidifying its status with sharp punters.

Just behind the Trojans on the futures list is No. 5 Florida, which is priced at +600* to win the BCS championship. The Gators are hoping to ride quarterback, Tim Tebow, to an opening-week victory over visiting Hawaii, who begin life after Colt Brennan on Saturday. Florida is set as huge 35-point favourites for the contest, with the total currently posted at 72.

*All odds subject to change so check out the latest NCAA and NFL odds LIVE across the top online sportsbooks here at BookieLabRat.com

Best NCAA Football Betting Odds at PinnacleSports.com
-105 style NCAA football betting on sides c.103% giving football punters up to 50% better online football betting odds. PinnacleSports.com offers commission-free fixed odds online sports betting with exchange style pricing, as well as the web’s highest guaranteed liquidity and fastest payouts.

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Here are the latest money back specials that give you some more betting options on the 2008 US Open Tennis. Check them out:

Serbs us Right! Men’s US Open 2008 and Women’s US Open 2008

If either Novak Djokovic or Ana Ivanovic win their respective singles events, BoyleSports will refund all losing single bets placed in either the men’s or women’s Tournament Outright markets. Max refund per bet per customer is €300 (or currency equivalent)

Sets Appeal!! US Open 2008 - August 25th - September 7th

If you place a losing match bet on any match that is decided over 5 sets, Paddy Power will give you a Free Bet to the same stake on any other US Open match.  Max Free Bet €300/£200 per customer. Does not apply to the 2008 Mens US Open Final.

‘Treble Tiebreak Loser’ Refund US Open Tennis 2008

Place a bet on any men’s singles match and if he loses the match 3-0 in 3 consecutive tiebreaks, Ladbrokes will refund your entire losing stake. Match betting only. No maximum refund. Refund applies to win singles only. Refund applies to main men’s matches only

6-0 Winning Bonus US Open Tennis

- Place a bet on any women’s singles match and if your player wins 6-0 6-0, Ladbrokes will double your winnings
- Place a bet on any men’s singles match and if your player wins 6-0 6-0 6-0, Ladbrokes will treble your winnings

Match betting only. Total bonus per customer up to a maximum return of £25,000

‘Two Sets to Love’ Refund  US Open Tennis

Place a bet on any men’s singles match and if he leads the match two sets to love and goes on to lose the match, Ladbrokes will refund your entire losing stake. Match betting only, No maximum refund
Refund applies to win singles only. Refund applies to main men’s Championship matches only.

>>Check out the best sportsbook odds on offer for US Open 2008 Tennis betting here at BookieLabRat.com

>>Other recent blog posts on US Open Tennis:
Online US Open Tennis Betting - Roger Federer, the Swiss master was the early the favourite at bookies…

US Open: Is it Nadal all the way? - There are some juicy outsiders to be had lower down the list with question marks over the form of Roger Federer and the mercurial Novak Djokovic…

US Open: Will Nadal Get Lost In The Meadows?

Here’s what the team at Bodog Sport thinks about the Spaniard and his opposition as the tournament gets underway.   

The final tennis Major of the year is upon us, where Spain’s Rafael Nadal will start as Bodog’s outright favourite. It’s been some year for the Mallorcan; he’s won all over the shop in 2008 - most notably of course the French Open, Wimbledon and most recently Olympic Gold in Beijing.

There is no doubt that Nadal is the likely winner but he’s a very short price and with question marks over the form of Roger Federer and the mercurial Novak Djokovic so difficult to predict, we feel that there are some juicy outsiders to be had lower down the list.

We are, after all, in a spell of some decent tennis tipping form with followers of this column counting a healthy profit after we tipped Nadal’s Beijing final opponent Fernando Gonzalez each-way at an eye-watering 66/1.

That said, with class players like Nadal, Federer and Djokovic around it’s always going be difficult to find a likely large-priced candidate to come through, but don’t completely rule out the chances of Marat Safin at Flushing Meadows.

When the Muscovite party animal won this event eight years ago he was destined for greatness. Despite some classy results - in particular the Australian Open title in 2005 - it has never really happened for big Marat.

At 28, time is running out, but at Wimbledon Safin showed us when he genuinely puts his mind to it he can still be a force to be reckoned with. He made a sterling run to the semis, eventually losing to Federer in straight sets, although he spurned some great opportunities to claim the second set in that match on a tie break.

Safin has not done much since SW19 but over the best-of-five set format - the hallmark of all Major events - he must still be respected, especially at the venue he holds dearest to his heart. Have a tickle at his colossal price.

Now rated number six in the world rankings many will look to Andy Murray to build on what has been a fine season. His feisty nature is something the rowdy New Yorkers warm to and if he gets on a roll he is capable of doing some real damage.

His best effort so far was reaching the 4th round in 2006, but he arrives in the Big Apple a much better player and will be in confident mood having won the Cincinnati Masters at the start of August.

Murray bombed out in the Olympics but we’re prepared to overlook that effort given his progressive form this season.

Finally, have a close look at Argentine David Nalbandian. The hard hitting baseliner from Cordoba won the junior US open title as a youth and has a liking for the fast, high bouncing Flushing Meadows courts. He is capable of beating anyone on his day, having thrashed both Nadal and Federer on hard courts in the past 12 months.

Bet on the US Open at Bodog Sports.

Here’s a snapshot of today’s best odds on the outright winner of the Men’s US Open - for live tennis odds check out BookieLabRat.com.

Rafael Nadal 2.50  at Betsson
Roger Federer 4.33  at BetFred
Novak Djokovic 4.51  at PinnacleSports
Andy Murray 15.15  at PinnacleSports
Juan Martin Del Potro 46.00  at BoyleSports
Mario Ancic 75.00  at Betsson
Andy Roddick 81.00  at Canbet
Lleyton Hewitt 100.00  at Betsson 

Here’s the latest round up of bookie stake-back and free bet refunds on this week’s English Premier League Football. Check them out before you decide which sportbook to place your best with as these cash back deals payout reasonably regularly and 3 outcomes (win, loss or stake-back) is far better than 2 when it comes to growing your betting profits. 

Samir Of The Same?
Fulham v Arsenal - Sat 5.30pm Live on Setanta. If Samir Nasri scores at any time in this match Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on this match. Max Refund €300/£200 per customer.

1st Scorer 2nd Chance
All Premier League Matches, Saturday, Sunday & Monday. Place a 1st goal scorer bet and if your player fails to score the 1st goal but scores at any other time in the match, Victor Chandler will refund your stake as a free bet on any future match. Max refund £100 (€125) per person per match.

Red Alert!
Weekend Premier League: Liverpool v Middlesbrough, Portsmouth v Man Utd, Fulham v Arsenal, Man City v West Ham, Wigan v Chelsea. BoyleSports will refund all losing first/last/anytime goalscorer and correct score bets on a specific match if a player is sent off. Max refund per bet per customer is €300 (or currency equivalent)

Gold Difference!
2008/2009 Season Antepost Cashbacks: English Premier League, Championship League One, League Two, BlueSquare League. If any of these leagues is decided by goal difference, BoyleSports will refund all losing single bets on that particular League. Max refund per bet per customer per League is €300 (or currency equivalent). Applies to existing bets & bets placed up to Aug 31st, 2008

Curb Your Enthusiasm!
Man City v West Ham, Sunday Aug 24, 4:00pm. Betfred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on the Man City v West Ham match on Sunday as a free bet - if West Ham lose from a winning position. Maximum refund is £200 (or your currency equivalent) per customer.

Brucie Bonus?!
Wigan v Chelsea, Sunday Aug 24, 1:30pm. Betfred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast win single bets on the Wigan v Chelsea match on Sunday as a free bet - if Wigan keep a clean sheet. Maximum refund is £200 (or your currency equivalent) per customer.

Premier League Second Chance Specials
Sunday, 24 August – Wigan Athletic v Chelsea. If your bet loses and Wigan Athletic United scores the last goal of the match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only). Maximum bonus for any of the Second Chance Specials is £50 (€65)

Saturday, 23 August – West Bromwich Albion v Everton. If your bet loses and Everton beats W.B.A by 3 or more goals in this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only). Maximum bonus for any of the Second Chance Specials is £50 (€65)

Bore Draw
Bet365 Bookmaker will refund your stake on any football game throughout the season (or the Olympics) that results in a nil all draw (90 minutes). Dire goalless game? No worries - get your cash back at Bet365 to back another team!

Here’s the latest EPL game previews and odds from Simon at PinnacleSports. (Likes his handicap football betting, does our Simon!) 

Premiership Betting Odds - Matchday 2 Preview (Aug 23-25)

The biggest upset in the Premiership betting on matchday one of the new Premier League season, was the inability of defending champions - Manchester United – to beat Newcastle at Old Trafford. A new look Chelsea, guided by ‘Big Phil’ Scolari, were quickly into their stride with a 4-0 win, while Arsenal and Liverpool got off the mark without totally convincing.

Check out the Premiership betting odds at PinnacleSports.com for matchday two, where you can get 101% Premiership Asian Handicaps every Friday from 1pm – the best Premiership betting odds on the planet.

United Look to Get Off Mark on South Coast

Manchester United suffered the absence of some key attacking personnel last weekend, limping to a 1-1 draw against Newcastle, a team they hammered 6-0 last season at the Theatre of Dreams. Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were absent along Luis Nani and Anderson, leaving Wayne Rooney to toil up front on his own. There were some unfamiliar names on the bench, and coach, Alex Ferguson, has few options for Monday’s game against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth lost just four times at home last season, and held United to 1-1 draw almost 12 months ago. Harry Redknapp’s side were taken to pieces at Stamford Bridge on the opening day, but they are different proposition on their own turf. Redknapp will know that this is a good time to be playing the Champions, so his team will be in their faces from kick-off. Nevertheless, PinnacleSports.com’s Premiership betting prices Man Utd favourites 1.971 (-0.5 & -1)* with Portsmouth 1.952 (+0.5 & +1)* – a market priced to less than 102%.

Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal Setting Early Pace

Three of the Premiership’s big four recorded wins on day one of the new Premier League season, and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal will be aware that they can capitalise on a weakened Man Utd. The Red Devils are notoriously slow starters, so their close rivals must take full advantage. Chelsea travel to the JJB Stadium, facing a Wigan side who lost 2-1 to West Ham on matchday 1. The Blues are favourites 2.080 (-1 & -1.5)* leading soccer bookmaker, PinnacleSports.com.

Liverpool play their first home Premiership game of the season, where the Kop will be every hopeful that this season they can provide a realistic title challenge. Fernando Torres did the business last weekend, and a lot of hope rests of the young Spaniard’s shoulders. Liverpool are 1.917 (-1 & -1.5)* hosting Middlesbrough, conquerors of Tottenham on the opening day of the 2008/09 Premier League.

Arsenal laboured to 1-0 win over newly West Brom at the Emirates on Saturday. Coach, Arsene Wenger, will want a better display in this weekend’s London Derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Fulham’s defeat away to Hull suggests they will struggle again this season. PinnacleSports.com price Arsenal 1.826 (-0.5 & -1)*.

To add even further excitement to betting on the Premiership, PinnacleSports.com’s low margin pricing has also been applied to the new live soccer betting markets for the Premier League, with 1.95/1.95 style live Asian Handicap pricing and in-running Total goals betting.

*Odds subject to change so check out the latest odds onsite at Pinnacle Sports or compare the EPL prices across the top online sportsbooks live here at BookieLabRat.com.