Premier League top four predictions 2014-15
The new Premier League season is under a week away so let’s take a look at the current five contenders for the top four places according to the bookmakers.
Manchester United fans will be keen to get this season started and move on from the troubled reign of David Moyes. The former Everton boss somehow managed to instil a sense of vulnerability and insecurity into a team that had dominated English football for more than 20 years.
Enter the new saviour – Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman certainly possesses an unshakable self-belief that should act as a welcome antidote to the unconvincing rhetoric peddled by David Moyes towards the end of his tenure. He also has the track record and reputation to back up his bravado. This is a man that devours pressure for breakfast and tells it exactly how it is. There will be no excuses and nowhere to hide for the United players this season.
Fortunately for United’s new boss, he has taken over a team that finished seventh and failed to qualify for the Champions League, so the margin for improvement is huge. In fact, a top four finish would be a great achievement and will surely be their priority this term.
If United are to return to the top four, they will have to gain significant ground on Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal. As things stand, all of those teams have made bold moves in the transfer market while United have struggled to lure their targets.
They will be hoping that loss of Luis Suarez and the added expectation of Champions League football will have a detrimental effect on Liverpool but they will need to strengthen themselves rather than hoping that others fail. Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera have arrived at the club but both signings were initiated by the previous regime. United have already risen to third favourites for the title and can be backed at a best price of 5/1 with Coral.
Liverpool finally let Luis Suarez go this summer and that decision seemed easy in the wake of his World Cup scandal and the £75m bid from Barcelona. Brendan Rodgers has wasted no time in spending the cash and has already signed seven new players although a direct replacement for Suarez has yet to be secured.
Rodgers may not rush into replacing the Uruguayan as he still has plenty of attacking talent in midfield and may switch to a 4-3-3 formation. Rodgers now has the chance to handpick a player to suit his preferred system and while Liverpool may not score as many goals as last season, some shrewd bolstering of defence could reduce the need for such a haul.
With some new players and more money still available, it could be another exciting year for Liverpool fans. They had a steady pre-season campaign that culminated in an impressive 4-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund recently. They look hungry, focused and ready to prove that there is life after Luis Suarez.
Despite their dramatic exploits of last season, the bookmakers don’t fancy a repeat performance from the Anfield side and they can be backed at 12/1 to lift the Premier League trophy.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are current favourites to claim the league crown and with an impressive list of signings including Cesc Fàbregas, Diego Costa, Filipe Luís and Didier Drogba, it’s not hard to see why. The Blues finished just four points behind Champions Man City last year and Mourinho has made significant improvements to the team.
Diego Costa will add some much needed firepower up front and club legend Didier Drogba has also been drafted in to add even more attacking options. Fabregas will add depth to an already impressive midfield line-up and Felipe Luis brings a wealth of experience to the left-back role.
Mourinho has the most impressive record of any Coach in the Premier League and is at the club that he has described as home. You can still get 19/10 on the “Special One” to claim yet another League title.
After many years of frugality and trophy-less seasons, Arsenal fans finally have something to cheer about. An FA Cup win followed by a £61m spending spree suggests that the tide could be turning at the Emirates. Some heavy defeats against their top four rivals last season seemed to highlight the need for new signings and Arsene Wenger has finally been given the funds to deepen his squad.
The Gunners got off to a good start last season but ended their campaign seven points adrift of Man City. They will need to sharpen up in front of goal if they are going to go the distance this year. Chilean international Alexis Sanchez has arrived from Barcelona and will add some flair and creativity as well as goals to the Arsenal front line.
Arsene Wenger may have to continue spending if he wants to improve on last season’s fourth place and the loss of Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen will need to be addressed. There are also question marks over Wenger’s ability to orchestrate what would be his first Premier League success in 11 years. The bookies agree and still have the team from North London as fourth favourites at 13/2. Some more smart transfer business could change that price. Arsenal’s impressive victory over Man City in the Community Shield adds pressure to the Premier League winner odds.
Manchester City were pushed all the way by Liverpool last season but eventually claimed their second Premier League trophy in three years with victory over West Ham on the last day of the season.
Manuel Pellegrini has made some tweaks to the squad but City’s spending has been curbed by their need to comply with the financial fair play sanctions imposed by UEFA in May. Despite the relatively low spending, they have made some good signings and should be stronger this year.
Pellegrini has drafted in Willy Caballero from his old team Malaga to provide some stiff competition for Joe Hart between the sticks and right-back Bacary Sagna has been snapped up on a free transfer from Arsenal. Bruno Zuculini impressed in his brief Community Shield appearance and looks to be a bargain at £3m while Fernando has been signed from Porto to add another option to the defensive midfield area.
After winning the League in his first season in charge, Pellegrini has a lot to live up to and there will be huge pressure on him to be more competitive in Europe as well as in the League. The bookmakers have City as second favourites behind Chelsea but at 5/2, they look like decent value.
Premier League predictions 2014/15
1. Chelsea
2. Manchester City
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
Editors note. This was written by one of our Columnists. There is some differing of opinion in the Let’s Compare Bets office. The ones to watch could be Arsenal and Manchester United. Don’t forget bets for Premier League winner can be ‘cashed out’ for early profits on Betfair if their odds shorten. Bet on Premier League out right winner and get £30 free bets in August. Available to all customers.