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Tough at the top in the race for Premiership glory? You bet it is!

The bookies make it Manchester United at 5/4, Chelsea 13/8, Liverpool 9/2 and Arsenal 9/1. But are next-best Spurs really such a long shot at 66/1 and Newcastle at 200/1?

by Philip Smith on 21 July 2007

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Battling bosses: Mourinho and Jol (Gettyimages.com)

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There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that the upcoming season will once again see the Big Four – Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal – fighting it out for Premiership honours, with Spurs doing their damndest to break up the monopoly.

A number of influential ex-players and media pundits are pretty much of the same opinion, and so too are the people who really know about these things – the bookies.

They’ve got it fairly tight between United (5/4) and Chelsea (13/8) for the title, with Liverpool at 9/2, Arsenal 9/1 and Spurs a thumping 66/1. And that’s the real business end of the market, because the next odds on offer are 200/1 against Newcastle United.

'Spurs fans aren’t going to shower me with compliments when I say that in 133 games since taking charge, Jol has won only 63 – that’s a 47% success rate'

In terms of summer signings, all five top clubs (yes, I’m including Spurs) have been strengthening their squads and we have several new stars in the Premiership galaxy to look forward to. And unless there’s a seismic shift in form and performance I wouldn’t bet against the aforementioned five being at the head of affairs come next May.

The influx of foreign players – Owen Hargreaves at United (yes, I’m treating him as foreign), Fernando Torres at Liverpool, Eduardo Da Silva at Arsenal, Florent Malouda at Chelsea and Younes Kaboul at Spurs – raises expectation levels. But it’s also interesting to note that foreign managers or coaches are in charge at four of the five clubs.

Sir Alex Ferguson stands alone as the only Brit against Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Rafa Benitez (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) and Martin Jol (Spurs). So who’s going to come out on top in this particular little battle? Let’s check a few credentials.

Sir Alex Ferguson: Easily the most successful in terms of silverware with nine Premiership titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups (Carling etc), five Charity or Community Shield successes, one Champions League and one UEFA Cup.

Jose Mourinho: Two Portuguese League titles, one Portuguese Cup, one UEFA Cup, one Champions League (with Porto), one UEFA Cup (again with Porto), two Premiership titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup and one Community Shield - all with Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger: Various honours in France with Monaco, including one League title and one Coupe de France. He also won the J League Super Cup and Emperor’s Cup with Nagoya Grampian Eight in Japan before joining Arsenal, where he has won three Premiership titles, four FA Cups and four Community Shields.

Rafa Benitez: Won La Liga with Valencia in 2002 and completed a La Liga and UEFA Cup double two years later. Won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, the FA Cup in 2006 and reached the Champions League final against last season, only to be beaten by AC Milan.

Martin Jol: Still to get off the mark in England but did win the Dutch Cup with Roda JC in 1997. And Spurs fans aren’t going to shower me with compliments when I say that in 133 games since taking charge he has won only 63 – that’s a 47% success rate.

Since Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004, he probably has the edge over the rest with two Premiership titles in three years. Fergie turned the tide last season and Wenger and Benitez will be determined to step up the pressure this coming campaign.

I reckon we could be in for one hell of a season!

Comments (11)

by BUddha 9 on July 21, 2007

good article but incomplete - Mourinho's record is fantastic against all his rivals - Fergie won most of those trophies prior to 2004 - his record against Jose is awful - as for wenger in the 11 years he's been in charge arsenal have won less domestic trophies than chelsea - its really between man u and chelsea - neither liverpool nor arsenal have the mental strength to win the league - liverpool never go on a winning streak until there's nothing to play - been the same for 3 years - Arsenal have no tactical flexability or winning mentality - as for man u almost all their new players aren't used to playing 50-60 games a year - shcoles and giggs are a year older - ronaldo will have to play as well as last year and lastly fergie will have to beat Jose. Chelsea to win the league and do it quite easily.

by wesley on July 21, 2007

rafa has also won the super cup with liverpool, a world club championship final and another carling cup final,also hes guided the youth to 2 fa cup wins back to back, most of taggarts titles were before the new breed of 2004, even he admits himself the standard has gone up considerably since the days when wenger and himself shared the title between them every year, All the big four have special managers no doubt, but rafa's and moreens records in the first 3 years of taking charge, far suppass the old guard of fergie and arsene. Moreen has done alot better in the league than rafa, who can argue, but he inherited a multi million pound squad who had finished 2nd and had a champions league semi final only months before he took charge, he has since then made chelsea the most expensive team ever assembled..still with no european success..he keeps being beaten by a supperior tactician in the semi's of every cup competion he meets him in. YNWA.

by Essexian76 (nnot the gay one) on July 21, 2007

AsI am, its a no value bet ,putting money on Chelsea/Man Utd..the money I thin can be won on an outsider in the top three..ie each way betting...I strongly fancy Newcastle @ 200/1, reasons Good purchases in all departments, and a manager you wouldnt want to face if you served up some of the rubbish Roeder put up with last term. Injuries hopefully will give a better squad, and Dyer leaving for West Ham perhaps wil give the side more harmony....great value nontheless

by YNWA on July 21, 2007

LFC to romp home YNWA

by Sharath7 on July 21, 2007

Well if u point out what the others have won in other leagues (J-League super cup!!!!) then why dont you write down about what Sir Alex has won with Aberdeen....3SPL titles and the cup winers cup...

by Neil on July 21, 2007

Martin Jol has built a title winning team but not this year we now have quality in depth but I believe we will break into the top 3/4 next season, as this one again will be beedding in the new players who will play a major role in our success. I thing this time we will push them all the way from the start unlike last year.

by davrosFTM on July 21, 2007

Newcastle to finish third!! are you totally insane! The only third place for Newcastle will be behind Boro, second, and Sunderland, first, for the north-easts bragging rights!

by name on July 21, 2007

Arsenal and Liverpool have no chance. Just another Utd vs Chelsea race again.

by Crazy Wolf, Norway on July 22, 2007

Although I`m a Lfc fan I have to be realistic and balanced when assessing their title chances. And to me Chelsea are overwhelming favourites this season. United played fantastic last year but frankly they had a bit of luck, but that`s the hallmark of winning teams isn`t it. This year I expect Chelsea to be front-runners and the Mancs Liverpool to push them. Benitez is still building his team and this is Lfc`s big weakness along with the spaniards sometimes misplaced rotation policy. It remains to be seen if Benayoun and Babel will fit it and Torres is no goal poacher. However, nothing would please me more than seeing the Reds celebrate their 19th title come may.

by Tom Jones on July 25, 2007

Spurs have little to no chance of winning the title next season. The big four are too strong. However it is cool that they are geting close and I think this season will be super tight. The Man Yoo squad looks very exciting and I cant wait to see them play. Jose has said they will be playing a more open game this year too which I hope is true cos above all else I want to see some good football!