Premier League Round Up 19/01/09

After the latest round of games in which three of the big four won - only Liverpool dropped points, and at home again - it's Manchester United that seem to have gained the most ground in the eyes of the bookies. After two tricky games in a week against Wigan and Bolton they have now been trimmed into a general 1/2 or 8/15 and are a best priced 4/7 with Ladbrokes to take the league title again, they successfully negotiated what could have been a very awkward week against two teams in decent form which could easily have caused them to slip up.

Chelsea and Arsenal kept up the pressure with wins against opposition they would have been expected to beat but both made hard work off. Liverpool again were the big losers dropping points at home to Everton, that’s 2 points from 6 since Rafa Benitez’s outburst against Alex Ferguson and Benitez has now left himself open to the accusation that he lost the plot having a so-called ‘Keegan moment’.



Aston Villa kept up their challenge for a top 4 finish by seeing off Sunderland 2-1 in a tight game at the Stadium of Light, they’re still 3 points clear of Arsenal and are now within touching distance of Liverpool who lie in 2nd place, Villa are currently showing no signs of blowing up but now have lost Ashley Young for 3 games through suspension. It’s hard to see them maintaining a challenge though if they where to get injuries to the likes of Young or Agbonlahor as they have no natural cover for both.

Down the bottom is getting very tight again with only 6 points separating 12 teams from Hull who are in 9th place with 27 points to West Brom at the bottom with 21 points. West Brom and Blackburn’s recent good runs of home form has seen them both catch up with the main pack ensuring that all 3 relegation places are open again.

League Title Odds

Manchester United 4/7 with Ladbrokes.

Chelsea 4/1 with Totesport and Boylesports.

Liverpool 11/2 with Betfair.

Arsenal 40/1 with Sky Bet.

Aston Villa 49/1 with Betfair.