Premier League Odds Preview

Chelsea is the early odds favorite for the English Premier League 2008/09 title, having started the season strongly. As usual, the big four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are the only teams given a chance in odds betting.

Big four odds
Chelsea, evens (Ladbrokes): Things are already looking up under Luiz Felipe Scolari, with a couple of strong wins to start the season. With the addition of tiny Portuguese midfielder Deco to an already star-studded lineup, Chelsea clearly has the talent to go one better than last year when they just missed out on stealing the championship from Manchester United's grasp.

Manchester United, 6/4: Sir Alex Ferguson won't be worried by the shaky start to the season. Man U began last season badly as well, but were unbeatable for large patches on the way to their 10th premiership in 16 seasons. After retaining Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo - who at one stage looked likely to leave them for Real Madrid - it's hard to see the Red Devils finishing any lower than second this year.

Liverpool, 6/1: Manager Rafael Benitez has built a squad that clearly has the talent, but for some reason Liverpool has never been able to translate its success in Europe (2005 champions and regular semi-finalists) to the domestic game. It will take something extra special for the Reds to take that next step and leapfrog their hated rivals to win their first title since 1990.

Arsenal, 10/1: The Gunners' odds reflect their decline. They have started this season in the poor form with which they ended the last. While they are as usual an almost certainty to make Europe, it would be a surprise if Arsenal finished above any of their three main rivals.

The pack
Another half-a-dozen teams have a realistic chance of making Europe, and it's possible one of them could cause a major surprise and finish as high as third or fourth. Aston Villa is considered the best of the rest at 125/1 odds for the title, followed by Tottenham 150/1. Everton's odds of 200/1 are maybe a little too harsh given last year's fifth-place finish. Manchester City, 250/1, will be looking for more of the form that saw them twice beat bitter rivals Manchester United last season. Newcastle earn their 250/1 odds more on reputation than any realistic chance of challenging. Portsmouth, 350/1, is also a chance at Europe.

The rest of the teams will be fighting hard to avoid relegation.