Swansea and West Ham value in race to be best of the rest

In the second part of our Premier League preview we look at the race to be the best of the rest and see who will win in the betting without the big six.

Bookmakers think the Premier League has a big six (Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool) and another 14 teams. To me this is a little harsh on Everton and a little generous on Liverpool. I would suggest that the two Merseyside clubs occupy their own seperate league in the middle not quite good enough for the Champions League yet with no real danger of being relegated. As it is though bookmakers include Everton in this min-league and they are 13/8 (CORAL) favourites. Having come 14 points ahead of their nearest rivals West Brom in this market last season it is hard to oppose them. That being said though the price does not look worth taking especially as we wait to see how Roberto Martinez works as a replacement for David Moyes. Each-way value though can be had in this market with three places on offer and also the consideration that if Everton do slip up someone else could step up.

Swansea look the most likely challengers and at 10/1 (GENERAL) they look worth siding with. The Swans finished ninth last season and this is allowing for a run of form that saw them win just one of their last ten games as the distractions of the League Cup saw them ease off in the league.The Swans have bought well in the summer bringing in goals in Wilfried Bony to go along with the attacking talents of Michu and the second best defence outside of the top seven. Europa League football is a worry though it also means the Swans should hit the ground running and you can always lay the bet off if the Swans progress.

Newcastle are next in the betting at 10/1 (SKYBET/ladbrokes) which looks a terrible price as they ended the season in 16th place and have been one of the slowest clubs to move in the transfer market only bringing in Loic Remy so far.

Southampton are also a 10/1 (SJAN JAMES/ladbrokes) and they have moved to bring in Dejan Lovren to strengthen at the back and Victor Wanyama to give them extra bite in midfield. The value on the Saints though has long gone in this market.

Another side I really like at each-way value is West Ham at 14/1 (GENERAL). The Hammers finished in the top ten last season and there is no reason to think they can not do the same again. Outside of the top seven West Ham were the best performing home side and were especially strong against teams in the lower half of the table. Stewart Downing was probably not good enough for Liverpool yet he should fit in well at West Ham where under the Allardyce system he will be asked to work hard and deliver crosses for Andy Carroll. Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan, Mo Diame and Mark noble complete a balanced midfield while Jussi Jaskalainen was excellent in goal last season behind a strong organized defence. They might not always be a joy to watch but they will be tough opponents and they look to be under-rated by bookmakers once more.

Finally I want to recommend a matchbet on Swansea to beat Newcastle over the course of the season at 11/10 with CORAL. The Welsh side looked much better than the Magpies in 2012/13 and with improvement in the transfer market should be nearer the top six while Newcastle will be looking over their shoulder at the bottom three.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Swansea to beat Newcastle over the season, 11/10 (CORAL)
SILVER: Swansea EW in betting without the top six, 10/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: West Ham Ew in betting without the top six, 14/1 (GENERAL)

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15/08/2013     © Frixo 2026