It is the time of year when all the major Soccer leagues are kicking off.The 2012/2013 English Premier League season begins this Saturday with the opening round of fixtures. Like most seasons in the English Premier League there are only six clubs that can be considered a legitimate chance of winning the league title. Today we will analyze the title chances of the teams considered top contenders at most Online Sportsbooks. There have been a number of high-profile offseason transfers that is set to make this one of the most exciting Premier League seasons in history. Manchester City
2011-2012 Result: 1st
Players in: Jack Rodwell
Players out: Owen Hargreaves, Stuart Taylor, Gai Assulin , Andrea Mancini , Vladimir Weiss, Greg Cunningham, Wayne Bridge and Omar Elabdellaoui
Odds to win EPL Title (at Intertops): +125 ($2.25)
Manchester City waited until the very last minute to secure the 2011/2012 title and it is safe to say the blue side of Manchester spent the majority of the offseason celebrating. Manchester City was uncharacteristically quiet in the transfer market this summer; only bringing in Jack Rodwell from Everton. Despite this Manchester City still have the strongest side in the league on paper. Their midfield of David Silva, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany is easily the best in the league. Their midfield is supported by the controversial Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez. The one negative, to their chances of winning back to back league titles, is their UEFA Champions League ambitions that might see their domestic form suffer. Manchester United
2011-2012 Result: 2nd
Players in: Shinji, Nick Powell, Sean Goss, Robin Van Persie
Players out: Michael Owen), Tomasz Kuszczak, Paul Pogba, Ritchie de Laet, Matty James, Park Ji-sung, Oliver Norwood , Fabio, Ben Amos, Reece Brown , John Cofie
Odds to win EPL Title Intertops: +200 ($3)
Manchester United’s title chances received a massive boost this morning when the side announced the signing of Dutch striker Robin Van Persie. Van Persie is major coup for United with the side now boasting the best forward combination in the league; with Van Persie joining Wayne Rooney up front. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are both almost forty but continue to perform. However, if either was to go down with an injury it would leave a massive hole in United’s midfield. Led by Alex Ferguson, Manchester United is always well organized and is once again likely to challenge for the English Premier League title. Chelsea FC
2011-2012 Result: 6th
Players in: Marko Marin, Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Oscar
Players out: Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Jose Bosingwa
Odds to win EPL Title Intertops: +450 ($5.50)
Chelsea had a disastrous English Premier League campaign in 2011/2012 but a long awaited UEFA Champions League title more than made up for it. Chelsea has been big players in the transfer market this summer, bringing in creative midfielders Marko Marin, Eden Hazard and Oscar. The arrival of these three should more than fill the gap left by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. The side will have taken a great deal of confidence from their Champions League triumph and should be the big improvers in 2012/2013. Arsenal FC
2011-2012 Result: 3rd
Players in: Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla
Players out: Gavin Hoyte, Jeffrey Monakana, Tom Cruise, Manuel Almunia, Carlos Vela, Pedro, Robin Van Persie
Odds to win EPL Title Intertops: +900 ($10)
The loss of Van Persie is a massive blow to Arsenal but they have taken some steps, in the transfer market, to replace the club legend. Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud are all excellent signings, with Podolski in particular likely to thrive in English football. The side flew under the radar to finish third in 2011/2012 to finish third and a similar performance this season is likely. Liverpool FC
2011-2012 Result: 8th
Players in: Fabio Borini, Joe Allen
Players out: Stephen Darby, Joe Rafferty, David Amoo, Lewis Hatch, Fabio Aurelio, Craig Bellamy , Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez, Alberto Aquilani, Henoc Mukendi , Toni Brito Silva
Odds to win EPL Title Intertops: +2500 ($26)
New manager Brendan Rodgers has a tough task ahead of him in the upcoming season. Liverpool fans had great expectations heading into the 2011/2012 but finished the season thoroughly disappointed yet again. The Reds were inconsistent all season and at one stage looked like missing the top ten altogether. They have done much in the offseason to strengthen the side so a maiden Premier League title appears out of the question. Tottenham Hotspur
2011-2012 Result: 4th
Players in: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jan Vertonghen
Players out: Louis Saha, Ben Alnwick, Lee Angol, Oscar Jansson , Ryan Nelsen, Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar, Steven Pienaar
Odds to win EPL TitleIntertops : +2500 ($26)
If Brendan Rodgers has a tough task ahead of him then Andre Villas-Boas’s is nearly impossible. The young manager takes over from the popular Harry Redknapp and has Tottenham fan’s calling for his head already. Hotspur have significant gaps in their squad (especially up-front) and, reportedly, an unhappy locker room. Qualification for the Champions League should be their highest ambition.
The 2012/2013 season may not be the Battle of Manchester that many people expect. Chelsea and Arsenal have both recruited well in the off season and could make this a legitimate four horse title race. At their current odds of +450 Chelsea is excellent value. Liverpool and Tottenham don’t have strong enough squads to challenge for the title and should be ignored at their current prices.
You can bet on every game in the 2012/2013 English Premier League season at Intertops
