The Premiership Leading Scorer 2008/9
Last week saw the greatest shift in spread prices so far this season -much of it was down to injuries and movement as the transfer window slammed shut. We analyse all the market moves and the reasons for them...
PLAYER |
TEAM |
TOTAL |
SPORTING INDEX SPREAD |
BEST PRICE |
Anelka |
Chelsea |
14 |
40-43 |
2/1 |
Ronaldo |
Man Utd |
11 |
38-41 |
6/1 |
Torres |
Liverpool |
7 |
21-24 |
25/1 |
Adebayor |
Arsenal |
8 |
21-24 |
20/1 |
Van Persie |
Arsenal |
9 |
19-22 |
25/1 |
Berbatov |
Man Utd |
6 |
12-15 |
50/1 |
D Bent |
Tottenham |
9 |
8-11 |
80/1 |
Keane |
Tottenham |
5 |
5-7 |
100/1 |
Defoe |
Tottenham |
9 |
Susp |
16/1 |
Owen |
Newcastle |
8 |
Susp |
33/1 |
Rooney |
Man Utd |
6 |
Susp |
50/1 |
Santa Cruz |
Blackburn |
3 |
1-3 |
150/1 |
Jo |
Everton |
3 |
1-3 |
829/1 |
Drogba |
Chelsea |
1 |
0.5-2 |
150/1 |
Alves |
Middlesboro |
4 |
0.5-2 |
250/1 |
Yakubu |
Everton |
4 |
0-1 |
999/1 |
Sporting Index Golden Boot Scoring Guide:
1st 60pts, 2nd 40pts, 3rd 30pts, 4th 25 pts,
5th 20pts, 6th 15pts, 7th 10 pts, 8th 5pts
*Table updated at 14/12/08
Moving Up...
Cristiano Ronaldo (38-41) -The biggest climber in our chart, going up a remarkable 11 points in the spreads, following a burst of 3 goals in as many games and the drought for Anelka. Has the advantage of being both free-kick and penalty taker for United -so should reach 20 goals easily.
The other big mover is Liverpool's Fernando Torres' (21-24) who is up nine points on the Sporting Index spread. Two goals in two games, approaching full fitness and injuries to close rivals like Defoe, Owen and Rooney has seen the Spaniard's stock rise considerably. An injury free run in to the season should see him snatch third place on this race and 30 points.
Robin Van Persie (19-22) has not only suffered because of his own injury this season, but also that of his main provider Cesc Fabregas. He will have plenty of opportunities now with his Arsenal striking partner Adebayor out for three weeks. So he has risen 2 points in the last week.
One man who is friend-less two weeks ago, but is up 5 points on the chart is Spurs striker Darren Bent (8-11). After re-signing both Defoe and Keane, it looked as though Bent would be surpluss to requirements -but now he is back and two goals against Bolton signalled his intent.
The Brazillian Jo (1-3) has moved clubs from Man City to Everton and made an immediate impact by scoring twice against Bolton. This saw him rise two points -although he will need to score at least six more league goals to make it pay for anyone following him.
Another mover on the rise is Robbie Keane (3-5) -following his return to Spurs, he has yet to score, but the two point rise in his quote suggests that it won't be long before he finds the net.
Moving Down ...
It seemed that the well-travelled Nicolas Anelka (40-43) had fought off all challengers for both his starting place in the Chelsea team and all-comers for the Golden Boot crown when he raced six goals clear. But no goals in his last eight league games and the improved form of Ronaldo has seen him drop three points in the standings. Still three goals clear, but looking vunerable for that top spot, although 20 goals should be good enough for at least second place and 40 points.
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor (21-24) is down three points in the market after only one goal in the last eight league games. Plus, after receiving a knock against Spurs, he is likely to be out for at least three weeks.
Non-movers and injured (suspended)...
Sporting Index might be better running a spread on how many weeks Michael Owen (Susp) will miss each season through injury! Yet again he has an ankle problem and will be out until the end of March at the earliest.
Harry Redknapp acquired Jermain Defoe (Susp) from his old club Pompey -with the hope that his goals would pull them clear of the relegation zone. But a stress fracture to his right foot will see the England man out for at least two months and unlikely to score more than a dozen.
Man Utd striking duo Rooney & Berbatov are both suspended in the betting at the moment. The England star is almost back from injury, whilst the Bulgarian has just returned and is not yet re-quoted on the Sporting Index market.
So Who Should I Back?
With nine goals already, Spurs striker Darren Bent (8-11) could be the value in the market at the moment. He need only finish seventh to achieve 10 points in this race -he is currently lying third. He may not start every game due to the presence of both Keane and Pavlyuchenko, but he should feature for at twenty minutes if he doesn't start -and now his confidence has returned, he should be able to reach the 15 goal mark. This could be good enough for fourth place -worth 25 points, which would be a massive 14 point profit!
Read our in depth review of:
1. Premiership Relegation - Click Here to read
2. Premiership Leading Goal Scorer - Click Here to read
Spread betting on THE PREMIERSHIP is a great alternative to fixed odds betting. Not only are there a huge number of bets available on all matches - especially the live ones, you can bet on all sorts of long term season bets as detailed below:
Long term football markets are some of the most popular spread bets available. If you're a fixed odds punter who always picks out a team in each division to back at the start of each season, these type of bets will really appeal to you.
One of the big benefits of long term football spread bets is that unlike fixed odds betting, you do not have to lay your money out up front. Bets are settled at the end of the season or after you have 'closed' your bet at any time during the season. See our football tutorial section
With fixed odds betting, if you backed Man Utd to win the Premiership at the start of the season for £100, you pay the bookmaker at the time that the bet is made. This has always been off putting for us as it may be 10 months before you get your money back if you win, whereas with spread betting, you can place your bet at the start of the season and close your bet at any time throughout the season!
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