2010-11 Premier League Betting Specials

The start of the Premier League season edges ever nearer but before I get stuck into the main action there is plenty of value out there in a sea of specials markets.

Predictably, Chelsea and Manchester United, who met in the Community Shield on Sunday, dominate the betting in the outright for top honours in 2011 but, while it is hard to argue that the London club should be favourites there, I see no reason why the latter are not clear jollies for one particular wager.

Having kept the most Premier League clean sheets for each of the last three seasons (21 in ’08, 24 in ’09 and 19 last term), Paddy Power’s 3.75 about United making it four in a row certainly appeals. >

Chelsea head the list, 3.50 shots, but it is Sir Alex Ferguson’s men that should be trusted to deliver and the clash at Wembley only confirmed my suspicions.

While United landed the spoils last season, despite being forced to field the likes of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in unfamiliar defensive roles at the turn of the year, Chelsea looked extremely vulnerable at the back, in particular at set pieces, and the goalkeeping situation at Stamford Bridge will also concern coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Petr Cech, formerly so reliable between the sticks, is a shadow of his former self while the champions’ back four was easily breached three times by their great rivals in defeat at the famous stadium just three days ago.

Although Nemanja Vidic represented Serbia in South Africa at the World Cup, it should be noted that the remainder of United’s back line all missed the summer tournament and I see them improving this time around with the dependable Edwin Van Der Sar as good as any last line of defence on show in the top flight.

Fatigue certainly shouldn’t be a factor for the United rearguard and I think that they’ll be good enough for at least 22 shutouts this time around. >

The Red Devils and Chelsea also dominate the top scorer betting, where Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney cannot be separated at the head of affairs, but top team scorer wagers are becoming increasingly popular these days and one bet sticks out a country mile.

Kevin Nolan was Newcastle’s inspiration last season in guiding them back to the top flight and the former Bolton Wanderers man bagged an impressive 17 Championship goals in the process.

That haul was enough to see the midfielder tie Andy Carroll for Magpies’ top honours but while the striker is no bigger than 3.25 with Coral to repeat the trick, Nolan can be backed at a whopping 7.50 with Paddy Power.

Touted once as a future England international, Nolan now finds himself in a more advanced role than his glory days at the Reebok under Sam Allardyce and there is no way such a price discrepancy should exist.

Nolan has proven Premier League pedigree, 40 top flight goals to his name, and it is hard to fancy any other runners.

Shola Ameobi, just 3.25 with Ladbrokes, has failed to live up to early career expectations while Peter Lovenkrands should certainly not be shorter in the betting than the selection.

*8pts Back Manchester United Most Premier League Clean Sheets @ 3.75 (Paddy Power)’*3pts Back Kevin Nolan (Top Newcastle Scorer) @ 7.50 (Paddy Power)’