It looks as if it might be all change at the top in the 2013/14 Premier League. Of course a change would be very welcome, but it isn’t making pre-season betting very easy. Fort the first time in 27 years Manchester United will begin the season without the leadership of Sir Alex Fergusson, though be assured that he will still make his influence felt even with David Moyes as the new manager. This could create new tensions which could have a knock on effect to the players and eventually the results. At third favourite to win the premiership with odds of 5/2 it might pay to wait awhile for the season to begin before placing a bet.

Perhaps this will be the season in which a surprise club wins; although Chelsea is the current favourite at 2/1, you can find odds of 40/1 on Spurs and up to 500/1 on Everton. Odds like that are certainly worth considering even if the chances of winning are not that high. Betting on a member of outliers could be a good strategy and very exciting should they prove to be competitive. With so many changes at the top this could represent an excellent opportunity, particularly if you are willing to place some casino style bets. (more…)

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has said that he cannot wait for the arrival of striker Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid. The club has been involved in negotiations with the Spanish giants for a number of months and it is believed that a deal is extremely close. Juventus have been one of the main competitors for his signature, but it is believed that Arsenal have convinced that the Argentine ace enough that a move to the Emirates stadium is the right one at his stage. The striker has been at Real Madrid since 2006, but he has never really been a first team regular.

The intense competition from French striker Karim Benzema and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has played havoc with his first team opportunities, which he believes will be detrimental to his chances of making it into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Even though he is set to hold talks with manager Carlo Ancelotti over his importance with the team, he is likely to be sold if he cannot be convinced by the Italian. Despite having the likes of Lukas Podolski and Oliver Giroud, Arsenal found their strikeforce a little bit on the weaker side in comparison with the likes of Manchester city and Manchester United last season.

Hence, Wilshere is looking forward to the arrival of the Higuain for £ 23 million.

“You look at the type of players like Higuain we’re trying to bring in and you’ve got to be encouraged. I’ve never played against him but anyone who plays for Real Madrid and Argentina has to be quality. I think we need a few more, not to step right into the team but to add to the squad. We need our squad to be as deep as United’s and City’s. They can change their back four completely and still win,” said Wilshere.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he does not see a serious concern with midfielder Jack Wilshere after the star was left out of the starting line-up against Fulham. Arsenal stumbled to a 1-0 win over Martin Jol’s Fulham, while it helped them get closer to the top four. There are only a handful of matches remaining in the Premier league and the club have been on a good run of form. Even though Fulham were playing with only 10 men for most of the match, they threatened to take the lead on several occasions.

Arsenal had to rely on a rare set piece goal from defender Mertesacker in order to win the match. Wilshere was recently rushed back from a six-week spell on the sidelines in order to help Arsenal get a good result against Everton, but they could only get a 0-0 draw against David Moyes’ men. Wilshere was absent for the match against Fulham, and Wenger has confirmed that he had dropped the player after he felt a slight pain in his ankle. However, he has stressed that this action was just a precaution and he expected the midfielder to get back into action sooner rather than later.

“He was in a bit of pain after the Everton game and I just felt to give him three games in six days would be too much. Now he has a break until next Sunday, so he will be available (against United). There is no basic ankle problem. I just do not want to go into a vicious circle again when I play him, I play him, I play him and then suddenly (he has a problem). I think coming back after six weeks out, two games in a week was enough,” said Wenger, whose team next face Manchester United in the league.