Premier League Betting: Arsenal shorten for the title

Premier League / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 22 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Arsene Wenger will have a few concerns about the number of chances Portsmouth created but the likes of Eduardo and Robin Van Persie looked mightily impressive up front.

"It’s now just one goal from three Premier League matches and zero points for Portsmouth meaning Paul Hart’s team are in real trouble of being relegated, even at this early stage of the season. And the layers on Betfair have reacted to this by making them odds-on shots for the drop, along with Burnley and Hull City. Pompey are 1.92 from a high of 10."

All the in-running betting stories from today's Premier League matches and their effect on Betfair's long-term markets...

Arsenal are into [6.4] from a high of [11.5] on Betfair's Premier League winner market after a second impressive league performance, this time beating Portsmouth comfortably by 4-1. 5 goals or more in the game was matched at [5.2] and once again they came from slightly unusual sources with William Gallas scoring for the second consecutive week and Diaby grabbing two; Aaron Ramsey scored the other.

It's now just one goal from three Premier League matches and zero points for Portsmouth meaning Paul Hart's team are in real trouble of being relegated, even at this early stage of the season. And the layers on Betfair have reacted to this by making them odds-on shots for the drop, along with Burnley and Hull City. Pompey are [1.92] from a high of [10.0].

[1.82] chances for the drop Hull may be, but they did their own chances of staying up no harm by beating Bolton Wanderers at home this afternoon by 1-0. They were matched at [3.7] to take all three points.

Despite an opening day win away at Villa Park, many fear for Wigan's chances of remaining a Premier League side, and they are currently chalked up as [5.7] chances for relegation. That win was followed by back-to-back home defeats, first to Wolves midweek and to Manchester United today.

Losing at home to the defending champions is no disgrace but a 5-0 drubbing with all goals coming in the second-half will come as a massive disappointment to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez. The five second-half goals caught the total goals layers off-guard, who offered odds of [50.0] about this outcome.United had drifted to a high of [2.08] in-running and to [4.9] to defend their title and this result highlights the danger of underestimating Sir Alex's side. They are now a slightly more sensible [4.4] to win the league.

Back in Manchester, Mark Hughes' side were quietly going about their business of taking three points off Wolves and once again relying on the goals of Emmanuel Adebayor to do so. They only ever reached [1.48] on the match odds market after scoring early and are now just [1.89] to win Betfair's Winner Without Big Four market. They are also just [16.5] to win the Premier League, having been snapped up at odds of 50 before the likes of Carlos Tevez, Adebayor, Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz all arrived at Eastlands.