2008-2009 English Premier League Betting preview courtesy of Alex Smart, A Professional Sports Handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are betting on the 2008-2009 English Premier League matches be sure to purchase Alex’s Expert Football Betting Picks.

View Current English Premier League Betting Odds from BetUS

The greatest domestic soccer league is almost here as the English Barclays Premier League 2008/09 season kicks-off on 16th August and already there has been millions of pounds and dollars wagered on who will win in all from the four corners of the world.

The big four dominate the market with the defending champions Manchester United heading the sports books list as favorites to come away with the title for the third successive season. Second in the list are last season’s runners-up Chelsea, who have a new man at the helm in Luiz Felipe Scolari. Close behind in the markets are Arsenal and Liverpool.

Tottenham are the fifth choice of the linesmakers, priced at a very big +6600. Why such a big gap separates the top four from the rest? Well that is easy to answer. Only once in the last five years has any side other from the top four finished in one of the top four places,come seasons end.

So it’s foolish to look outside of the top four to find this season’s winner. Reigning Premier League and European Cup holders Manchester United are worthy favorites, having won the domestic title two years in a row. The Red Devils have awesome strength in depth and will be right in contention as the title race comes down to the final month.

Chelsea faulted at the final hurdle last year both in the Premier League and the European Cup to Manchester United. The team from the trend setting London fashion of the Kings Road have been the most consistent domestic side of recent years. They return an experienced squad that play free-flowing football and they know how to win titles.

Despite Arsenal losing their prolific scorer at the start of last season, the young squad of players ran out of steam and concentration after early brilliance, eventually losing out on the title by just four points. With another year under their belts, the young Gunners will be dangerous and may sustain their challenge to the finish line this season.

Liverpool have been European Cup specialists in recent times, making the semi-finals in 3 of the last 4 seasons, and as a result their league form has dipped. Liverpool have strengthened their squad and will look to get in amongst the top three and challenge for the title.

Arsenal should make the early running as they have the easier schedule over the first three months of the season. Manchester United have serious early congestion issues with the UEFA Super Cup. Liverpool have been habitual slow starters over the last five seasons while Chelsea have two of the top four teams inside the first two months.

After all the trials and tribulations of eight months of soccer, it will once again come down to the last month of the season and for this writer, I look to Chelsea to turn one over on Manchester United and exact some revenge for their losses last season.

For those not accustomed to wagering on soccer, below you will find below an explanation to the markets that most sports books offer for each English Premiership game.

Win/Draw/Win – One of the most popular wagers, to predict if the game will be won by the home team, away team or end in a draw within 90 minutes (3 possible outcomes).

Over/Under – To select whether the total goals scored in the game (90 minutes) by both teams will be over or under a given benchmark (Normal benchmarks are 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 & 4.5).

Handicap Betting (also known as Asian Handicap) – To bet on a team with a certain amount of goals head start or deficit. Lines with half goals eliminate the possibility of the game ending in a draw. The underdog will generally be given a head start in the form of a goal handicap, and the match favorite will therefore also be handicapped by the same goal handicap. The pre -determined goal handicap at the start of the match will be added to the real number of goals scored in the match in order to settle the bet. Much like the spreads given in American football and basketball and run/puck lines in baseball and hockey.