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CHAMPIONS ONE AND ALL 18-3-08
Louis Spence
As the football season enters its final straight we have, as universally predicted, the "Big Four" in the top four Premiership places. Unusually at this stage of the Champions League, the same elite are all still in with a shout and all will be fancying their chances.
Although Liverpool are the outsiders of the four in this competition, they know that their European record of recent days, as well as historically, is second to none. With Gerrard and Torres now sparking off each other in scintillating style, they have every reason to believe.
Arsenal will also be quietly confident having pulled off the result and performance of the last round with the stunning victory away to AC Milan, Europe's second most successful club. With Van Persie back in training and Adebayor knocking them in, I am sure they will be feeling that this could be their year.
Chelsea are ready to welcome back the phenomenal Drogba, arguably the world's best striker. Ally this to Lampard's prolific goal grabbing and the captaincy of the indomitable John Terry and you can see hope for them. Especially when drawn to rank outsiders Fenerbahce.
Red hot Premiership favourites Manchester United will hardly be quaking in their boots at the thought of facing Roma. Everywhere you look in Fergie's line up you see goal opportunities, particularly when Ronaldo and Rooney run riot.
The current Champions League betting looks like this (Guide prices):
Barcelona 3/1
Manchester United 7/2
Chelsea 4/1
Arsenal 5/1
Liverpool 7/1
Roma 14/1
Schalke 33/1
Fenerbahce 40/1
It may come as some surprise to find that in the Premiership this season, we have thirteen former English champions. The seven who have never been top of the tree are Birmingham, Bolton, Boro, Fulham, Reading, West Ham and Wigan.
The ex-champions roll of honour makes interesting reading, especially when unrealistic Geordies start spouting off about their great history. Long before the Jarra March, bonny lad.
Listed below, with their last title year, we find:
Aston Villa 1981
Arsenal 2004
Blackburn 1995
Chelsea 2006
Derby 1975
Everton 1987
Liverpool 1990
Manchester City 1968
Manchester United 2007
Newcastle 1927
Portsmouth 1950
Sunderland 1936
Spurs 1961
Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992/93, just four clubs have triumphed with Blackburn surprisingly ousting Liverpool who have not yet won it (nor are likely to while Tinkerman Benitez goes about his strange work). There are no prizes for guessing the other winners.
I think you would get tempting odds from any bookie for any club outside the top four to win it in the next ten years.
You can certainly get an even more tempting proposition if you follow the easy instructions on how to place a bet that guarantees a win for you!!
Money for nothing and the kicks for free. Read on, reader.
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