TOTTENHAM AND QPR COULD CHASE CHELSEA DOWN Betfair: 6 September 2012 Reproduced with permission from betting.betfair.com. (c) The Sporting Exchange Limited. More Sharing ServicesShare | Share on facebookShare on myspaceShare on googleShare on twitter Michael Lintorn argues that the Chelsea hype is unjustified, and expects improvement at Tottenham and QPR... Earlier this week, my colleague Christian Crowther picked out three areas in which he felt that over-reactions to early results had inaccurately inflated or deflated prices. I decided that I wanted a piece of the action and - as Luke Moore so eloquently explained - mouth-foaming short-termism is so prevalent that there is no shortage of material... Chelsea Yes, they have opened the campaign with three successive victories and plenty of attacking verve, however two factors undermine their shift from 4.3 to 2.2 for a top-two finish. One is that they have only faced Wigan, Reading and Newcastle thus far, and the other is that they always start well - having at least seven points at this stage in the past five seasons - yet lifted the title just once in that period and twice finished third or lower. Their deficiencies were exposed by the best team that they have faced since the Community Shield, Atletico Madrid, in a 4-1 UEFA Super Cup defeat. Recommended Bet: Lay Chelsea for a top-two finish @ 2.22 Tottenham Andre Villas-Boas would really have benefitted from a strong start to avoid fuelling a media scathing of his Chelsea stint and aggrieved by Harry Redknapp's sacking, but the poor haul of two points from three games is no disaster, and a mere point less than they wielded at this stage last term. The loss of Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart will take some adjusting to, yet they have bought well, kept Gareth Bale and possess great depth and variety in midfield. A decent schedule for the next two months, Manchester United away aside, could provide a springboard for another top-four challenge. Recommended Bet: Back Tottenham for a top-four finish @ 4.9 QPR It's over-reaction overdrive at Loftus Road, with the club so spooked by their relegation scare that they recruited a whole new team and fans and critics then mimicking their panic as the swiftly assembled squad failed to instantly gel. But while the wage bill and average age are reasonable concerns, the quality of additions such as Julio Cesar, Jose Bosingwa, Stephane Mbia and Esteban Granero is undeniable and, though they will require time to develop cohesion, the foundations of a top-half side exit. Punters suspected as much when backing them at 2.7, but are overanalysing an underwhelming opening. Recommended Bet: Back QPR for a top-ten finish @ 5.2
It's about time there was a positive comment about us. Every other one I've read tips us for relegation.
