THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN


ALONSO TO WORK HIS MAGIC ON UNDERPERFORMING BLUES


IT COULD BE a changing of the guard this Premier league season with new managers at Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool (and by


implication


Bournemouth) and a first full season for the incumbents at Spurs and Man United ….so perversely the sack race should be interesting, given that there are at least (technically) the above none runners!! (especially as perennial managerial swappers Watford and West Ham are not in the equation) However given Todd Boehly’s penchant for writing out compensation payments, you never know with things at the Bridge!


Talking of which, CHELSEA have certainly caught my eye in recent months in a deliberate attempt to cock a snook at their rivals. Firstly they stole the wonderful talents of Xavi Alonso from under the noses of Liverpool, then they managed to get large compensation from Man City/Enzo Maresca for deserting them mid-season and now, in a deal which was expected to bring Morgan Rogers to Arsenal, they have swooped for the England midfielder. Definitely reminiscent of Donald Trump, Chelsea’s owners are looking to bully themselves, once again, onto football’s top table.


And with no European involvement this year, their players will be playing substantially less competitive football than all of their rivals.


And what of their perceived opposition?


Arsenal need to find more firepower, which is not to say they won’t, but at the moment a title defence at skinny odds looks no value. Add to that the long-term injury to their talismanic defender Saliba and you can see taking odds of 6/4 is foolhardy.


Backing second favourites, Man City, at Burlington Bertie is also something of a leap of faith as surely the outcome of the 130 charges can’t be far away and that could mean a points deduction, added to which there is no Pep, and perhaps no Rodri, as Real may come calling. And I can’t help feeling that Maresca is merely keeping the managerial seat warm for Vincent Kompany. No, for me it’s a transitional season.


PHTM AUGUST 2026


As for Liverpool and Spurs, new managers need time to bed into a playing style, although I think the fit at Anfield might lead to some exciting times. As for the Reds of Salford, I think their over-reliance on getting value for money will lead to the doors to the promised land being blocked by Saint Peter of Ineos.


So at 10/1 and at half the odds of the first two, it’s CHELSEA for me.


There are, however, other wagers to consider… TOP MIDLANDS CLUB


In a three horse market, back FOREST to finish higher than (the decimated Villa - no Rogers, no Tielemanns, maybe no Digne) and the cash-strapped Coventry at a massive Rofe (4/1).


NUMBER OF PROMOTED TEAMS BEING RELEGATED


Back all three at 11/4 which is a very generous price, available at Bet 365 and Quinn Bet. AND SO TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP..


West Ham are the universal 2/1 favourites and it is hard not to see why. Admittedly they have seen players move on, but on the plus side they have managed to secure their Captain Marvel, Jarrod Bowen, until at least Christmas, something that could be mirrored by their manager should he not hit the ground running and be sacked by November. Remember every team wants to harpoon the blue whale (Eric Cantona 1996!).


No, far too skinny for me in a very competitive uber-slog.


For me the chances of BURNLEY at quadruple the odds (8/1), are far more appealing, especially as they too have the benefits of the Premier Leagues parachute payments and a new manager in the (Vincent Kompany) model of Nicky Hayen, ex of Genk.


Until next month Good punting


Bernie the Book 73


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