LIVERPOOL are a general 4-7 to launch their campaign with a win when they take on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the opening match of the new Barclays Premiership season on Saturday. The match, which kicks-off at 12.45pm, is live on Sky.
Rafael Benitez’s side are a best-priced 8-1 with William Hill and Coral to win the Premiership and that price could come under pressure following their agreement of a fee with Feyenoord for the Holland striker Dirk Kuyt.
If Liverpool can complete the medical and finalise details of the move, Kuyt could be in the squad to face Sheffield United, but it is more likely that he will feature in the Champions League trip to Kiev next week to face Maccabi Haifa.
Neil Warnock, the Sheffield United manager, has been confined to shopping in the bargain basement. The Blades are 6-1 with Bet Direct to beat Liverpool, and will have to do so without striker Steven Kabba, who has been ruled out of the newcomers’ opening game with a hamstring injury. The draw is 14-5 with Bet365.
Chelsea remain clear market leaders in the Premiership — Bet365 offer a top-price of 1-2 — despite their loss to Liverpool in the Community Shield. The defending champions open with a home game against Manchester City on Sunday, kicking-off at 4pm and live on Sky.
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The Blues took a remarkable 55 of a possible 57 points at Stamford Bridge last season and trade at 2-9 with Paddy Power and Stan James to beat Manchester City. Stuart Pearce’s City are 12-1 with Paddy Power, who go 9-2 about the draw.
Arsenal (home to Aston Villa), Everton (home to Watford) and Manchester United (home to Fulham) are all odds-on favourites to win their opening games and will doubtless feature in many accumulators.
Sporting highlights away from the football include the continuation of the fourth Test between England and Pakistan, and golf’s closing major of the year, the USPGA Championship. Tiger Woods teed it up on Thursday a red-hot 9-4 favourite.