Eight steps to identify this season’s Golden Boot winner

Click here for the latest odds on who will be 2009-10’s top-scorer

The bookmakers seem to agree on who the 15 leading contenders to be next season’s Premier League top-scorer are: Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robinho, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe, Carlos Tevez, Andrey Arshavin, Frank Lampard and Roque Santa Cruz. We’ve used some trends to whittle down the 15 and leave one man standing:

Over the last decade Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (2000-01) is the only player to have won it in his first season with a new club.
That rules out: Michael Owen, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz

The last nine winners were all playing for a Big Four side.
That rules out: Robinho, Jermain Defoe

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to have been Premier League top-scorer without always playing as an out-and-out striker.
That rules out: Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrey Arshavin

The last British top-scorer was Kevin Phillips in 1999-00.
That rules out: Wayne Rooney

Still standing: Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Robin van

Posted: July 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The Sack Race has ended with Gibson backing Southgate

A round-up of all the long-standing football markets

There’s not much football taking place this week so chickendinner decided to take a look at how some of the season-long betting markets are shaping up as the season reaches its climax:

Next Manager to Go
It looks like there will be no more sackings this season after Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson pledged his support to Gareth Southgate. Sky Bet now offer 2/5 on nobody else losing their job while Southgate is 4/1 and Tony Mowbray 6/1.

Top Goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard trail Nicolas Anelka by two goals but news of the Frenchman’s toe injury has seen them both over him in Paddy Power’s market. Ronaldo is 13/8, Gerrard 15/8 and Anelka 9/4.

To Avoid Relegation
In 2004-05 it was West Brom, in 2005-06 it was Portsmouth. 2006-07 was West Ham’s turn and last year Bolton and Fulham were breathing huge sighs of relief. One team recovers from almost certain relegation to survive almost every season. West Brom are 7/1 with Paddy Power to perform another Great Escape but it looks like being too big an ask. Middlesbrough may be four points from safety but with Hull, Fulham and Aston Villa yet to visit the Riverside and away games with off-form Bolton and Newcastle, they are not dead and buried yet.

Posted: March 24th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Nicolas Anelka deserves to be Chelsea’s first choice striker

chickendinner have even made a spreadsheet to prove our point!

chickendinner believes that the fact Nicolas Anelka is the Premier League’s top scorer should be enough to ensure he is one of the first names on the Chelsea teamsheet but until last night Luiz Felipe Scolari seemed to disagree.

The Chelsea boss should also be aware that Anelka’s presence has a similar effect on the team as Florent Malouda’s, whereby even though he isn’t necessarily a fan favourite, the team have operated far better as a unit this season when the number 39 has been on the pitch. Here is the proof:

Posted: January 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Six reasons why Southend could stun Chelsea tonight

Southend/Chelsea, 8.10pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Rather than boring you with obvious reasons why Chelsea stand a decent chance of beating League One opposition, chickendinner sometimes likes to go against the grain and argue what others may consider a lost cause. Southend are available at 15/1 on Betfair to win at home to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s out-of-form side and here are six reasons why they stand a decent chance:

1. Southend masterminded a win over a Manchester United team including Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in the Carling Cup two seasons ago and were robbed by an offside Jermain Defoe extra-time goal against Spurs in the next round.

2. Chelsea have won just one of their last six games and were knocked out the League Cup by Burnley in November.

3. The Blues aren’t used to playing away in the FA Cup and have won just two of their six games on the road in the competition, losing three.

Posted: January 14th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

West Ham look to exploit Chelsea’s home disadvantage

Chelsea/West Ham, 4pm Sun, Sky Sports 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

Gianfranco Zola returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time as a manager this Sunday alongside assistant Steve Clarke, who probably wishes he never left the title favourites for a relegation battle at West Ham. The Hammers took a point at Anfield a fortnight ago and will take heart from Chelsea’s poor home form but they are 16/1 with 888sport and Boylesports and are unlikely to travel back across London with any points on board. Here are all the key facts:

HOME DISADVANTAGE
Both Chelsea and West Ham have taken more points on the road than they have at home in recent times. This season Chelsea have taken a maximum of 24 points on their travels while picking up just half of that (12) from the same number of home games, winning just three of six. West Ham have taken eight points from their last six away games, which is double what they have taken from their last six at the Boleyn.

SLENDER MARGINS
Whereas Chelsea have scored eleven goals in their last three visits to the Boleyn, they tend to have to battle harder for the three points at Stamford Bridge. Last season it took a 75th minute from Joe Cole to sink their local rivals and on three of the last four occasions the tie has finished 1-0 to the Blues. Betfair offer 7.6 on Sunday’s encounter again ending 1-0.

CUDICINI EDGES CECH

Posted: December 13th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Anelka v Drogba - who should start against West Ham?

chickendinner’s guide to who Scolari should select on Sunday

Luiz Felipe Scolari claims he is not afraid to start two strikers but assuming he sticks with Chelsea’s favoured formation of one up front against West Ham on Sunday, either Nicolas Anelka or Didier Drogba will be forced to watch from the dugout. chickendinner is aware that Scolari has been feeling tired recently so has produced some useful statistics on both strikers to help make his decision a little easier:

Nicolas Anelka
+ The top-scorer in the Premier League this season with thirteen goals
+ Scored in his last home start against West Ham
+ Has been involved in four 4-0 victories over the Hammers in his career

- Has only scored in one of his last six home games
- 13 of his last 14 goals have come when Malouda (doubtful) has started
- He has yet to score in a London derby for Chelsea

Didier Drogba

Posted: December 11th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment