Chelsea expected to face uphill battle

With the Premiership season now underway, it's a good time to think about the long term football markets offered up by the bookies. Punters can often find some decent prices at this stage, and Sporting Index's Season Points Markets are no exception. With a free £150 per goal football bet on offer to all new Sporting Index clients, you could be celebrating no matter how your team fares. Here are our thoughts on some of the current spreads, to help you get started.

Liverpool are widely tipped to improve on last season's 58 point finish, and are once again popular with punters. Benitez now has a year's Premiership experience and bought well in the summer. In particular, the addition of a reliable goalkeeper should mean several more points for the Reds. Sporting Index are predicting a total points haul of 67.5 to 69, and the European Champions are expected to finally close the gap on the Premiership's top three.

Last seasons over-achievers, Everton and Bolton, should find the going a lot tougher. With the likes of Spurs, Boro and Newcastle expected to improve this time around, Sporting Index are predicting that both sides will finish with 49 to 50.5 points. Spurs are expected to make the greatest progress out of all the UEFA Cup hopefuls. Having bought very well this summer, Jol now possesses a large squad with a good blend of youth and experience. Sporting Index estimate that the North Londoners will finish in sixth, having amassed 58 to 59.5 points.

Boro are usually a very popular choice with punters. However, after a relatively quiet summer and the loss of Zenden, Sporting Index has not seen as much interest in McClaren's men this time around. Their current spread of 52.5 to 54 points is very similar to last season's total, which can be explained by the lack of incoming personnel. Nevertheless, a settled team could make Boro a much tougher proposition.

Since the opening matches of the season, Sporting Index have seen a number of punters bet 'low' on Chelsea's predicted total of 86 to 88 points. They finished on 95 points last year, but you should remember that only Man Utd have managed to retain the Premiership title. At the other end, West Ham are priced up as most likely to beat the drop out of the promoted teams, with 36.5 to 38 points. However, Wigan's display against the Blues has won them a few fans. Punters are seemingly attracted by the sides' physical presence and think Jewell's Premiership experience can keep them up.

£150 Football Bet for New Clients
Sporting Index is offering all new clients a brand new football free bet, to celebrate the start of the season. Simply open a Sporting Index account before 14th September, place five settled bets and claim a free £150 per goal bet on any live Premiership, Championship or League match. Each qualifying bet must be able to win or lose you £20.

They'll also refund your losses (up to £50) if your first bet is a loser!

Sporting Index really like to look after all of their clients, so even if you've already got an account, there is still a decent offer to get stuck into.

£50 Total Goals Bet for All Clients
Place 10 or more bets on Total Goals, staking £20 per bet, before 31st August, and Sporting Index will give you a £50 Total Goals bet on any live football match.