Just two seasons ago, Paddy Power famously offered us double odds on Robin Van Persie finishing the campaign as the Premier League’s top scorer. Inevitably, the then-Gunners striker suffered numerous injuries and we subsequently lost our money. Then, one season on, Van Persie ran away with the Golden Boot after racking up 30 goals in what was to be his final campaign at the Emirates. Thanks to his efforts as our Fantasy captain last term, we’ve forgiven the Dutchman, but Paddy’s luck still stings.
This pre-season, we want some payback. The brief was simple: we went to Paddy, handed them a list of the more popular Fantasy candidates recently discussed on the site, and they came back with a number of markets to wave in front our expectant little faces. We then ponder the prices, weighing up the value on offer and wonder whether we should back our current Fantasy thinking with some hard-earned.
Swansea to keep 10 or less clean sheets 4/11 (1.36)
Clearly, Paddy don’t fancy Michael Laudrup’s chances of keeping the Liberty’s sheets clean. Having gathered 14 cleanies last term, Paddy are backing a major decline here and are offering just 4/11 on the Swans registering 10 or less this time around.
Sergio Aguero to score 25 or more league goals 13/8 (2.62)
This one is perhaps more tempting. Aguero registered 25 strikes last term and that was without compatriot Carlos Tevez to help him wreck the joint for the vast majority of the season. Aguero to notch 25 or more at 13/8 could be worth a few quid if you’re one of the many backing the Argentine for the Golden Boot this time around.
Papiss Cisse to score 20 or more league goals 3/1 (4.00)
Maybe the Newcastle hitman is more up your avenue? Papiss Cisse set the League alight with a flash of his boot and a beaming smile and, having crashed the party and taken charge of the booze and stereo, we’re all expecting him to be the life and soul again this season. Can he match his incredible strikerate of 13 goals in 14 games? Paddy have 3/1 dangling on the Senegalese striker hitting 20 or more – a big ask with the African Cup of Nations possibly interrupting his flow.
Michu to score 8 or more league goals 9/2 (5.50)
An unknown quantify for some, but Scout readers over the summer will know all too well that Swansea’s new midfield raider was a star turn in La Liga. A total of 15 goals for Rayo Vallecano made him the top marksman from midfield in Spain’s top flight and Laudrup will be hoping he can bring that form to the Premier League to help fill the void left by Gylfi Sigurdsson. Paddy don’t seem too confident he can match the Icelander’s strike rate – maybe you’ll be more positive.
Gylfi Sigurdsson to score 10 or more league goals 4/1 (5.00)
Don’t fret. Siggy’s still about and tempting our Fantasy investment. Having apparently settled nicely into the Spurs midfield, we’re all wondering if he can now rival Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale and match his return rate with the Swans. We’ve already debated this right here and now Paddy are turning our heads with 4/1 on the Icelandic playmaker delivering 10 or more goals.
Shinji Kawaga to assist 10 or more league goals 6/5 (2.20)
Eden Hazard to score 10 or more goals 6/4 (2.50)
Two more new arrivals to the Premier League are up next for our Fantasy consideration. Expectations are, quite frankly, off the scale and perhaps Paddy have been swayed by that with some rather skinny prices on both achieving Fantasy greatness in their first season. Kawaga is heralded as an assist king, with Paddy offering slight odds on ten or more over the season. As for Hazard, Chelsea’s young Belgian gun is backed to fire ten or more goals at 6/4 by our bookie friends.
Thomas Vermaelen to score 6 or more league goals 11/2 (6.50)
This is more like it. Arsenal’s Belgian colossus is well known for his forays forward and, take Van Persie out of the equation, he would have the Gunners’ top scorer last term. Paddy have the stopper at 11/2 for six or more league goals and that has us lining up, tenner in hand.
Pavel Pogrebynak to score 10 or more league goals 6/5 (2.20)
Rickie Lambert to score 12 ore more league goals 7/2 (4.50)
Two budget strikers, two very different prices. Pavel Pogrebynak at just 5.0 in the FPL, may well be too good to be true as a Fantasy option. Certainly Paddy are strongly backing the Russian for goals this season, offering 6/5 on him hitting 10 or more for Brian McDermott’s side.
They don’t have the same confidence in Rickie Lambert perhaps. With 27 goals in the Championship, Southampton are so dependent on Lambert, it seems to me like he has to hit double figures if the Saints are to survive. A total of twelve or more is achievable – Grant Holt showed the way for Norwich last season with 15 goals. Paddy are offering 7/2 on the Saints striker getting close to achieving such heights.
Gareth Bale to score 10 or more league goals and gain 10 or more assists 11/1 (12.0)
Is this the best saved till last? Quite possibly. We asked ourselves which midfielder could achieve the holy grail of double figure goals and assists and came up with Bale. He managed it last season and, personally, I think he’ll kick on again this term if he can stay fit. Paddy aren’t so sure – odds of 11/1 look generous and, if we’re reserving a good slice of our pre-season pound for this one.
Register and Bet £10 And Get £20 Free
Paddy Power are, once again, our betting partner for the coming season. They’ll be supplying us with odds in the regular Fantasy Flutter article, giving us the opportunity to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to our Fantasy selections.
If you’re new to Paddy Power, then you can take up any of these odds and get yourself a bonus. You can sign up via this site and get a free £20 when you register an account and bet a tenner.
Finally of course, we should state that all these offers are only available to those aged 18 and over and are subject to Paddy Power’s terms and conditions. Also, if you’re going to bet, always gamble responsibly.
