Andre Villas-Boas’ men were originally priced 15/1 with a 20 point headstart but that price has been backed into 8/1 as punters put their faith in last season’s fifth place side

Despite missing out on David Villa in the summer transfer window Tottenham have been the well-backed side after BetVictor announced their Premier League handicap table for the 2013/14 season.
The idea of this market is that every team in the Premier League is given a fictional points handicap by the bookmakers which is added to their final total for the season to determine who the winner is.

Every team is initially rated at around a 15/1 (16.0) shot based upon these handicaps, with most bookmakers paying four places on each-way bets making it a popular market before the season kicks off.

Results from the last two seasons have shown very different results with Manchester United’s title victory providing joy for punters who’d backed them at 15/1 (16.0) on the handicap market where they were given a 2 point advantage over rivals Manchester City.

In the 2011/12 season it was Manchester United who were the favourites but Newcastle’s impressive fifth place finish on 65 points was enough to see them settled as a winner having been given a 36 point handicap, putting them a massive 12 points ahead of the pre-season market leaders once the handicaps had been applied.

This season BetVictor have determined that Spurs are likely to finish 20 points behind the winners, a mark which punters obviously believe is too large, having backed the price in from 15/1 (16.0) to 8/1 (9.0) in recent days.

Chelsea are the favourites this season priced at 18/1 (19.0) and are the only team not given any additional points while both Manchester clubs have been given a single point advantage at the same 18/1 (19.0) price.

Traditionally this market has been about finding a team who has been somewhat underrated by the bookmakers pre-season and therefore finish with a lot more points than they were initially expected to get, as Newcastle showed two seasons ago, and it appears Spurs fit that bill in the early going.

Looking further down the table though, there are some significant points totals given to teams who are expected to finish mid-table, but a significant way behind the Premier League elite.

West Bromwich Albion and Southampton are both given a 36 point advantage while Swansea City, who were impressive for a lot of last season, including a Capital One Cup victory in February are given 40 points.

Of those sides who are given little chance of Premier League survival, let alone a respectable mid-table finish Crystal Palace, have been given the biggest handicap at 51 points while fellow promoted sides Hull and Cardiff are credited with 49 and 47 points respectively.

Punters who are considering getting involved in this market must remember that their selection must not only finish above the favourites to win the Premier League title once their handicap is applied but they must also outperform the other teams in the division once their respective additional points have been added on.

Although at 15/1 (16.0), anyone who can identify the most underrated team in the list can earn significant rewards from doing so. Just ask backers of Manchester United in this market last season.

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Jim Knight is Chief Betting Editor at Goal.com and has been tipping football games since he was old enough to place a bet. He is a Leicester City fan, writer and member of the We Are Going Up Podcast

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The Dane has been heavily linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund and the Premier League and his coach says he will not keep him at Ajax against his wishes

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has admitted he would not prevent Christian Eriksen from leaving the club this summer.

The Danish playmaker, who has just one year left on his contract at the Amsterdam ArenA has been heavily linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool amongst others.

And De Boer says he would let the 21-year-old move to Anfield if he chose to do so.

“It is up to Christian what he wants,” the Dutchman told reporters.

“If he feels good going to Liverpool, then it is up to him. I would want nothing more than having him with us for a few more years.

“But we realise the interest in this kind of player is huge. And I can also understand that he wants to make another step in his career. I can’t stop him.”

Eriksen first moved to Ajax as a teenager back in 2008.

The 17-year-old was on target as the Reds cantered to a 4-0 win over Preston at Deepdale and admits he had no idea what to do with himself after getting on the scoresheet

Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe was thrilled after scoring his first senior goal for the club but admitted he was celebration-less as the Reds romped to a 4-0 win over Preston on Saturday.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring for Brendan Rodgers’ side before Ibe doubled their lead, with further goals from Raheem Sterling and Iago Aspas sealing victory.

Speaking after the game, the youngster could not hide his delight at the goal and admitted he had enjoyed playing for the first team.

“I was waiting for the ball to cross the line; I didn’t have a celebration so I just put my hands in front of my face. I was so relieved and I looked at Brendan,” he told LFC TV.

“I’ve always wanted to score in an important match, especially playing with the first team, so once that went over the line I felt so happy.

“It felt really good, especially scoring and playing with the first team. I enjoyed it a lot.”

The goal marked another milestone for the forward, who made his first-team debut in the final game of the 2012-13 Premier League season against QPR.

And he is hoping to catch boss Brendan Rodgers’ eye before the start of the new campaign.

“I’m just learning from the first-team players and trying to show that until the season starts. Hopefully I can do well,” he added.

“I’m learning a lot, especially with defending. The gaffer is helping me a lot with when I haven’t got the ball, coming to tuck in and watching the full-back and centre-back; knowing what to do when I haven’t got the ball.

“Hopefully I can be consistent and play well [and] I can get a chance again in the first team.

“When I play, hopefully I can get a goal and help the squad do well this season.”