Paddy Power put their faith in the Reds

This morning, we suggested that the Premier League 2008/09 trophy presentation should be brought forward, and it seems the folks at Paddy Power agree. They are paying out on Manchester Utd winning the treble, signalling the first time a bookie has paid out early on a team winning more than one trophy in a season. Some guy said:

“We know and punters know the race for trophies is all but over for another year so why wait for the formalities? If none of the opposition are able to even score a goal against United what chance have they got of actually beating them to silverware? We just hope someone can do us a favour and stop them in Europe.

“However, paying out on all three is a gamble. Football has a way of biting teams on the backside when they least expect it so we could yet end up with egg on our faces and not for the first time.”

Paddy Power aren’t stupid, and sometimes pay out on markets that aren’t attracting enough interest in order to drum up publicity. For example, they paid out £30,000 on Stoke to be relegated after the first weekend of the Premiership, an exposure that they probably covered with the resulting publicity.

Entirely coincidental Spoiler reader offer: Fancy a punt on the Premier League? Place a £10 bet with Paddy Power and receive another £10 bet for free.

Ahead of United clash, captain puts faith in his troops

After serving the three match ban that resulted in a nice Christmas at home with the wife and kids, John Terry has bounced back full of confidence, declaring that the Blues can win all three of the competitions they remain in:

“Going out of the Carling Cup was a sickener and we’ve drifted three points behind Liverpool in the league - but that can be put right.

“We’re in the last 16 of the Champions League and still in the FA Cup. We need to play better but we can still win all three.

“We want more winners’ medals. We didn’t get any in 2008, we need to put that right.”

With the seventh best form in the League and a thoroughly unconvincing Champions League group stage, the Blues will have to work mighty hard to turn their season around. But can Big Phil et al repopulate the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet? Let us know with a vote and comment below…