Totesport have chalked up some cracking markets ahead of the forthcoming 2008/9 Premiership campaign for punters to get stuck into.

Their seasonal match bets – a contest between two named sides over the course of the season – look intriguing because as transfer rumours come thick and fast over the summer months it can be tricky for odds compilers to work out just which sides will find the right balance.

On the eve of last season many people fancied Sam Allardyce’s Newcastle to challenge for Europe but just look what happened to them… and him!

This time around we fancy Newcastle to finish mid-table, which should be enough to see them usurp Blackburn Rovers.

Kevin Keegan’s side are 4/6 to finish ahead of the men from Lancashire (11/10) – who will take time to settle under new gaffer Paul Ince.

One side the Toon Army may struggle to finish above is last season’s over achievers – Portsmouth. Manager Harry Redknapp has realistic hopes of a UEFA Cup spot thanks to the signing of Peter Crouch from Liverpool and we expect them to continue improving.

The south coast side are 8/11 with Newcastle at Evens.

At the top of the table it is no surprise to see a match bet between holders Manchester United and runners-up Chelsea. United look a steal at 8/11 with Chelsea available at Evens.

Felipe Scolari will bring silverware to Chelsea inside two years but his first season in charge has all the makings of a baptism of fire. A settled United side (even without Cristiano Ronaldo) just have the edge on the Londoners.

Click here for football betting