Can Shearer inspire the Magpies this season? MAGPIES BEST By Bruce Millington, Racing Post Bet Direct have presented punters with a new dimension on Premiership betting by issuing prices on which team will fare best excluding the so-called big five. This welcome innovation is sure to appeal to those who were unenthusiastic about the top flight on the grounds that Manchester United are likely winners but are unappealing at odds-on. In a list that does not contain the champions, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leeds or Chelsea, Bet Direct reckon Newcastle are the team to beat, quoting Bobby Robson's side at 3-1. Aston Villa are next in at 7-2 followed by Tottenham at 4-1. But the early money has apparently been for West Ham. Bet Direct's Stuart Baker said: The Hammers opened at 10-1 but are now 8-1 after good money including a bet of #2,000 each-way. Explaining the origins of the market, Baker added: With the Premiership book beginning to resemble that of the Scottish Premier League we have decided to give the outsiders something to aim at. Only eight points separated the top eight teams in this best of the rest section last term, and with West Ham having been only three points behind `winners' Aston Villa, it is not surprising that Bet Direct have seen support for Harry Redknapp's team. Bet Direct to win Premiership without Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds, Liverpool & Man Utd: 3 Newcastle , 7-2 Aston Villa, 4 Tottenham, 8 Sunderland, West Ham, 10 Everton, Middlesbrough, 20 Leicester, Man City, Charlton, 33 Coventry, Derby, Southampton, 66 Bradford, Ipswich. Each-way 1/4 odds 1,2,3.
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-- Anonymous, August 07, 2000