The betting odds don’t lie. That’s what we can conclude after runaway title favourites Manchester City and Liverpool smashed their opponents on the opening weekend of the 2019-20 English Premier League season.
City and Liverpool were both heavily backed in EPL title betting during the pre-season, with Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal well adrift. The two favourites both opened their Premier League seasons with a bang during the first round of matches – and their odds have tightened as a result.
At the beginning of last season, all of the big six were considered genuine EPL title contenders. But the balance of power shifted heavily in favour of Man City and Liverpool in a lopsided 2018-19 Premier League season, and those two teams are dominating 2019-20 betting markets as a result.
City, Liverpool Open EPL Season with Big Wins
Manchester City and Liverpool came into the season as the clear EPL title favourites, with City paying better than even money and Liverpool around 4/1 to win the Premier League. Of the other big six teams, only Spurs, at around 16/1, were given a realistic chance of winning the 2019-20 Premier League.
If sportsbooks were already pricing in a Man City or Liverpool title win in pre-season, the odds are set to shorten even further. On matchday one, Man City defeated West Ham 5-0 at London’s Olympic Stadium, and it could have been 6-0 if not for an unlucky VAR decision. Liverpool were almost as dominant in a 4-1 home win over Norwich. The Reds led 4-0 by half-time and appeared to put the cue in the rack in the second half.
How Have Opening Day Wins Affected Premier League Odds?
As mentioned, City and Liverpool’s strong starts to this season have caused bookmakers to tighten their odds even further. The likes of bet365 and Paddy Power are now paying as low as 2/5 for City to win the EPL title, while Liverpool have firmed to 3/1 in English Premier League title betting. Fans can go here to learn how to claim no deposit free bets and bet on City or Liverpool for the premiership.
Meanwhile, the other members of the big six have blown out to long odds as a result of City and Liverpool’s early dominance. Spurs may have enjoyed a win on matchday one but they are paying around 20/1 to win the English Premier League title. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are all paying between 33/1 to 50/1, depending on which bookmaker is we’re talking about.
What About the Teams with Long Odds?
It was only three years ago Leicester City won the 2015-16 English Premier League after starting the season 5,000/1 underdogs. Millions of football fans around the world are still holding out hope of seeing another minnow win the EPL, but the truth is times have changed – and it’s hard to see anyone breaking the dominance of the top two – let alone the top six.
With that said, not all minnows are the same, and a few mid-table teams will be hoping to cause a surprise. If Manchester City and Liverpool do suffer a form slump, the following teams may firm in EPL odds: Everton and Wolves, currently 150/1 to 200/1, miracle makers Leicester, 200/1 to 250/1, West Ham, out to 500/1 after their thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, and Newcastle, around 750/1 to 1,000/1.
Who’s at the bottom of the pack? After the opening round, it’s newly promoted Sheffield United and Norwich City, who are both paying around 2,000/1 to 2,500/1 at the best online bookmakers.
Tags: Arsenal TV Online, Chelsea, English Premier League, EPL, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham
