Can there be another first-time Premier League winner? Four outsider trophy tips
Holly Thackeray | August 12, 2016
Four potential first time Premier League winners
Leicester City turned the English top tier on its head last term, as the Foxes fairytale enthralled the football globe for a whole season and amazingly ended in silverware.
Of course, Leicester had never lifted a top-flight title before, and broke the monopoly of both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal by doing so, as the first since Blackburn Rovers back in 1995 to buck the trend.
So, Coral experts ask: Can their be another first time Premier League winner? Fantastic odds of 4/1 with us say there can be.
Here are our four potential title clinching underdog suggestions worth an outside punt. Remember the fantastic Foxes were priced as long as 5000/1 by us back in the 2015/16 pre-season, so you never know…
Liverpool
The Reds have been on a roller coaster since they last lifted the top tier trophy, in 1990 before the Premier League era began, but this could be their best shot since they finished second by an agonising two points to Manchester City in 2014.
With Jurgen Klopp, a proven Bundesliga title-winning boss, entering his second season at the helm there should be huge improvements in alignment with significant spending.
A cool £36m was spent on snaring Sadio Mane from Southampton, while Georginio Wijnaldum has also been added for a pretty penny. The pair notched 12 league goals apiece last term which should add extra edge to the attacking ranks and, as Liverpool were only five goals shy of eventual champions Leicester’s tally in the previous campaign, this can only boost their credentials.
So, with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge already regular goal threats that just leaves defence to consider – and solid centre back Joel Matip’s arrival, though not as flashy on a free transfer, should not be underestimated in its importance.
Is this finally their year then? With no real pressure on the Reds, Liverpool are an awesome 8/1 to bring the Anfield crowd a first PL-era crown.
Tottenham
Surprisingly, despite their impressive efforts to finish third last term, Spurs are even better value than the Reds, with excellent odds of 9/1 for Tottenham to be champions.
The year of 1961 was the last time the Londoners enjoyed title success, but all that could well change under ambitious Argentine tactician Mauricio Pochettino.
We’ve heard “you can’t win anything with kids” before, and Tottenham can be the latest team to prove Alan Hansen wrong as their young, energetic squad took the league by storm on their last attempt.
Spurs have only strengthened since, signing striker Vincent Janssen to share the goal burden with Harry Kane and Victor Wanyama to shore up midfield alongside Eric Dier and Dele Alli.
West Ham United
What better way for the Hammers to celebrate their lucrative move to the Olympic Stadium than by ending the term with a PL title?
We know Slaven Bilic’s boys can beat the big guns, now all they need to do is iron out their inconsistencies. Having managed to retain star players Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini, as well as add shrewd signings Andre Ayew and Sofiane Feghouli, West Ham could very well be this season’s surprise darlings.
At 80/1 to win the whole thing, the Hammers are ripe for being punters’ outside shout, with perhaps even more new additions to arrive in East London.
Everton
Last but not least we have Everton who, after investment, are finally loosening the purse strings. John Stones may have been sold but the Toffees are arguably stronger in the short-term for replacing the youngster with inspirational Wales skipper Ashley Williams.
New coach Ronald Koeman has also proven his Premier League pedigree and should have the Merseyside ship much tighter in defence than predecessor Roberto Martinez.
Former Aston Villa engine room operator Idrissa Gueye is another who has joined the Toffees revolution, with further spending rumoured to be close.
Add those fresh faces to an already strong spine (barring any more sales) boasting talents such as Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku – and that is one cracking core of players for Koeman to work with.
Everton are rather under the radar at 80/1 for Premier League trophy success, but that could work in customers’ favour.
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