Three value picks in the Premier League outright markets
Published:
International break is chance to consider
The Premier League is taking a back seat while international sides make their last efforts to bag a spot in next summer’s World Cup.
But they’re seven games in to the 2017-18 domestic campaign and plenty of patterns have started to emerge.
It appears that both Manchester teams are set to run away with it, with Chelsea perhaps the only side capable of getting anywhere near them.
Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will battle for fourth, leaving the rest scrapping for the mid-table placings.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t still value to be had.
Here are three selections worth thinking about before domestic duty resumes next weekend…
Top at Christmas – Man City @ 8/15
There’s nothing to choose between the Red and Blue halves of Manchester, but the fixture list will have a major say in the opening half of the campaign.
Over the next six weeks, Jose Mourinho must take his men on away trips to Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. A home tie with Spurs also awaits.
Contrast that with Pep Guardiola’s Citizens, whose only top-six opponent in that spell is a home game with Arsenal.
United could recoup ground with a win at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby on December 9, but it’s quite likely that City will be too far ahead by that point.
Betting without the top six – Watford @ 9/1
Behind the top six, this season’s battle is already shaping up to be fierce. A fine P7 awaits, but who will it be?
It was Everton’s by a comfortable margin last season, but this time around Ronald Koeman’s side just can’t get going.
That opens the door to Watford. The Hornets boast an excellent manager in Marco Silva, don’t have any European commitments to worry about and have a strong squad.
They switched off against Man City but that was Watford’s sole defeat this term.
There’s plenty of pace and power in the Vicarage Road side, with Nathaniel Chalobah, Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure just three of a number of players making a strong impression in Hertfordshire.
Top-half finish – Burnley @ 3/1
Another angle in the tight middle order is a top-half finish for Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
The Clarets boast squad unity and a team ethos that is arguably unmatched by any other side in the table.
After avoiding relegation from the Premier League for the first time last season, the Lancashire outfit are really consolidating themselves this time around.
They sit sixth in the table, losing just once. And incredibly they’ve already picked up a win and two draws from trips to Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Everton, Southampton, West Ham United and Leicester City are all struggling badly this season, while Burnley’s united front is really paying dividend. A top-half finish must be the aim now at Turf Moor.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
