Manchester City favourites for the title among “top-six”
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Pep Guardiola’s side lead Man Utd and Chelsea in title betting
The Premier League title picture is beginning to look a lot clearer. With three games gone and the transfer window now closed, it’s possible to evaluate the main contenders.
Manchester City and Manchester United head the market. Current champions Chelsea are third ahead of Tottenham and Liverpool. Meanwhile, Arsenal are now the big outsiders following a dismal start to the season.
With the Premier League set to resume this weekend the Coral News Team takes a look at how the main contenders are shaping up.
Manchester City
The Citizens are slowly gelling into an impressive attacking unit. Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero are growing as a duo with every game. And with a supply line that includes Kevin de Bruyne, Bernado Silva and Leroy Sane they’re not short of creativity.
Defensively is where the argument for City falls down. They have improved at the back from last season, no doubt. But with new signings comes new issues. And taking time to adapt is not an excuse when Pep Guardiola has spent over £130m on restocking the backline.
They’ve coped well so far but there are bigger tests to come. Coral have City at 5/4 to win the league.
Manchester United
Manchester United have been mesmeric thus far. They sit atop the table with maximum points, 10 goals scored and not one conceded. It doesn’t get better than that.
Nemanja Matic’s arrival from Chelsea was the turning point for Jose Mourinho’s men. His move allowed the midfield to recalibrate which lets Paul Pogba get forward to support United’s supreme attacking talents. Like City however, it’s defensively where the Red Devils could have issues.
Leicester were handed chances at Old Trafford before the international break but failed to take them. Against better opposition they won’t be so lucky. At 11/5 to win the title they’re the team to beat on current form.
Chelsea
Last season’s title winners had a transfer window to forget. Manager Antonio Conte missed out on several key targets. He also has the spectre of Diego Costa still hanging over his head.
Chelsea still possess significant quality, though. Eden Hazard is yet to return while Pedro has not yet completed a full 90 minutes. They’re also the strongest side defensively in the league. And in Conte the Blues have arguably the best manager in the division.
All of those factors add up to make Chelsea a 5/1 shout.
Tottenham Hotspur
There’s then a gap in the betting to Tottenham who are 11/1 with Coral. Spurs are a strong unit as a team. They have one of the best goalscorers in Harry Kane, a sound centre-half partnership and a fantastic balance in the midfield.
But it’s their temporary home for this season that weighs down their credentials. Spurs don’t like playing at Wembley and it shows. If they can fix that then another title tilt could be on.
Liverpool
Philippe Coutinho’s future may be up in the air but Liverpool’s title hopes remain sure. The Reds are 11/1 with Coral to lift their first top-flight crown since 1990.
They lacked the squad depth to challenge last year. And that deficiency could come home to roost again this time round. They’re strong going forward but a defence that conceded three on the opening day at Watford remains an issue.
Arsenal
The Gunners are almost out of the running after just three games. They’re insecure at the back and they can’t impose themselves in midfield.
Question marks also hang over Arsene Wenger’s suitability to lead the North Londoners. With so much uncertainty after two defeats in three games it’s hard to see the Gunners launching a title bid at 25/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
