The 2018/19 Premier League season gets started on Friday 10th August, with the curtain going up at Old Trafford where Manchester United host Leicester
The 2018/19 Premier League season gets started on Friday 10th August, with the curtain going up at Old Trafford where Manchester United host Leicester in an 8.00pm kick-off. That’ll give fans a taste of what’s to come as week one presents the likes of Newcastle v Tottenham, Huddersfield v Chelsea, Liverpool v West Ham and a top of the bill tussle between Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Cityzens were runaway leaders of the title last season, handing in a scorecard reading 32 wins, four draws and only two defeats. 100 points on the board meant they finished 19 better than nearest finishers and old rivals Manchester United who ended 25-6-7 under the frustrated gaze of star manager Jose Mourinho.
We’re fast approaching the re-start after a summer spent enjoying the World Cup from Russia and traders have put their books together for the coming season with everything available form outright winner, top-four finish, relegation, top goal scorer and much more. There are also lots of special offers including a host of free bets from Timeform, such as a £20 risk-free bet for new customers betting on football.
Here is a closer look at some of the options open to punters this year and the prices currently on show…
Outright betting
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City dominate the betting and after last season’s effort, it’s difficult to argue against the stance taken by bookies in pre-season. The stats make them worthy of their 8/13 price tag and we know there’s money available to spend on bringing in reinforcements during the transfer window but as an average punter could you wait the best part of a year for an odds-on shot to come home? As part of a stacked accumulator maybe but that quote is best suited to the big-hitters with the funds to get huge stakes down. For average players, it’s a case of looking further down the list for a spot of value.
That could come in the shape of Manchester United, who went all out last season but could do no better than second. They are another team with an ambitious board that’ll allow Mourinho to splash the cash and lovers of attractive odds will see the worth in taking the silver medalists at 6/1 a few months down the line. The Special One has a point to prove with fans demanding a major trophy this season, progress in Europe and a league challenge that’s alive until, at least, the latter stages.
Liverpool reached the final of the Champions League and Jurgen Klopp will now aim to carry that form over into the Premier League. They need a new goalkeeper first and foremost and will use a large chunk of their transfer kitty to nail down the number one jersey with the gossip columns putting forward a host of famous faces including Jasper Schmeichel who had a great World Cup. One man who didn’t enjoy the international round was Mo Salah, but he has already proven his worth in England. The Reds are second-favourite at 9/2.
Other names in the frame are Chelsea 11/1, Tottenham 11/1, Arsenal 20/1 and Everton 100/1. Question marks hang over each side on that list but there’s no doubt they’re all good enough to push for Champions League football. Alex from ChelseaFan12 adds “I’m really excited for Chelsea’s new season. We have a strong team and I back our new boss to deliver an exciting season.”
Top-four betting
The race for a top-four finish and Champions League football has never been as competitive or indeed interesting for punters to risk their cash on. London duo Arsenal and Chelsea failed to make the cut last time and, with their mounting operating costs, will know the importance of securing a seat back at Europe’s head table before serious damage is done.
Stay away from the favorites here and look for a plucky underdog who could make a nuisance of themselves in the coming months. The likes of Everton have a budget that suggests they should be involved despite last season’s disappointment and The Toffees to secure a top-four is as big as 25/1. Spurs rate as an interesting runner at 4/5 – perfect for accas – and we have Chelsea at 8/11 and the 9/4 of Arsenal.
Relegation betting
Who will beat the drop and who will be sucked down into the Championship? It’s the race they all want to avoid at all costs, but three teams will go down regardless and it’s a puzzle worth solving with some very nice quotes flying around.
Bookmakers expect Cardiff to drop back into the second tier and have them as 4/5 favorites. Next up is Huddersfield at 5/4, Fulham’s 15/8, the 9/4 of Brighton and 3/1 says Watford will finally sink after a few near misses.
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