High-flying Forest now more fancied than United

Taking a punt on who will win the Premier League is a firm favourite among football and sports betting fans. And with a host of new sportsbooks offering competitive odds and special offers to new players, there’s always an opportunity to back your pick to lift the trophy come May.

With the second international break of the season here, it seems as good a time as any to take a look at the current odds and cast a look back at what has changed since before the season started. We are barely a quarter of the way in, and there have been some huge changes already, with Liverpool and Manchester United among the biggest movers, although not for the same reasons.

Manchester City

The pre-season favourites are still the favourites, but only just. Having become the first team to win four titles in a row, and with no significant weakening of the squad over the summer, it was no surprise to see City head the odds list before the season began. And despite some disappointing performances and results, that’s where Pep Guardiola’s side stay, just about. Pre-season odds of around 11/10 have drifted slightly to 6/4, suggesting it won’t be as easy to secure a fifth consecutive title as many expected. 

Liverpool

Liverpool have been the biggest movers up. Starting the season as third favourites at odds of around 7/1, Arne Slot’s side are now right behind City as around 7/4. That is justice for a magnificent start to the season which has seen the Reds lose only one game. Quite something considering this is the Dutchman’s first campaign in the hotseat at Anfield.

Arsenal

Second favourites in the summer, Arsenal have drifted thanks to some pretty average form. Injuries have not helped Mikel Arteta’s team, but whereas the bookies had the Gunners firmly placed as City’s nearest challengers in August, at odds of 15/8, the Londoners are now stretching out at 10/3. Still early doors of course, and a few people could be left with egg on their faces, but a first Arsenal title in over 20 years does seem much less likely now than it did just a few weeks ago.

Chelsea 

Chelsea saw their odds sitting around 20/1 at the start of the season, which seemed fair. A couple of tumultuous seasons under different coaches, as well as a massive churn on players, meant that consistency was seriously lacking at the Bridge. Another new coach – Enzo Maresca – was in place, but the team still boasted incredible talent, led by Cole Palmer. And a pretty good start to the season has seen the Blues’ odds come in to around 16/1. Signs that the side is moving in the right direction.

Tottenham

Spurs have been right on the money. That is, everyone expected them to be inconsistent, certainly too inconsistent to lead a title charge, and that has proved to be the case. Good results have been backed up by bad, so while Ange Postecoglou’s side started at around 33/1 to land a first title in living memory, those odds have stretched to 40/1. A top four finish looks like the best the Londoners can hope for, but their standing at fifth in this list proves that will be a tough ask.

Aston Villa

Villa started the season with much excitement, facing the prospect of a first Champions League campaign in the club’s history, and first in Europe’s elite cup competition since winning it back in 1982. How the Villains would balance that European adventure with their league form was always the big question, and so it has been no surprise to see some struggles. The team still sit at around 100/1 to win the league, but that’s double the odds of before the season started.

Newcastle

A funny season for Newcastle so far has seen stellar home form undermined by travel sickness. Pre-season odds of 25/1 were probably generous, but reflective of no European football. The fact now that Eddie Howe’s men are around 150/1 shows what a disappointing start to the season it has been for the Magpies.

Manchester United

The big losers. The Old Trafford side started the campaign at odds of around 25/1 – the same as Newcastle. The fact the side have replaced their manager and find themselves at currently 200/1 tells the story of a pretty dismal campaign. Will things improve under new coach Rúben Amorim?

Big climbers

The biggest climbers have been surprise package Nottingham Forest. Odds before the season of 1000/1 have been replaced by 150/1, reflecting a brilliant start. 

Stayed the same

Bournemouth have claimed some big scallops this season, but with a proportion of the campaign gone, have inevitably seen their odds drift. So too Fulham, Brighton and Brentford. But reasons to be positive for all these teams

The losers

Poor starts for West Ham and Crystal Palace have seen pre-season optimism replaced by a more pragmatic set of odds – both teams are at around 1000/1 now and are more realistic relegation contenders. As are Wolves and Everton, plus the three promoted sides of Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester, who have all endured tough starts.