20 rounds into the 2023/24 EPL season, and it’s Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham at the top of the table.
BetDeluxe takes an in-depth look at the best bets for this season’s title.
Manchester City
$1.67
Despite currently trailing Liverpool and Aston Villa in the EPL rankings, the market hasn’t budged in its view of Manchester City as they attempt to make it four consecutive titles and six in seven years.
After a shakier-than-expected start to the season that would have had many favourite backers nervous, Pep Guardiola’s men have steadied the ship with three wins and a postponement from their past four games.
While victories over Sheffield United & Everton are hardly enough to warrant $1.67 favouritism, City’s dominant form at Club World Cup & FA Cup level has silenced enough doubt that arose from late November/early December when they drew Liverpool (1-1) and Tottenham (3-3) and lost to Villa (1-0).
Most importantly, they’ve started winning games again without star striker Erling Haaland. The Norwegian international has been sidelined with a foot injury since City’s 2-1 win over Luton Town in early December. However, it still leads the EPL for goals alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (14).
With Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Haaland carefully working their way back into Pep’s side, the short-priced quote won’t go anywhere soon.
Liverpool
$3.25
With 13 wins and six draws from their opening 20 games, one could argue there’s a fair bit of value to be found with Liverpool at $3.25.
The Reds are chasing their first title since 2019-20, and they couldn’t be better placed midway through the season. Jürgen Klopp has led his side to 45 points on the back of just one loss, and they sit comfortably above the chasing pack: Villa (42), City (40), Arsenal (40) and Tottenham (39).
A 4-2 victory over Newcastle last week solidified the Reds’ spot in the driver’s seat, with Mo Salah taking the wheel, slotting two goals and moving to 14 for the season.
Klopp’s defense has been the key to Liverpool’s success, with a League-leading 18 goals against and six clean sheets for Alisson Becker.
If defense truly does win championships, $3.25 might be the best you get for the Reds from here until the end of the season.
Arsenal
$8
Can the Gunners bounce back from their current form slump and make a run at the title?
That’s the question facing last season’s runners-up after they lost two League matches in a row to West Ham (2-0) and Fulham (2-1) before going down to the Reds in the third round of the FA Cup (2-0).
Mikel Arteta, who is under pressure for the first time this season, will be waiting on the results of a knee injury to Brazilian striker, Gabriel Jesus, after he missed their FA Cup outing against Liverpool. Whether it’s a long-term issue is unclear, but the Gunners might be on the lookout for another striker in the January transfer window.
Ranked seventh for goals, equal-fourth for clean sheets (David Raya), and with William Saliba and Declan Rice both in the top 10 for passing, the all-round quality of Arsenal should not yet be discounted.
Aston Villa
$20
The surprise packet of the 2023/24 season to date, Aston Villa are taking their fans on the ride of a lifetime with 13 wins and 42 points from their first 20 games.
Back-to-back wins over Manchester City (1-0) and Arsenal (1-0) in the early part of December highlighted the improvement of Unai Emery’s unit after the team managed just 18 wins for the season last year.
Ollie Watkins has been the star of the show with nine goals (7th) and eight assists (1st), while Douglas Luiz and Leon Bailey has netted six goals each.
Having last tasted EPL success in 1980-81, Villa would certainly be the popular result among unbiased fans. And at $20, it’s a great price to find out.
