Features
The race is still on at the top and bottom of the table
We take a look at the Premier League title race, the fight for the top four and the battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.
In any league, if one club races ahead and builds up an adequate point differential between themselves and their opponents, it is considered as a definite and clear advantage for winning the title. Supposedly, the higher class of the coach, the players and the team as a whole, justify such a concept. However, it does not mean that the situation cannot be reversed. Especially when one or more of the contenders are just as good and have spare matches to play (spare being those matches that had been postponed during the time they were scheduled to be played). Consequently, any and all odds offered for the specific championship, reflect the circumstances and remain competitive. Which makes the need to have them all in one place through a sports betting software, an imperative.
A renewed interest
Up to last Saturday, Manchester City did enjoy the aforementioned advantage. They were 9 points ahead and seemed unstoppable. However, Harry Kane had other ideas. At the Etihad of all places, he saw fit to score twice (a third one was disallowed through VAR) and play a magnificent game overall, leading Tottenham to a precious 3-2 away victory. The result gives to all English Premier League bets a new value.
Now, Manchester City lead with 63 points, only 6 in front of chasers Liverpool on 57. The Reds have a spare match to play against Leeds United, which, if they win, will close the gap to just 3 points. This will be settled on Wednesday and it is a setting that makes the confrontation between the two on April 9 at the Etihad, probably the event that will determine this season’s champion. The previous encounter ended with a 2 – 2 draw, but Liverpool will be desperate to secure victory at City to blow the title race wide open.
The bottom of the table
It’s a matter of habit to always see the top of the standings. However, the Premier League relegation odds may be even more interesting and with an even greater value. Seven clubs of more or less equal potential, stand between 17 and 24 points. It might have been expected at the beginning of the season to see teams like Brentford, Newcastle United, Watford, Burnley and Norwich City in that position.
Perhaps not so many expected Everton and Leeds United to be fighting relegation. Based on their performances of last season, one would expect them to at least be competing for one of the last tickets for a European competition. Instead, they are fighting not to play in the Championship next season. Taking under consideration that Burnley have four postponed games, the Toffees another three and the others two each (except Brentford), the situation is bound to change radically.
It’s no longer big 6
At the beginning of the season Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham were expected to make it difficult for the 2 leaders. However, Chelsea have dropped off after a great start, Tottenham are a massive 24 points behind, United is a synonym for inconsistency while Arsenal are improving but still well off the pace. The inconsistent form of the three giants has allowed West Ham and Wolves to stand a chance of grabbing one of the precious tickets for Europa or Europa Conference leagues.
Leicester City and Aston Villa have also disappointed – although the latter have improved since Steven Gerrard took over. Brighton, Southampton and Crystal Palace are more or less where they were expected to be. In the middle of the table. All of the above, 30 points or more behind the leaders. The Premier League is supposed to be the best championship in the world because all of the clubs involved are of top class. As such, it was expected to be more closely contested. Yet, the standings show exactly the opposite.
Conclusion
There are still plenty of fixtures left to change things but as it stands, Man City and Liverpool are well ahead of the chasing pack. The race for the top four looks set to go to the wire while the relegation fight is as tense as ever. Given all the uncertainty, Opening an account at the best betting software under these conditions provides the best chance of making your bets the most profitable.