Who will finish top of the 2016/17 Premier League table?

John Stones: Keeps Diego Costa at bay

John Stones: Keeps Diego Costa at bay

With the Premier League fast approaching the busy festive programme, we’ve taken a look at the runners and riders for glory come next May.

With the English Premier League rapidly approaching the busy Christmas period, the table is shaping up nicely with the pre-season bookies’ favourites all still in contention with the notable exception of Manchester United. Following a blistering start to the season, Manchester City have shown themselves to be human in recent weeks and it is Chelsea who have steadily gained the upper hand at the top of the table. Just four points separate the top four clubs and the eventual league Champions are more than likely to be one of those four with fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur still in with a small shout.

Chelsea

Champions of two seasons ago, Chelsea began the season as 6/1 chances to win the title but drifted out to 20/1 following a quiet start to the campaign. However, the Londoners have been quietly building up a head of steam and now occupy top spot and are the new favourites to lift the Premier League trophy next May at just 5/4. On current form the Blues are worthy of their position at the top of the betting and possess some world class players in Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.

The biggest problem for Chelsea might be an over dependence on those two players and any long-term injury or suspension for either or both could be disastrous. Worthy favourites and a top two finish at the very least looks fairly certain.

Manchester City

One-time odds-on favourites, Manchester City have faltered in recent weeks and dropped points where least expected. There may be no such thing as a one-man team but Manchester City rely on Sergio Aguero for the bulk of their goals and if the Argentinean superstar fails to score then City struggle.

With a busy Christmas schedule coming up and Aguero now out with a four game suspension, it will be interesting to see how well City will fare without him. Currently 5/2 second favourites, Manchester City could still be a good bet for the title although it would be better to wait until January to see how the loss of Aguero has affected the team and where they are in the league table.

Liverpool

Having started the season as 10/1 shots, Liverpool began the campaign on a high if the defeat at Burnley can be ignored. A string of notable results saw the Merseysiders shorten to as low as 5/2 second favourites but last weekend’s unforgiveable 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth has the doubters out in force once again. Influential midfielder and playmaker Phillipe Coutinho will be absent until January and will be a big loss to Liverpool.

Manager Jurgen Klopp remains adamant that the Reds are still a potent force and the lack of European involvement this season will benefit Liverpool’s push for a first title in almost thirty years. A work in progress perhaps but, if Liverpool can leave that Bournemouth defeat behind them and get back to winning ways, a title bid is still very much on at reasonable odds of 4/1.

Arsenal

Most pundits agree that on their day Arsenal play some of the best football in the Premier League but still look a player or two short of being title winners. Up front, Alexis Sanchez is a class act and scoring well this season but the team may be over-reliant on the Chilean striker.

Defence and midfield look solid enough but the Gunners still seem a bit short up front and it might pay for Arsene Wenger to spend some of his Christmas money on another top class striker to join Sanchez. 7/1 shots for the title but a top four finish would seem to be about as good as it gets for Arsenal this season.

Tottenham

Currently fifth in the table but seven points behind leaders Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur are still in the hunt but have a tendency to draw too many games. One defeat in fourteen league games reads well but the points dropped in six drawn games will be difficult to make up.

On the plus side for Spurs is the fact that Harry Kane has rediscovered his scoring touch but, basically playing alone up front, the England striker cannot carry his team to the title on his own. At this point, Spurs winning the title looks unlikely and is quoted at around 20/1 but, as with fellow Londoners Arsenal, a top four finish would be a good outcome for the season.

Summary of Betting Tips

Premier League Winners 2017

  1. Liverpool
  2. Chelsea
  3. Manchester City
  4. Arsenal