With the 2024 European Championships concluded, it’s time to shift focus to the upcoming domestic football season and explore potential early betting opportunities.
Last season was quite revealing, with Arsenal giving Manchester City a serious challenge, ultimately losing the league by just two points. This sets the stage for an intriguing new season.
Currently, Manchester City has some betting value, with odds of 13/10 available from both Paddy Power and Betfair. Given City’s consistent performance, these odds might be worth considering unless they experience an unexpectedly poor start.
Arsenal presents a slightly more attractive option, with odds of 2/1 from various bookmakers like Sky Bet, Unibet, and BetUK.
Beyond the leading contenders, odds begin to lengthen, and perhaps for good reason. Liverpool, the third favorite, is offered at 8/1 by Ladbrokes, LiveScoreBet, and Betway. However, this seems tight given the managerial change, with Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp, and key players like Mohamed Salah aging, which might hinder their title challenge.
Chelsea stands out as an interesting option at 20/1 with bookmakers such as Bet365, 888sport, and Vbet. While not expected to win the league, they offer decent each-way value. New manager Enzo Maresca, who successfully led Leicester City back to the Premier League, might bring a positive change. Despite a hefty expenditure on players and the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea showed promise towards the end of last season.
Considering these factors, two bets seem promising: Manchester City to win the league outright at 13/10, and Chelsea each-way at 20/1. For the latter, betting each way means half your stake goes on them winning, and the other half on them finishing second. If Chelsea wins, you could return £144 from a £10 stake, while finishing second would still yield £44.
Additionally, Bet365 offers a “Premier League winner without Manchester City” market, where Chelsea is available at 11/1.
Before placing any season-long bets, it’s wise to check for any available betting offers. Websites like Free Bets UK provide free bet opportunities, which can be beneficial.
Other interesting betting markets include the top-six finish. Bet365 and BetVictor offer odds, with Newcastle at 8/13 looking strong due to their lack of European commitments, and Aston Villa at 11/8 despite potential strain from Champions League football. Combining these in a double bet at 2.86/1 could provide good value.
On the relegation front, Leicester City is the favorite to drop at 1/2 with Betfred and Sky Bet, though this offers little value. Southampton, at 6/4 with BetVictor, might be worth a bet, considering their precarious position. For a more speculative bet, Brentford at 5/1 with BetVictor could be interesting, especially if they lose key player Ivan Toney.
Lastly, for the FA Cup, Newcastle United stands out with 16/1 odds at BetVictor. Without European distractions, they could focus on securing silverware, making them a compelling option.
As always, gamble responsibly, enjoy the upcoming season, and let betting enhance rather than overshadow your enjoyment.
