2017-18 EPL: Season Preview & Betting Tips
The English Premier League is often touted to be the best football league of the world and one of the most watched. Not because they boast of mega stars but because the Premier League is very competitive.
Unlike other leagues around the world, there are multiple title contenders and games against bottom sides are no cakewalks. Then there is the little issue of the spending prowess of the English clubs who tower their counterparts from other leagues. We look ahead to the 2017/18 season starting this weekend.
Manchester City – tough to stop
Manchester City should be top of the title contenders’ list this season. Pep Guardiola had a barren season last year at the Etihad and shelled out more than £200 million in acquiring Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Danilo.
Their attack is fearsome with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. Defense is a worry but with Guardiola spending heavy on full-backs, it is expected to be rectified. At odds of $2.80 (Ladbrokes), they are the top contenders.
Can Chelsea repeat Conte’s magic?
Antonio Conte won the league in his first season in England by a huge margin of seven points. To repeat that, it will take a humongous effort from the Blues especially since their squad has not been strengthened to Conte’s liking.
They have brought in Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger but the departures of Nathan Ake, Nemanja Matic and Dominic Solanke leave them thin. But with the likes of Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante, the Blues can never be discarded in the title race. Odds of $4.50 (Ladbrokes) make them second favourites.
Second season record for Mourinho?
Jose Mourinho has a record of winning league titles in his second season at every club he managed – Porto, Chelsea (in both his tenures), Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
But to win the league with United this year, he will need more than luck and records. He has spent more than £100 million for signing Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Matic – with the Serbian midfielder probably their best buy of the season.
United are still a work in progress but expect the Red Devils to stay in title contention. At odds of $5 (Ladbrokes), they are next in line of contenders.
Tottenham – the best of the rest
Sorry Arsene Wenger, but Arsenal do not figure in the list of contenders. It has to be Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool among the rest with a half-decent chance of making a fight for the title.
Harry Kane is arguably the best striker in England at the moment and Spurs have the best defence in the League to go with that. Their only problem is their lack of transfer activity – no signings so far – that could hamper their ability to challenge. Odds of $11 (bet365) make them distant favourites. Liverpool at odds of 13.0 (Ladbrokes) are farther behind and it would be a surprise if they win the title.
Top scorer
This will be another fascinating contest and Kane at odds of $4.33 (Ladbrokes) is the favourite for the ‘Golden Boot’. Just behind him is Lukaku at odds of $5.50 (Ladbrokes) and Aguero at odds of $8 (bet365).
TIP: Manchester City to win the title – $2.80 at Ladbrokes
TIP: Harry Kane top scorer – $4.33 at Ladbrokes
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TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
