Just one month into the 2021/22 EPL season, and the markets have given the best indicator yet that this year’s title race is a four-horse race.
Is it took early to say that only four clubs can win the 2021/22 EPL title? Not according to the markets.
Just four games into the season, and a huge gap has emerged between the haves and have-nots this year. And while the league’s wealth divide usually dictates a chasm between the bigger and smaller clubs, this season has exposed it very early on. And that is this: The current fourth-favourites for the title with Palmerbet, Manchester United, are at $7.50. The next best, fifth-favourites Tottenham, are way back at $76. Beyond that, it’s Everton at $151 and Leciester/West Ham both at $226.
The contenders are clear this EPL season.
A four-horse race for the 2021-22 Premier League title 🐴🐴🐴🐴 pic.twitter.com/ILqeKMVARo
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 23, 2021
Chelsea, Man United enter the fray
In truth, it’s been a long time since the title race has had this many contenders.
The past four seasons have been dominated (at the top of the tree) by either Manchester City or Liverpool. This was perhaps best underlined in 2018/19, when City (98 points) and the Reds (97 points) were a staggering 25 points ahead of third. But two clubs have closed the gap in recent times. And now, both Chelsea and United have entered the race. As it stands, Pep Guardiola’s men remain the $2.00 favourites, ahead of Chelsea at $3.10 and Liverpool at $6. United round out the top four, at $7.50.
Am I right to assume the Premier League is a four horse race? Long time since we could say that.
— Graeme Bandeira (@GraemeBandeira) August 27, 2021
Blues close gap
Interestingly, it’s Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side who have made early headway this EPL season. After starting as $5.50 hopes, the early season form of this year’s Champions League winners is ominous. Their form has also seen City lengthen slightly, from their $1.67 pre-season favouritism. Most importantly, the signing of Romelu Lukaku has been a godsend at Stamford Bridge. Four goals in his first four starts back at the club has shown what difference a leading man can make to a club’s title hopes. Lukaku is now Palmerbet’s $3.60 favourite to finish as this season’s EPL Top Scorer.
🗣"He is goals."
Graeme Souness still thinks that Chelsea are one of the title favourites due to having Romelu Lukaku. pic.twitter.com/KnHSREO2DP
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 11, 2021
“Four best teams in the world”?
The strength of the EPL this season is undeniable. In fact, United legend Gary Neville thinks it’s better than ever. “I don’t think I’ve seen, in Premier League history, four teams as good as the top four we’ve got at the moment. And I don’t think I’ve seen the Premier League this good in terms of quality,” Neville said on Sky Sports this week.
“We could have the four best teams in the whole world at this moment in time. Liverpool’s first XI, if they can keep that fit, is possibly the best XI in the Premier League. And Liverpool aren’t even being talked about at the moment. City’s team is exceptional, Chelsea are strong like you wouldn’t believe, and Man Utd with the addition of Ronaldo, Sancho and Varane are going to be right in there amongst it. We’ve never truly had a title race of four teams, this could be a massive ding-dong this season.”
In Palmerbet’s ‘Name the Top 4’ EPL market, the Man City/Chelsea/Liverpool/Man Utd quadruple is currently $1.67.
🗣 "This is absolutely top level."
Gary Neville says we could be in for a genuine four-team title race and believes that the current Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea teams could be the best PL sides ever. pic.twitter.com/DgTYooDRcl
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2021
(*Prices correct at 12pm Thursday September 2)
