Premier League Club by Club Betting Preview - Part 2
Leicester City
Leicester City bounced back to the Premier League at the first time of asking but head into the campaign without the man who led them there - following the departure of Enzo Maresca. Steve Cooper boasts plenty of experience at this level but faces a tough task in successfully implementing a significant change in style – particularly following the loss of Keenan Dewsbury-Hall.
Cooper must work all his magic to keep a young and inexperienced squad afloat. The 2/1 available with BetVictor for Leicester to finish bottom looks solid value as it stands. Should the rumoured points deduction come to pass, that price may soon disappear.
- Recommended Bet - Leicester City to finish bottom @ 2/1 with BetVictor
Liverpool
And so, the post-Klopp era begins at Anfield. Any thoughts that Arne Slot would bring in a host of new faces to fit his system have proved wide of the mark, with Liverpool making a grand total of zero signings so far. Nevertheless, the squad he has at his disposal remains the envy of most and finished third on merit last season.
However, it seems reasonable to expect at least some drop-off from one of the greatest managers in Premier League history, and we are in no rush to back the Reds for a top-four finish at odds on. For betting purposes, we see Harvey Elliott having a big season, with the dynamic 21-year-old ideal for the Slot system. Pre-season suggests he could be in for a starting role, and he’s worth chancing in the top assists market.
- Recommended Bet - Most Premier League Assists: Harvey Elliott each way @ 40/1 with bet365
Manchester City
Another season, another title for City, who head into the 2024/25 campaign seeking a fifth title on the spin. Can anyone stop them? For our money, they are still the most likely to land the title despite Arsenal’s improvement, but with no fewer than 115 alleged financial breeches to answer, they are more vulnerable to a points deduction than most.
With that financial issue in place, we will turn to the player markets. Hitting nine goals in 2021/22, 11 in 2022/23, and 19 in 2023/24, Phil Foden is trending upwards in the goalscorer stakes. Sensational last season, he will look to quickly get back in the groove following a disappointing Euro 2024 and is a decent price to hit the 20-goal mark for the first time.
- Recommended Bet - Phil Foden to score 20+ Premier League Goals @ 5/1 with Betfred
Manchester United
Having opted to stick with Erik ten Hag, the new ownership group has supported their manager in the transfer market. Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui bring a new look to the back line, and Joshua Zirkzee arrives to share the attacking load with Rasmus Hojland. However, the side still lack the lethal frontman that epitomised their glory years. Only the 15th-best side in the league, according to xG, United overperformed to finish eighth and are far from certain to improve on that position.
- Recommended Bet - Manchester United to finish outside the top 6 @ 5/4 with William Hill
Newcastle United
2023/24 saw the Magpies suffer an inevitable hangover following their unexpected Champion’s League qualification. Nevertheless, Newcastle were the fourth-best side in the league, according to xG, despite suffering an injury-ravaged campaign. Thus far, the transfer window has lacked any fireworks, but – barring any late shocks – the club have held on to their key men in Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, and Alexander Isak. Far healthier this season and with fewer games to contend with, a settled Newcastle side looks overpriced to reclaim their top 4 position.
- Recommended Bet - Newcastle to finish in the Top 4 @ 2/1 with bet365
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest just coped with their points deduction when confirming their survival on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign. On their level of performance, they were a few places better than that 17th-place finish and will expect to improve following a solid transfer window - with Elliott Anderson the headline arrival from Newcastle. The lack of a new centre forward is a slight concern, but Chris Wood fits the system well and reliably hits 10-15 per season. 13th in the xG table last term, Forest possibly aren’t as unlikely to scrape a top-half finish as the odds suggest.
- Recommended Bet - Nottingham Forest to finish in the top half @ 7/1 with William Hill
Southampton
Southampton are clear favourites to fare best of the promoted clubs despite finishing behind both Leicester City and Ipswich Town last term. Even accounting for Leicester’s yet-to-be-confirmed points deduction, that doesn’t feel quite right. Southampton lack a proven centre forward at this level, while the defence barely coped with the challenge of the Championship. We expect the Saints to go down, but predictably, there is little value in that market.
For a bet, turn to the top team goalscorer market. Two seasons in the Premier League provides evidence that Adam Armstrong won’t score consistently at this level, whilst Ben Brereton-Diaz failed to notch in 14 La Liga outings for Villarreal. It may not take many goals to win this, so take a chance on the improving Samuel Edozie, who scored 6 times from 16 starts last season and has 3 in 10 for the England Under 20 side.
- Recommended Bet - Samuel Edozie top Southampton Goalscorer @ 10/1 with William Hill
Tottenham Hotspur
Despite fading to finish fifth after a lighting-quick start, Spurs made significant strides in Ange Postecoglou’s first season. Following the arrival of hitman Dominik Solanke, the North Londoners can reasonably expect to be in the top four mix.
The ex-Bournemouth man is odds-on to top score for Spurs, but Son Heung-Min may run him close. One man who should benefit more than most from Solanke's arrival is James Maddison. Spurs No. 10 experienced an up-and-down 2023/24 campaign but still chipped in with nine assists in 30 games – only four behind league leader Ollie Watkins. With a reliable predator in the box, Maddison’s creativity may reap greater rewards this year.
- Recommended Bet - James Maddison most Premier League assists each way @ 25/1 with bet365
West Ham United
West Ham United are the most intriguing side ahead of the current season. Last year's 9th-placed finishers head into the season with a new man at the helm in Julen Lopetegui and a host of exciting signings, headlines by Niclas Fullkrug, Max Kilman, Aaraon Wan-Bissaka, Crysensio Summerville, and talented 18-year-old Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.
That all adds up to an attractive package in our eyes, and, having got a taste for the league during his short stay at Molineux, the shrewd Lopetegui may soon have the Hammers performing above market expectations.
- Recommended Bet - West Ham (+34) to win Season Handicap Market @ 12/1 with bet365
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Gary O’Neill fared better than many expected last term to guide Wolves to a comfortable 14th-placed finish. However, the form of the side dropped off markedly after Christmas, seeing the men from Molineux end the season fourth bottom on the xG standings. That’s a concerning downward trend, particularly as Wolves have lost defensive lynchpin Max Kilman and the excellent Pedro Neto in the transfer window.
Facing Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester City in the space of their first eight games, Wolves could soon find themselves under pressure. Don’t be surprised if O’Neill is the first to feel the wrath of the Premier League owners.
- Recommended Bet - Gary O’Neill to win the sack race @ 20/1 with William Hill
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