With Manchester City locked in as the 4/7 favorite to win the Premier League, there is a couple of value plays in picking a possible team to upset the powerhouse, such as Liverpool at 5/1 or Chelsea at 10/1. The better wagers for gamblers, however, might be the myriad of proposition bets.
Oddsmakers have listed everything from predicting the correct order of the top three teams, to those finishing in the bottom half of the league, to the season goal-scoring leader.
Below we take a look at some of the more popular prop bets, and give some thoughts on what ones might make sense to make before the season begins on August 10.
Can Arsenal Crack Top 4?
Arsenal had their worst finish under outgoing 22-year-manager Arsene Wenger, finishing sixth. Can they climb back up the standings in the 2018-2019 season?
Sportsbooks aren’t so sure. Most have them as a 2/1 pick to be in the top 4 at the end of the season, though William Hill is offering 9/4 odds. New manager Unai Emery is eager to load up on attackers, and has made some signings. He might be looking for one more before the August 9 deadline, but has played it coy with the media.
“We signed the players who we needed and only if one player is a big opportunity for us will we sign them,” Emery said. “At the moment, I think the squad is complete.”
Can Manchester United Finish Second?
There are many unanswered personnel questions for Manchester United, but if manager Jose Mourinho can answer them, taking the club to finish ahead of projected second-place Liverpool is a good value bet at 3/1. So far, however, fans are unimpressed with Mourinho’s changes.
The squad needs more depth, and might get it with Andreas Pereira, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe, all of whom return after being on loan last season.
Mourinho should get an idea of what he is working with as his club begins a five-game tour of contestes in the United States beginning on Thursday. The fourth and fifth games, will be friendlies with Liverpool and Real Madrid. While his star players are taking a break from the World Cup, Mourinho could still see if the team is in the same class as the elite programs.
Can Everton Finish in Top 6?
Season previews have the projected order of finish as: Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal in the top 6. Everton is next at seventh, but if the club can get Watford’s Brazilian forward Richarlison, that might push them into the first six teams at the end of the season.
They are getting anywhere from 7/2 to 6/1 odds depending on the internet sportsbook, and it might be a good gamble.
Who Will Be Top Goal Scorer?
One thing the Premier League is not lacking is goal scorers, and the race for the top scorer should be competitive again this season. Harry Kane, who won the Golden Boot in the World Cup, is the favorite at 2/1. Mohamed Salah, who was the top scorer last season, is at 5/1.
One player to consider is Romelu Lukuku. The Belgium star finished second to Kane in the World Cup’s Golden Boot, and is the main focus of the scoring for Manchester United. He is listed at anywhere from 7/1 to 10/1 and could be a nice payday if he wins.
