This year, the new Premier League season will get underway even earlier than usual, in order to make room for a month-long break during the World Cup. As far as most Merseysiders are concerned, the action can’t get underway soon enough. The fixtures have now been released, so why not dive in with some ridiculously early predictions for the season ahead?
Bookmakers are already laying down their early odds. The point to remember is that these are not just calculated according to probabilities. They are also influenced by the number of bets, so there’s an argument that the earlier you place your wager, the better odds you will get.
Liverpool to win the league
Let’s jump in with both feet and start with the biggest outright in Premier League betting. There is already consensus among the bookmakers that the Premier League will be a two horse race next season. Understandably, Manchester City are odds-on favourites, but given that there was barely a cigarette paper between them last year, many will be tempted to put a couple of pounds on Liverpool at 2/1 – and some bookies are stretching those odds to 12/5.
Everton to infiltrate the top six
Last season was one to forget for Everton fans, with the team spending much of it flirting with the relegation zone. However, there is genuine reason to expect them to enjoy greater success in their first full season under Frank Lampard’s leadership, especially if he is able to complete even some of the expected signings this summer. Bookies are quoting 5/2 for a top half finish, which seems generous or pessimistic, depending on your point of view. If Arsenal and Tottenham struggle as they did last year, there could even be a top six place up for grabs. Everton are a 14/1 shot to grab one of their coveted spots.
Salah for the Golden Boot
Every pundit in the country only has eyes for Erling Haaland as top goalscorer next year. If pushed to name someone else, most fall back on Harry Kane. Yet Kane is fragile and – whisper it – Haaland might just struggle to live up to the weight of expectation. When it comes to Mohamed Salah, there is plenty of talk about where he might go next summer, but don’t rule out the possibility of him first spending the next 12 months doing what he does so well and finding the back of the net for Liverpool – at 5/1 it’s the deal of the century.
Fulham to yo-yo again
How about the relegation zone? Bookies have Bournemouth and Forest odds on for a return to the Championship. They are less sure who will join them. Brentford are liable to struggle after over-performing de la Sheffield United last season and could face a similar fate in the coming year. However, Fulham have become the Norwich City of the modern age when it comes to yoyo-ing, and seem an obvious choice. Right now, you can get 5/4 odds if you back them to go back down.