The turn of the year sees the Premier League reach its halfway point and with 19 games behind us, we take a look at what the second half may have in store.
With the title race, top four, top six and relegation markets all still wide open, we take you through a selection of teams’ chances of prevailing in each of the league’s key battles.
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Title race
Manchester City have been without a sustained challenge for the title for many seasons now, with Arsenal coming closest last year before falling away late-on. This year looks to be a different picture as there are three teams seemingly in with every chance of lifting the title, with another two still lurking.
Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola’s side a still favourites for the title and at 5/4 this is the first time in a while that they have not been odds-on. Closely tracking them is Arsenal, who currently sit second in the league, at 5/2. Joint in the market with Arsenal are league-leaders Liverpool, also 5/2, and they make up the main three contenders.
As of two matches ago Aston Villa were right in the mix, but after a poor past couple of matches they are now outsiders at 28/1, behind Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham (22/1) who have slid down the league after a flurry of injuries.
Top four battle
The three title favourites are all long odds-on to finish in the top four, the third of which Is Liverpool who are still as short as 1/16. The two in closest continent are Aston Villa and Tottenham who are 10/11 and 5/4 respectively.
Manchester United and Newcastle will both be desperate to get themselves back into the Champions League after crashing out in the group stages this year, and with half the season left to play they are certainly not out of it as United are 6/1, with Newcastle right on their tails as 8s.
Top six shootout
The top six market boasts five odds-on sides, the last of which is Aston Villa at 1/6. Newcastle and Manchester United are once again close in the market, this time tied at 11/8.
Chelsea missed out on Europe having finished down in mid-table last year, but the Blues are one of the giants of European football and will want to be back in amongst it. It will take a strong second-half push from Mauricio Pochettino’s side who are 3/1 to make the top six, tied in the market with Brighton who will want to continue their European dream.
Relegation scrap
One of the tables which no team will want to top is the relegation market, but that is the bleak reality which Sheffield United face as they are adrift in the league at 1/20, following defeat in a relegation six-pointer against Luton on Boxing Day.
Luton are far from safe at 4/11 to return to the Championship, but they have jumped past Burnley in the market as Vincent Kompany’s side are 2/7 to face the drop and.
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