Arsenal and Liverpool losses hand Man City Premier League title race boost

Arsenal and Liverpool Losses Hand Man City Premier League Title Race Boost

Manchester City have become clear favourites in the Premier League title betting odds following Sunday slips by both of their rivals, Arsenal and Liverpool, at the weekend.

City rested some star names ahead of a midweek Champions League clash with Real Madrid but eased to a 5-1 home victory against relegation-threatened Luton Town to take top spot. And City ended the weekend two points clear at the summit after both Arsenal and Liverpool were beaten in front of their own fans, leaving the defending champions standing as 4/9 favourites.

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has led Aston Villa to wins both at home and away to his old employers this season, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the Gunners' hopes of winning the league. Villa put on a defensive masterclass at the Emirates on Sunday and snatched all three points thanks to late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.

The England striker is now 6/1 in the Premier League Golden Boot betting odds after notching his 19th Premier League goal of the season, but City striker Erling Haaland - a goal ahead on 20 - is still the favourite at 1/3. In-form Newcastle striker Alexander Isak now has 17 Premier League goals this season but is considered an outsider for the Golden Boot at odds of 12/1.

Villa's victory took advantage of Tottenham's surprise thumping away to Newcastle on Saturday, giving Emery's men a three-point lead over Spurs in the race for Champions League football.

Fifth place might still be enough to book a spot in Europe's premier club competition but Villa are now 1/2 favourites in the Premier League top-four finish betting odds after their 2-0 win. Spurs have a game more to play than Villa and can be backed at 7/4 to finish in the top four.

Liverpool have taken just one point from their last two games - as well as being thrashed at home by Atalanta in the Europa League on Thursday night - and the Reds now appear unlikely to end Jurgen Klopp's final season in charge of the club with any more trophy celebrations.

The bookies make Liverpool third-favourites in the Premier League title betting odds at around 6/1. While the Reds are level on points with Arsenal with six games to go, they have a far worse goal difference than the London side, which essentially leaves them a point behind Arsenal.

Arsenal had won five in a row at home in the league but, potentially tired after a midweek draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, took their eye off the ball against Villa. 

Mikel Arteta's side are at 9/2 in the Premier League outright market, with a trip to Wolves up next ahead of a potentially decisive home match against their London rivals Chelsea next week.

City are next in action away to Brighton in the league, while Liverpool go to Fulham on Sunday.