Latest Premier League Odds: Arsenal's Title Already?

Arsenal Sitting Pretty

It's been a while since our last Premier League Odds Watch, unfortunately, and a LOT has happened. The biggest story involves Manchester City and their 114 charges, and that has had an effect on the title race.

However, away from that, Arsenal are just ploughing through the competition.

We discussed their only loss this season in our last odds watch - which came to Brighton on Matchday 5 - and since then they've won five on the bounce; scoring seven and conceding only once. It's textbook Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.

This weekend's win against Hull was another comfortable win, even if it wasn't a classic. That doesn't matter, though. It's just another good result that puts them further in the right direction and no more is really needed to be said on it.

For the table, they've already got a five-point gap, and winning the league, again, feels inevitable. If anything, I'm surprised that they're not lower than 2/7 to lift the trophy. Dare I say it could be combined with something for a nice bet?

Are Brighton in the Race?

With two places Each-Way on offer, we can maybe squeeze some value in the title race. So, the other team worth a mention is Brighton, who are currently 11/1 (second favourites) to win the Prem.

At present, they're probably the most consistent team in the league, having won six of their last seven games. Considering they only lost to Liverpool too, it's a really solid place to be in. In terms of form, if we want to take it to the extreme, they've been the best team over the past six games, beating Arsenal to the top spot on Goal Difference.

There are other fantastic teams in form currently, but they've got gaps behind them. For example, Bournemouth have won each of their last four, but they're seven points behind. Liverpool and Chelsea are both inconsistent; Manchester City have lost their last three, plus they have a potential points deduction to come.

I think the price on Brighton (and again on Arsenal) is generous for an E/W shot...

Manchester City in Trouble

With the charges hanging over Manchester City, they'd need to record a maximum amount of point anyway to be in a strong position. Yet, they're not. Here we are discussing yet another Premier League defeat and it's three in a row for them.

Defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton are understandable, but a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest is simply not good enough. You'd struggle to see them getting Europe at this rate, even if they do have a four-point gap currently.

It'll weigh completely on that deduction and I'd be steering clear of the 6/5 - offered by the best football bookmakers - for them to get a top-four place.

Liverpool Remain Well Backed

As it stands, Liverpool are the second favourite team to be playing Champions League football next season. The Reds are understandably sat behind Arsenal, largely on the elimination of others, really.

Unlike the three teams mentioned so far, they don't have a gap to the top four chasers and it's not like they've got a huge amount of consistency either. In other words, their price feels a little bit poor currently. Saying that, their only recent defeats have come to Arsenal and Manchester City, so maybe I'm being harsh.

Either way, I'd want a little more than 1/2 at this stage.

General Picture

Starting with Chelsea, the Blues are infinitely more inconsistent than Liverpool and their defeat to Sunderland this weekend only proves that. Xabi Alonso's side clearly have something in the works. Yet, they're far too hit and miss currently.

The 13/10 price for them to reach the top four is understandable because they could do it, but right now, they won't.

Bournemouth, for me, are the other major team of interest in the top four race and they've got a genuine chance. Having won all of their last four in the Premier League - and their last eight in all competitions - they are on fire.

A run deep into Europe could have an effect on their chances, of course, but they're 10/1 to be in the top four at the end of the season... that feels ridiculous.

I'd also keep an eye on Aston Villa, who enter the international break at 7/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes. Their draw with Manchester United on Sunday wasn't a good one, but they remain unbeaten since September in the Premier League.

No Saving Pierre Sage

With Crystal Palace, there were quite a few questions about them this season, especially with Oliver Glasner leaving due to disagreements about the project. When that happens, you're naturally more vulnerable to worries about what your season will bring.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, those worries have come true.

They now sit at the bottom of the league after another loss this weekend, and they've conceded 12 goals in their last four games. It's not getting better and there are no signs of Pierre Sage being the right man to turn things around. So, it's no shock that the odds are out for his replacement...

Despite being two points adrift, they're 6/4 to go down, which still feels a bit big...

Sunderland Grab Huge Win

This weekend, Chelsea would come to the Stadium of Light in a game that could've, realistically, been Regis Le Bris' last. The Frenchman's time with the Black Cats has turned recently, with results simply not good enough.

However, he's earned one last turn of the wheel with a huge three points on Super Sunday. Fighting for their first Premier League win since August, it's a huge result that takes them off the foot of the table and can maybe inspire something of a relegation pushback.

General Picture

Because of the number of teams in the relegation picture, it's best to look at them in a general sense from here.

Coventry's defeat to Everton on Friday has kept them as the favourites for the drop at 8/11 this season, but there were encouraging signs seen for Frank Lampard against his former club. However, they do sit on the cusp of entering the bottom three...

Hull remain the second favourites to go down this season, priced at 4/5. A defeat to Arsenal keeps them three points away from the relegation spots, but there are several teams between them and there. A lack of wins is concerning, though.

Finally, we head to Manchester. The Citizens are 11/10 third favourites to go down this season, due to the charges hanging over them. Then, Manchester United's draw has kept them in the bottom three; they're as high as 25/1 to be relegated this season...

Haaland Blanks Again

Erling Haaland has always been the favourite for the Golden Boot, but he's certainly not in the best form currently. He hasn't scored a Premier League goal since October 24 - when he got one against Aston Villa - and it leaves the race wide...

Nevertheless, he's still the 1/2 favourite to lift the top scorer award. Is that a surprise?

Isak Continues to Chase Haaland

It's seemingly a two-man race for the top scorer award, with Alexander Isak still chasing Haaland. The Swede remains two goals away from his Scandinavian counterpart, but he's certainly in better form, with four goals in his last five Premier League games.

So, Betway's 8/1 offering with three E/W places available may be worth taking...

Resurrection for Two

It's also worth giving a mention to Nicolas Jackson (18/1 with Coral) and Thierno Barry (50/1 with Ladbrokes). Both have scored six goals - so they're behind Haaland by three - and have been in phenomenal form recently.

Backable E/W with the brands listed, they could be huge value...