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The most popular league in the world of football has returned, and with it a host of fans who are hoping for a successful year. Each club defines success differently, but these three clubs could defy all odds and achieve great things this season.
Aston Villa ascendancy
football betting is rolling in ahead of the new season. Unai Emery’s Villa are the eighth favourites at 50/1 to win the Premier League, behind only the traditional “Big Six” and Newcastle. Villans’ odds to finish in the top four are 9/2, and their odds to be relegated are 80/1. Many people are expecting a successful season at Villa Park.
Emery’s window work has been masterful, bringing in Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans to boost Villa’s chances at competing in the top division. Villa fans have high expectations when these two players are added to a squad that was already looking promising and had started to click towards the end of last year. There is plenty of competition at the top. Although a top-four place might be out of reach for Emery’s team, they are still capable to crack the top six.
Burnley’s High Flying Burnley
Burnely and Fulham are the two teams that have the best odds to be relegated to the Championship. Both teams are 10/3. Everton (11/4), Nottingham Forest (23/10), Wolves (23/10), Bournemouth (11/5), Sheffield United (4/6) and Luton (4/11), are all considered more likely to end up in the bottom 3.
Burnley is still considered one of the top Championship teams in history. The odds remain low, however. Vincent Kompany, who arrived from Anderlecht in 2013, has made a dramatic turnaround at Turf Moor. He completely changed the club’s philosophy, from direct, efficient tactics to fluid, free-flowing football. He used his Belgian football knowledge to sign Josh Cullen and Manuel Benson, but he also added Sander Berge from Norway, which has significantly weakened Sheffield United.
It is clear that the Manchester City legend, who has won 34 of 54 games and only lost five, will be able to help Burnley to even greater heights.
Bournemouth to Cruise to Safety
Andoni Iraola is a new manager in English football. It’s hard to predict how he will do, but he managed big clubs like AEK and Rayo Vallecano. The Spaniard should be fine if his transfer business is any indication. He has brought in some young talent from European clubs and, more importantly, he has kept Philip Billing, who was one of the standout performers at last season’s World Cup.
Bournemouth is the third favorite to be relegated at 11/5, but this seems to undervalue the work that the new manager did over the summer. The Cherries have the potential to shock some this season. Although a top-half finishing is unrealistic, the team has the ability to avoid the drop.
