The English Premier League is undoubtedly the most popular soccer league in the world, and along with the NFL, the most watched sports league on TV, broadcasted in more than 200 countries every year from August until May. Founded in 1992, the Premier League is the top tier of English soccer consisting of 20 teams which are all shareholders, playing against each other twice per season, at the end of the season, the three lowest-ranked teams are relegated to the English Championship replaced by the top three clubs from the second tier.
Besides battles for the title and against the relegation, the four highest-ranked teams punch their ticket for the UEFA Champions League for the next season, while the fifth place leads to the UEFA Europa League. The sixth and seventh spot could also head to the Europa League depending on who wins the English FA Cup and the League Cup, but the teams are fighting for every point as their finishing spot determines how much money they will receive.
Since 1992, only six teams have won the Premier League Trophy and Manchester United is the most successful club with 13 titles. Chelsea has lifted the trophy five times, Arsenal and Manchester City have each won it on three occasions, while Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City have also claimed a title. Because of their financial power, the Premier League clubs attract the best players from all over the world, and it’s the main reason why there’s no tougher competition than the English Premier League.
How To Bet On The English Premier League
Almost 20 years ago, English soccer had a Big Four in Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, although the latter has never won the Premier League Championship. In this decade, Manchester City joined the club with three titles and Tottenham has made their mark as well. Those six teams typically garner most of the betting action. Betting the total (over/under) of the 2.5 goals is the most popular bet that could bring decent winnings from -175 up to +150 when the bookies expect a tight clash.
In the 2017-18 season, 51% of all 380 Premier League games ended with at least three goals. Manchester City won the title, setting the new league record for the most points (100) and most goals scored in a season (106), while winning 32 out of 38 games along with four draws and two defeats. All other members of the Big Six surpassed the 20-win mark beside Arsenal who had a 19-6-13 record.
Manchester City’s games proved to have great value as 27 out of 38 had more than two goals in the total, while 19 of those had at least four. On the other side, the second-placed Manchester United had a 68:28 goal difference, finishing just half of their tilts with more than two goals in the total. How the team approaches the game is the most important thing for the bettors who like to bet on the totals, and for the 2018-19 season, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal all seem like good picks to bet the over.
Betting on the Premier League futures is another option, and according to BetDSI Sportsbook, Manchester City is the favorite to retain the title at -150, but it’s a big question if the Citizens are capable of matching their performance from last season. All big contenders kept their key players, while some added new guys who will fortify their squads, so the championship race should be quite interesting.
Soccer bettors can wager on the top-four finish or pick the teams to be relegated at the end of the season, while the odds on the top goalscorer are also available. Last year, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah topped the scoring chart with 32 goals, two more than the second-placed Harry Kane from Tottenham — who won the crown two seasons ago with 29 goals on his account. These two guys are considered the strong favorites to net the most goals in the 2018-19 season. However, Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Aguero both could be nice wagers at +800, particularly Manchester City’s Aguero as will probably get numerous scoring chances if he stays healthy. Aguero’s teammate Gabriel Jesus could get some great wages at +1400, while Arsenal’s fans can pick up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at +650 or bravely go with Alexandre Lacazette at +2500.
Premier League Betting Picks and Predictions
This year, the end game for Manchester City will be to win the UEFA Champions League, but with plenty of talent on the squad, the Citizens are surely capable of making a serious title bid in the English Premier League. They have signed Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City and he is expected to bring even more power into their mighty offensive line. Finishing in the top four looks like an easy task for Manchester City, while bettors should know that no one managed to retain the title in the last nine years.
Liverpool at +400 could be a nice wager, as the Reds strengthened their squad with four excellent individuals — the goalkeeper Alisson Becker, playmaker Naby Keita, midfielder Fabinho and forward Xherdan Shaqiri all arrived at Anfield this summer. Likewise, the Reds are still searching for their first ever Premier League title, although they were English champions 18 times in the past, the last time in 1990, so Liverpool will be keen to finally get the Premier League Trophy.
Chelsea and Arsenal have both changed their head coaches after failing to reach the Champions League qualification last year, so they will give their best try to end the season among the top four sides. Chelsea appointed the former Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri as the new head coach, also bringing Napoli’s midfielder Jorginho to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal hired Unai Emery after 22 years under Arsene Wenger, so for the Gunners it will be crucial how the new manager settles down and handles the starting eleven. Arsenal has some top-notch players up front, so the Gunners could surprisingly reach the top four if they find the right form.
Manchester United possesses a heavyweight team considered by the bookmakers as the third-strongest in the Premier League, but the bettors should be cautious when opting to bet on the Red Devils, who showed some serious issues under Jose Mourinho. This could be a turbulent season for the Portuguese tactician, but if he finally fixes the problems at the defensive line and shores up the offense, Manchester United should mount a serious title challenge. Otherwise, the Red Devils top-four finish will be in jeopardy.
Tottenham stayed quiet on the market this summer, and the Spurs’ unity will be their biggest advantage in the 2018-19 Premier League season. They’ve played together for a long time now, so bettors will have to keep an eye on Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
Everton signed the talented forward Richarlison from Watford, and the Brazilian should help the Toffees in the race for the Champions League, although, from this point of view, it seems like quite the mountain to climb. If they finish in the top half, the Foxes’ fans should be satisfied.
West Ham bought some quality players this summer, including the Brazilian forward Felipe Anderson and the Hammers are still dreaming of the UEFA Champions League, which will be their main goal this year. The newcomers could be a potential surprise, and the bookies believe the Wolves will have no problem maintaining their spot in the Premier League for another season. The battle against the relegation promises some breathtaking moments, and Cardiff, Fulham, Huddersfield, Brighton, Watford, Southampton, and Burnley all could be fighting for survival.
English Premier League Betting Picks
Winner: Liverpool at +400
Top 4: 1st Liverpool, 2nd Manchester City at +800, Chelsea at -150, and Arsenal at +200
Relegated Teams: Cardiff at -150, Watford at +200, and Southampton at +700
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero (+800)