In The Mixer: Experts discuss the Premier League title race
Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with experts in football betting and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
What a weekend of Premier League action we witnessed, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all dropping points while defending champions Manchester City gained ground after a few poor outings this season.
The result? Brighton came within a goal of going top of the league for the first time in their history and top-of-the-table Liverpool are only a point ahead of the five teams directly below them.
After such a big shake-up, we got in touch with six experts to ask them a simple question: What do you make of the Premier League title race after this weekend?
Experts favour Chelsea despite below-par display
Alex Wrigley
Sports editor at Free Super Tips
If this past weekend has taught us anything it’s that none of the top contenders for the Premier League title are head and shoulders above the rest. Liverpool dropped points at Brentford after Chelsea were outclassed by Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s side have already shown a lack of cutting edge at times this season.
I would still back Chelsea ahead of the rest, but it’s looking like we could have an absolute cracker of a title race on our hands and that’s exciting in itself after the last couple of seasons.
Tom McGarry
Sports journalist at ICS
Saturday’s results have perhaps reminded everyone that this season’s ‘Big Four’ may not be as dominant as has previously been suggested, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all dropping points.
Manchester City, who of course beat Chelsea, have also proven vulnerable at times this season, but they along with the Blues appear to be the two main protagonists in this year’s title battle, given they both have strength in depth, as well as top class managers.
Liverpool have the latter of those, but always feel an injury or two away from imploding, while United’s unpredictability remains a flaw under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
James Milton
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Manchester City’s win at Stamford Bridge shook up the title betting but Chelsea backers shouldn’t be too downhearted.
They are clearly capable of going toe to toe with the champions and all four of their meetings with City since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival have been settled by a one-goal margin, three of them in Chelsea’s favour.
Taking 13 points from six games against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and the Citizens is an excellent effort and the ruthless Blues can kick on in their next five fixtures against Southampton, Brentford, Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley.
Joe Champion
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Manchester City issued a reminder of how excellent they can be when getting the better of Chelsea at the weekend but I’d still take Thomas Tuchel’s Blues to lift the title at the prices.
It’s a slight concern that Chelsea have dropped points against their two biggest rivals already this season but they sauntered to victories in their other four Premier League matches and do not look like conceding ground when they come up against weaker teams.
City have been scrappy at times and may look to prioritise Europe while Liverpool are difficult to weigh up given that they have won four matches against teams currently in the bottom six. We’ll know more about the Reds when they take on City on Sunday.
Klopp’s Reds come a close second
Rob Eddy
Sports journalist at ICS
Manchester City certainly made a title statement with their win at Chelsea but have proven themselves fallible twice already this season and are probably worth taking on at the prices, particularly having failed to land Harry Kane or indeed any other striker.
Thomas Tuchel’s men have one less key fixture to play, having also drawn at Anfield, and can bully the lesser teams so are firmly in the mix but Liverpool ‘s first XI is as good as anyone’s and they look good value despite their Brentford slip, providing they can avoid last season’s injury woes.
Aaron Rogan
Sports journalist at Free Super Tips
I went with Liverpool at the start of the season and I see little to change my mind with the Reds top of the pile.
Man City were obviously the standout side of the four title contenders, but Liverpool still managed to impress in their slip-up. Jurgen Klopp’s men are partial to defensive off-days, but with their attack firing I still expect them to be hard to top this term.
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