2021/2022 Premier League Betting Preview

Part 1

The Premier League returns this month and after a frenetic transfer window for many top flight clubs, we could be set for a thrilling 2021/22 campaign.

Now is the time of year where the outright betting markets attract plenty of interest. Here at freebet.com, we run the rule over all the big players in a host of Premier League outright markets. With odds provided by our betting partners, William Hill, now could be the perfect time to place an antepost bet on the Premier League. In our two-part season preview, we start by looking at the team markets, in particular the title and relegation odds.

Premier League winners

Holders, Manchester City will be the team to beat once again this season. Pep Guardiola already possessed a squad bursting with talent before embarking on what could be a record-breaking transfer window. Jack Grealish has signed for a British record fee of £100m; a sum that City could yet surpass before the window slams shut. Spurs and England forward, Harry Kane continues to be linked the Manchester City. If Kane moves to the Etihad then Manchester City to win the league will not be available at 4/6 for long!

Whilst the ‘false nine’ has proved successful in the odd game, Manchester City may not look quite as formidable if they fail to replace the now-departed Sergio Aguero up front.

An injury crisis in defence scuppered any hopes Liverpool had of defending their title last season. However, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez fit and raring to go, Liverpool could rediscover the form that made them runaway champions in 2019/20. Ibrahima Konate has been drafted in from RB Leipzig to further bolster the defence. That extra defensive depth will ensure Jordan Henderson and Fabinho can return to their preferred midfield spots this season.

Like Manchester City, Liverpool’s prospects may hinder their ability to bounce back from losing a key player to Barcelona this summer. Like Aguero, Liverpool midfielder, Georginio Wijnaldum joined the Spanish giants on a free transfer this summer. Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago is as strong a midfield trio as you’ll find in the league but they do look short of numbers beyond that.

Big-spending Manchester United will hope to kick on from last season’s second-place finish having recruited Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane this summer. Many believe the Red Devils still need a top-class holding midfielder if they are to end their barren run in the Premier League. For various reasons, this could also be the last season we see Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and David Ge in the red of Manchester United.

This season’s dark horses could be current European champions, Chelsea. The Blues have become tough to beat under current boss, Thomas Tuchel and the imminent return of Romelu Lukaku could make them equally as formidable in attack as they are in defence. Chelsea were the eighth highest scorers in the Premier League last season and top scorer, Jorginho (seven goals) finished some way short of the 26 goals Lukaku scored for Inter Milan in Serie A.

Whilst the signing of Lukaku is still to be confirmed, the Belgian forward is amongst the favourites for both the Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards.

Odds

4/6 – Manchester City

5/1 – Liverpool, Chelsea

8/1 – Manchester United

40/1 – Leicester City

50/1 – Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal

Relegation

It’s hardly a surprise to see the three promoted teams head the relegation betting market. The financial might of the Premier League has made it increasingly difficult for newly-promoted sides to compete.

Watford and Norwich City are both odds-on to make an immediate return to the Championship whilst Brentford’s debut in the Premier League is tipped to be short-lived. Brentford looked best equipped of the promoted three and in Ivan Toney they have a goal-scoring forward that looks made for the Premier League.

Newcastle United and Burnley are both expected to struggle again this season. Neither side have been overly busy in the transfer market. Newcastle United are still working on a deal to bring precious loanee, Joe Willock back to the northeast whilst Burnley have brought defender, Nathan Collins in from Stoke City.

The enigma this season is Crystal Palace. The Eagles have undergone a huge rebuilding project over the summer. Roy Hodgson has retired and the former manager was followed out of the Selhurst Park door by almost a dozen first team players. Patrick Vieira has been brought in as the new Palace boss and has swiftly moved to bolster his depleted squad. Defence could be a particular concern for the new Crystal Palace boss. New signings Marc Guehi and Joachim Anderson could be paired in a rather inexperienced looking central defensive unit.

Southampton are a lot shorter now than a few weeks ago. The Saints lost last season’s top scorer, Danny Ings to Aston Villa whilst influential defender and Leicester City target, Jannik Westergaard, could be the next major departure for The Saints.

Odds

10/11 – Watford, Norwich City

Evens – Brentford

7/4 – Crystal Palace

9/4 – Newcastle United, Burnley

10/3 – Southampton

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