After 12 games of the Premier League season it seems as though it’s going to be a straight shoot out between Manchester United, current champions Manchester City and Chelsea.
Here’s a look at which teams are most likely to be crowned champions at the end of the 2012/2013 Premier League season:
Manchester United – 11/8
Manchester United are in pole position to win the league with the bookies despite trailing Manchester City. They have coped well without key defenders who are just returning to full fitness and trail the current Premier League champions by just a single point. They have been very consistent at home and away with nine victories and three defeats from their twelve matches. They are also the highest scoring away team in the league so far this season.
Manchester City – 6/4
Manchester City are second favourites to win the Premier League at 6/4 due to their inconsistency through the early part of the season. They have drawn a much higher ratio of their matches with only a point from four matches. However, they remain the only side in the Premier League yet to lose a match despite the criticism of their defence so far. City are similar to United in the respect that their manager has admitted they are not playing anywhere close to their best yet they are right in the mix to retain their championship.
Chelsea – 11/2
Chelsea were the early pace setters but some poor recent form has seen them slide down to third in the table, four points behind the league leaders and three points off United in second. The defeat they suffered at home to United showed they may struggle against the bigger sides in the league this season but if they make the right signings this January then the odds could shorten dramatically on Chelsea. They have lost two matches this season with the defeat against United and a defeat away at West Brom.
The Title Outsiders
The fact Arsenal are the fourth favourites to win the Premier League at best odds of 66/1 suggests the bookmakers and the betting market firmly believe the league winner will come from one of the top three sides. Arsenal have moved up to sixth place in the league following their emphatic win against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.
Everton have started the season very well but the 200/1 price on them to win the league suggests the bookies expect them to dip in form. However, Everton have held their own near the top of the league since the start of the season when they defeated United on the first day. West Brom’s win over Chelsea has seen Everton slide down to fifth place.
Tottenham Hotspur are also rated at 200/1 to win the league but they are far too inconsistent under Andre Villas-Boas to mount a serious challenge. They have already lost five games and they will have to make up an eleven point gap on United in order to have any chance of winning the title.
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