Premier League Early Season Review
We have reached the first international break of the 2017/18 Premier League season and what a thrilling three weeks we have enjoyed.
Some things have gone exactly as were predicted whereas others have been surprising. Perhaps the biggest surprise of them all has been Huddersfield Town. Many were predicting David Wagner’s team to struggle in the Premier League and suffer relegation come the end of the season.
While there is still a long way to go, Huddersfield have made a great start and sit third in the table with 7 points from their three games. They are also yet to concede a goal and are now 4/9 with Ladbrokes to stay up this season.
Huddersfield’s next fixture sees them travel to West Ham United who are bottom of the table having lost their opening three games. The Hammers were forced to play away from home due to the World Athletics Championships and are now under pressure to start turning their new home into a fortress. Huddersfield are available at 19/5 with BetVictor to win that match.
Crystal Palace and Bournemouth join West Ham at the foot of the table with no points to show for their efforts this season. Frank de Boer has found life tough in the Premier League and faces a difficult looking trip to Burnley next. Lose that game and the Dutchman could be facing an early exit and is 7/5 with Unibet to be the first manager to leave his post.
Eddie Howe should not have anything to worry about at Bournemouth, who were unlucky not to get something from their last match with Manchester City. They showed enough in that match to suggest they will pick up the points required to avoid the drop this season but the longer they go without a point, the worse it will become. Bournemouth are 5/2 with William Hill to be relegated this season.
The Cherries next match is away to Arsenal, who are facing problems of their own. Their last performance away to Liverpool was very poor and led to massive criticism from fans, pundits and former players alike. While it seems very unlikely Arsene Wenger will leave having recently signed his new two-year deal, the Gunners need to improve drastically if they are to finish in the top four.
Arsenal are currently 4/5 with William Hill not to finish in the top four and you can get 19/5 with Ladbrokes that Bournemouth will come away from the Emirates in round four with a point.
While Arsenal were very disappointing in their match at Anfield, the home team were very good and Liverpool could easily have added to their goals in the 4-0 win.
Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with the way his team have responded since conceding the late equaliser at Watford on the opening day of the season. The feeling is this Liverpool team have what it takes to finish in the top four this season and you can back them at 4/6 with Bet365 but the title will still be out of reach.
The Reds have secured the services of Naby Keita but he will not join up with the squad until next season. It remains to be seen if Liverpool can bring anyone in before the transfer deadline but they still need to improve defensively and with Champions League football this season, can the players maintain the style of play Klopp likes to produce?
Liverpool travel to Manchester City in round four of the Premier League in what is the most mouth-watering fixture of the weekend.
Having dropped points at home against Everton and a very late winner at Bournemouth, things have not been going to plan for Pep Guardiola so far, this season. However, they are on the same number of points as Liverpool and can make a big statement by winning this game.
Manchester City are 4/5 with Bet365 to win the match but Liverpool have been looking good in recent weeks and could pick the hosts off at the back. You can get 3/1 with William Hill for Liverpool to leave with maximum points and 11/8 with BetVictor for over 3.5 goals in the game.
The only team above Liverpool in the Premier League table is their fierce rivals Manchester United. The Red Devils have made a perfect start to the season, winning their three games and not conceding a goal.
Many onlookers feel they are yet to be really tested but Leicester City defended very well for the most part at Old Trafford in their previous fixture and Jose Mourinho’s men still found the breakthrough. Last season that would not have happened and there are signs the Portuguese manager has turned a corner with his team.
However, Manchester United are still second favourites behind Manchester City to win the Premier League and are on offer at 11/5 with Ladbrokes.
Their next fixture is at Stoke City, who have already taken care of Arsenal at home this season. If Manchester United come away from that game with the win, they must be taken seriously as title contenders.
Despite missing a penalty against Leicester,
is still joint top scorer in the Premier League and BetVictor offer 5/1 for Manchester United to win the league and Lukaku to finish the season as top goal scorer.
The other interesting fixture in round four sees Tottenham Hotspur travel to Everton. Everyone was waiting to see how Tottenham performed at Wembley, expecting them to struggle and they have, losing to Chelsea drawing with Burnley.
Their title odds have dropped to 18/1 with BetVictor and may fall further if they lose this match against Everton. The Toffees have had a couple of tough away fixtures at Manchester City and Chelsea and will be looking to put one over a potential top four rival.
Everton are available at 13/5 with Ladbrokes to win the match, which seems like a decent bet. If they can defeat Tottenham it could move them into contention for a top four place and you can get 12/1 with Bet365 for them to achieve a top four finish.
It’s early days in the Premier League but things have started to take shape. Once we head into September and the squads are settled, we are going to be in for some very exciting football.
how does it compare with week 1