Aston Villa Favored to Be Top Newcomer in EPL Over Norwich City & Sheffield United
- Norwich and Liverpool kick off the new Premier League season on August 9
- Aston Villa are the most fancied of the promoted teams having splashed £115 million
- Sheffield United bring in seven new faces to bolster their squad
The start of the new English Premier League is less than two weeks away and, in addition to the traditional winner/relegated markets, sportsbooks are also offering plenty of props for those who want a bet on slightly more obscure markets, such as the top newcomers in this year’s league.
In the frame for this bet are Norwich City, Sheffield United and Aston Villa.
2019/20 English Premier League Top Newcomer Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa | -120 |
| Norwich | +220 |
| Sheffield United | +300 |
*Odds taken 07/30/19.
Aston Villa are favored at -120 but is Villa the best bet to finish highest in the table of the three? If not, who is? We’ll take a closer look.
Given how the Championship table looked at the end of last season, it’s illogical that Villa are fancied to finish above Norwich City and Sheffield United but there are reasons, which we’ll come onto in a bit. It is, however, worth noting that City finished 18 points ahead of Villa – the equivalent of six wins – and Sheffield United finished 13 points ahead of them.
Villa’s Pedigree and Spend Power
The Canaries won seven more games than the Villans and lost four less, while the Blades won six more and suffered one less defeat, so both, on the face of it, looked well-equipped to finish above the Birmingham-based side.
Villa though have top-level pedigree – they won the 1982 European Cup (the forerunner of the UEFA Champions League) – and are widely regarded as the biggest club in England’s second city. They have a big support, a big stadium and a reputation to match, but what they haven’t had over recent years is a good team.
After struggling in the Premier League for a number of years, they were relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2015/16 season, and it’s taken them three seasons and several changes of manager to finally find a way back.
OFFICIAL: Aston Villa have been promoted to the Premier League after beating Derby County 2-1 in the Championship Playoff Final.
The Villians are back. pic.twitter.com/RgejQLIlWs
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 27, 2019
Even last season, Villa were way off gaining an automatic promotion place and in the end had to rely on the lottery of the playoffs, beating an ordinary Derby side in the final. But it’s what they’ve done since that has convinced the experts they have what it takes to survive in their first season back and, in the process, finish above Norwich and Sheffield United.
We are delighted to confirm the signing of @Trezeguet from Kasimpasa for an undisclosed fee, subject to a work visa and international clearance.. ✍️
Full story ? https://t.co/oOgW3wP2Cs#WelcomeTrezeguet #AVFC pic.twitter.com/C2QghlFiaw
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 24, 2019
In a nutshell, they have spent money and lots of it. Already this summer they have blown £115 million on ten new players, with more expected. It comes with risks of course – Fulham spent over £100 million last summer and ended up getting relegated after one season – and it means manager Dean Smith has to integrate those new players quickly into his way of playing.
Farke-ball To Grace The Prem
Norwich, meanwhile, have taken the completely opposite approach, and have used their Premier League millions to reward those players who got them there in the first place with improved contracts. Only four new faces have arrived at Carrow Road and manager Daniel Farke is entrusting those players who performed so brilliantly in the Championship last season to be able to step up.
What Farke won’t have to contend with is moulding a new team. His methods and ethos will still be fresh in the minds of his squad and there’ll be no ‘bedding in’ time needed for this team. It’s a brave approach, one that’s almost unique, but will be copied in future if it works.
It’s worth noting that Norwich City finished last season 18 points ahead of Villa – the equivalent of six wins
Wilder’s Blades Will Have No Fear
Sheffield United have gone more Norwich than Villa, but have already brought in seven new players with the prospect of more to come – spending a relatively modest £22 million in the process. Manager Chris Wilder is a wily operator, who gets his team playing in a unique style and will look to get his new players on board with this as soon as possible.
I’m back ❤ Now we’re on a journey… great to be back! @SheffieldUnited ??? pic.twitter.com/Hnxh9mN7HJ
— Dean Henderson (@deanhenderson) July 26, 2019
Key to the Blades’ success will be utilizing their mean defense to similar effect in the Premier League – no easy task.
So, while it all appears to be about Villa, we think City, in particular, will benefit from the confidence of smashing the Championship and the continuity that Farke has enabled.
Our pick: Norwich to finish as top newcomer +220
Once just a sports fanatic, fan-turned-writer Gary Gowers has been featured on European television and radio networks to discuss several professional football clubs. His work can be found in an assortment of publications like The Metro, MyFootballWriter.com, and BBC Radio Norfolk.
