Leicester City’s EPL Top 4 and Top 6 Odds Shortening After 3-2-1 Start
- Shock 2015-16 EPL champions on march towards the top again
- Big Six regulars are faltering in early season
- Impressive defeat of Tottenham hoists team to third place after six matches
Leicester City are challenging the big guns of England’s Premier League again. This time around, few people are surprised.
The small town club which famously overthrew the elite to win the EPL title in 2015-16 were widely fancied to threaten the established powers this season.
In third place after six fixtures, they are living up to their summer billing. So much so that their odds for a finish in the top four or the top six have tumbled.
Back in August, they were priced at +400 for a top six finish. Now it is +140. For a top four finish, they were +1600. Now it is +500.
EPL 2019-20 Top 4, Top 6 Odds
| Team | Top 4 Odds | Top 6 Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | -110 | -500 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | -190 | -900 |
| Chelsea | +185 | -225 |
| Manchester United | +200 | -225 |
| Leicester City | +500 | +140 |
| Everton | +2200 | +500 |
| West Ham United | +3300 | +450 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | +3300 | +1000 |
| Bournemouth | +10000 | +2000 |
| Southampton | +15000 | +2500 |
*Odds taken at 2019/09/24. Excluding Liverpool and Manchester City
Leicester’s progress under charismatic coach Brendan Rodgers has come at a time when most of the longer-established big clubs have been enduring problems.
Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs Have Troubles
The current low-key form of several of their bigger rivals is increasing the likelihood that Leicester will claim one of the leading finishing positions and they are particularly good value for the top four. They are a good bet for the top six too.
Chelsea, under new coach Frank Lampard and hampered by a transfer ban, were in 11th place after six games.
Manchester United were in eighth place after a series of lack-lustre performances. Tottenham Hotspur had made a stuttering start in seventh place.
While leaders Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City were performing powerfully early on, only Arsenal of the regular Big Six were keeping pace – in fourth place.
Some Monday love for Leicester City from…..Alan Shearer.
That's a kick in the face for Man Utd and Spurs isn't it? https://t.co/LmOMCeGCZZ pic.twitter.com/11XOG6Wvyn
— BBC Leicester Sport (@BBCRLSport) September 23, 2019
Leicester, with 11 points, were only two behind second-placed reigning champions City – with an inviting fixture at home against 17th-placed Newcastle United approaching on Sunday at King Power Stadium at 11:30 am EST.
Rodgers’ team have been praised for their bold, attractive and attacking style of play which many believe they can sustain until next May.
Rodgers’ team have been praised for their bold, attractive and attacking style of play which many believe they can sustain until next May.
After an average start in which they drew at home against Wolves and then again at Chelsea, they scored their first win of the campaign away at newly-promoted Sheffield United.
A defeat of Bournemouth followed at home before a setback away at Manchester United. Then came the most impressive result so far, a 2-1 defeat of Spurs last weekend.
Dull Coach Puel Replaced
This has perhaps not been the most stringent fixture list so far. However, few points are easily earned in the EPL.
Former Liverpool and Celtic coach Rodgers replaced un-inspiring Frenchman Claude Puel at Leicester last February.
As he bedded in his philosophy, the team won five and drew two of the remaining ten matches.
The Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers, has a message for the rest of the Premier League.
You'll need to work if you want to take points from the King Power Stadium ??? pic.twitter.com/QvFuNcC3TP
— BBC Leicester Sport (@BBCRLSport) September 21, 2019
Lynch-pin defender Harry Maguire was sold to Manchester United in the summer. But it has not affected the side adversely and they conceded only five times in those opening six EPL matches.
The manager has been credited with re-invigorating former England striker Jamie Vardy who scored three goals in the opening six games.
The impressive midfielder Youri Tielemans was signed permanently after performing well on loan from Monaco last season.
The other major signing was that of striker Ayoze Perez from Newcastle, although he had yet to find the target after five appearances.
The manager has been credited with re-invigorating former England striker Jamie Vardy who scored three goals in the opening six games.
Picks: Leicester City Top 4 at +500. West Ham United Top 6 at +450
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
