Liverpool Leads 3-Horse Race for 2019 EPL Championship

• Liverpool has taken a four point lead atop the EPL Table
• Can Manchester City or Tottenham close the gap on The Reds?
• Do Man U offer value to make a top four finish?

Much has changed in the past month of Premier League championship odds with Liverpool now leading the way as favorites with average odds of -120.

However, Manchester City and Tottenham are still well within striking distance.

Odds To Win 2019 English Premier League

*All odds taken 1/5

Liverpool took advantage of a dip in play from City over the holiday stretch and now sit first in the table. With a record of 17-3-1 and 54 points, they lead City by four points in second and Tottenham by six points in third.

History is on the side of Liverpool as only one time (Liverpool 2013/14) in the past nine seasons has the team leading the EPL standings at Christmas not finished the season as champions.

Last 10 Premier League leaders at Christmas:

—Chelsea 🏆
—Manchester United 🏆
—Manchester City 🏆
—Manchester United 🏆
—Liverpool ❌
—Chelsea 🏆
—Leicester City 🏆
—Chelsea 🏆
—Manchester City 🏆
—Liverpool ❓ pic.twitter.com/sG9WRbYdMb

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 21, 2018

Liverpool missed an opportunity to take a nine point lead in the table by losing 2-1 to City this week.

Since three points for a win was introduced in 1981-82, only four times has a team with a nine points or more lead at any point in the season not won the title.

Tottenham have to be mentioned for their impressive first half performance. While always strong, Spurs made no additions to their side in the offseason.

Led by joint-scoring leader Harry Kane, Tottenham were actually holding second place before a recent slip up to Wolves.

Heung-Min Son has been involved in 11 goals in his last eight Premier League starts (eight goals, three assists). 👏

Tottenham's win percentage with him is 81.2%, compared to 60% without. 😲

Key. 💪 #CARTOT pic.twitter.com/t414YsWc4O

— GOAL (@goal) January 1, 2019

From value perspective Spurs offer a great price at +1600. They will still need to have a near-perfect second half though to make up ground.

With Spurs it’s a case of I can’t believe it until I see it. They will also be dealt a big blow with Heung-Min Son attending the Asian Cup this month to represent South Korea.

Son is tied for ninth in league scoring and could miss up to five games should South Korea reach the final.

Is Now The Time To Bet Man City At Plus-Money?

At no point this season could you find City being offered at plus-money until recently.

If you felt strongly about City being able to repeat as champs throughout the season, then now is definitely the time to get a bet down on the Cityzens.

I took a bet on Liverpool to win the title last summer so obviously I’m feeling good about that bet today. However, it’s no small feat to run full steam all season, and Liverpool have yet to hit anything close to a slump.

“Only once in the Premier League era have a team with at least 15 wins in their first 20 matches failed to win the title — yet that is the unhappy fate that awaits two of Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur this season.” #fireodds pic.twitter.com/Q9qeFWs8tT

— Fireodds (@fireoddsuk) January 3, 2019

They did suffer their first loss on Thursday to Man City, proving City are in no rush to give up their title defense.

Last year City had a historical season, and even at that still drew four times and lost twice. More importantly, a look over the last five EPL seasons shows the title-winning sides have finished with two, five, three, three, and six losses.

Any dip in play for Liverpool over the remaining months would make City’s +125 odds appealing. I still believe this race will come down to the wire.

Odds To Finish Top 4 EPL

Man U Gaining Steam For Top 4 Finish

It was only a few short weeks ago that Manchester United looked dead in the water with little hope of accomplishing anything this season.

The team was in complete turmoil and at odds with manager Jose Mourinho, who was unable to get his talented and expensive squad to live up to expectations.

The United Board finally had enough of Mourinho’s antics and gave him the sack on December 18. Team legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was brought in to finish out the season and has instantly changed the mood around Old Trafford.

United are unbeaten since his arrival and are suddenly only six points out of a top four finish.

Expectations should still be tempered considering the opposition faced. United have defeated Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle; four teams with a combined record of 19-16-49.

🇳🇴 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s record as @ManUtd manager:⁰⁰🏟 4 Games
✅ 4 Wins
🤝 0 Draws
❌ 0 Defeats

⚽ 14 Goals Scored
🥅 3 Goals Conceded
🧤 1 Clean Sheet

👏 The dream start. pic.twitter.com/krxSF9TOmm

— SPORF (@Sporf) January 2, 2019

Any version of Man U would’ve been expected to defeat those sides so a real test is still to come.

The point is Solksjaer, the one they call the Baby-Faced Assassin, has sparked new life into the team and positive energy.

With the talent United possess, even an above-average second half of the season would make them great value at +300 to close the gap on the top four.