Is Manchester City Easy Money to Win 2019 Premier League With One Match to Go?
- Man City on verge of EPL title at -1000
- Champions League finalists Liverpool just a point behind on +600
- One massive weekend ahead
Manchester City’s 1-0 win at the Etihad against Leicester on Monday night tilted the balance of the title heavily in their favor. This was arguably enhanced further on Tuesday night when Liverpool did what seemed impossible and beat Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield to overcome a 3-0 first-leg deficit in their UEFA Champions League semifinal.
Man City now have average Premier League odds of -1000 to win the title, while Liverpool’s average odds are a very long +580.
2019 English Premier League Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Manchester City | -1000 |
| Liverpool | +600 |
*Odds taken May 8, 2019
A Champions League Final Awaits
An upcoming Champions League final will be seen by some as a distraction for the Reds. Plus, there is the physical and mental toll of the Barca game, which saw Jurgen Klopp’s already depleted squad give everything to conjure up that incredible result.
The big question is whether to simply lay the -1000 and make what looks to be easy money or find a bet that actually offers some value. We’ll take a look.
Full-time: Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 agg) – Liverpool are through to the Champions League final https://t.co/zIbLHwstFX pic.twitter.com/BBfAZwBYXn
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) May 7, 2019
Both teams have comfortable-looking games at the weekend. Although, those looking for reasons to have a piece of Liverpool’s +600 may be encouraged by the fact that Liverpool are at home (to Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Man City are away (to Brighton & Hove Albion).
The Wolves Are in Town
For the Reds, the Anfield crowd will still be buzzing from Tuesday night’s madness – described by many as “the greatest comeback of all time” – and while there will be some wary limbs and minds, the Liverpool fans will be urging the chosen XI for one final push for the title.
It’s almost certain they will be unable to replicate the intensity of Tuesday night, both on and off the pitch.
But with Wolves guaranteed a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, it’s not clear how much appetite they will have for the fight on Sunday.
We are now certain to finish 7th in the @premierleague – our highest league position since 1979/80
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 6, 2019
‘On the beach’ is a phrase used in English soccer to describe a team with nothing left to play for as the season nears its end. This results in their performance level dropping off to, say, 95%.
If this is the case with Wolves, the Reds task will be a relatively simple one.
https://twitter.com/SportyPidgin/status/1125517739915980800
No Easy Pickings
City’s task, away to Brighton, also looks on the face of it to be a relatively straightforward one. The Seagulls – as they are known – look almost certain to finish in 17th place, one place above the relegation zone. In mid-season this would’ve been seen as easy-pickings for Man City.
While there will be some wary limbs and minds, the Liverpool fans will be urging the chosen XI for one final push for the title
But two factors make this that little bit more difficult for the Citizens. Firstly, the obvious importance of the fixture adds pressure.
City were already showing signs in their Monday night win over Leicester, and secondly, this very average Brighton team managed a highly creditable 1-1 draw last time out against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Some Relaxed Seagulls
For the Seagulls, the fact their relegation battle is over and their Premier League status assured, has led to some improved performances. A 1-1 draw at the Emirates is impressive by anyone’s standards and mustn’t be ignored.
"He's not crying because he's missing a player" 🗣
Jose Mourinho really does love what Jurgen Klopp is doing at Liverpool 👀 pic.twitter.com/4K2uaEnIeh
— GOAL (@goal) May 8, 2019
So, we anticipate a tight game at Brighton’s Amex Stadium. Those expecting City to ‘do it in style’ by rolling over their hapless opponents likely to end up disappointed. Given the pressure gauge will be touching ’11’ and how they struggled to squeeze past Leicester, we think it’s not inconceivable that Brighton could hold City to a nerve-jangling draw.
This would leave the door open for Liverpool. Despite their midweek exertions, we expect them to have more than enough to beat Wolves off the back of wave after wave of emotion and adrenalin.
Our pick: Liverpool +600
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.
