Odds to Finish With Most Assists in EPL 2020/21 Season: Kevin De Bruyne & Bruno Fernandes Top Favorites
- Man City’s Belgian star De Bruyne equaled 17-year EPL assists record last season
- Fernandes had big impact for Man Utd while Alexander-Arnold drove Liverpool’s title surge
- See all odds and best bets for England Premier League most assists in the 2020/21 season
There could be a battle of Manchester in England’s Premier League this season when it comes to the art and skill of creating goals.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes lead the way in the predictions for which player will deliver the most assists for their teammates.
Last season City’s imperious Belgian international De Bruyne equaled the EPL’s record of 20 assists in a campaign set by Arsenal’s Thierry Henry in 2002-03.
It makes De Bruyne favorite to top the charts in this category again with oddsmakers pricing him at -118.
EPL Most Assists Odds 2020/21
| Player | 2019-20 Assists | Odds at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin De Bruyne | 20 | -118 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 7 (14 EPL appearances) | +450 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 13 | +900 |
| Mohammed Salah | 10 | +1000 |
| Riyad Mahrez | 9 | +1400 |
| Marcus Rashford | 7 | +1400 |
| Andrew Robertson | 12 | +1400 |
| Hakim Ziyech | 13 (Dutch Eredivisie) | +1400 |
| Kai Havertz | 6 (German Bundesliga) | +1400 |
| Son Hueng-Min | 10 | +1800 |
| Raheem Sterling | 4 | +1800 |
| Sadio Mane | 7 | +2000 |
| Roberto Firmino | 8 | +2200 |
| Adama Traore | 9 | +2200 |
| Willian | 7 | +2200 |
| Jack Grealish | 6 | +2500 |
| Anthony Martial | 7 | +2500 |
| Phil Foden | 2 | +2500 |
| Paul Pogba | 4 | +2500 |
| Bukayo Saka | 5 | +2500 |
| Bernardo Silva | 7 | +2500 |
| Harvey Barnes | 8 | +3300 |
| Lucas Digne | 7 | +3300 |
| Dwight McNeil | 6 | +3300 |
| Nicolas Pepe | 6 | +3300 |
| Mason Greenwood | 1 | +4000 |
| Gabriel Jesus | 8 | +6600 |
Odds taken on September 8.
Seven assists ahead of his nearest rival, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, De Bruyne is justifiably the leading candidate to lead the way again even if the price is not particularly attractive.
Portuguese international midfielder Fernandes is rated second at a much more promising +450 after making a huge impact following his move from Porto to United last January – pitching in with seven assists in just 14 EPL appearances following his transfer.
Klopp’s Full-Back Strategy
Liverpool’s dynamic right-back Trent Alexander-Anderson is a key figure in the reigning champions’ attacking strategy as he mounts lightning raids down the flank and is priced the third favorite in the assists stakes at +900.
Coupled with his superb crossing ability, it took him to a tally of 13 assists in 2019-20.
25 – Sadio Mané was directly involved in 25 goals in the Premier League last term (18 goals and seven assists); his most in a single campaign in the competition. Prime. #PFAawards pic.twitter.com/i1eOQognqZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2020
That form of attack is critical to coach Jurgen Klopp’s tactical philosophy.
And it is mirrored in the left-back position at Anfield by Andrew Robertson who set up 12 goals in the title-winning season and is priced at seventh place in the assists ratings at +1400.
De Bruyne’s intelligent vision and ability to open up defences in tight spaces is particularly attractive.
Another Liverpool player, Mo Salah, is fourth favorite at +1000.
It is De Bruyne whose creative ability catches the eye most compellingly, however.
Son Heung-min was one of three players to score 10+ goals and record 10+ assists in the Premier League in 2019/20.
"A top-class footballer who is a genuine threat whether on or off the ball."
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 5, 2020
His intelligent vision and ability to open up defenses in tight spaces is particularly attractive.
He is also an accomplished goal-scorer with 13 EPL strikes last season – although his dual abilities could not help City get anywhere near runaway champions Liverpool.
City have lost another major creative talent following veteran David Silva’s departure for Real Sociedad in Spain.
This is likely to hand even more responsibility for making opportunities to De Bruyne, which he will surely relish.
Guardiola Must Hit Back
Pep Guardiola’s City team are determined to stage a resurgence after a miserable defense of the title last season in which they lost no fewer than nine times.
If the run-in to last season is anything to go by, De Bruyne is in the mood to take on the job of leading the revival on the front foot.
In 2019/20, Kevin De Bruyne equalled Thierry Henry's record of most Premier League assists in a season with 20.
He also set a new record of most chances created in a single season with 136.
Already Premier League Player of the Season, will he be crowned PFA Player of the Year? pic.twitter.com/Ua5OWK5Zbl
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 4, 2020
In his final six appearances of the campaign in which City finished second, he set up four goals while also scoring twice in the 5-0 thrashing of relegated Norwich City on the final day.
Manchester United paid $77 million to secure Fernandes in January and his impact was immediate.
He recorded three assists in his first five EPL appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team and became an instant hit with the supporters.
After the 0-0 draw in Fernandes’ EPL debut on February 1 against Wolves, United never lost again in the league and finished third.
United had lost their previous two matches including a 2-0 home defeat by Burnley.
But after the 0-0 draw in Fernandes’ EPL debut on February 1 against Wolves, United never lost again in the league and finished third.
Solskjaer has added Dutch international midfielder Donny Van de Beek to his line-up.
Donny van de Beek is the latest player to take the No. 34 shirt as a tribute to Appie Nouri ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BvUSZ4Dcgo
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 2, 2020
With the powerful Paul Pogba also alongside him, Fernandes could have a platform for an even more creative season in the assists stakes this time around.
If City do surge back in the title race, Raheem Sterling could be a good value outside bet in the assists charts at +1800 although he managed only four assists last season.
Chelsea New Boys Could Shine
But it is worth looking to Stamford Bridge to locate the best potential in this market after Chelsea’s $330 million spending spree brought in five major new signings.
The Moroccan international attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech was signed for $62 million from Ajax and at 27, has the experience to settle quickly into the EPL.
KAI HAVERTZ✅
TIMO WERNER✅
HAKIM ZIYECH✅
THIAGO SILVA
BEN CHILWELL✅
MALANG SARR✅We are coming for everything trophy 🏆 @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/RFMMEJOSDm
— Nozinozi (@Nozizuuu) September 4, 2020
Priced at +1400, he delivered 21 assists for Ajax in Holland’s Eredivisie and the Champions League last season.
His new Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz is also at +1400 after setting up six Bundesliga goals for Bayer Leverkusen last season.
With prolific new striker Timo Werner playing ahead of them, there should be plenty of assist opportunities for both of Chelsea’s new creative talents.
Pick: Bruno Fernandes +450
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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.
