Opening 2019-20 Premier League Odds: Manchester City Listed as Favorites

• Manchester City are favored to win their third-straight EPL title in 2020
• Liverpool are closely favored in second with average odds of +270
• Which team stands the best chance to end City’s dominance?

With the dust finally settling on what was a titanic struggle for the English Premier League title in 2018/19, eyes are already turning to next season.

Unsurprisingly, champions Manchester City have been installed as early favorites with average Premier League odds of -150, with Liverpool just behind at +270. But surely it can’t be another two-horse race? We’ll take a look.

2019-20 Premier League Odds

*Odds taken May 14, 2019

Exceptional City

With the resources available to Man City, it’s almost certain they will be in the shake-up next season but for them to be in minus (odds-on) territory before a ball has even been kicked is a little crazy, especially when considering how close Liverpool pushed them in the race for this season’s title.

Man City retain the title thanks to a 4-1 win over Brighton #mancity pic.twitter.com/54wJ9Tqvl6

— Capital North West News (@CapitalNWNews) May 12, 2019

In almost every other season, a points haul of 97 and one single defeat across the whole campaign would have been enough to win the league comfortably, but this Man City side is exceptional and to win 14 consecutive league games with Liverpool piling the pressure on was an extraordinary feat in itself.

Liverpool Weakness

But Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – still with a Champions League final against Tottenham to come – will look at his team and see areas that can be improved upon; for Pep Guardiola’s City team, there appear to be very few, if any, areas of weakness.

Liverpool in the Premier League this season:

• Fewest defeats (1)
• Fewest goals conceded (22)
• Two Golden Boot winners
• Golden Glove winner

The greatest ever runners-up. ? pic.twitter.com/B4n9ZRWTCy

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 12, 2019

Klopp will, over the summer, be looking to bring in some new faces to help add some creativity and vision to his midfield. By their own admission, the current Liverpool mix in central midfield is one of hard work, graft and tenacity, where opponents are pressed, closed down and given no time on the ball.

Instead, Klopp’s playing style relies on his team’s two outstanding fullbacks – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson – to provide quality deliveries from the wide areas. If, as seems almost certain, they are able to bring in a quality, creative ball-playing midfielder, then this could help to close the minuscule gap between the two teams.

Threadbare Spurs

Tottenham’s third place in the current betting is interesting and may change if they are able to beat Liverpool in the Champions League final, but much will depend on how much business they do in the summer transfer window.

For various reasons, Mauricio Poccettino has spent nothing in the last two windows and, as a result, has a threadbare squad compared to most of his rivals.

FT: Tottenham 2-2 Everton

A thriller in North London to close the Premier League season ⚽️

Thoughts on the game? ?#Spurs // #EFC // #PremierLeague

? Reaction here: https://t.co/RVd0SxkO0q pic.twitter.com/zyqiLGTVnc

— talkSPORT 2 (@talkSPORT2) May 12, 2019

Some quality additions could take Spurs to the next level if those signings are able to hit the ground running, although whether it will be enough for a title challenge remains to be seen.

Big Summer for Arsenal

A big summer also awaits for Arsenal who fell well off the pace by the end of the season but unless Unai Emery is able to unearth some real gems in the transfer market, it’s difficult to see the Gunners getting in the mix.

No More Hazard

For Chelsea – who look certain to lose star player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid over the summer – it looks likely to be a difficult summer with a FIFA transfer embargo hanging over them. They came up short this time around, and so with few additions, it’s difficult to see them challenging City and Liverpool.

He came in a young man daring to dream. 7 years and 5 trophies (potentially 6) later, this man may have said his goodbyes to Chelsea Football Club.

He Came.
He Saw.
He Conquered.

Thank you for everything Eden Hazard ? pic.twitter.com/9Yv6RgKnC0

— Uber Chelsea FC ? (@UberCheIseaFC) May 12, 2019

So, while much depends on which manager has the most productive transfer window, it is hard to see any of the ‘chasing four’ gaining enough ground on City and Liverpool to mount a serious title challenge. But, if Klopp is able to add some quality to his midfield, that may just be the thing that tilts the balance in their favor.

Our pick: Liverpool +260