By Greg Stewart
PLACE KICK – a quick look at the current standings
There are still 32 of 38 EPL match weeks to complete this season and only a week ago, one could easily have made a decision on who the title contenders were based on the first 5 week’s results.
A week ago it looked like a clear choice between Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United who each had no loss and only one draw in their first five fixtures. One week later and how much has changed! It’s a tougher choice to isolate a clear contender for this seasons champion now but several contesters are certainly in play. Liverpool, are the only team without a loss to date but have also had 2 draws. Current odds on them taking honours again are at a competitive 5:1 on SunBet. Man City would seem to have found their winning rhythm again with odds reflecting this at 2.05:1 to lift the Crowned Cup once more.
The rest of the top-5 on the table have all played 6 and lost one match and all sitting only one point off Liverpool at 14 points.
Brighton, currently in 6th place, could sit top of the log if they get an away win against Palace (27th Sept) and have certainly shown their metal so far, including a 2-1 victory over Leicester. The Seagulls will certainly challenge for a top 4 position this season. You can currently get Brighton at 15:1 on Sunbet to finish in a top 4 position. The Gunners finally got their arsenal firing with a crushing 3-0 Win over Spurs and might just have found the right midfield magic in Thomas Partey to help them also challenge for a Top 4 position.
Penalties – Upsets of the season
The Man City – Southampton 0-0 draw was possibly the biggest upset of the season with few people expecting a draw, never mind a goalless draw. Following on that, who could have seen Man United losing at home to Villa or Brentford squeezing a 3-3 Draw against Liverpool. Would it be beyond possibility to see Southampton get a draw against Chelsea? (5.5:1 on SunBet) or Brentford scoring an away win against West Ham (4.5:1 on SunBet) or even a Brentford Chelsea draw at home? (4.05:1 on SunBet). Smart money says that this season is not done with its surprises yet.
Sharp Shooters Corner – Best goal scorers of the season
Talking about unlikely contenders, the best goal scorer to-date is West Ham’s Michael Gregory Antonio. The 31-year-old Jamaican has hammered home 5 winners and has 3 assists and currently leads both goal and assist counts for the season. Sunbet currently has Antonio at 21:1 to win the golden boot or at a sexy 6:1 to end in the top 4.
Kick-off - A look at the month ahead
Often the battle at the bottom to avoid relegation can be as entertaining as that for the top of the table. Norwich, who sit last on the log, have lost 6 / 6 so far. Their match against Burnley (2nd Oct) is probably make or break for their season with Burnley also sitting in second last place. This game with the two bottom teams could be a good outside bet for Norwich (4.10:1 on SunBet) to finally break their losing streak.
The Liverpool / Man City clash might be the match of the season with the two top, title contenders facing off at Anfield. Odds are pretty even with Liverpool at 2.95:1 and Man City at 2.38:1 and a draw at 3.55:1 on SunBet
No Team has managed 4 consecutive wins in a row yet this season and currently only Arsenal has won their last 3 in a row. Will the Gunners manage to maintain their momentum and beat Brighton Away? Odds say they will with 2.40:1 vs 3:1 for Brighton to take the honours on SunBet.
