As we approach the second international break of the season, Mike Norman evaluates the performances of the top 10 clubs in the Premier League and identifies three betting opportunities worth considering.
1. Liverpool (18 pts)
Exceptional start under new leadership
- Premier League Winner Odds: 7/2
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 1/12
Liverpool have kicked off their campaign in superb fashion under new manager Arne Slot, sitting at the top of the Premier League table. With six clean sheets in their first 10 matches and just one loss, Slot’s team has made history by winning nine of his first 10 games in charge. Despite a surprise defeat to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool’s defense looks strong, and their attack, featuring Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota, is firing on all cylinders. The team is also performing well in the Champions League and EFL Cup, giving plenty of reason for optimism.
Rating: 9/10
Betting Insight: With Liverpool maintaining their form, and with a relatively deep squad compared to title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, the current odds make them a tempting bet for the Premier League title.
2. Manchester City (17 pts)
Strong but with vulnerabilities
- Premier League Winner Odds: 7/4
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 1/9
Manchester City have continued their remarkable unbeaten run, recently setting a new club record of 30 league matches without defeat. However, there are concerns, especially after losing key midfielder Rodri to an ACL injury. City’s defense has looked shaky, conceding in all five domestic games at home. Despite these challenges, Kevin De Bruyne’s impending return and Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess keep them strong contenders.
Rating: 8/10
3. Arsenal (17 pts)
Solid but not without scares
- Premier League Winner Odds: 13/10
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 1/25
Arsenal’s start mirrors that of Manchester City, both in terms of results and performance. Mikel Arteta’s men have shown resilience, with Bukayo Saka leading the charge, but recent games have seen them narrowly scrape wins. Their defense, once formidable, has looked more vulnerable in recent fixtures.
Rating: 8/10
Betting Insight: Injuries could prove decisive in whether Arsenal or City finish higher, but one thing seems certain—one of them may fall short of the title.
4. Chelsea (14 pts)
Better, but room for improvement
- Premier League Winner Odds: 22/1
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 10/11
Chelsea have made strides compared to last season, with strong performances in the Europa Conference League and EFL Cup. However, inconsistency remains a concern. Cole Palmer has been a standout player, but defensive lapses—especially at Stamford Bridge—need addressing.
Rating: 7/10
5. Aston Villa (14 pts)
Promising but concerns remain
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 5/1
- Top 6 Finish Odds: 11/10
Unai Emery’s side has had a solid start but a couple of recent draws have slowed their momentum. Injuries to key midfielders and the challenge of balancing European and domestic competitions could pose problems. However, Villa’s Champions League win against Bayern Munich proves their potential.
Rating: 7.5/10
6. Brighton & Hove Albion (12 pts)
High-flying and exciting
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 9/1
- Top 6 Finish Odds: 9/4
Brighton continue to punch above their weight, playing attractive, attacking football. New manager Fabian Hurzeler has impressed, and key signings like Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter are delivering. With some luck, a top-six finish is within reach.
Rating: 7/10
7. Newcastle Benfield FC (12 pts)
Solid but could struggle
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 5/1
- Top 6 Finish Odds: 11/10
Newcastle have managed to stay near the top but have underperformed against weaker opponents. Despite having quality players like Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, they lack the star power to compete with the league’s elite.
Rating: 5/10
Betting Insight: With tough fixtures on the horizon, Newcastle may slide down the table, making them a risky bet for a top-10 finish.
8. Fulham (11 pts)
Steady start despite challenges
- Top 6 Finish Odds: 12/1
- Top 10 Finish Odds: 6/4
Despite the loss of key players, Fulham have made a decent start, only losing narrowly to both Manchester clubs. Smart signings and strong squad depth mean Marco Silva’s side has the potential to remain competitive throughout the season.
Rating: 7.5/10
9. Tottenham Hotspur (10 pts)
Inconsistent but promising
- Top 4 Finish Odds: 3/1
- Top 6 Finish Odds: 7/10
Spurs have shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency has marred their season. The addition of Dominic Solanke and some youthful talent provide hope, but they must address their defensive issues to challenge for silverware this season.
Rating: 7/10
10. Nottingham Forest (10 pts)
Surprise package
- Top 10 Finish Odds: 4/1
- Relegation Odds: 7/1
Forest have been a surprise package, defying expectations to sit in the top half of the table. Wins against strong opponents like Liverpool and Chelsea demonstrate their potential. However, their form at home has been inconsistent, and they must improve at the City Ground to sustain their impressive start.
Rating: 7.5/10