The halfway point of the Premier League season falls around Christmas/New Year and that is why the Festive period is usually so important to those trying to mount a title challenge. December is such a busy month and more often than not, it’s not always about performance, it is about results and just grinding things out. A good December and finishing top at Christmas is a good indicator of who will be top of the Premier League table come the end of the season.
But were are not even at the halfway point of the Premier League season and operator Paddy Power has decided to settle the Premier League winner market. This week the operator announced that they are paying out early, and this is extraordinarily early, on Manchester City winning the league title this season. That is even before the gruelling December fixture list and before City go into their tough Manchester derby fixture at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Bookie buys into City hype
It’s a remarkably early payout, something that bookmakers have done before when there has been a favourite in the title race, but never this early in a season. Manchester City have only dropped the two points so far this season which was in a draw against Everton at the Etihad in just their second league outing of the season. Since then they won their following thirteen league games on the bounce, equalling the Premier League record for the most consecutive league wins.
The Citizens have scored at least two goals in each and every league game this season apart from their 1-1 draw with Everton and even recently, when they have needed to show character and grit over flair, they have come up with an answer, no matter how late nor how dramatic. That’s a clear sign of a champion right there, being able to mix winning in style with winning ugly at times. The timing of Paddy Power’s payout is strange as it comes just before the Manchester derby.
Manchester Derby
City would see their lead cut to five points if they were to fall at Old Trafford against their rivals Manchester United on the weekend. But not only that, they have yet to be tested in having to pick themselves up after a defeat. If that winning momentum that they have goes, then what kind of response would Pep Guardiola’s men have in them? They are facing a Manchester United side who have won all seven of their home games this season, conceding just the one goal at Old Trafford. The Red Devils will need no motivation in bringing down their greatest rivals. It could be an important game it the context of the title race, because if City makes it eight wins from eight on the road this season, then realistically, no-one is going to stop them.
Before the start of the season, City were trading around 15/8 to win the Premier League title and there is around a best price of 1/7 on them doing so at the moment, with their nearest challenger, Manchester United at 10/1. The rest of the league is bar 20/1 to come through and land the silverware.