After a Summer of Euro 204 action, we finally return to domestic competition with the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Fans will be optimistic; Arsenal will be hoping to one-up Manchester City, and Spurs will still be looking to add to the Audi Cup!
Bookmakers are pulling out all the stops with plenty of football betting offers available for the new season, so betting expert Del Pugh of Bookies Bonuses has looked at four alternative football bets for the road ahead.
#1 – Manchester City To Be Relegated – 16/1
One issue that will dominate headlines, is City’s 115 financial charges currently being investigated by the Premier League (EPL).
Everton and Nottingham Forest were both docked points last season, so there is an expectation of “something” happening, now that a precedent has been created, however, the City Group’s legal muscle makes for an intriguing battle.
I genuinely think the EPL and City will discuss a deal to save face.
The EPL will offer an alternative punishment to a points deduction (a big fine and transfer embargo) to pass it off as an alleged show of strength, while City will escape the loss of points and still contend for the title.
16/1 for City to be relegated is not a bad shout for a couple of quid. However, I think it is clear to many that the Premier League would rather deal with the aftermath of litigation from “smaller” clubs than lose the juggernaut that is City and potentially harm revenue.
#2 – Enzo Maresca To Leave His Role – 10/1
I think it is fair to say that whoever took the role at Chelsea has a job on his hands, even if it’s to remember all of the squad’s names!
When the former West Brom legend took over the role, leaving Leicester City, it is fair to say many were surprised, but could this end up being a stroke of genius or an accident waiting to happen?
Maresca has plenty of ability, having been an assistant coach at Sevilla, West Ham, Parma, and Man City before grabbing the top job at Leicester, but two questions remain.
Can Maresca develop the Chelsea squad and mould it into something more coherent on the pitch? And stave off the attention of a certain Mr. Boehly?
I am an avid Football Manager player, so to see the American Hoovering up Wonderkids weekly is quite something, but could his different approach to transfer policy work out?
It is possible and Maresca has a great chance to return the Blues to the top table and even win the Conference League, but the Italian needs time and patience.
#3 – Aston Villa Top 4 Finish – 7/2
One thing that is as consistent as my pessimistic view of Spurs is the dreaded Champions League hangover, with Unai Emery expected to battle this phenomenon with his Aston Villa side.
Without a doubt, Villa fans will expect more, but bookies place them behind Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Spurs in the Top Four market.
A combination of squad changes and the extra European fixtures have contributed to their price.
The loss of Diaby and Douglas Luiz for around £95-100 million is significant.
However, the manager has done some shrewd business, bringing in Onana from Everton, Maatsen from Chelsea, along with Illing-Junior, Barkley and Philogene for an extra £40 million on top of those proceeds.
Villa will be a tough nut to crack both at home and abroad, but the new Champions League format, which adds two more group games alone, may contribute to indifferent performances, and I would be surprised to see them hit that top four again.
#4 – Tottenham To Win A Trophy – 3/1
Don’t laugh now! And yes, this is closer to my heart than any other.
Tottenham’s lack of trophies has been the stuff of jokes and memes for a few years now, and it was elevated to new heights in the recent friendly with Bayern Munich when Harry Kane refused to lift the Malta Cup trophy in front of the Spurs faithful, after a 3-2 win.
But can Ange Postecoglu’s side win silverware?
The addition of Dominic Solanke is welcomed, while Gray and Bergvall offer fresh impetus in midfield and the emergence of Mikey Moore also looks promising, but I do not think it will be enough.
Spurs need a winger, having been linked to Eberechi Eze and need to eliminate defensive frailties from crosses.
Any cup would be nice, but I do not see the Spurs hierarchy targeting anything else but the top four and Europa League success for a valuable Champions League spot, which would signify further improvement.
