A title race, an exciting race for the top four and a humdinger of a relegation battle. Jason Pettigrove looks at why this could be the best Premier League season ever.
The 2021/22 Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the best yet, and not just for the quality of football on show either.
There really has been something for everyone thus far, and there’s still a decent couple of month’s action left to enjoy.
Take the relegation battle for example.
Not too long ago it appeared that two of the three places were already settled. Both Newcastle United and Burnley couldn’t buy a win for love nor money and were all but cast adrift.
Not anymore.
Both have seen a renaissance over the past few games and have steadily climbed the table. If it’s all about momentum at this stage, then Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche will know that their sides have it.
Not so Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, who are dropping like a stone. Roy Hodgson has a real job on his hands with Watford too, and Frank Lampard will be looking nervously over his shoulder whilst Everton are still in amongst it. Brentford aren’t out of the woods either.
The current market has Norwich as outsiders to stay up at 6/1, with the Hornets also expected to follow suit at 7/2. Everton are the favourites to spend at least another season in the top-flight at 1/7, with Newcastle at 1/6, Brentford 1/4, Leeds 2/7 and Burnley at 4/6.
The bottom six as it stands:
1️⃣5️⃣ Leeds – 25 games, 23pts
1️⃣6️⃣ Everton – 23 games, 22pts
1️⃣7️⃣ Newcastle – 24 games, 22pts
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1️⃣8️⃣ Burnley – 23 games, 20pts
1️⃣9️⃣ Watford – 25 games, 18pts
2️⃣0️⃣ Norwich – 25 games, 17ptsIt's getting tight.#PL pic.twitter.com/OhTGTpHONl
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) February 23, 2022
There’s still, remarkably, all to play for at the other end too.
Man City were steamrollering towards another title, beating the opposition with ease as has become Pep Guardiola’s style.
How anyone can still label him ‘Fraudiola’ is, frankly, objectionable at best, but he’ll need to use all his powers of motivation at this point.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were just about hanging onto City’s coattails before, but with an aim of still believing Guardiola’s swashbucklers could be caught.
Now we have the delightful scenario where, if the Reds win all their remaining games, they’ll be champions. The match against City is already looking like an epic title decider, and BetVictor have nailed their colours to the mast: Man City at 1/3 to be the ones lifting the trophy at season’s end.
-Second in the Premier League
-In the EFL Cup Final
-In the FA Cup fifth round
-One foot in the Champions League quarter-finalsThey couldn't, could they?
No wonder Pep Guardiola said they were a pain in the ass#LFC pic.twitter.com/FBdCq0r8as
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) February 16, 2022
If that wasn’t enough excitement, there’s a genuine five-way fight for fourth place, with things too close to call at this point.
Man United are currently in the box seat on 46 points, but have played 26 games. That’s more than Arsenal (24 games, 45 points), Wolves (25 games, 40 points) and Tottenham Hotspur (24 games, 39 points). Not to discount West Ham United with 26 games played and 42 points.
That race, just like the other two, is going right down to the wire, and it’s no wonder there’s little to choose between them in the markets.
BetVictor currently have Arsenal as favourites for fourth spot at 8/11, with Man United at 13/8, Tottenham at 9/2 and the Hammers as the outsiders of the pack with a value bet of 16/1.
It’s been said before, but we’ll say it again… best league in the world.
The title race sees two teams separated by three points.
The race for the top four sees five teams separated by seven points.
The relegation battle sees six teams separated by six points.
The Premier League in 21/22 is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mVrKQAm30I
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) February 23, 2022
