Traditional Premier League Markets Have Surprise Value

Ahead of the rigours of another Premier League campaign, punters will be assessing the relative merits of what could appropriately be termed as ‘traditional’ bets.

Premier League Top Scorer

For years now, the Top Scorer market has remained one of the most popular, and with good reason.

It’s arguable that some of the world’s best strikers ply their trade in the English top-flight, and the 2021/22 season could see a real battle between those who want the crown.

At present, last season’s winner, Harry Kane, is a very reasonable 7/2, but expect that to shorten considerably if he joins Man City before the season opener.

Harry Kane in the PL this season:

⚽️ 23 Goals
🎯 14 Assists

🏆 Golden Boot award winner
🏆 Play-maker award winner

☑️ 1st player to finish top for both goals and assists in the PL since 1993/1994. pic.twitter.com/MSEQLMgmIE

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 23, 2021

He’s followed, predictably, by Liverpool’s Egyptian King, Mo Salah, at 9/2, though Salah’s Liverpool colleague, Sadio Mane, is at a distant 20/1. That will look like incredible value if Jurgen Klopp’s men find their attacking sweet spot again.

Raheem Sterling’s excellent European Championship sees him installed as 3^rd favourite, whilst Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford is also worth a look. Just six goals behind Kane in 2020/21, he’s certainly worth the spend for a 25/1 shot.

Top half finish

The top six or so will probably see the usual suspects taking up those places, though who knows in which order…

Nuno Espirito Santo will be doing his upmost to get his new Tottenham side as high up the table as possible, but it’s his old team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that are currently offering tremendous value for a top half finish at 13/8.

Fellow Midlands-based side, Aston Villa, were just four points off of the top 10 in 2020/21.

With Jack Grealish looking more likely to stay than not and ready to spearhead their charge for a European spot, current odds of evens are worth taking time to study.

Bottom half finish

The three teams that have just come up from the Championship will have their work cut out to consolidate, as the gulf between the Premier League and the lower divisions continues to widen.

With no value to be had from the trio of Brentford, Watford and Norwich City, we have to look a little further up the table.

West Ham enjoyed their best season in 35 years last time out, however, they haven’t strengthened across the summer and, with consistent rumours of Declan Rice wanting to leave, their lack of strength in depth could hurt them domestically as well as in Europe.

At evens currently, the Hammers could see some serious money behind them, as may Everton (5/4).

The Toffees could go one of two ways under Rafa Benitez.

There’s little doubt that Rafa Benitez can do the job he’s been brought in for, but he’ll be unable to escape his Liverpool past if results don’t go according to plan from the start of the season.

FA Cup outright

The FA Cup winners’ market is a tough one to find any value from.

Since the 1995/96 season, only Portsmouth, Wigan and Leicester have managed to stop one of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United or Man City from winning it.

🏆✅#EmiratesFACup @vardy7 pic.twitter.com/d7vPxz0BVx

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 23, 2021

The shortest prices this season belong to City (4/1), Chelsea (5/1), Liverpool (5/1) and United (6/1).

After a period of insouciance, the magic of the FA Cup has returned in the last few seasons, and to that end, some teams might be looking at a decent cup run as their best chance at silverware.

Tottenham (10/1), West Ham (25/1) and Everton (16/1) are all due good cup runs, with the Hammers’ participation in the Europa League making them the outside bet.

The biggest surprise, and certainly best value, are Arsenal’s 10/1 odds. They are still a team in transition under Mikel Arteta, but the Gunners are a match for any team on their day and they do love the world’s oldest cup competition.