It has been a frantic start to the 2022/23 English Premier League season with the best teams racing to the head of the table, a generous portion of lively underdogs looking to tear up the script and more than the odd disappointment for followers of the division’s biggest sides.
It has been exciting, dramatic, and controversial, but you can be sure that there’s plenty more to come as we move away from summer and towards a jam-packed autumn schedule. Enjoying the show? You’ve seen nothing yet. There’s much more to come.
The EPL table breaks for the international break as countries including England, Scotland, Spain and Germany return to UEFA Nations League action. International football – especially this tournament – is not without its critics, and many lovers of club football are left counting down the days to the EPL’s return. Others take the opportunity to get up to speed on the lower leagues, including the EFL in England and the Scottish Championship. That approach is easier for those planning to gamble on the results as there’s plenty of recent form to guide you through.
The international break may not be for everyone, but we certainly welcome the chance to catch our breath and reflect on what we’ve seen so far. The campaign is now seven rounds old – for most teams – and the league is beginning to take shape. How have the results impacted the betting odds, and where can you find the value before turning your attention to Qatar in November and making your World Cup bets? You may not have the answers to those questions yet, but read on, and you soon will, thanks to our team of football betting experts.
Favourite: champions poised to strike
Manchester City started this season aiming to win a third Premier League title on the bounce, despite being pushed hard by Liverpool last term. Pep Guardiola’s crew were made to wait until the last game of the season to get over the line and claim two-in-a-row, but – as has become the norm in recent times – the Cityzens started as red-hot favourites in both the EPL and Champions League betting.
Have they lived up to the billing so far? You could say that. They are one of only two teams yet to taste defeat – the other being Tottenham – and can be found sitting in second place. Man City have five wins against two draws, with the 17 points gained placing them behind Arsenal on 18 and above Tottenham on goal difference. The champions are poised to strike on the lead, and, as they showed last season, once they hit the front, they are very difficult to budge.
City is already the competition’s leading scorers this season with 23 goals against their name, with the main danger on that front coming from Spurs, who have scored 18. They also boast one of the tightest defences in the league, conceding six goals which is impressive, but Brighton, in fourth place, is slightly better, leaking six goals.
Dark horse: Gunners are firing
We thought long and hard about choosing Brighton as our dark horse, with the Seagulls starting well, sitting just five points off the pace set by Arsenal. We will revisit this one in future, as we’ve seen plenty of teams start well and then fall off the pace during the colder months.
We are going with Arsenal as our one to watch. They are top of the league with stats of six wins against one defeat, scoring 17 goals and conceding seven. The Londoners were beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford but returned to winning ways at the first time of asking and look capable of remaining in the running. Could they challenge this season? We believe so.
Under-achievers: Hammers under the cosh
West Ham United was the dark horse of last season, almost making it into the Champions League through a top-four finish. They haven’t started this year quite as well and can be found down in the relegation zone, third from the bottom of the pile. The team from Stratford, east London, have won just one of seven and lost their last two league games. They are in danger of drifting into danger.
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