Premier League Ante-Post Tips: Scott Thornton previews the season ahead with his best bets
Winner - Chelsea @ 5/1 Bet 365
Manchester City are favourites for the title and deservedly so, Pep’s side have proven themselves to be the most consistent outfit in the league over the last few years and they look set to strengthen their already brilliant squad significantly before the end of the window. As I’m writing this, the Harry Kane saga looks sets to rumble on and his addition would make City even greater favourites for the title.
However, since Tuchel has come in, Chelsea have looked formidable and they highlighted that by overcoming City in the Champions League final and the FA Cup semi final last season. Chelsea have looked defensively solid since the German took over and he has managed to help Kai Havertz show glimpses of the form which attracted the Blues to him in the first place. Bet 365 are offering a pretty 5/1 for Chelsea to become the champions of England once more and this appeals far more than the short odds quotes on Pep’s City.
Top Scorer – Harry Kane @ 10/3 Bet 365
As previously touched upon, the Harry Kane saga is still rumbling on at the time of writing and the prolific Englishman lining up in front of Kevin De Bruyne is a mouth watering prospect. If Kane does manage to engineer a move to City then his price of 10/3 with Bet 365 looks even more appealing, but even if he fails to get his move you’d hope he would still knuckle down in pursuit of Alan Shearer’s record.
Player Of The Year – Mohamed Salah @ 14/1 Bet 365
Last season I was surprised with Kevin De Bruyne being given the player of the year award over his teammate Ruben Dias. The Belgian being given the nod highlights how these awards generally favour players further up the pitch, so this rules out some of the names that stood out at longer odds.
Mohamed Salah scored 22 goals last season as Liverpool failed to reach the heights of previous seasons. If Klopp’s men are to get their hands on silverware this season, they’ll be heavily reliant on the Egyptian in the goals department and this makes his price of 14/1 with Bet 365 very backable. Salah has 95 league goals in the last four seasons and comes in to the season on the back of a much needed rest, unlike players from the European countries, who had to navigate an international tournament on the back of a hectic season.
Most Assists – Jadon Sancho @ 12/1 William Hill
Sancho has moved to Manchester United with a lot of fanfare surrounding the player and he will need to hit the ground running to keep up with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne in the assists rankings. Jadon has managed 14, 16 and 11 assists in his last three seasons in the Bundesliga and United will need him to replicate that form this season.
Best Bet – Tottenham To Finish Outside The Top 6 @ 4/7 Paddy Power
Spurs are in disarray with little time to go before the season begins and the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo was hardly an inspiring one after his poor performance in guiding Wolves to a 13th place finish last season.
There is time for Spurs to address their issues in the transfer market with the club linked with several players, but if the Kane saga drags out it may leave them with insufficient time to spend those funds prudently.
