Man City odds-on for title defence as fixtures are released

The Premier League fixture computer looks to have been kind to reigning champions Manchester City after the fixtures for the new season were released.

City, who were already odds-on for next season, have seen their odds cut after what looks like a friendly set of fixtures were confirmed for Pep Guardiola’s men.

City will kick-off their title defence at Arsenal, before then taking on Huddersfiield, Wolves, Newcastle, Fulham, Cardiff, Brighton.

No team has won back-to-back titles in a decade, but City are favoured to do so, and indeed they are the shortest price to defend their title in the Premier League era.

“The Bookmakers are not taking on Manchester City, nobody has gone off odds-on favourites in the Premier League era, and we have had some good teams – but Pep’s boys are the ones to be on,” said OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton.

“At around 8/13, if you are wanting to back City for the title, you need to get on them now as they are only going to get shorter – but in contrast if you are going to go against them, you should maybe wait as the odds for their rivals are likely to drift.

“But already – it is at best a three-horse race for the title between City, United and Liverpool – the three London clubs are big prices and getting bigger all the time.”

Selected Premier League odds:
8/13 Manchester City
11/2 Liverpool
6/1 Manchester United
12/1 Chelsea
16/1 Tottenham Hotspur
25/1 Arsenal