The international break rolls around once more and we have a fortnight to reflect on what has been an absolutely bizarre opening eight weeks of the Premier League season.
While some normality has crept back into the table, the shock results just keep on coming in the top flight.
The latest round of Premier League action saw Crystal Palace score four Premier League goals for the first time since May 2019, while the biggest shock of the weekend came at the Emirates as Mikel Arteta’s toothless Gunners were turned over by Aston Villa.
Just six points separate shock top four contenders Southampton (4th) and 15th placed Leeds United as we prepare for a frenzied festive period, and the race for a lucrative Champions League will only get hotter over the coming months.
We’ve taken a look at some of the favourites in the Premier League top 4 market, and remember to keep up to date with all our latest betting tips and match previews as the season progresses on our Premier League predictions page.
Premier League top 4 odds and predictions
Chelsea – 4/7
After a summer of heavy investment Chelsea were touted as potential Premier League title contenders in pre-season, but a fragile back line that shipped six goals in their opening three games tempered expectations somewhat.
However, Frank Lampard has finally found some semblance of balance within the squad and prized striker Timo Werner has found his feet at Stamford Bridge. The result? Chelsea are now unbeaten in six Premier League games and their 4-1 rout of Sheffield United on Saturday pushed them to within three points of the top spot.
The Blues made the top four last season with a weaker and shallowed squad, so now their summer signings have bedded in we can see Chelsea pushing on for title contention.
A festive period that includes games against Spurs, Everton, Wolves and Arsenal could prove decisive when the points are tallied up in May, but it would be a real surprise if Chelsea aren’t among the elite four.
Tottenham Hotspur – 4/6
Tottenham finished outside the Premier League top four for the first time since 2014/15 last season, but with Jose Mourinho at the helm we don’t expect their exile to last.
Mourinho may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but the Portuguese manager is a serial winner and Spurs’ rather shrewd summer business flew under the radar somewhat.
Of course, Gareth Bale has been the main talking point, but the arrival of Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon has bolstered their troublesome full-back positions and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg provides some much needed cover in the centre of the park.
So far, it’s definitely working for them. Spurs have won 11 of their 15 competitive games this season and are unbeaten since the opening weekend of the season in the Premier League. They currently sit an impressive 2nd, just a point off top spot holders Leicester.
The next few weeks are set to be absolutely crucial, however. They face Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in their three league games after the international break, and if they can pull off a couple of results in that run we could well be talking about title contention.
Leicester – 11/4
Leicester pulled off the footballing shock of the century in 2015/16 when they lifted the Premier League trophy, and while it’s not quite a 5000/1 shot now it would certainly be an upset if they could repeat that.
While a second top flight triumph may be beyond them, there’s no question that they’re in contention for a top four spot. The Foxes head into the final international break of 2020 top of the table once again and looking back fondly on a six match winning streak in all competitions.
They have won three on the trot in the Premier League and even demolished Manchester City at the Etihad back in September. A daunting trip to Anfield awaits them after the international break, but with Jamie Vardy firing once again anything is possible for Brendan Rodgers and company. 11/4 for them to go one better than last season’s narrow miss looks the best value bet of the lot!
Everton – 9/1
It was only a few weeks ago we were hearing hushed whispers about an unlikely Premier League challenge from the blue half of Merseyside, but a three match losing streak has put all such talk to bed.
Everton have undeniably looked flat over the last couple of weeks, and there’s no doubt that they look a much worse side without Richarlison and James Rodriguez on the pitch.
However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to bang in the goals, Richarlison will return after the international break, James Rodriguez is back up to fitness and the Toffees have a trio of very winnable games coming up against Fulham, Leeds and Burnley.
Carlo Ancelotti knows how to make a success of a club, and with an easy run of fixtures and just three points separating them from the top spot their odds could be shortening in the near future.
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