LEICESTER City’s remarkable 2015/16 Premier League was a sporting aberration in the eyes of Bet365.com.au, which is offering $26 for the Foxes to go back-to-back.
Claudio Ranieri’s men – who defied a $5001 price to secure their first ever Premier League title – are not expected to replicate their incredible feats and retain their maiden title next season.
The imminent arrival of Pep Guardiola has seen Sportsbet.com.au install Manchester City as the $2.62 favourites to dethrone Leicester next season.
Runners-up Arsenal ($6.00) is expected to be around the mark again, while the bookie believes Chelsea ($6.00) will bounce back after its disappointing season to compete for the title.
No team has gone back-to-back this decade, and there are not many pundits in world soccer that believe Leicester can be the first.
Sky Sports commentator and former Liverpool striker, Michael Owen, believes the Foxes are in danger of relegation if they are unable to persevere through the pressure that inevitably comes with the weight of expectation.
“Leicester conceivably could go down next year,” Owen said.
“It depends which way they go. They could go and invest all of their Champions League money and try to be a top club for years to come.
“Or they could pocket the money, maybe lose someone like Mahrez. All of a sudden, you know… their team is not a Manchester United squad or a Liverpool squad
“They could [go down].”
Leicester is at $34 to be relegated in season 2016/17 at Bet365.
2016/17 English Premier League odds
Man City – $2.62
Arsenal – $6.00
Chelsea – $6.00
Tottenham – $7.00
Liverpool – $8.50
Leicester – $26.00
Everton – $101.00
Southampton – $101.00
West Ham – $101.00
Stoke – $276.00
Crystal Palace – $501.00
Sunderland – $1001.00
Burnley – $1001.00
Swansea – $1001.00
Bournemouth – $1001.00
Middlesbrough – $1001.00
Watford – $1001.00
West Brom – $1001.00
Kane’s Golden Boot caps off terrific Tottenham campaign
Tottenham striker Harry Kane ensured there would be some silverware coming to White Hart Lane in 2016 after holding off a fast-finishing Jamie Vardy to win his maiden Golden Boot.
Kane – who scored 25 goals this campaign – went one better than last year’s second place finish behind Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
The personal triumph was overshadowed by his side’s late-season collapse, which saw them fall from title contenders to third behind bitter rivals Arsenal in the space of a month.
Kane said he would gladly hand back the Golden Boot award if it ensured Tottenham finished ahead of their cross-town rivals.
“It hurts and it will leave a bad taste in the mouth over the summer,” Kane said.
“It definitely makes it harder, Arsenal finishing in second, because we know how much it means to the fans.
“When people think they’ve had a bad season and we’ve had a good one yet they still finish above us, it hurts. It definitely makes it hard because we know how much it means to the fans and to the club.
“It would have been nicer to have won the award on a better day. It’s a personal achievement, and something I’m proud of, but if I had the choice between finishing second or having the Golden Boot, I would rather have won at Newcastle.”
Kane’s focus now will shift to England’s 2016 Euro campaign, where the 22-year-old is expected to lead the English line in France.
Harry Kane is a $13.00 outsider at Bet365.com.au to be the top scorer at the Euro 2016 tournament.
Newcastle expected to bounce straight back to the Premier League
Newcastle’s exile to the second division of English football is not going to be a prolonged experience according to Sportsbet.com.au, which has installed the Magpies as $4 to win the Championship.
The relegated Tynesiders are optimistic that the architect of their late season revival, Rafa Benitez, will stay on as manager; boosting their Premier League bounce back chances significantly.
The former Real Madrid manager signed a three-year contract when he took over from Steve MacLaren back in March, but it is believed there was a release clause tied in the deal.
Benitez believes the feeling around St James’ Park throughout their 5-1 demolition of the third place Premier League finishers Tottenham would help sway him towards staying on as the Magpies’ manager.
“I said before that I was expecting a great atmosphere, but it has been amazing. Even more positive than I was expecting.” Benitez said.
“We still have to sit down and talk. I want the best for Newcastle United and the best for me. That’s simple.”
“My heart is saying yes – great club, great city and opportunity – but you have to use your brain too,”
The two teams that will follow Newcastle into the Championship for the 2016/17 season are on the next line of betting.
Norwich ($9.00) join the Magpies as the only other team to be in single figures prior to the commencement of the season while Aston Villa sit at $15.00.
