Backing the winner of the Premier League this season is not an easy task, with favourites Manchester City possibly too short at 4/6 (1.67) for many people.
Not since 2006 has the market leader been odds-on to win the title, with Chelsea priced at around 4/9 (1.44) that season – although the Blues finished second behind Manchester United.
However, for those looking to back City, a shrewder way exists and that is through the handicap market.
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In this market, every team is given a positive handicap and the winning selection is the team who earns the most points once their handicap is applied. All teams are priced at 15/1 (16.0) with bet365.
Gabriel Jesus’ injury time winner in their final game of last season took City on to 100 points with a handicap of zero, putting them one point ahead of Burnley in this market as the Clarets recorded 54 points and had a handicap of +45.
As favourites, Pep Guardiola’s men are offered with a +0 handicap again, whilst Liverpool are available at +6.
As per last season, this market tends to require one of the favourites having a dominant season – which is certainly not out of the question – but handicaps tend to be useful for backing potential surprise packages.
Burnley, who finished seventh last term against all odds, have been given a +40 handicap this term, whilst 2015/16 champions Leicester can be backed at +33.
Newly-promoted trios tend to provide at least one side that perhaps overachieves, and Wolves are available with a +34 handicap, Fulham at +45 and Cardiff – 4/6 (1.67) favourites to go down – are +50.
