The Premier League title race took yet another twist as Leicester City stunned Manchester City on Boxing Day to hand the champions a second consecutive defeat.
Ricardo Pereira’s late strike ensured City suffered back-to-back Premier League losses for the first time since December 2016, allowing Liverpool to move six points clear at the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp’s men thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 and are odds on to win the title for the first time this season at 4/6 (1.67), with City pushed out to 13/8 (2.63).
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“It has been a day of change in the Premier League as Liverpool’s odds have finally started to reflect their position at the top of the table, and for the first time this season, we have a new favourite to lift the Premier League trophy,” said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.
Liverpool victory over the Magpies now makes it eight wins in a row for the Reds, who have conceded just seven goals this season and are on track to break Chelsea’s defensive record of 15 goals shipped.
Both the Reds and City have a +36 goal difference but that is in stark contrast to only five matches ago when the reigning champions had a +15 advantage over the challengers.
In fact, three weeks ago it seemed as if the title was going to stay at Eastlands and City were as short as 1/8 (1.12), with even a 2-0 reverse at Chelsea doing little to change the market.
However, that defeat at Stamford Bridge began a run of three losses in four games, with a home upset against Crystal Palace coming just five days before the Foxes took the points on Boxing Day.
As a result, City are now third in the Premier League thanks to Tottenham’s fifth straight victory and Spurs can be backed at 8/1 (9.0). However, bookmakers are perhaps wary of the fact Mauricio Pochettino’s men have already lost three matches against fellow ‘Big Six’ sides.
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