The race for a top-four finish in the Premier League table has been reignited by Manchester United's return of four wins from four games during the Christmas period, although the transfer window activity of the competing clubs has had an effect on the latest betting.
United were as big as 10/1 for a top-four spot before Christmas, although bookmakers cut those odds to 3/1 in the wake of their stunning run of winning form under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, those odds drifted slightly in the wake of Solskjaer's comments regarding potential transfers during his pre-match press conference for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Reading...
I don't expect anyone to come in.
Obviously if the club have targeted and identified a few and I think they might fit here then I'll give my thumbs up. But it's not just my decision. I'm happy with the squad I've got.
As a result, Paddy Power pushed United out from 3/1 to 7/2 for a top-four spot, while Chelsea's own odds were trimmed as they appear set to be very active this month.
The Blues have been busy during this transfer window as they confirmed Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic will join in the summer, while they are closing in on Gonzalo Higuain and they are odds-on to sign Callum Wilson from Bournemouth.
Scoring goals has been the big problem for Maurizio Sarri's men as their twelve-match unbeaten start to the Premier League season has given way to a return of five wins from their last nine games, with the Blues failing to score in their last two matches at Stamford Bridge.
The fact they seem intent on securing a new striker during this transfer window can only boost their hopes of a strong run-in towards the end of the campaign and Bet Victor reacted to the transfer news by shortening their top-four odds in from 1/3 to 1/4.
The London side currently occupy that all-important fourth spot, three points clear of Arsenal and six clear of United.
- Liverpool: 5/6
- Man City: 11/10
- Tottenham: 16/1
- Chelsea: 100/1
- Man Utd: 250/1
- Arsenal: 500/1
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