Bets on Manchester City take up a greater share in William Hill’s relegation market than their Premier League outright market.
The leading bookmaker report that punters are showing greater interest in backing Enzo Maresca’s side for relegation than top spot, as uncertainty grows over whether he will be able to reach the heights of his successor, Pep Guardiola, in the North West.
City account for 10.76% of all stakes placed on the relegation market, compared with 5.78% of total stakes on them to win the Premier League – meaning their share of relegation money is almost twice as large as their share of title stakes.
Sunday 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal saw the Gunners clipped from 11/8 into 5/4 for the title, while City are out at 10/3.
Outright
Arsenal 5/4
Manchester City 10/3
Liverpool 11/2
Manchester United 7/1
Chelsea 8/1
BAR 20/1
Relegation
Hull City 1/5
Coventry 8/13
Ipswich 4/6
Sunderland 5/2
BAR 5/1
*Odds subject to change – prices correct at time of writing.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Manchester City’s title credentials may have already taken a knock, but it’s their relegation prospects that make for the really intriguing betting story.
“Despite being our 10/3 second favourites to win the Premier League, City are attracting almost twice the share of stakes in the relegation market as they are in the outright title market.
“The potential charges still looming over City are part of the reason why punters are latching onto them and the 10/1 about them to go down could prove good value if they suffer a hefty points deduction at some stage this season.
“After Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield win, the Gunners have already been cut into 5/4 from 11/8 for the title, while City have drifted to 10/3.”
