Betting analysis: Can Man City make history with another Premier League title?

That astounding run of success means that at all football betting sites UK bookmakers have Pep Guardiola’s men as red hot favourites to make it five in a row.

Those betting markets have City in the lead, but this is a much closer than last year with Arsenal snapping at their heels as second favourites.

Victory in the Community Shield and an opening day victory over Chelsea will give Manchester City some confidence for the new Premier League season, but can they maintain that momentum throughout the domestic campaign?

The key man

All top sides need a prolific striker and in Erling Haaland, Manchester City have one of the most potent attackers of all time.

City were a successful Premier League unit before the Norwegian arrived, but his goals have made them virtually unstoppable over the last two seasons. 

Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, and has since scored 90 goals in 99 games across all competitions. He’s essential to the team’s success, and needs to maintain that scoring ratio if Manchester City are to secure another title.

Even if you aren’t looking to back his club in outright Premier League betting, a bet on Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot markets as the Premier League leading goalscorer is an obvious one to consider.

Supporting cast

Manchester City are not a one-man team and there are several other players crucial to their Premier League success.

The club returned some mixed results when attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne suffered a long term injury last season, and fans will be anxious for the Belgian international to stay fit.

At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Ederson has developed into one of the most reliable stoppers in the Premier League.

City have an experienced defence which contains England internationals, Kyle Walker and John Stones, while Phil Foden offers vital support behind the main striker.

Manager Pep Guardiola will be hoping that Jack Grealish can rediscover his best form as the season progresses. But have Manchester City done enough to strengthen?

 

Summer transfer dealings

The most significant transfer deal involving Manchester City this summer has seen striker Julian Alvarez leave the Etihad for Atletico Madrid. As a back up to Haaland, Alvarez’s game time was restricted, and he needed the move to further his career.

In terms of arrivals, City have been very quiet by their standards. As the club prepared for their opening league game of the season against Chelsea, the only new signing was the Brazilian right winger Savinho.

The biggest challenges 

In the two most recent Premier League campaigns, Arsenal have come closest to derailing Manchester City’s record-breaking run.

At the end of 2023/24, the race went right down to the final game, with City needing a win to secure their fourth title in a row.

The Gunners have strengthened their squad during the summer, and many expect another strong title challenge.

Liverpool will also be hopeful of lifting the trophy, but the Reds will need to readjust following the departure of charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp.

Manchester City still top the betting outright markets to win the Premier League, but with Arsenal and Liverpool as second and third favourites. Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Aston Villa have much longer odds than the top three and are considered dark horses for the title.

 

The verdict

Is it worth backing Manchester City for their fifth title in a row, or should you be betting elsewhere?

City backers will hope that Haaland remains fit for the entire campaign, as so much depends on the prolific Norwegian international. But with Alvarez gone, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the club go back into the transfer market for another centre forward.

The only genuine challenge in the betting seems to come from Arsenal, but the Gunners continue to improve and strengthen, and this may well be the year that Mikel Arteta’s men end the Manchester City monopoly.