Following Thursday’s game between Tottenham and West Ham, the English Premier League will take an 11-day break from the league schedule after a busy holiday period. The league was “shaken up” this week when for just the second time this season, Manchester City didn’t win. They didn’t lose, though, as it was their second draw of the season.
Although the teams will be on an EPL break, they will still be playing in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup, so there are still chances for injuries and for players outside of teams’ first 11 players to make an impact. Let’s take a closer look at this week’s EPL power rankings based on how the odds makers see the teams.
1. Manchester City
EPL Title Odds: -10000
Manchester City continues to rule over the English Premier League after a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, then they defeated Watford 3-1 at home. They;ll host Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday and then host Bristol City in the EFL Cup next Tuesday. They were fortunate that Crystal Palace missed a late penalty in their draw, then Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and an own goal from Christian Kabasele gave them the three points against Watford. However, Kyle Walker has a groin injury and that has to be watched over the next week.
2. Chelsea
EPL Title Odds: +6600
Chelsea sits third in the table after a 5-0 thrashing of Stoke City at home, and then they drew 2-2 at Arsenal in one of the best games of the season. They’ll visit Norwich City in the FA Cup on Saturday, and then host Arsenal in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater, Pedro, Willian (from the penalty spot) and Davide Zappacosta all found the back of the net against Stoke City. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard scored a penalty against Arsenal and Marcos Alonso added one, but Alvaro Morata missed a couple of very good chances.
3. Manchester United
EPL Title Odds: +8000
Manchester United are a point ahead of Chelsea after a 0-0 home draw with Southampton, but then they beat Everton 2-0 on the road. They’ll host Derby County in the FA Cup on Friday, but they have been eliminated from the EFL Cup. That could actually help them as Zlatan Ibrahimovich hurt his knee again, and Antonio Valencia is still out with a bad hamstring. However, Romelu Lukaku could return from a head injury this week, and Marouane Felliani should be back from a knee injury.
4. Liverpool
EPL Title Odds: +8000
Liverpool are two points behind Chelsea in the table after a 2-1 win at home over Leicester City, and they won by the same scoreline at Burnley. They’ll host Everton in the FAC Cup on Friday, but they have also been eliminated from the EFL Cup. Mohamed Salah scored both goals against Leicester, while Sadio Mane added one against Burnley as Ragnar Klavan was an unlikely scorer of the match-winner. Liverpool has a slew of injuries as Salah (groin) and Philippe Coutinho (thigh) could be out this week, along with Daniel Sturridge (muscle), but Jordan Henderson won’t be back due to his hamstring.
5. Tottenham
EPL Title Odds: +20000
Tottenham are four points behind Liverpool after a 2-0 win at Swansea City, and they’ll host West Ham on Thursday, then Wimbledon in the FAC Cup on Sunday, but they’re out of the EFL Cup. Fernando Llorente and Dele Alli both scored at Swansea as Tottenham managed to score without Harry Kane,who was brought on as a substitute.
6. Arsenal
EPL Title Odds: +50000
Arsenal are a point behind Tottenham as they drew 1-1 at West Brom, then drew 2-2 with Chelsea at home. They’ll head to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday, and then visit Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Arsenal needed an own goal from James McClean to take a point at West Brom, while Jack Wilshere and Hector Bellerin scored against Chelsea, although Alexis Sanchez hit the post a couple of times. They also needed few big saves from Petr Cech in their own end.
7. Burnley
EPL Title Odds: +250000
Burnley are five points behind Arsenal after a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield Town, then they lost 2-1 at Liverpool. They’ll head to Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday, but they’re out of the EFL Cup. Johann Gudmundsson made it interesting for Burnley against Liverpool, but they allowed a late winner and they could look back to rue those two points dropped. A draw against any of the top teams is as good as a win for Burnley.
8. Leicester City
EPL Title Odds: +250000
Leicester are four points behind Burnley after their 2-1 loss at Liverpool, then they beat Huddersfield Town 3-0 at home. They’ll head to Fleetwood in the FA Cup on Saturday, but they’re done with the EFL Cup this season. Jamie Vardy opened the scoring early against Liverpool, but Leicester couldn’t hold on. Riyah Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Marc Albrighton made sure Leicester got the three points against Huddersfield.
9. Everton
EPL Title Odds: +300000
Everton are three points behind Leicester City after a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth, and then they were beaten soundly by Manchester United at home. Everton will next head to Liverpool on Friday in one of the biggest games of the FA Cup, but they’re out of the EFL Cup. Idrissa Gueye scored against Bournemouth in a losing effort, but Everton never looked like they were in the game against Manchester United and that is worrying as they were off to such a good start under Sam Allardyce, and now the real work begins.
10. Watford
EPL Title Odds: +300000
Watford are two points behind Everton after losing 2-1 at home against Swansea City, then they were beaten 3-1 at Manchester City. Watford will then host Bristol City in the FA Cup on Saturday. Andre Carrillo scored early for Watford, but then they allowed two goals at 86 and 90 minutes to drop all three points. Andre Gray managed a late consolation goal at Manchester City, but they were never in that game. They shouldn’t expect to be in that game, but the loss at home to Swansea is unacceptable and that is one of the games they’ll look back on later in the season.
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