The transfer window is in full swing in the EPL and Alexis Sanchez seems to be the big target. Manchester City (who finally lost a game) has pulled out of the running, leaving Manchester United and Chelsea to battle over the Chilean. However, Arsenal needs to find a replacement before they allow Sanchez to leave. This weekend’s round of fixtures could look very different by the time teams make their moves. The transfer window closes on January 31st at 6:00 PM, Eastern Time.
Here’s a look at this week’s power rankings in order of how the odds makers see the teams.
1. Manchester City
EPL Title Odds: -8000
Manchester City suffered their first loss of the season as they fell 4-3 at Liverpool, but they still have a 12-point lead at the top of the table. Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan all scored for Manchester City, whose defense was torn apart by Liverpool and they might not even need Sanchez; it looks like they need help at the back. They’ll host Newcastle in the league on Saturday, and then head to Bristol City for the second leg of their EFL Cup semifinal. They’re still the clear-cut favorite to win the EPL and something dramatic would have to happen for them to fall out of the running.
2. Manchester United
EPL Title Odds: +5000
Manchester United are back in second in the table after a 3-0 win at home over Stoke City, thanks to goals from Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku. Paul Pogba had two assists for Manchester United, who are the favorites to land Sanchez now, but you never know what will happen in the transfer window. Sanchez would give them the winger that they have wanted for a while now. They’ll travel to Burnley in the league on Saturday in what is going to be a very tricky match.
3. Liverpool
EPL Title Odds: +6600
Liverpool are three points behind Manchester United after their huge win over Manchester City, as Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all found the back of the net. It was very encouraging that they’re able to score goals after the selling of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, but once again, Liverpool’s defense didn’t look great. They still have a few things to work on at the back as they head to Swansea City next Monday.
4. Chelsea
EPL Title Odds: +8000
Chelsea are level on points with Liverpool, but they’re fourth in the table after a 0-0 home draw with Leicester City in which they never really looked dangerous. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to pair Sanchez with Eden Hazard because when he has an off-game, Chelsea’s attack is toothless. Chelsea’s week consists of an FA Cup replay at home with Norwich City on Wednesday, and then they visit Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday in the league.
5. Tottenham
EPL Title Odds: +15000
Tottenham are three points behind Liverpool and Chelsea after a 4-0 demolition of Everton at home, getting two goals from Harry Kane, along with singles from Son Heung-Min and Christian Eriksen. Tottenham looks like they’ll be quiet in the transfer window, although there are rumors that Juventus are sniffing around Eriksen ahead of the two teams meeting in the Champions League. On Sunday, Tottenham will head to Southampton
6. Arsenal
EPL Title Odds: +100000
Arsenal are five points behind Tottenham after a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth as Hector Bellerin scored, but then Arsenal allowed two goals in four minutes. They didn’t even have Sanchez on the bench as they wait to see what they’ll do with him. They could get Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United for Sanchez, and Arsenal are also trying to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund as well. They also sold Theo Walcott to Everton quietly earlier this week. It’ll be interesting to see what Arsenal looks like on Saturday when they host Crystal Palace.
7. Burnley
EPL Title Odds: +250000
Burnley are five points behind Arsenal following a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace and now, they find themselves in a bit of a spot. Burnley hasn’t won in seven matches overall, racking up four losses and three draws during that time, and they look to be regressing back to what everyone thought they would be. Burnley will be at home on Saturday to host Manchester United, looking to get back on track.
8. Leicester City
EPL Title Odds: +250000
Leicester City are three points behind Burnley as they drew 0-0 at Chelsea in the league, and then they won 2-0 at home over Fleetwood Town in an FA Cup replay. Kelechi Iheanacho scored a pair in that match as Leicester got to the next round, and it appears as though they’re going to hang on to Riyad Mahrez for this transfer window. They feel they can get more for him in the summer and to his credit, Mahrez continues to keep his head down and work hard for his team. Leicester will host Watford on Saturday in the league.
9. Everton
EPL Title Odds: +300000
Everton are four points behind Leicester City as they were walloped at Tottenham, then they bought Walcott from Arsenal for $27.6 million. Walcott has been decent in spurts for Arsenal, but he never quite lived up to the hype (although the hype might have been a bit much in the first place). He could be good for Everton as there won’t be much pressure on Walcott to perform, and he should get all the time he wants as Everton don’t really have anyone better than him. Walcott should be in the lineup as Everton will host West Brom on Saturday.
10. Watford
EPL Title Odds: +300000
Watford are a point behind Everton as they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home with Southampton as Andre Gray and Abdoulaye Doucoure both scored. The latter scored in injury time and it was a controversial goal, but Watford won’t care as long as it counts. For Watford to be in the top half of the table this late in the season is a massive boost for this club as they prepare to visit Leicester City on Saturday.
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