The EPL will take two weeks off for an international break this week but as we step away, Manchester City still rules. They have opened up the gap even more over the rest of the league. Entering the week, they have a whopping 31 points so far as they have won 10 of their 11 games, drawing in the other contest. They are now eight points up on second-place Manchester United and Tottenham, who are both tied with 23 points. Chelsea is in fourth place with 22 points while Liverpool, Arsenal and Burnley FC are all tied on 19 points.
It is still a very long season and a lot of things can happen but the gulf in class between City and everyone else has been terrifying as of late.
1. Manchester City
Last Week: 1
EPL Title Odds: -600
City is still the only unbeaten team in the league as they beat Arsenal 3-1 at home, and they could have scored even more. Kevin De Bruyne scored for City, along with Sergio Aguero from the penalty spot and then Gabriel Jesus came on to add one for the league leaders, who have been devastating so far with 10 wins and a draw in 11 games, along with 38 goals scored and only seven goals against. Their +31 goals difference is +13 better than Manchester United, and they have an eight-point lead atop the table. It’ll take a lot to catch up with this team.
2. Manchester United
Last Week: 2
EPL Title Odds: +1400
United are eight points behind City after a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in which they never looked like they would score one goal, much less win. United’s performance away from home has been less than stellar as they have two wins, two draws and two losses in six games with eight goals scored and five goals against, compared to five wins in five games at home with 15 goals scored and no goal allowed. They have a lot to think about over the break.
3. Tottenham
Last Week: 3
EPL Title Odds: +1400
Tottenham is third in the league and level on points with Manchester United after a 1-0 win at home over Crystal Palace. Son Heung Min scored in the first half to get the three points for Tottenham, who had a big week after thumping Real Madrid in the Champions League, and then pulled out the win against Palace. If Tottenham continues to improve their home play, they could take over the second spot in the power rankings and the league.
4. Chelsea
Last Week: 4
EPL Title Odds: +1600
Chelsea is fourth in the table after their big win over Manchester United at home as Alvaro Morata scored in the second half. N’Golo Kante returned and showed why he is such a big part of Chelsea’s team, and it is a battling performance that showed Chelsea still has some fight left in their title defense. They’re only a point behind Manchester United and Tottenham, so they’re in that group that will be trying to pounce if Manchester City somehow falters.
5. Liverpool
Last Week: 6
EPL Title Odds: +6600
Liverpool is three points behind Chelsea, along with Arsenal and Burnley, after a 4-1 win away at West Ham, getting a pair of goals from Mohamed Salah. Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also scored for Liverpool, who have scored 21 goals in the league, which is good for third behind the Manchester teams. However, they have allowed 17 goals, with 16 coming away from home. If they can improve their defense even just a little bit, they’ll stay in the battle for a top-four spot.
6. Arsenal
Last Week: 5
EPL Title Odds: +8000
Arsenal was brushed aside at Manchester City, although they got a goal from Alexandre Lacazette, who started on the bench. Lacazette was bought for a club record fee of almost $70 million (which can go up with bonuses), but that he started this game on the bench was one of many strange decisions made by Arsenal for a big match like this, and they also have a lot to think about as they’re struggling to even stay in the race for a top-six spot, much less a top-four place.
7. Leicester City
Last Week: —
EPL Title Odds: +150000
Leicester is 12th in the table after a 2-2 draw at Stoke City in which they held a one-goal lead on two occasions, and they might rue that later in the season. Vicente Iborra and Riyad Mahrez scored for Leicester, who have the talent to get into the top half of the table at least, but they can’t seem to put it all together at once. They’re at an even goal difference as Leicester has scored and allowed 16 goals each, and you just never know which team you’re going to get from game to game (even within the same game).
8. Watford
Last Week: 8
EPL Title Odds: +200000
Watford sits ninth in the table after a 3-2 loss at Everton in which Richarlison and Christian Kabasele found the back of the net, but then Watford allowed three goals, including the winner in injury time from the penalty spot. Watford’s defense continues to let them down as they have allowed 21 goals, which is the most of any team in the top half of the table, and 11 of those goals have come at home, where they have to improve.
9. Southampton
Last Week: 10
EPL Title Odds: +200000
Southampton is 13th after a 1-0 loss at home to Burnley, allowing a goal in the last 10 minutes of regulation. Southampton continues to have issues scoring goals as they have scored just nine through the first 11 games of the season, and three of those have come away from home. That just isn’t going to cut if Southampton are going to stay out of a regulation battle.
10. Everton
Last Week: —
EPL Title Odds: +200000
Everton moved up to 15th in the table after their thrilling come-from-behind win over Watford at home, getting goals from Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a winning penalty from Leighton Baines in the 91st minute. It might have been a season-saving three points for Everton, who aren’t out of the relegation battle just yet, but it was a battling performance that showed there was some fight left in them.
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