The opening weekend of the Premier League after the lengthy international break revealed the potential contenders for the top spots in the league table. Arsenal and Manchester City are firmly positioned as favourites to claim the title, but amid this dominance, bookmakers are presenting a fresh angle. They're inviting punters to consider which clubs might contend for the title of best team in the league, without factoring in the juggernauts.
Chelsea - clear frontrunners (odds 5/4)
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Chelsea lead this alternative ranking with confidence. Following a resounding 5-1 win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, the Blues find themselves in sixth place, amassing 10 points. This victory ended a disappointing spell of three games without a win, and saw Jordan Henderson netting his first two goals for the club. The attacking line-up featuring Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Estevao instills belief in their chase for a Champions League spot. With the absence of European competitions and summer spending hitting £350 million, Chelsea emerge as strong contenders for leading the pack.
Liverpool's struggles (odds 2/1)
Andoni Iraola's tenure at Anfield has been anything but smooth. The Reds have found themselves reeling after a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, dropping to ninth in the standings and falling behind Leeds United and Hull City. Their situation is further complicated by an injury crisis, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, and Cody Gakpo unavailable for the Champions League match against LASK. Ahead lies a tough away fixture against Brentford, but Liverpool is expected to regain momentum when their key players return to action.
Surprising Brighton (odds 7/2)
Fabian Hurzeler's side has made a stunning start, currently sitting in third place. A hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sunderland, achieved while a man down for over half an hour, showcased their resilience. However, the calendar for October looks daunting, with two back-to-back matches against Manchester City (in both the League Cup and the Premier League), a trip to Anfield, and a debut in the Europa Conference League ahead—a true test of their mettle.
Manchester United's crisis (odds 11/1)
The fact that Manchester United have lower odds than Brighton starkly illustrates the depth of the crisis facing Michael Carrick's side. A 1-1 draw with Tottenham left the Red Devils with only six points after six games, marking their worst start in 40 years. Their struggles in the transfer market, particularly in securing a left-back, have been exacerbated by injuries to Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo. Pressure on the coaching staff is mounting week by week.
Brentford on the rise (odds 17/1)
Under Keith Andrews, Brentford have established themselves in fourth place, remaining one of the few teams in the league yet to suffer a defeat. Recent draws against Aston Villa (2-2) and a sensational 3-0 victory over Chelsea just before the international break demonstrate that the Bees are ready to challenge for European qualification. A less congested schedule without continental commitments gives them an added advantage.
Odds for the title of best team excluding Arsenal and Manchester City
| Team | Odds |
| Chelsea | 5/4 |
| Liverpool | 2/1 |
| Brighton | 7/2 |
| Manchester United | 11/1 |
| Brentford | 17/1 |
| Aston Villa | 50/1 |
| Leeds United | 50/1 |
| Newcastle United | 50/1 |
| Everton | 70/1 |
| Tottenham | 70/1 |
