Premier League 25/26 Betting: Two Teams With Surprisingly Short Odds to Win the Title

The 2024/25 Premier League campaign is now in the history books, and attention now turns toward the immediate future. This summer, English giants Manchester City and Chelsea will head to the United States to contest the FIFA Club World Cup, while the rest of the division stays at home to strengthen their squads ahead of next season. Some blockbuster transfers have already been completed, with Liverpool bringing in exciting Bayer Leverkusen fullback Jeremie Frimpong and Chelsea adding Liam Delap to a surprisingly light striking department. 

But have those additions done anything to change betting sentiment ahead of next season? Well, the bookies already have their odds posted for the 2025/26 campaign, even though the new term doesn't get underway until August. And two teams have surprisingly short odds when it comes to lifting the title in a year's time. 

Liverpool 

Liverpool romped to glory last season, sweeping all before them en route to a dominant title victory. The goals of Mohamed Salah, coupled with a staunch backline anchored by captain Virgil van Dijk and shored up by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, ensured that the Reds were somewhat unstoppable last season. 

However, we still think that their betting odds are somewhat short for a repeat success next year. The latest of Bovada's live betting odds currently make the reigning champions a super short 2/1 favorite to successfully go back-to-back next year. They are closely followed by both Arsenal and Manchester City, two teams that battled it out against each other in 2023 and 2024 before being surprisingly surpassed by the Reds last season. However, it's that surprise that makes their pricing as the outright favorite all the more unexpected. 

Before last season got underway, Liverpool were a distant 8/1 third favorite, well behind the aforementioned Blues and Gunners. The Merseysiders were embarking on their first campaign without iconic manager Jurgen Klopp, and with only Federico Chiesa to shout about in terms of signings, the Reds were supposed to be content with just finishing in the top four. Well, those predictions ended up selling Liverpool well short, but could next season's odds be an over-expectation? 

For starters, the Anfield side will be without star right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, a cornerstone of their defense for the better part of the last decade. He has since moved on to Real Madrid, and while Frimpong has been brought in to replace him, it could take a while before the former Leverkusen man adapts to Liverpool's style of play. 

Another Leverkusen star, Florian Wirtz, is also expected to make the move to Merseyside, and while he is no doubt talented, is his addition enough for the Reds to be considered the overwhelming favorites to defend their crown? We're not convinced. 

Newcastle United 

Ever since Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund secured ownership of Newcastle United, the Magpies have been on the charge. They qualified for the UEFA Champions League two years ago, and last season was perhaps their greatest ever. The Tyneside outfit secured its first major trophy in over 70 years when it beat the aforementioned Liverpool to win the League Cup. But unsatisfied with that, Eddie Howe managed to mastermind another top-five finish and secure a spot at the most elite dining table in European football once again next season. 

Following that success, the bookies have responded. They have made Newcastle a 15/1 fourth favorite to win the title next season, somewhat behind the three frontrunners but well ahead of the usual 'Big Six' cohorts, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. And looking at what Eddie Howe is currently building at St. James' Park, perhaps we shouldn't be as surprised as we are. 

In Alexander Isak, the Magpies have arguably the best striker in the league outside of Erling Haaland. The Swedish international thumped home 27 goals in all competitions last season, and if Newcastle can manage to retain his services next season, they have a guaranteed source of goals. In midfield, Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali possess the right amount of tenacity and creativity required to succeed, while a backline containing the giant 6 ft 7 Dan Burn is one that remains difficult to break down. 

Considering their hefty backing from the Saudi Investment Fund, the Magpies are expected to strengthen further this summer. They have just suffered their first disappointment after missing out on the signing of Brentford winger Bryan Mbuemo, who opted to move to Old Trafford rather than St. James' Park, but that shouldn't deter them too much. 

Defensive strengthening appears to be the main order of business, with rumors swirling about the potential additions of England internationals Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, and Jarrell Quansah. As the saying goes, defense wins championships. Howe certainly seems to have heeded that message, but surely the odds of 15/1 to go all the way are too short, are they not?