While waiting for the 2021/22 Champions League’s official kick-off on September 14, all of Europe’s elite domestic divisions are already well underway.
A battle for Europe’s most prestigious club trophy often sparks plenty of discussions, but it already looks like the Premier League title race will be equally interesting this term.
For readers in the UK looking for new betting options, bets from UK players can be safely placed on Betting.com. And this is just one of the sites providing you with a safe place to bet, with many others available through a simple online search.
Search for lists of betting sites that have been reviewed by a third party, and read reviews before you make your decision. On to the best bets for the 2021/2022 season:
Premier League Title Race
Last season’s Premier League triumph marked Manchester City’s third title in four years, highlighting their domestic dominance under Pep Guardiola.
The arrival of Jack Grealish in the summer has added more firepower to the Cityzens’ already intimidating attacking line-up, making them a team to beat this term.
Given the way Man City defeated other title contenders last season, it comes as no surprise that the bookmakers see them as number one favourites to add another to the tally.
City left second-placed Manchester United a staggering 12 points behind in 2020/21, though the Red Devils made some high-profile signings in the summer to bridge the gap this time around.
While the bookmakers rate Guardiola’s side at 6/5 (2.20) to win the title, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are only fourth in the pecking order at 5/1 (6.00).
Reigning Champions League holders Chelsea at 11/4 (3.75) and Liverpool at 9/2 (5.5) are given better chances of dethroning City this season.
Despite failing to convince the bookmakers, Man United could be the surprise package in 2021/22, especially after bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club in late August.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s return, coupled with big-money arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, shows the Red Devils mean business.
FootballBlog Pick: Manchester United
Premier League Golden Boot Race
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio currently tops the scoring charts in the Premier League with four goals from three matches while waiting for other strikers to pick up some steam.
Man United duo Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood have netted three apiece, the same as Everton marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
With his infamous ‘August jinx’ now behind, Harry Kane should return to his free-scoring form as Tottenham Hotspur aim to lift their first-ever Premier League crown.
The 28-year-old showed glimpses of his scoring prowess during September’s international break, hitting the back of the net in each of England’s three World Cup qualifying matches.
Kane, who already has three Premier League Golden Boot awards under his belt, could be a value bet as the bookmakers rate him at 6/1 (7.00) to retain the crown.
Despite Tottenham’s underwhelming seventh-place finish last season, the prolific forward rounded off the 2020/21 campaign as the Premier League top scorer with 23 strikes.
Regardless of Spurs’ lack of achievements in domestic football, you can never discount the seventh all-time Premier League top scorer as a potential candidate to win the Golden Boot.
However, Premier League returnee Romelu Lukaku remains the leading Golden Boot contender, according to the bookies, despite his well-documented struggles during his previous stint in England’s top-flight.
Chelsea’s most expensive signing is priced at 3/1 (4.00) to steal the award from Kane.
However, Ronaldo’s return to Man United has thrown all expectations into doubt as no one can put it past the 36-year-old star to take the Premier League by storm despite his age.
Unlike Lukaku, Ronaldo is familiar with the feeling, having topped the scoring leaderboard in the division in 2007/08 under legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Since the Portuguese ace is likely to relieve his compatriot Bruno of penalty-kick duties, he must be regarded among the favourites despite the early disadvantage. His double on his second debut makes him an attractive bet.
FootballBlog Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo
Champions League Predictions
Chelsea defied the odds to pick themselves up from a disastrous start to their 2020/21 season and wrap up their first Champions League title since 2011/12 and second overall.
Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame Man City 1-0 in an all-Premier League grand final last season.
Chelsea will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Real Madrid and become the second club in the 21st century to defend the title.
That could be easier said than done, given fierce competition from last season’s beaten finalists City, heavily reinforced Man United and several clubs from abroad.
Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford has increased United’s chances of winning their second-ever Champions League title.
The Portugal captain was part of the Red Devils’ side to conquer Europe’s elite club competition in 2007/08 and has since won another four Champions League titles with Madrid.
With Ronaldo in the mix, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are 9/1 (10.00) favourites to lift the crown, behind City and Chelsea.
However, none of the abovementioned Premier League clubs are the top candidates to win the prize, courtesy of Paris Saint-Germain’s Football Manager-like transfer window.
In addition to Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos and Achraf Hakimi, PSG pulled off one of the most sensational pieces of business in football history to bring superstar Lionel Messi to Paris.
The bookies put Mauricio Pochettino’s star-studded team in the driving seat to dethrone Chelsea this season. Odds of 10/3 (4.33) seem reasonable given the quality Les Parisiens boast at the moment.
FootballBlog Pick: Paris Saint-Germain