Premier League: Status Quo Betting

At what point do surprise packages stop being surprising? It’s February and we are approximately two thirds of the way through the domestic football season. Surely a team that has ‘overperformed’ for this long, now has a reasonable chance of keeping it going through till May?

But the bookies and the betting public seem to remain sceptical till the very end. With this in mind we can still get pretty good odds on the likes of Newcastle, Norwich and Swansea simply maintaining the status quo for a little while longer.

Newcastle:

Current Position: 5th
Best Odds on Finishing Top 6: 9/4 (BetVictor)

Verdict: The Magpies may have had a little mid-season wobble but they are right back on track after four league wins in their last five. Currently just one point off a Champions League qualifying spot, Pardew’s team are 16/1 (Bet365) to finish top four. The prolific Ba is back from Africa and he’s brought with him his compatriot Cisse who scored a fine goal on his debut. The Toon Army shouldn’t be underestimated any longer.

Norwich City:

Current Position: 9th
Best Odds on Finishing Top 10: 11/4 (StanJames)

Verdict: As a newly promoted team without any big stars people just assume that the Canaries will eventually fall off their perch. Everton, Villa, Fulham and Stoke are all fancied to overtake Lambert’s side in the end. But they all lack consistency and haven’t managed it over 24 matches. 11/4 must be good value if Norwich avoid serious injuries and maintain their confidence.

Swansea City:

Current Position: 10th
Best Odds on Finishing Top 10: 5/2 (BetVictor)

Verdict: A very similar story to Norwich, the Welsh side have just two points fewer. Only an injury time deflected goal for Chelsea last week that forced a 1-1 draw is the difference. Throughout the campaign Rodgers’ team have looked a match for all visitors to the Liberty Stadium - Arsenal were humbled there in January. But crucially the Swans have now found their feet on the road as well; they have won two of their last three away games, at Villa and WBA. Nothing to suggest they are a fading force.