“UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour 2008” (CC BY 2.0) by Pipe Loyola M
Over in the English Premier League, the top four teams in the division will progress into Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Champions League places are on the line and this is where the big sides and the best players need to be involved.
Defending EPL champions Manchester City look to be coasting towards yet another title while their nearest challenges are likely to come from Chelsea and Liverpool. The top three positions look to already be sewn up but the race for that final Champions League slot is tighter than ever before.
Already Booking Their Places
After the teams had played their first games of 2022, Manchester City enjoyed a 10-point lead at the top of the table. Pep Guardiola’s men were embarking on a long winning run and that’s a huge advantage at this advanced stage of the season.
The team looking to make up that gap were Chelsea while Liverpool were a point further back in third place. With just under half of the current campaign still to play, there is a chance for other teams to overhaul the deficit but it now seems almost certain that Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool will be the first three clubs to advance to the Champions League in 2022/23.
The Remaining Runners and Riders
Arsenal sit in fourth place after the first week of 2022 but just two points separate the Gunners and the sides in fifth and sixth position. West Ham United and Spurs occupy those slots while Manchester United and Wolves are both looking to make a challenge in seventh and eighth place respectively.
So who will claim that final place? Opinions are divided but, if we take a look at the sportsbooks, their predictions largely reflect those current positions in the table. According to football and general sports betting websites linked into asiabet.org, Arsenal are narrow favourites to take fourth place while there is some support for Manchester United.
West Ham and Spurs are also heavily rated but Wolves are seen as outsiders, despite beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in their first game of 2022. With more games still to play, those Top Four markets have plenty of scope for change and Asiabet will update their records after each set of results.
It’s a strong all round website with news on the Premier League, and on football in general. Readers can even move their interest forward by staking on those soccer markets if they wish to do so. All of the sportsbooks mentioned on the site will be ready to accept new registrations and many will have welcome deals available on sign up.
A choice of deposit and withdrawal methods will also be in place along with efficient customer service and a range of other sports. It’s a useful website with which to monitor the top four race but have the sportsbooks got their predictions right?
The Neutral Verdict
Much could depend on the January transfer window and whether any of the clubs will take the opportunity to strengthen their squads. Both Arsenal and Spurs are expected to be especially active with areas in their respective sides that need to be addressed.
Arsenal have concerns over their current strike force. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang are out of form and out of favour and the Gunners will be looking for some reinforcements.
At Tottenham Hotspur, new manager Antonio Conte has told the club’s owners that there is a need for new faces in the January transfer window. Conte is also looking for a striker, along with some additions in other areas of the pitch.
Manchester United also have a new manager but, having spent heavily in the summer, will Ralf Rangnick be given the funds needed in order to shape his squad? West Ham and Wolves will also be considering their options in terms of January transfers.
In short, much will depend on what happens over the next few weeks and whether those chasing clubs make the right moves in the transfer window. The race for the final Champions League place is wide open and some shrewd dealing in January could be pivotal in terms of finding a winner.