Irish Bookmakers Pick Their Premier League Top 4
Well, folks, after what felt like an eternity, even though we were treated to footballing action from the World Cup, football season is back, and now it feels like it never went away.
With the Championship and league football kicking off a couple of weeks ago, this past weekend just gone, the 2026/27 English Premier League (EPL) also officially kicked off, and it already provided heaps of entertainment, and more importantly, plenty of opportunity to win a few Euros with a few crafty bets.
One of the best parts of Premier League footy is the betting. Even though you typically have a rough idea of who the top 4 finishers are going to be, you can never be quite certain, and there’s always the risk of an upset. Not only that, but you can also access other betting markets, including things like bookings and manager sackings. Speak to the bookies, though, and they’ll tell you that the big money is in the race for the title and the race to Europe with the top 4.
So, will Arsenal make it two on the bounce, can Enzo Maresca’s Man City get back to winning ways, or will we see an upset? Here’s what the bookies in Ireland think as they pick their Premier League Top 4.
Arsenal
Judging from last season’s conclusion, along with their performance over the weekend, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that Arsenal are the current favourites to win the league again.
Currently, QuinnBet and BOYLE Sports will give you 10/11 odds for The Gunners to retain their EPL trophy, while Ladbrokes will offer you odds of 5/6. Judging from the depth of their squad, coupled with their performance last season, and in their opening match, it’s easy to see why they’re favourites. As for a top 4 finish, the odds are even more competitive. Ladbrokes are offering 1/25, while QuinnBet and BOYLE Sports have them at 1/16. Arsenal finishing outside of the top 4 just feels unheard of.
Arsenal kicked off the new season with an emphatic 3-0 win over Frank Lampard’s newly promoted Coventry City. What will be even more reassuring for Mikel Arteta, is the fact that Bukayo Saka was on the scoresheet after a subdued World Cup performance for England, along with injury problems.
Manchester City
Again, no real shocks here considering their results over the last decade or so, but Manchester City are also well in the running for the EPL title, and are virtually guaranteed a top 4 finish in the eyes of most Irish bookies.
QuinnBet, Ladbrokes, and BOYLE Sports all currently have Man City at 4/1 odds to take the title this season, though questions will need to be answered as there are a lot of unknowns to consider this season, namely how they’ll get on without Pep Guardiola at the helm. Regardless, they should comfortably finish in the top 4. In fact, Ladbrokes, BOYLE Sports, and QuinnBet will all give you 1/3 odds for a City top 4 finish.
City kicked off their 26/27 EPL campaign against Bournemouth, and they definitely looked shaky. Bournemouth took the lead in the first half, thanks to a Tavernier goal, and up until the 84th minute, they looked like they may actually cause an upset. Fortunately, goals from Guehi in the 84th minute, and Gvardiol in the 91st minute, saved Maresca’s blushes, especially after Arsenal hammered them 3-0 in the Community Shield the week prior.
The biggest talk of that game, however, was Erling Haaland’s new buzzcut. Haaland, usually razor sharp in front of goal, missed a host of chances for City. Let’s just hope that cutting his hair doesn’t have the same effect on him as it did on Samson, when he lost his powers.
Chelsea
Last season for Chelsea was a disappointment, there’s no way around it. They missed out on a spot in Europe to newly promoted Sunderland, and they never really looked like a real threat.
Over the summer they’ve spent a lot of money and have strengthened their squad, and that appears to have worked. So far at least, as Xabi Alonso’s reign as new Chelsea gaffer, got off to a winning start over London neighbours Fulham.
Chelsea defeated Fulham 3-2, with goals from Joao Pedro, new record-signing Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer, who really lived up to that ice-cool moniker he’s earned as of late. In fact, Palmer stole the show as he looked unstoppable at times, not only scoring, but also creating chances. Maybe being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad over the summer lit a fire under him? If he continues to play like he did Monday night, Chelsea fans will be delighted, as will England fans, as he will almost certainly find his way back into the Three Lion’s squad.
Ladbrokes currently have Chelsea at 1/2 for a Top 4 finish, whereas QuinnBet and BOYLE Sports both have them at 4/9. They may not have clinched a top 4 finish last season, but Chelsea this season will look very different.
Liverpool
Finally, we have Liverpool.
Liverpool kicked off their 26/27 campaign with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle thanks to a stoppage time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai in the 99th minute to save Iraola the embarrassment of a loss in his opening game in charge of the club.
Last season, Liverpool failed to deliver or live up to expectations set the previous season when they took the title, and subsequently, Arne Slot was relieved of his duties. Liverpool next have Notts Forest and Ipswich, which on paper, they should pick up 6 comfortable points from.
As of this writing, the bookies still believe that Liverpool will comfortably finish in the top 4, with Ladbrokes currently offering 8/13 odds, while you’ll get odds of 4/7 with both BOYLE Sports and QuinnBet.