Rodri injury woe nudges Gunners close to joint-favouritism

Manchester City star midfielder Rodri is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday. 

The news deals a hammer blow to his side's aspirations of winning a record fifth consecutive Premier League title — and the betting markets have reacted accordingly. 

Odds Now's Brad Walker runs you through the current landscape after an eventful weekend in England's top flight.

Arsenal into 7/4 for PL glory following Rodri injury 

Mikel Arteta's side have been edging closer to Manchester City in recent years and have finished runners-up behind the reigning champions in each of the last two seasons. 

The Gunners took the title race down to the final day last term and have started the season in impressive fashion, winning three of their opening five league outings while drawing the other two. 

One of those draws came in a pulsating Sunday showdown at the Etihad, where both sides played out a heated 2-2 draw which could prove pivotal in more ways than one.

10-man Arsenal looked to have secured a historic victory after heading into stoppage time 2-1 up, before a last-gasp John Stones equaliser salvaged a point for the hosts. 

But while the points being shared was a huge boost for City, subsequent news regarding Rodri's 21st minute injury was a monstrous blow.

City have not lost a single league match which the Spaniard has started since February 2023. Meanwhile, four of the 11 matches he missed during that period saw City come out on the losing side. 

It shouldn't come as a surprise, therefore, to see the champions' odds drift in the title race this time around following the news of his extended absence. 

City were even-money shots to retain the title on Sunday but have since drifted to a current best price of 7/5 with AK Bets and the Betfair Exchange. 

Subsequently, title rivals Arsenal have shortened in the race for a first league title in 21 years. They now sit at 6/4 generally, having been available at a best price of 21/10 prior to the weekend.

Arsenal have closed the gap on reigning champions Manchester City over the last two seasons. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Plenty flock to back new-look Liverpool

City and Arsenal are undoubtedly the two main contenders in this season's title race, though they were also competing against Liverpool for significant portions of last season. 

The Merseysiders eventually peeled off during the latter stages of the previous campaign after a drop in form and have also since overseen a significant change in the Anfield dugout. 

Kop hero Jurgen Klopp made way for up-and-coming Dutch head coach Arne Slot, who previously managed Feyenoord in his native country. That change hasn't had much of an impact on Liverpool's form, though.

Slot's side have won four of their opening five matches in the league and also got off to a winning start in the Champions League with a 3-1 away win over AC Milan last week. 

A shot at the title may be too big of an ask for this season but, nevertheless, Liverpool's odds have also shortened in the race to become English champions for a joint-best 20th time.

The Reds were as big as 8/1 heading into Matchday 5 but are now 6/1 best price to start the Slot era in iconic style.

Liverpool have impressed during Slot's first weeks in charge. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Punters unenthused by chasing pack

What prices are available for the rest of the clubs operating in-and-around the top of the Premier League? 

Todd Boehly's big-spending Chelsea are fourth favourites behind the three sides discussed above, coming in at 25/1 with various bookmakers to win their first league title since 2017. 

The Blues have shown positive signs under Enzo Maresca this season but are still miles off the main contenders in terms of consistency and reliability — hence a lack of movement in their price.

Tottenham, who haven't won a major trophy since 2008, come in next at a whopping 66/1. 

While Spurs have impressed performance-wise so far this season, Ange Postecoglou's men have endured difficulty converting this into results. Finishing in the top four is a much more realistic aim. 

Aston Villa have continued their positive form from last season, winning four of their opening five fixtures under Unai Emery. They also won their opening Champions League fixture away at Young Boys last week. 

Emery's men currently sit at 80/1 with Sky Bet to lift the title at the end of May — as are an out-of-sorts Manchester United.

Clearly, the betting public view this year's Premier League as a three-horse race at best.