2018 is almost at an end, and it has been a year that has seen some drastic changes in football. England, after heroics at the 2018 World Cup, went from being a national embarrassment to a national treasure. Real Madrid seem to have gone the opposite direction, whereas nobody truly knows what is wrong with Manchester United. All these narratives have changed dramatically in just a few months, so we know that a lot could happen in 2019. In light of that, here are some predictions – with some betting odds thrown in – for the year ahead:
Real Madrid Get their Groove Back
It seems almost bizarre to say that Real Madrid are 5th in the La Liga table at the time of writing, one point behind Alaves. Yes, Alaves. That’s what you get when you let a three-time Champions League winner go and simultaneously derail Spain’s chances of World Cup success. But, it’s not as if all is well with Barcelona, who are just five points ahead of Real Madrid despite the shoddy form of Los Blancos.
Is the 6/1 from 188Bet that Madrid win the title worth a punt? Perhaps not. But the 12/1 from Paddy Power that they win the Champions League again is. They have enough quality to go deep in the competition, will likely spend a ton of money and deserve to be priced a little higher than Bayern Munich (more on them below) and PSG who are given odds of 9/1 and 8/1 respectively.
Bayern Get Blown Away by Dortmund
All is not well in Munich, and those giving out top football betting tips are quickly realising there is money to be made by betting against Bayern Munich. As it stands, bookies like William Hill and BetVictor have still got Munich priced at 6/5 to win the title. That’s rotten for a team who often look clueless and sit nine points behind beautiful Borussia Dortmund. Take the 4/6 from Bet365 that Dortmund win the title and watch the money roll in.
Somebody not called Chelsea or Arsenal wins Europa League
From the moment Chelsea and Arsenal were entered into the Europa League, bookies have been salivating over their chances to win the competition. William Hill have odds of just 4/1 that Chelsea win the competition and just 9/2 for Arsenal. Everyone else apart from Sevilla (11/1) is priced at 20/1 or above. Crazy when you consider several big sides could join from the Champions League. Hold your money until we get a clearer picture, or plump for a nifty outsider like Lazio at 33/1 (Betfred).
Fill your boots with Manchester City
Normally, a solid betting tip does not involve a team with 2/9 (Betfred) odds to win the title. But an exception should be made for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. They are by a considerable distance the best team in the Premier League and arguably the best in the world. TV broadcasters will tell you that the Premier League is a four or five horse race this season – it isn’t. City will be miles ahead by the springtime and those 2/9 odds will be a distant memory. If you have the cash to spare for a big splash, it’s worth it.
Mourinho stays on
Jose Mourinho is the 15/8 favourite with Betfair to be the next manager out of a job in the Premier League. Don’t get sucked in – the United fans by and large still support the Portuguese, preferring instead to direct their anger at the board and a certain Ed Woodward. Nuno Santo, who looks in a downward spiral at Wolves, looks a better option at 6/1 with BetVictor.