2021-22 Premier League Futures Odds: Manchester City Tabbed Preseason Title Favorite

Soccer is the true 12-month sport (sorry, football and basketball fans).

Though we have the Euro 2020 tournament and Copa America churning along for another week and a half, preseason friendlies begin shortly afterward.

Then, the Premier League, La Liga and other domestic leagues start roughly three weeks later. It's a nonstop grind, way more than any other sport in the world.

With a half-week gap before the Euro 2020 and Copa America quarterfinals begin, let's take a look at the Premier League's futures odds for the upcoming season.

Note: This story will be updated intermittently throughout the campaign.

Odds to Win 2021-22 Premier League

Odds via DraftKings as of July 1

Preseason Update for Title Contenders

Manchester City

The Cityzens are absolute juggernauts who have cover at every position. There are legitimately 20 players on this roster that could play for most, if not every, club team in the world.

While Manchester City hasn't made any notable incoming transfers quite yet, its sights are set on Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane and Aston Villa standout Jack Grealish. If the rumors are any indication of what's to come, there seems to be a distinct possibility that Grealish makes the move to the Etihad at the right price.

I don't see Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy letting Kane go under the current circumstances, especially because the team has far more bargaining leverage now that Manchester United is likely out of the Kane race after dropping roughly $100 million on Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.

Regardless, it seems like there's a solid chance Grealish makes the move up north and calcifies Manchester City's chances at a title repeat this season. If that happens, expect these -139 odds to lengthen even further.

Chelsea

The Blues, who are coming off a surprising Champions League title, haven't made any notable transfer moves besides selling Fikayo Tomori to Serie A side AC Milan. The 23-year-old defender had already left in January on loan. As of Thursday, Chelsea is also rumored to be in the closing stage of loaning out wunderkind midfielder Billy Gilmour.

While the Blues have clearly found a formation and style of play that suits their squad, until they find a consistent No. 9 option, I don't see them being anything more than a top four contender over a lengthy campaign in England's top flight.

I love Chelsea's center backs and wingbacks, plus Mason Mount is a complete baller. Unfortunately, Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham are liabilities up top. With the current roster, the club's +500 odds don't present much value.

The Blues have been rumored as prospective buyers for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland for the second consecutive summer, and with Sancho officially leaving the Bundesliga side, perhaps that becomes a more distinct possibility. However, until they nail down an out-and-out striker, I don't think they can pull off an EPL championship over a 38-game campaign.

Liverpool

Sitting at +500 odds, the Reds might be the best value play here. Defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez will be back, plus they picked up some more center-back cover with the $44 million purchase of RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konaté.

The loss of Dutch standout Georginio Wijnaldum in the middle will be mildly problematic, but I rate Thiago Alcântara to have a fantastic bounce-back season after he struggled with injuries throughout the 2020-21 campaign.

Alisson is still the best goalkeeper in the world. Yes, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané have regressed slightly. Yes, Trent Alexander-Arnold has his defensive issues.

Yet, this club at full strength — with its center backs returning — can contend with any team in the world. The loss of van Dijk and Gomez last season caused a chain reaction that resulted in a worse counter-pressing apparatus, plus an inability to press higher up the field for fearing of being countered. With two of the world's best center backs returning to the fray, I expect the Gegenpressing to be back at full strength.

Other Notable Items

The rest of the odds align with pretty much how you'd expect them, with the potential exception of Leicester City, which at +4000 has some solid value if you're really, really trying to bet a massive underdog. Tottenham Hotspur needs at least two more center backs if they're going to even make a run for the top four.  And I don't rate Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjær at only +650 odds.

The three promoted squads — Brentford, Watford and Norwich City — have the longest odds to win the trophy. No team has ever won the Premier League the season after promotion.

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