The Premier League winner odds at the start of the season suggested it was a two-horse race between Manchester City and Arsenal, but Liverpool have flown out of the traps, and the bookies have taken notice.
With Jurgen Klopp stepping down and Arne Slot taking the reins, it was expected to be a season of transition at Anfield, and they started as 7/1 title outsiders.
But that price is now 9/2 after a statement 3-0 win at Old Trafford, although champions Manchester City remain hot favourites for the crown, and the Gunners are still second in the betting.
Best Premier League winner odds
Manchester City – 11/10
Pep Guardiola's men have made an ominous start by easing to three successive wins over Chelsea, Ipswich Town and West Ham United.
Inevitably, runaway Golden Boot favourite Erling Haaland has made a big impact so far, with a second successive hat-trick against the Hammers taking his tally to seven goals in three games. That provides early vindication for those who have backed him as the bookmakers’ odds-on pick to be top scorer.
The champions are looking slick, but Guardiola will have another packed fixture list to contend with, not to mention a potential points deduction that has powered their unusually short relegation odds.
It's a big ask for Man City to keep delivering the goods, especially with Guardiola only signing Brazilian winger Savinho and bringing back Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona. Julian Alvarez has been sold to Atletico Madrid, Kevin De Bruyne is another year older, and winger Oscar Bobb has picked up what looks to be a serious injury.
If key players, particularly Haaland, suffer injuries, does Guardiola have the quality in reserve?
Arsenal – 7/4
The Gunners have come agonisingly close to ruling England in the last couple of seasons and look ready to mount another push for the crown. Mikel Arteta's men took the race to the final day last term, missing out on the title by just two points, and it was a campaign when his side made more progress.
The general consensus was that the Gunners lacked a top-class centre-forward to get them over the line, so I was surprised they failed to sign one in the transfer window. But Raheem Sterling arrived to boost his forward options while Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino look good additions in defence and midfield.
Arsenal dropped their first points with a home draw against Brighton but that result actually showed they have the bottle for a title push. With Declan Rice red-carded early in the second half, it was a game the Gunners would have lost in the past, but they dug in for the draw and almost pinched another win on the break.
Their price has increased a little from 7/4 to 2/1 with most firms, but Arteta's side look in good shape.
Liverpool – 9/2
Arne Slot has made an impressive start to life in the Liverpool hot seat, with 2-0 wins over Ipswich and Brentford to kick off his reign. But the acid test for the Dutchman came at Old Trafford on Sunday, and he would have been thrilled with their rampant 3-0 victory.
That was Liverpool's third successive clean sheet, and they look more secure in defence than they did under Klopp last term.
Liverpool started the season at 7/1 for the title, but the price came down to 13/2, and they are now 9/2 with most firms after battering Manchester United.
The big concern for Slot is that key men such as Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander Arnold have yet to agree on new deals, and uncertainty could have an impact if the issue is allowed to linger.
Who will win the Premier League? Here's our prediction
Arsenal were our picks before a ball was kicked, and that weekend draw with Brighton hasn't changed our opinion. They showed a lot of character after the red card, and that team spirit could carry them a long way.
Liverpool's early form suggests they will join Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race, but the Gunners seem to have more momentum and look at decent value for punters, especially with City’s backstage troubles.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. My first novel Moristoun was released in 2015. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site and have been writing the betting tips for the Daily Record newspaper since the sad death of Paul Jain in 2020.
In December 2020 we sadly 
