© Ronnie Macdonald (CC BY 2.0)
The evidence from the betting on the early rounds of the English Premier League would suggest that the punters have a renewed faith in the chances of previous league winners Chelsea and Manchester United following the appointments of new managers at both.
Antonio Conte’s move to Chelsea from Juventus has been widely welcomed by Chelsea fans, and the evidence from the betting on the team’s first two matches in this season’s Premier League would suggest the betting public are equally enthused over the chances of a transformation of the Blues’ fortunes this season.
According to data from alternative betting exchange SpiffX, compared to match day one in 2015 when Chelsea played Swansea City – where 75% of the money wagered on a Chelsea win – there was more optimism in 2016 that the Blues would get off to a winning start with over 85% of the money going on a debut victory under Conte stewardship.
Chelsea comparison. Matchweek1 2015 v Matchweek1 2016
Chelsea v Swansea 2015-08-08 (Result: 2-2)
75.38% – ,’Chelsea’
13.30% – ‘Draw’
11.32% ‘Swansea’
Chelsea v West Ham 2016-08-13 (Result: 2-1)
85.09% – ‘Chelsea’
6.12% – ‘Draw’
8.79% – ‘West Ham’
Ex-Chelsea paramour Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has joined Manchester United in the summer and his arrival at Old Trafford is generating even more optimism among gamblers. This time last year, when Louis Van Gaal was at the helm, United saw 77.5% of the money being placed on the team managing a home win against Tottenham Hotspur. However, for game week one this year over 90% expected Mourinho to notch up his first win against the admittedly weaker Bournemouth away. The enthusiasm was slightly moderated by the second week when the team faced a stronger Southampton side ta home, with just under 75% of the money going on a home win and another 14% being placed on a draw.
Man Utd comparison. Matchweek1 2015 v Matchweek1 2016 v Matchweek2 2016
Man Utd v Tottenham 2015-08-08 (Result: 1-0)
10.48% – ‘Draw’
77.55% – ‘Man Utd’
11.97% – ‘Tottenham’
Bournemouth v Man United 2016-08-14 (Result: 1-3)
4.60% – ‘Bournemouth’
3.78% – ‘Draw’
91.62% – ‘Man Utd’
Man Utd v Southampton 2016-08-19 (Result: 2-0)
74.46% – ‘Man Utd’
14.07% – ‘Draw’
11.47% – ‘Southampton’
