Handicap of +14 makes Liverpool tempting pick for title winner

Liverpool fans are all too aware that their side has not claimed a league title since the 1989-90 campaign but with The Reds enjoying their best start to a Premier League season in five years the Kop faithful are dreaming once more.

Two wins – against Stoke and Aston Villa – might not be enough to seriously suggest Brendan Rodgers’ men are title contenders but with Ladbrokes offering the Anfield outfit at +14 in the Divisional Handicap Betting market backing the red half of Merseyside is a tempting prospect.

Villa and Stoke might well be teams that Reds fans expect their side to beat but after struggling to a 0-0 draw against the Potters at home last year, Liverpool are already two points to the good.

Furthermore, with Rodgers retaining the services of Luis Suarez (so far) and adding the likes of Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet to the squad Liverpool seem better equipped to challenge the London-Manchester domination of the league than at any point in the last few years.

A handicap of +14 would have seen Liverpool claim the title on three of the last eight occasions so, given their start, the red-hot form of striker Daniel Sturridge and their recruitment over the summer, 11/1 certainly entices.

West Ham are another side priced at 11/1 in this market and their handicap of +34 means they should also be given consideration.

The Irons have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League campaign since 2006-07 – picking up four points from games against Cardiff and Newcastle – and with seasoned campaigners Joe Cole and Stewart Downing aiming to get the best out of the returning Andy Carroll things are looking up for Sam Allardyce’s side.

A 34-point advantage  may not have been enough to win West Ham the Premier League in any of the last eight seasons but The Hammers are a side in the ascendency and just two or three wins more than last year could easily see them secure 55 points, which with the handicap would see them land a points haul bettered just once in the last six years.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Bet Now. New customers can bet £10 and get £30 in free bets