Based on the players Pep Guardiola has at his disposal, Manchester City is understandably expected to win the Premier League in ’24-25 for the seventh time in eight seasons.
The club lost Julian Alvarez this summer, but it returns almost every player that helped make this club the EPL champs in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.
With Erling Haaland, the winner of the Premier League Golden Boot each of the last two seasons, back to lead a deep squad that boasts world-class players all over the pitch, City’s status as the clear EPL favorites is hard to question.
There’s a (potentially historic) wrinkle, though.
Right now, Man City’s a favorite to win the league, but also a legitimate contender — at least in the eyes of some bettors — to be relegated.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Manchester City 2024-25 Relegation OddsAs of August 15, the club’s relegation odds, in order of longest to shortest, are below:
FanDuel Man City relegation odds: +1300 (11th-shortest)bet365 Man City relegation odds: +1100 (11th-shortest)BetMGM Man City relegation odds: +1000 (11th-shortest)ESPN BET Man City relegation odds: +750 (ninth-shortest)In the Premier League, and in most soccer leagues outside the U.S., the bottom three finishers in a league drop down to a lower-tier league for the following season. In the case of the EPL, three teams drop down to the Championship.
They’re replaced annually by the promoted Championship clubs (the top three finishers).
So is it really possible that a team can be seen as not just a contender — but the clear favorite — to win a league, while also having a chance to be relegated?
Not usually, no. But City’s circumstances are unique, to say the least.
Below is a rundown of the conflict between Manchester City and the Premier League.
How could Premier League relegate Man City?What follows is the “SparkNotes” version of City’s predicament, which is expected to be resolved some time between now and the conclusion of the ’24-25 EPL season.
A hearing that will begin in September will determine whether City is guilty of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. It’s possible that the EPL will punish City with a points deduction, or even expel the club from the league.
The latter seems extremely unlikely, but a massive points deduction is at least a faint possibility.
A massive deduction could land City in the relegation zone by season’s end, no matter how many games it wins.
Bettors rush to wager on Manchester City’s possible relegationIt’s an understatement to call the outcome of the Premier League’s hearing unpredictable, but the possibility of the EPL heavily sanctioning Manchester City has inspired some notable betting action in recent weeks.
There’s already been substantial, line-moving action on the league favorites to be relegated. in fact, according to ESPN’s Doug Greenberg, 27% of the bets (and 45% of the handle) that have been placed to date in the relegation market at ESPN BET have been on City.
Greenberg also reported that at BetMGM, 24.2% of relegation tickets are on Man City.
Sports have always been a popular thing to bet on, and presidential elections draw no shortage of action. Court rulings, however, are rarely fodder for bettors — until now, at least.
At the moment, this looks like the rare instance of a court case being open season for sports bettors.
Obviously, books are not offering “how will the EPL rule on what Manchester City is accused of” markets, but that’s effectively what anyone who is betting on this team’s relegation is wagering.
Manchester City 2024-25 Relegation Odds FAQWill relegation bets on City cash if the club lands in the bottom three because of a points deduction?
Yes.
Keep in mind that most sportsbooks will likely treat relegation wagers on a team that lands in the relegation zone, even if it’s a result of a points deduction, as winning bets.
Will relegation bets on City cash if it is expelled from the EPL?
No.
At most sportsbooks, an expulsion by a league/governing body would most likely result in “City to be relegated” wagers being deemed void and refunded.
What is Manchester City’s legal case about?Before we answer, how much time do you have on your hands?
Long story short: The charges the club is accused of committing relate to allegations that first surfaced back in 2018. City is accused of 115 violations, mostly of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The gist of of most of these alleged violations has to do with failure to provide accurate financial information.
City was previously banned from UEFA competitions in 2020 amid similar charges from the European governing body, but that ban was overturned later that year.
The Premier League first charged the club with the violations that are the subject of the upcoming trial in February of 2023.
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Source : Newsweek