Premier League top-four play-off? Here are the odds you need to know
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Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal. Three clubs vying for the two remaining Champions League spots.
Simple maths tells you that equation just doesn’t go.
One side will miss out, but it could all yet come down to a thrilling winner-takes-all play-off.
Here’s what you need to know.
Manchester City are 1/50 favourites to bag a top-four spot, and they visit Watford on Sunday.
Liverpool are next at 1/14, and the Anfield outfit will welcome Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Arsenal are the outsiders at 11/2, with the Gunners at home to Everton.
But let’s break it down, as there are numerous ways in which two of those three sides could battle it out in a play-off.
A Manchester City v Liverpool play-off
With Pep Guardiola’s side two points ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s men, a win for Liverpool and a draw for City would leave them level.
But should Liverpool hammer relegated Middlesbrough, and City become embroiled in a goal-fest at Watford, a play-off could be on the cards.
Although in this instance, both sides would already have Champions League football, and the play-off would be to decide third and fourth.
Man City to draw 3-3 & Liverpool to win 3-0 – 485/1
Man City to draw 4-4 & Liverpool to win 4-0 – 2260/1
A Manchester City v Arsenal play-off
The Gunners have to win on Sunday, but face possibly the trickiest test of the lot against Everton.
That said, the Toffees have nothing to play for. So a narrow Arsenal win, coupled with a shock loss for Manc City would leave the pair equal.
And depending on Liverpool’s result, this could be a third versus fourth showdown, or a winner-takes all fourth versus fifth.
Man City to lose 3-0 & Arsenal to win 2-0 – 1056/1
Man City to lose 4-0 & Arsenal to win 1-0 – 1756/1
A Liverpool v Arsenal play-off
Should Liverpool lose and Arsenal draw, then depending on the correct scores, the pair would be set for a Champions League decider.
It does require goal-shy Middlesbrough to score at least twice however, but still, stranger things have happened.
Liverpool to lose 2-0 & Arsenal to draw 1-1 – 1284/1
Liverpool to lose 3-1 & Arsenal to draw 2-2 – 3416/1
Liverpool to lose 4-2 & Arsenal to draw 3-3 – 17820/1
And what are the odds for any one of those things to happen, we hear you ask?
175/1…
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
