Liverpool and Manchester United have both been eased out slightly in bwin’s Premier League winner predictions following a goalless stalemate at Anfield.
The defending champions are now available at 7/2 to retain their title, while the Red Devils can be backed at 7/1 to finish at the summit.
United stayed on top of the table with 37 points from 18 games, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits they left Merseyside disappointed not to have claimed victory.
They were denied twice late on by Alisson Becker, who pulled off good close-range saves to keep out Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
Solskjaer felt his side did not do enough to threaten their opponents’ makeshift centre-back pairing of midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
“They have some injury problems but we didn’t pounce on that,” he said. “We were a bit disappointed in the performance, not just the result.
“We didn’t do well enough to cause them problems in the first half, but we defended well and they didn’t create too many chances.
“We know we have players who can win you a game in the blink of a second and Bruno and Paul almost did.”
Liverpool enjoyed plenty of possession but created few clear-cut openings and have now failed to score in their last three league fixtures.
The Reds remained three points behind United but results elsewhere saw them slip down to fourth in the table.
Jurgen Klopp commented: “I am long enough in the business to know that you have to go through more difficult periods.
“It’s not the most difficult in my life – not even close to it – so it’s just a situation where we play football and have had injuries.”
He added: “I think the performance was good enough to win it, but to win a game you have to score goals and we didn’t do that.”
City continue winning streak
Manchester City are 3/5 favourites in bwin’s Premier League winner predictions after moving up to second by crushing Crystal Palace 4-0 on home turf.
John Stones bagged a brace, while Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling were also on target to put the Citizens two points below United with a game in hand.
City’s victory was their fifth in succession in the Premier League and, after a slow start to the season, they seem to be making their move.
Pep Guardiola said: “Of course, we fought a lot to be up there, like many clubs, and we will have to fight a lot to stay there.
“It is a weird season. Everyone can beat everyone. It is difficult every game but I am happy, especially for the players, for another good performance and for the three points.”
Leicester are also on 35 points after beating Southampton 2-0 at King Power Stadium but have played 18 times and are 33/1 for the title.
James Maddison’s thumping first-half strike put the Foxes ahead and, after several good chances went astray, Harvey Barnes made sure of the win in stoppage time.
“We were aggressive, created lots of opportunities and worked tirelessly in the game, so overall a very good win,” said Brendan Rodgers. “Could have had more goals, but delighted with three points.”
Tottenham are four points off the pace in fifth after prevailing 3-1 at Sheffield United, with Tanguy Ndombele netting via an audacious flick over the goalkeeper’s head when running away from goal.
Spurs are 20/1 for the title and Jose Mourinho stated: “The performance was good. The team was very dominant, created enough chances to kill the game in the first half.”
Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Fulham kept them eight points adrift of United and they are 40/1 to finish at the summit.
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