Pre-play figures on Spiffx highlight United’s poor league form

For this week’s Spiffx update, we look at three of the Premier League title favourites from the start of the season, and see how their pre-play odds have changed since the opening week of action.

Starting with Arsenal, who opened their league campaign at home to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Spiffx punters were understandably cautious (41.77%) about backing the home team given Arsenal’s propensity for starting the season slowly.

After losing 2-0 at home to West Ham on the first day of last season, the Gunners suffered again at the hands of the Reds, as Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho ran riot against a makeshift back four including Rob Holding and Calum Chambers.

However, with Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defence, an inflated 72% of Spiffx players backed the home side to beat Bournemouth, who had recorded an impressive victory in their previous away match at Stoke City. Expect support for the Gunners to increase as they continue to build on a 12-match unbeaten run.

Moving on to Chelsea, and it’s hard to read too much into the figures. Excitement over Antonio Conte’s arrival as manager and injuries to key West Ham players explains the huge 85% support for the home team in the season opener at Stamford Bridge.

However, the stunning form the Blues have produced in recent weeks was not reflected in their pre-play odds for last week’s match with Tottenham. Unsurprisingly, Chelsea recorded a seventh consecutive league victory over a Spurs side missing the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose.

Finally, after looking at Manchester United’s pre-play figures, support for Jose Mourinho is starting to ‘Wayne’. His captain scored in the season opener at the Vitality Stadium, as United announced themselves as title contenders with a performance worthy of the 69.70% backing on Spiffx.

Fast-forward a few months and United attracted just 57.14% of the bets for a home match against West Ham, a side they haven’t lost at home against since May 2007. The match ended one apiece, as the Red Devils fell 11 points behind the league leaders with a fifth draw in the last seven matches.

This is the info for this week:

Week 1: August 14 – Arsenal v Liverpool

Result: 3-4

• Arsenal – 41.77%
• Draw – 5.06%
• Liverpool – 53.17%

Week 13: November 27 – Arsenal v Bournemouth

Result: 3-1

• Arsenal – 72%
• Draw – 16%
• Bournemouth – 12%

Week 1: August 15 – Chelsea v West Ham

Result: 2-1

• Chelsea – 85%
• Draw – 4.17%
• West Ham – 10.83%

Week 13: November 26 – Chelsea v Tottenham

Result: 2-1

• Chelsea – 60.47%
• Draw – 13.95%
• West Ham – 25.58%

Week 1: August 14 – Bournemouth v Man United

Result: 1-3

• Bournemouth – 17%
• Draw – 13.13%
• Man United – 69.70%

Week 13: November 27 – Man United v West Ham

Result: 1-1

• Man United – 57.14%
• Draw – 20.64%
• West Ham – 22.22%