Champions already backed for drop
LEICESTER CITY’S incredible Premier League triumph is one of the most uplifting sporting stories of modern time – but punters sure know how to rain on the Foxes’ parade.
Within seconds of Leicester being crowned champions on Monday night, bet365 reported a string of bets for the 2016-17 season – for relegation at 50-1.
The firm reported close to 1,000 bets on Leicester for the drop with spokesman Steve Freeth commenting: “The vast majority are expecting a slight decline in Leicester’s fortunes next season but some are taking a punt on the wheels coming off big time.”
Betway, meanwhile, yesterday revealed one punter had already backed Claudio Ranieri’s men to the tune of £500 each-way at 40-1 for a title repeat next season.
The firm are still top price Leicester, who are as short as 25-1 in a market headed by Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The club owners have revealed that Leicester, likely to be around £250m richer next year, will not be selling players as they prepare for the twin-pronged title defence and Champions League debut. Ranieri’s heroes are 100-1 to win that competition.
Punters expecting another team to ‘do a Leicester’ next season can get 7-2 with bet365 that the 2016-17 campaign ends with another new name on the Premier League roll of honour, while it’s 8-11 that no-one managed to crash the party between now and 2020.
Sporting Index quoted Leicester’s points at 38.5-40 at the start of the season – they have opened their line for next term at 58-59.5.
