{"id":841,"date":"2025-08-27T08:23:34","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betsloaded.com\/b\/?p=841"},"modified":"2025-08-27T08:23:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:23:34","slug":"premier-league-25-26-who-are-the-best-of-the-rest-in-the-race-for-the-top-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betsloaded.com\/b\/premier-league-25-26-who-are-the-best-of-the-rest-in-the-race-for-the-top-four\/","title":{"rendered":"Premier League 25\/26: Who Are the \u201cBest of the Rest\u201d in the Race for the Top Four?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Newcastle United badge – Source: Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wait is finally over. After its annual three-month hiatus, the Premier League<\/a> burst back into life at Anfield as reigning champions Liverpool welcomed Bournemouth to Anfield on August 15th to kick off the defence of their title. The Reds, armed with their slew of big-money signings, are the favorites to claim the title this season, and a spot in the top four is the absolute minimum of what they should achieve. Alongside them, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea are all expected to lock out the three remaining Champions League positions, just as they did last term.<\/p>\n

But what of the rest? Last season’s race for Europe was one of the wildest in recent memory, with Newcastle, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and even Brighton all in contention throughout the campaign’s dying embers. But who will be in contention this term? Well, here are the four teams that online sports betting sites consider the ‘Best of the Rest’ picks to rival the Premier League’s current top four elite.<\/p>\n

Manchester United<\/b><\/h2>\n

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the latest outright odds from Bovada\u2019s sports betting site<\/a> currently position Manchester United as the shortest-priced team to gate-crash the top four, listing them at 3\/1. Following their disastrous campaign in 2024\/25, it’s certainly an optimistic prediction.<\/p>\n

Fifteenth. It\u2019s a number that still clangs around Old Trafford like a loose radiator following last season. The lowest finish for United in decades was more than a black mark\u2014it was a summons to rebuild. Ruben Amorim\u2019s summer overhaul has been as dramatic as it was expensive: \u00a3200 million spent, new blood pulsing through attack in the form of Benjamin Sesko\u2019s power<\/a>, Matheus Cunha\u2019s relentless running, and the ever-artful Bryan Mbeumo. That front line, young and hyper-mobile, is designed to erase United\u2019s plodding, anxious 2024\/25 attack\u2014a unit that netted just 44 goals all season, the second lowest of any team outside of the relegated three.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s different this time? There\u2019s a sense\u2014just a flicker\u2014that Amorim is restoring United\u2019s DNA. Early evidence from pre-season: transitions laced with speed, a high-press triggered on cue, and a willingness to hurtle into chaos rather than shrink from it. Plus, with no European campaign haunting the midweeks, United are afforded rare clarity\u2014a single front on which to fight.<\/p>\n

Newcastle United<\/b><\/h2>\n

Last term, Newcastle managed to secure Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons, as well as a first major trophy in 70 years. Much of that success was built on the back of a career-best 27 goals in all competitions from striker Alexander Isak. However, it remains to be seen whether the Swedish hitman will remain on Tyneside beyond this summer.<\/p>\n

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Newcastle wins the Carabao Cup Final 2-1 \ud83c\udfc6\ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

Alexander Isak Anytime Goal\u2705 https:\/\/t.co\/tQUaLxYVfp<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DRgfjgyIqv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) March 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n