MANCHESTER CITY’S chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League THIS SEASON have plummeted as the club awaits the outcome of the court case into the 115 charges brought against it.
An independent disciplinary committee will begin ruling on the financial allegations against the club next month, with a verdict expected early next year.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said on Tuesday it was “time for the case to resolve itself”.
And while Man City denies all allegations, bookmaker BoyleSports’ odds on the club to be relegated in May are just 6/1.
This means they are ninth favourites for relegation behind Leicester, Ipswich, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Wolves, Brentford and Fulham.
This makes them more likely than Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Brighton and West Ham.
For comparison: The odds for Man City’s biggest title rivals Arsenal are 2000/1 at some bookmakers and 1000/1 at BoyleSports.
And yet it is hard to believe: BoyleSports sees the defending champion not only among the ten most likely teams to be relegated, but also as favorites to win the title for the fifth time in a row.
Pep Guardiola’s team’s chances of winning the league again are 11/8, while Arsenal are just behind at 13/8.
If convicted, Man City faces points deductions, fines and even exclusion from the Premier League.
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Relegation rates in the Premier League
According to BoyleSports
- Leicestershire – 2/5
- Ipswich-8/11
- Southampton – 21/20
- Nottingham Forest – 12/5
- Everton – 11/5
- Wolves – 10/3
- Brentford – 5/1
- Fulham – 11/2
- Manchester City – 6/1
- Bournemouth – 17/2
- Crystal Palace – 17/2
- Brighton – 18/1
- West Ham – 18/1
- Chelsea – 20/1
- Aston Villa – 100/1
- Newcastle-150/1
- Manchester United – 150/1
- Tottenham – 250/1
- Liverpool-1000/1
- Arsenal-1000/1
There are also still cases open in connection with Leicester and Everton.
Chelsea is also being investigated for possible rule violations under former owner Roman Abramovich.
Everton were deducted eight points and Nottingham Forest four points last season for breaches of the PSR rules.
Champions Man City start their season at Chelsea on Sunday.
They are unbeaten in 23 Premier League games, a run that stretches back to their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in December last year.