Soccer Saturday Price Boost backers enjoy 9/1 payout

The Chelsea defender fired home in the 87th minute to give them a 2-1 success over Stoke and meant that odds of 9/1 from an original 7/1 were landed.

The Premier League leaders completed a successful afternoon after both Leicester and Everton came out on top following respective 3-2 and 4-0 victories over West Ham and Hull City. 

Premier League

Chelsea's success means they have now opened up a 13-point gap at the top of the table and are now joint-second favourites for next season’s title race.

Some firms have already paid out on the Blues – tipped up by our own Matt Brocklebank at 13/2 in pre-season – and Sky Bet have opened a market on where the title will head in 2017/18.

Antonio Conte’s champions-elect are 11/4 shots behind favourites Manchester City (2/1) with Manchester United also chalked up at 11/4.

Following the appointment of Pep Guardiola last summer, City were sent off as favourites this season but have been left behind by Chelsea despite a strong start. Still, the spending power of their Abu Dhabi owners means they warrant the utmost respect among bookmakers.

Sky Bet trader Richard Evison explained his firm’s position.

“The theory is Chelsea have had an easy time as with no Europe football – they’ve been able to field the same XI virtually all season.

“United are going to strengthen. (Atletico Madrid striker) Antoine Griezmann is looking likely to sign but even if he doesn’t they will spend big. It’s also hard to see them having as touch a schedule as they’ve had this season.

“City will also be stronger. Once Pep has another transfer window, it will become more his sort of side. I don’t think he realised how bad the defence was.

“Further forward the foundations look better. (Leroy) Sane and (Gabriel) Jesus look like they will take them to another level.”

Tottenham, who are currently Chelsea’s closest challengers this season, are priced up at 11/1 with their struggling local rivals Arsenal on offer at 12/1.

The Gunners’ price is surely one which has the potential to move with manager Arsene Wenger’s future still very much in doubt. 

He said after their hugely disappointing 3-1 defeat at West Brom that a decision about his future would be taken very soon following 20 years at the club and a contract that expires at the end of the campaign. 

Liverpool are regarded as the only other serious contenders at 12/1. After them, it’s Everton at 80/1.

Evison added: “Tottenham will struggle with having to play home games at Wembley and what do you say about Arsenal?

“It seems (Alexis) Sanchez is likely to go and it’s hard to see them contending.

“I also don’t think Liverpool have progressed – they’ve gone backwards if anything.

“Like Chelsea, they’ve had the benefit this year of having no European football but when they have had a spate of games they’ve struggled. Some of that has to be due to their pressing, high-energy style.”

Chelsea beat Stoke 2-1 on Saturday to stretch their lead at the summit. They are now just 1/25 for this season’s title while Arsenal's defeat at The Hawthorns saw their top-four odds pushed out to 11/4.

It was back-to-back defeats for Swansea at the other end of the table and they are now 5/2 for relegation while their conquerors Bournemouth have eased to 33/1.

Bottom club Sunderland are 1/16 following a 0-0 draw at home to Burnley with Hull 2/5 and Middlesbrough 1/3 ahead of the latter's clash on Sunday at home to Manchester United. 

Crystal Palace boosted their prospects with a 1-0 success over Watford and Sam Allardyce's side can be backed at 3/1 with the Hornets 9/1. 

Sky Bet Championship

Newcastle secured a point at Birmingham and it was enough for them to edge ahead at the top of the table - Sky Bet now make them 2/5 to take the title.

Huddersfield's defeat on Friday night and Brighton's loss at Leeds were additional good news for Toon with the Seagulls 2/1 chances and David Wagner's side out to 18/1, although they do have a game in hand. 

Leeds closed to within two points of the third-placed Terriers as Chris Wood's brace sunk Brighton and they are 150/1 to finish top of the pile and 3/1 to gain promotion. 

Sky Bet League One

Sheffield United came from behind to beat Charlton and are now nine points clear at the top of the table and Sky Bet make them 1/50 to go on and seal the title. 

The battle for the second automatic promotion spot is far more competitive with just one point separating Bolton and Fleetwood. Bolton 2/5 for that after Saturday's win over Northampton while Uwe Rosler’s Fleetwood side are 5/2 after they were held to a goalless draw by AFC Wimbledon. 

Scunthorpe who have spent the majority of the season are on a worrying run of form that has seen them drop to fifth and five points adrift - they can be backed at 18/1 for a top-two finish while if you fancy the slide to continue, they can be backed at 9/4 to finish outside of the top six.

At the bottom end, Gillingham were on the end of a 4-1 hammering at Rochdale which drags them into the relegation battle and 5/1 for the drop. 

The big game at the bottom took place on Friday night as Port Vale gained a much need victory over Shrewsbury. Vale are now 5/6 for the drop while Shrews are a 4/1 chance.

Sky Bet League Two

Doncaster eased to a 4-1 victory at bottom side Leyton Orient and remain six points clear of second place Plymouth, who beat Morecambe. 

Donny are now 1/14 to win the league with Plymouth 15/2 and Portsmouth out to 25/1 after a 3-0 defeat at Stevenage. 

Thanks to that impressive triumph, Stevenage are up to fourth in the table and 9/2 for promotion. 

Mansfield have improved hugely since Steve Evans took charge and they now sit three points outside the play-off places thanks to a 2-0 win over Carlisle. The Stags are 12/1 for promotion and 4/1 for a top seven finish.