EPL Table: Updated Premier League Standings, Fixtures, Title Odds After Week 4

The Premier League season is in its infancy, but crucial blows are already being struck by myriad sides in the race for the title.

Accruing early momentum can be vital if a team is to sample glory come the end of the campaign, and while some of the contenders for the trophy have began in an enticing vein of form, others have stuttered their way through the opening four fixtures.

But if you’re partial to a flutter and quite fancy a toiling team to get their act together, then there’s some excellent value to be had as bookmakers react to the early-season form of various sides. 

Here’s a look at the Premier League table, how the bookies are viewing the race for the title after all the realistic contenders completed their fourth fixtures and where the best value for money lies during the early stages.

Home Team	Score	Away Team
Arsenal	2-2	Manchester City
Chelsea	4-2	Swansea City
Crystal Palace	0-0	Burnley
Southampton	4-0	Newcastle United
Stoke City	0-1	Leicester City
Sunderland	2-2	Tottenham
West Brom	0-2	Everton
Liverpool	0-1	Aston Villa
Manchester United	4-0	QPR

Position	Team	Played	Points
1.	Chelsea	4	12
2.	Aston Villa	4	10
3.	Swansea	4	9
4.	Southampton	4	7
5.	Manchester City	4	7
6.	Tottenham	4	7
7.	Arsenal	4	6
8.	Liverpool	4	6
9.	Manchester United	4	5
10.	Everton	4	5
11.	Leicester	4	5
12.	Hull	3	4
13.	Stoke	4	4
14.	Sunderland	4	3
15.	West Ham	3	3
16.	QPR	4	3
17.	Crystal Palace	4	2
18.	Burnley	4	2
19.	West Brom	4	2
20.	Newcastle	4	2

Team	Odds
Chelsea	8/11
Manchester City	10/3
Manchester United	8/1
Arsenal	11/1
Liverpool	14/1
Tottenham	80/1
Everton	250/1

Chelsea Leading the Way

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Jose Mourinho’s side put in another dominant display, swatting aside Swansea City in a pulsating 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa bagged a hat-trick, and after a 2013/14 blighted by concerns at the sharp end of the pitch, Chelsea look to have found the perfect man to complement the intricate, incisive talents of Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.

The Spanish international striker has seven goals in his first four Premier League games, a record for a player in England’s top flight, as noted here by OptaJoe:

With the former Atletico man banging in the goals, Chelsea look as though they’re well primed for a title tilt and the odds of 8/11 are tangible reflection of that. Such is their early-season form, it might be tempting to lump on the Blues, but it’s a long season that can yield plenty of surprises yet.

Nonetheless, the manager of Week 4’s vanquished opponents Gary Monk thinks this team will take the title, per Miguel Delaney of ESPN:

Chelsea have yet to face any of their title competitors, though, and Week 5 will see a huge test of their credentials when they tackle Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Emerge victorious there, and it’s difficult to see what side could possibly stop Mourinho’s men.

Manchester City on the Slip

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After dropping points in their last two games, Manuel Pellegrini’s team have been cut to 10/3 to make it three titles in four seasons. City emerged from the Emirates with a credible 2-2 draw, but after a host of refereeing decisions conspired against the Champions—not to mention some late missed chances—they will feel unfortunate not to have triumphed.

Despite losing ground to Chelsea, there could be some value in the 10/3, especially with the league leaders visiting the Etihad in Week 5. Granted, City did lose to Stoke in their last match at home, but that’s a rarity; losing back-to-back home games would be unheard of for this fine City outfit.

Former Manchester City player Rodney Marsh is already looking forward to that tantalising clash:

The Citizens were without their key midfielder Yaya Toure for their trip to North London after he returned late from international duty. But he should feature against Chelsea, and his role will be vital in wrestling the initiative away from the Blues’ formidable midfield.

Football writer Daniel Storey thinks the Ivorian powerhouse is City’s most indispensable player:

A win for City would move them to within two points of the Londoners having had a much more difficult start to the campaign. In addition, a win at this stage of the season would lay down a major marker and help Pellegrini’s side snatch back some early momentum.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United Still Outsiders

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The Gunners still look like a side struggling for their absolute best form, but showcased glimpses of quality during their draw with City. But the 2-2 draw was their third tie in a row, and already they look to have dropped crucial points in the race for the Premier League crown.

It was a spirited display against City, but some age-old issues—defending crosses into the box and defending set-pieces—cost Arsene Wenger’s side the chance to take all three points.

NBC’s Robbie Mustoe provides a succinct summary of Arsenal’s current deficiencies:

At 11/1, optimistic Gunners may still fancy a few quid on a glorious season, but although the campaign is still in its infancy, there’s been little to suggest the Gunners are ready to mount a serious tilt for Premier League glory.

Saying that, Liverpool surprised plenty with their efforts last season, although two defeats from their opening four games have sapped any chance of a flying start for Brendan Rodgers’ side this time round. Odds of 14/1 represent a fair reflection of their chances this time round.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Without the mercurial Luis Suarez at their disposal, the Reds don’t have a player that can conjure up those moments of genius, and against a resolute Aston Villa team, Liverpool failed to showcase the requisite creativity or ingenuity to suggest they can mount a run of comparable clout to last season.

Manchester United ran out 4-0 winners over an abject QPR side, and while they were excellent for long spells during the clash at Old Trafford, they'll have much sterner tests to come. As of yet, it's difficult to determine whether odds of 8/1 represent good value or not, but with a flurry of summer activity, it could take a while for the players to settle fully against higher-quality opposition.