Betting Tips
Can Cole Palmer spearhead Chelsea’s unlikely title challenge this season?
by Ifeanyi Ufomadu
26 Oct 2024
You won't find many online betting enthusiasts who backed Chelsea to mount a title challenge before the season started, especially after another summer where the Blues brought in so many new faces (12 to be exact) and even changed their manager, replacing Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca.
In our pre-season betting tips, we backed the Blues to finish in the top four, but can they surpass that?
New season, new Chelsea?
After a summer of chaos, Chelsea are sixth in the standings, just three points behind Arsenal, who entered the season as genuine title contenders. The 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend took their record from the opening eight games of the season to four wins, one draw, and two defeats.
Maresca was positive after the defeat at Anfield, saying: “If you have to lose, this is probably the way you want to.” In that game, Chelsea had 57% possession and created enough chances to at least take a point and have every right to be disappointed with the result.
Since he joined, the Blues boss has done an impressive job of making the most of a group of players assembled with no discernible vision or plan over the last two years.
He has settled on a starting lineup and is getting the best out of the previously profligate Nicolas Jackson, and more importantly, Jadon Sancho, who Manchester United failed to get the best out of.
The early weeks of the season suggest our online betting community could be in for a proper title race. Manchester City remain formidable, for the most part, while Arsenal have built on their strong performances from last season and Liverpool have been much better than expected.
However, the season-ending injury to Rodri and the potential outcome of City's 115 charges means there's a real chance we could have a new name on the trophy come May 2025. So, why not Chelsea?
Maresca has tried to lower expectations by insisting his men have no shot at winning the title this season. However, the numbers tell a different story. Through seven games, Chelsea rank:
● Third in goals scored (17)
● Second in expected goals (xG) with 15.82
● Fourth in expected points (xP) with 13.65
You won't find many online betting enthusiasts who backed Chelsea to mount a title challenge before the season started, especially after another summer where the Blues brought in so many new faces (12 to be exact) and even changed their manager, replacing Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca.
In our pre-season betting tips, we backed the Blues to finish in the top four, but can they surpass that?
New season, new Chelsea?
After a summer of chaos, Chelsea are sixth in the standings, just three points behind Arsenal, who entered the season as genuine title contenders. The 2-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend took their record from the opening eight games of the season to four wins, one draw, and two defeats.
Maresca was positive after the defeat at Anfield, saying: “If you have to lose, this is probably the way you want to.” In that game, Chelsea had 57% possession and created enough chances to at least take a point and have every right to be disappointed with the result.
Since he joined, the Blues boss has done an impressive job of making the most of a group of players assembled with no discernible vision or plan over the last two years.
He has settled on a starting lineup and is getting the best out of the previously profligate Nicolas Jackson, and more importantly, Jadon Sancho, who Manchester United failed to get the best out of.
The early weeks of the season suggest our online betting community could be in for a proper title race. Manchester City remain formidable, for the most part, while Arsenal have built on their strong performances from last season and Liverpool have been much better than expected.
However, the season-ending injury to Rodri and the potential outcome of City's 115 charges means there's a real chance we could have a new name on the trophy come May 2025. So, why not Chelsea?
Maresca has tried to lower expectations by insisting his men have no shot at winning the title this season. However, the numbers tell a different story. Through seven games, Chelsea rank:
● Third in goals scored (17)
● Second in expected goals (xG) with 15.82
● Fourth in expected points (xP) with 13.65
The Blues have had control in most matches they have played this season, and there is growing understanding between Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana in central defence.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are finally showing signs of being on the same wavelength, but the real improvement has been in the attacking third. Most notably, in Nicolas Jackson, who has 5 goals and 3 assists in 8 appearances.
However, if the Blues defy all pre-season bet predictions and mount a credible title challenge, one man will certainly be at the heart of it.
The Cole Palmer effect
While Chelsea may not be the best team in the league, they have one of the best players, without a doubt. Cole Palmer is the Premier League’s latest superstar and Chelsea’s biggest talent since Eden Hazard.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has been the best attacking player in the league since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, but Palmer is not far behind. His six goals and five assists in the 2024-25 EPL season give him more goal involvements than Haaland (10).
In fact, since the beginning of last season, his total of 43 goal involvements is the most in the Premier League.
Palmer has scored three hat-tricks in just over a year, including scoring four goals twice - against Brighton this season and Everton last year.
He has also shown he is a man for the big occasion, netting against Manchester City, Tottenham, and that famous hat-trick against Manchester United.
At just 22, the England international has as many hat-tricks as Chelsea legenda Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. His 10th straight successful penalty kick - scored against Brighton - moves him behind Yaya Toure for most consecutive penalties without missing (11).
It's rare in this league for one man to will his team to a Premier League title. Harry Kane scored tons of goals for Tottenham but never quite managed it, even with a sidekick like Son Heung-Min. Mohamed Salah, for all his brilliance, needed Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Manchester City have had an assortment of talent over the years.
The last time Chelsea won the title, under Antonio Conte in 2017, Eden Hazard was the star of the show, but there was also Diego Costa to bang in the goals and N'Golo Kante in the engine room.
This Chelsea team is not at that level, but if Palmer keeps up his electric form, Chelsea fans will hope to finish the season fighting for honours.
Do you think Cole Palmer can lead Chelsea to a title challenge? Or maybe even challenge Haaland for the Golden Boot? You can make a bet prediction on either outcome and enjoy the best odds on BetKing.
The Blues have had control in most matches they have played this season, and there is growing understanding between Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana in central defence.
In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are finally showing signs of being on the same wavelength, but the real improvement has been in the attacking third. Most notably, in Nicolas Jackson, who has 5 goals and 3 assists in 8 appearances.
However, if the Blues defy all pre-season bet predictions and mount a credible title challenge, one man will certainly be at the heart of it.
The Cole Palmer effect
While Chelsea may not be the best team in the league, they have one of the best players, without a doubt. Cole Palmer is the Premier League’s latest superstar and Chelsea’s biggest talent since Eden Hazard.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has been the best attacking player in the league since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, but Palmer is not far behind. His six goals and five assists in the 2024-25 EPL season give him more goal involvements than Haaland (10).
In fact, since the beginning of last season, his total of 43 goal involvements is the most in the Premier League.
Palmer has scored three hat-tricks in just over a year, including scoring four goals twice - against Brighton this season and Everton last year.
He has also shown he is a man for the big occasion, netting against Manchester City, Tottenham, and that famous hat-trick against Manchester United.
At just 22, the England international has as many hat-tricks as Chelsea legenda Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. His 10th straight successful penalty kick - scored against Brighton - moves him behind Yaya Toure for most consecutive penalties without missing (11).
It's rare in this league for one man to will his team to a Premier League title. Harry Kane scored tons of goals for Tottenham but never quite managed it, even with a sidekick like Son Heung-Min. Mohamed Salah, for all his brilliance, needed Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Manchester City have had an assortment of talent over the years.
The last time Chelsea won the title, under Antonio Conte in 2017, Eden Hazard was the star of the show, but there was also Diego Costa to bang in the goals and N'Golo Kante in the engine room.
This Chelsea team is not at that level, but if Palmer keeps up his electric form, Chelsea fans will hope to finish the season fighting for honours.
Do you think Cole Palmer can lead Chelsea to a title challenge? Or maybe even challenge Haaland for the Golden Boot? You can make a bet prediction on either outcome and enjoy the best odds on BetKing.
● Bet on Chelsea to finish in Premier League top 2
@10.00
● Bet on Chelsea to win Premier League
@22.00
● Bet on Cole Palmer to win Premier League Golden Boot
@13.00
You can place a bet on Chelsea and all your favourite teams in Europe’s top leagues on the best betting site in Nigeria today.
Join us now to get the best value for your money.
You can place a bet on Chelsea and all your favourite teams in Europe’s top leagues on the best betting site in Nigeria today.
Join us now to get the best value for your money.