The weekend’s football games have produced some interesting results, the biggest being not on the field but in the bookmakers backrooms as Chelsea’s betting odds firm to odds on and United’s odds tumble down the boards. Prior to the weekend’s game, Manchester United were popular favourites to win yet another Premier League title. However, on Saturday they showed the strain of playing in two competitions and put up a weak effort against Premiership challengers Chelsea.

Chelsea’s betting odds have firmed right in with some online bookmakers quoting as short as 1/2 (1.50). The general price is around the 3/5 (1.60) mark with some brave bookmakers offering slightly longer odds.

Manchester United’s odds have gone the other way with general betting odds around 13/5 (3.60). One or two online bookmakers have them slightly shorter at 5/2 (3.50) and I noticed one quoting them at 14/5 (3.80).

Interestingly, Arsenal have firmed slightly with betting odds of around 13/2 (7.50) being quoted. You can get 8’s but the general trend has seen them firm from 15/2. It is all making for an interesting run home with only a handful of matches left to play.

United are still involved in the Champions League and with several key players now out injured, their task of overhauling Chelsea’s slender looks to be tough. Arsenal have been forgotten in many discussions. If you have left them out of your calculations you may want to reconsider.

At present, Chelsea now head the table on 74 with United second on 72. Arsenal are in third spot but only a win away from the lead on 71. If either of the top two teams slip, Arsenal will be there to pounce. If you fancy Chelsea to take this season’s title, I hope you backed them a few weeks ago when their betting odds were out around the 5/2 mark. From here on in, you can expect short odds all the way to the finish line.