Saints slashed to 16/1 for top four finish as fine form continues

Southampton are now 16/1 shots (from 25/1) with Coral to crash the top four following yet another Premier League victory. Ronald Koeman’s south coast side beat QPR for a sixth straight win in all competitions.

The Saints’ Dutch manager has even admitted to being surprised by their sensational start that has them sitting second in the Premier League table. Southampton have also shortened to 7/2 for a top six finish, and this is largely down to the fine form of Italian forward Graziano Pelle, who is now 33/1 to be leading marksman come the end of the season.

Elsewhere in the top four betting, Liverpool are now 13/10 (previously odds-on at 8/11) following their Merseyside derby draw with Everton. Brendan Rodgers’ boys are struggling to balance their commitments across all competitions, narrowly shading Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League and edging Middlesbrough via a Capital One Cup penalty shoot-out, while failing to win their last three Premier League outings.

In the title racing betting, Manchester City remain closest challengers to Chelsea (odds-on 4/7 favourites) at 11/4. Bar the league leaders and reigning champions, Arsenal come next at 12/1. Both Manuel Pellegrini’s men and the Blues won at the weekend, beating Hull City and Aston Villa respectively. The Gunners, meanwhile, drew with neighbours Tottenham in the north London derby.

Edin Dzeko bagged a brace as City withstood a Tigers fightback, and has been cut to 25/1 (from 33/1) to be Premier League top scorer as a result. Diego Costa remains the odds-on 4/5 favourite in this market after netting his eighth goal of the campaign for Chelsea.

At the wrong end of the table, Burnley are now 6/5 shots to finish bottom and have shortened even further in the relegation betting. Sean Dyche’s side are now 4/11 (from 1/2) for the drop following a 4-0 drubbing at West Bromwich Albion, and have scored just once in the league all season.