After Leicester City pulled off arguably the biggest upset of all time in winning the English Premier League previous year at betting odds of up to 5000/1 before the season, sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com expect a return to the norm for 2016/17.
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All three promoted teams are in action on Saturday, with Championship champions Burnley hosting Swansea City and Middlesbrough entertaining Stoke City.
However, the 64-year-old expects Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City to mount strong challenges after Leicester finished 10 points clear in 2015-16.
“It’s easier for ET to come to Piccadilly Circus”, he told a press conference at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
Claudio Ranieri was so at pains to play down a repeat of last season’s incredible triumph that he likened it to the Extra-Terrestrial from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 movie landing in central London.
Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan has said the squad at his disposal – which contains just 13 senior players – will not be competitive in the Premier League this season. I think the bookmakers have to make it 6,000-1 now.
Ranieri added: ‘All the world is curious what will happen with Leicester.
“The energy that exists at this club – from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters – is something very special”, said the Italian on Wednesday.
But Ranieri, who signed a new contract until 2020 on Wednesday, has already dismissed their chances of retaining the title and believes extraterrestrials arriving in the capital is more likely. Last season we did something unbelievable, but now the big teams are back, I am sure. “Tell me if there is one”, he said.
Moreover, Riyad Mahrez has agreed to stay put for the time being.
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Phelan is without injured central defenders Alex Bruce and Michael Dawson for the visit of the Premier League champions, leaving Curtis Davies as the club’s only recognised centre-back. He is the winger and if no one passes to the wingers, I can pass the ball from the bench. When there is all this attention around your name it’s because you are doing well. “He actually needs to feel that there are other teams and other managers who want him”. “He’s a lucky man”.
