Newly crowned Premier League champions Leicester started the season as Betway’s 2,500/1 rank outsiders for the title, and as the stakes are being settled it looks like they’re responsible for the firm’s biggest ever individual market loss.
The betting damage started to be done as the online bookmaker laid a number of bets at 1000/1 after the Foxes won away at West Brom on 31st October.
Even when two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table at Christmas they were an underestimated 10/1 shot and Betway has paid a painful price.
Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “Leicester winning the Premier League is the most remarkable story in the history of the competition, if not football as a whole. This most unlikely triumph will not be forgotten by both fans and bookmakers. For fans it’s jaw-dropping elation, while for us bookies it’s enormously expensive.
“Nobody can be sure of what will happen next season, but we think the big clubs will return hungrier than ever to claim back the title. Still, if Leicester can hold on to their top players then there’s no reason they can’t continue to compete at the right end of the table and we’re offering 7/1 they finish in the top four.”
The Foxes in 2016/17
Leicester are more likely to be relegated than win next year’s Premier League title, according to Betway.
The online bookmaker offers 40/1 for the Foxes to successfully defend their crown, while it’s 28/1 they are demoted to the Championship next term.
The 2016/17 season will see Leicester appear in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history and Betway quote the same 40/1 that they don’t manage to earn a single point. It’s 66/1 they go all the way and win it.
Record-breaking striker Jamie Vardy, who has netted 22 league goals, is a 16/1-shot to build on a prolific campaign in the top-flight by winning next year’s Golden Boot.
The firm’s shortest odds on Leicester’s prospects for next season is for a top four finish at 7/1.
Betway – Football – Leicester Specials
Leicester City in 2016/17:
| Top four | 7/1 |
| Win League Cup | 14/1 |
| Win FA Cup | 16/1 |
| Jamie Vardy to win Golden Boot | 16/1 |
| Get relegated | 28/1 |
| Win the Premier League | 40/1 |
| Not get a point in the Champions League | 40/1 |
| Win the Europa League | 50/1 |
| Win the Champions League | 66/1 |
| The Double (Premier League + FA Cup) | 400/1 |
| The Treble (Premier League + FA Cup + Champions League) | 1000/1 |