Operator bet365 has launched a betting market related to Manchester City’s new striker Erling Haaland. In this case, bet365 raised the possibility of the striker reaching the record mark of 40 goals in this edition of the Premier League, considering the odds at 8/1.
The bet comes after the Norwegian’s phenomenal start to his first season with the English team, scoring nine goals in his first five matches in the Premier League. That sensational start includes consecutive hat-tricks in his last two games against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
After the impressive start, bet365 appointed Haaland at 3/10 to be the Premier League’s top scorer and at 13/8 to score 30 or more goals in the league. He also appears at 2/1 to be named Player of the Season by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
“Each man and his dog had their opinions on Haaland and how he would fare in England, and they could be divided into two distinct groups: those who thought he could fight injuries; that he was entering a more demanding league, which would take time to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s style and those who were right,” reads a bet365 statement.
“Of course, Haaland’s long-term fitness still has a question mark, but it’s starting to look like he could miss half the season and still be in contention for the Golden Boot.”
The 22-year-old was quoted 9/2 to score a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest, and is now 11/1 to do the same against Aston Villa this weekend.
Bet365 rep says Haaland will break record before World Cup
“With the uncertainty of how Haaland would handle the Premier League, as well as his injury history and the possibility of difficulty adapting to the style of new manager Pep Guardiola. But we were happy with our 20/1 over the 22 year old scoring 35+ goals in the top flight this season,” said Steve Freeth of bet365.
“However, we quickly moved the market to that price due to two hat-tricks in just five days, and like Tyrone Mings and Co this weekend, we are a little nervous about how this will all turn out.”
“Messrs Cole and Shearer scored a record 34 goals in a 42-game season. At this rate, Haaland could do it before the World Cup, when ominously for Premier League defenders, he will have a six-week break.”
Like everyone else in world football, bet365 was surprised at how quickly Haaland adapted to the pace in the Premier League, with the operator’s strategy certainly interesting amidst every goal.
