Right Said Fred: City stars dominate 2025 POTY odds

Four City players lead the way at Betfred to be the next PFA player of the year.

We have Kevin de Bruyne favourite at 5/1, followed by Phil Foden at 6/1, Rodri at 7/1 - and Erling Haaland in at 8/1.

Only Liverpool's Mo Salah makes the top five at 10/1.

This is yet more proof that City, who are 11/10 with us to be Premier League champions once again, remain the team to beat.

It was a cruise for Pep Guardiola's Blues at Chelsea  -  and frankly I wouldn't like to be to be  in newly promoted Ipswich's shoes at the Etihad on Saturday.

Finally my team United are at  20/1 to win the Prem after we got past Fulham in our opener but we must not be at all complacent at the seaside against Brighton.

Arsenal remain the  13/8 second favourites for the title  at Betfred ahead of Liverpool, who host Brentford at Anfield on Sunday, at 13/2.

Sadly Everton are now fourth favourites at 9/4 for relegation with the three promoted clubs Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton all odds on to be back in the Championship next season.

Wire are third favourites at 4/1 with us to go on and become champions at the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 12.

Holders Wigan remain the 10/11 favourites  - and surprise League leaders Hull KR are at 15/4.

But following the convincing Warrington triumph over Leeds in their home territory at Elland Road during Magic Weekend, the Wolves have jumped ahead of faltering rivals Saints at 6/1.

Magic Weekend as it often does means a shake-up of the Betfred outright winners odds with the four aforementioned clubs emerging as the likely champs.

Next up we have Catalans at 25/1, Leigh cut to 33/1 with both Leeds now 40/1 and Salford also drifting and are at 66/1.

It was interesting to hear that Paris is on the agenda for next year's Magic show but for me there isn't much wrong with St James' Park in Newcastle.

I was up there this time last year  at the wedding of Michael Clark, the biggest winner in Betfred's 57 year history.

He won £5.4 million from a £1.40 bet on the online slots game King Kong cashpots - and booked his super posh do at his beloved St James' Park.

I remember thinking how the ground is slap bang in the centre of Newcastle  - just ideal for fans wanting to enjoy themselves in bars and restaurants between games or during the evenings.

Finally here's Oldham born RL legend Paul Sculthorpe's take on the Magic Weekend drama. Paul, a Betfred TV pundit, writes:

"Of all the weekends I was hoping my good mate and Saints coach Paul Wellens could celebrate his new contract extension this was it!

"However, there was very little magic in that Saints performance at Elland Road in Leeds as we went  down 20-0 to arch rivals Wigan.

"Wello didn’t mix his words in the post-match press conference, again praising the efforts of his players but admitting they didn’t have the quality or ‘football smarts’ to open up the Warriors defence and give themselves an opportunity to win the game.

"He did speak about the obvious challenges ahead of the game, having so many first choice players missing through injury or suspension but rightly still expects the players given the shirts to deliver.

"I’ve got so much sympathy for Paul, because this current situation he’s dealt is as bad as I’ve ever known in regards to player unavailability. And to make things even worse, five minutes into the game he loses one of his top three players this season, Curtis Sironen with a calf injury.

"The team is currently patched together with players out of position and young kids who would normally be eased into the senior team alongside the more experienced players. So, I say to the fans , who are clearly and understandably disappointed at the current situation: keep the faith.

"The biggest concern for me at the moment is the half back situation and who is steering the ship out there on the field. Ben Davis filled in at six alongside Moses Mbye on Saturday, but neither are natural leaders and unfortunately it showed with our often  failing attack. 

"The scary thing is Wigan aren’t very good either at the moment, but their superior ball movement and strike on the edges were the difference. Add to that, a Saints defence that looks to be lacking confidence and connectivity .That's unfortunately something you get with players playing in unaccustomed positions.

"I’ve got to give a big wrap to a man who yet again led from the front, as he has done since he signed for the club as a youngster, Matty Lees.

"Leesy was handed the captains armband for the Magic round, and it couldn’t have been more deserved. He has continuously led the team with his own performances despite some tough defeats and disappointing team displays. 

"Harry Robertson can again hold his head high after producing some more moments of individual brilliance.

"As tough as this current run is, there’s no doubt it will help the development of some of these youngsters for years to come.

"Things certainly don’t get any easier on Saturday when  the Saints host without doubt the best team currently in the Betfred Super League ie Hull KR.

'The Robins, who sit top of the table were put the sword 36-4 by the out of sorts Catalans Dragons  on day two of the Magic weekend.

"Rovers have by far the best attack in the competition, and are a team who look like they are enjoying themselves at the moment. A 100% completion rate in the opening 40 minutes, and leading by 12-4 at the break shows where Willie Peters team is at.

"Mikey Lewis is their conductor out there and playing the best rugby of his young career. Add to that, for me currently the best two back rowers in the Betfred Super League, Elliott Minchella and Kelepi Tanginoa. Niall Evalds at full back and the maverick half back Tyrone May pose even more threat to the Saints defence, which has got to significantly improve on last weekend.

"On a positive for Saints,  we welcome back skipper Jonny Lomax, and potentially Sione Mata’utia, who I must say has been a huge loss.

"Paul Wellens is still mighty confident his team will make the top six play-offs, and with the returning players can have a good dig at getting silverware back to the TWS.

"I’d be foolish to say anything other than Hull KR are rightly favourites to win the game on Saturday  but as we’ve learnt over many decades at Knowsley Road and now the Totally Wicked Stadium you should never write off the Saints!

"Finally, to finish on my opening statement and congratulate my old mate Wello on his 12 month extension. Also, the powers that be for standing by a great man, and a very good coach.

"I’ve always said it, I believe coaches at times take too much credit, but also too much criticism when times are tough. Once the players cross the whitewash there’s very little you can control, and given the current injury crisis at the club I think any coach in the world would find it a tough gig.

"As I said, keep the faith and get behind a club legend, and an extremely knowledgeable and well respected coach."