Its quids in for Manchester City fans at Betfred, with Co-Founder Fred Done offering bettors who had City to win the league a chance to cash out early.
There are six games left in what has been one of the most fiercely contested Premier League title races in years. The story took a huge twist on Sunday, with leaders Arsenal and second-placed Liverpool both losing at home, putting previously third-placed Manchester City in the driver's seat. Now, Betfred Chairman Fred Done has paid out to customers who bet on City to win the league, as he believes the deed is done.
This marks the ninth occasion in which Betfred has called the league before its conclusion and offered early payouts. However, of those nine, six have been correct, two incorrect, and one still remains to be seen.
Back in March of 1998, Fred Done backed his own club Manchester United to win the league. United then proceeded to lose a 12-point lead at the top of the table, which resulted in Arsenal clinching the title by one point. Then, again in 2012 – Done backed his team to secure the trophy, paying out on United to win the league early – only for Sir Alex Ferguson's men to blow an 8-point lead, and lose to Manchester City on goal difference in a remarkable final day of the season.
This campaign has been a hugely entertaining three-horse race, which remains closely contented, with only two points separating the three sides. The early payout has resulted in a £750,000 ($935,000) cost for the operator.
Despite this, Done is confident in his decision. Indeed, he concluded: “I watched both the Liverpool and Arsenal games yesterday and for me, it’s game over because Manchester City are going to win the Premier League this year. There's no danger of that. Liverpool look as if they’re beat. They’re gone. For anybody that backed Manchester City before 2pm on Sunday, I’m paying out on City to win the Premier League from now. Go and get your money.”
Given Manchester City's record of closing out league campaigns so efficiently in recent years, who can blame him?
