As Mohamed Salah picks up Liverpool’s Goal of the Month for December you can’t help but think back to his Puskas award-winning strike against Everton — and reminisce about the extraordinary 2017/18 season, which crowned him the 45th PFA Players’ Player of the Year.
Much has changed since he scored at Anfield on that cold winter’s day. The crowds have gone and the stadium has fallen silent, but Liverpool are champions and Salah is still capable of producing the same ol’ magic.
To be awarded the PFA Players’ Player of the Year is some accomplishment, but to win it a second time is something reserved only for the best players ever to play the game.
Can
Mohamed Salah join the likes of Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo as a two-time award winner? Read on as we take a look at the odds and analyse the stats to see if the Egyptian King can revisit his former glories and win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year 2020/21.
What the odds say about Salah’s chances
As ever this early stage of the season reveals a string of potential award contenders, but given this season is uniquely prone to throwing a spanner in the works, taking a blind punt feels a little reckless.
We’ve taken a look at the bookies’ odds to help decipher Salah’s chances compared to a variety of class challengers. Looking at the most up-to-date odds is the most helpful indicator for shortlisting the favourites for when the Premier League comes to a close and award season rolls around.
First up is Skybet — a veteran sports betting site chosen because it’s become synonymous with football and its surrounding pundits and reporters.
Here’s who Skybet rate as early contenders for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year:
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Bruno Fernandes: 11/4
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Harry Kane: 4/1
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Kevin De Bruyne: 9/2
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Jack Grealish: 8/1
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Son Heung-Min: 8/1
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Mohamed Salah: 11/1
Secondly, we’ve taken a look at FansBet — a new online casino (as recommended among
these new online casinos) which is run for the fans by the fans, so it has a strong connection with the grassroots of football.
Here’s how Fansbet compares Salah to the other contenders:
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Bruno Fernandes: 5/2
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Harry Kane: 4/1
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Kevin De Bruyne: 9/2
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Son Heung-Min: 9/1
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Mohamed Salah: 10/1
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Jack Grealish: 12/1
While Salah is an outside shot right now, these odds change all the time — and if he makes his mark in the next few games, you can be sure his odds skyrocket.
An overview of Salah’s season so far
Salah’s season began without a hitch as he found scoring form against Leeds United with an opening day hat-trick and overtook Steven Gerrard as
Liverpool’s record scorer in the Champions League. His domestic form appears every bit like the player who won the PFA Players’ Player of the year in 2018.
For those who’ve missed the games or simply love to gaze over stats, here’s how Salah’s season looks on paper so far:
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Goals: 13
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Expected goals (xG): 9.65
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Assists: 3
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Expected assists (xA): 3.02
Looking good, right? Not quite. Salah’s form has started to fade as Liverpool hit a rough patch during a run of fixtures they were otherwise expected to dominate. The result? No goals and no assists in his last three Premier League matches. For a player who plies trade spearheading an attacking giant, this sudden drop in form is more than a little concerning.
Nevertheless, Salah has proven himself to be a quality player over many seasons. He also has a chance to rise to the occasion in the upcoming derby against Manchester United, which has the making of a real six-pointer and could really raise his stock if he performs.
Can the competition beat him to it?
Most seasons there is a standout favourite waiting to be crowned PFA Players’ Player of the Year, but this season is not like any other. As shown in the betting odds, there are numerous candidates playing at the top of their game. It’s just a shame the crowds aren’t around to experience it in-person.
The Fernandes effect is in full swing, City look to be clicking around De Bruyne, Kane and Son are playing with superhuman telepathy — and Jack Grealish is living up to his potential by leading a greatly improved Villa squad.
Just as retaining the Premier League is proving to be a challenge for the rest of the squad, Salah’s battle for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award is by no means a given. But if you’re betting on anyone to beat the odds, it has to be Mo.
Written by Alan Spencer