Burnley upset the pre-season predictions yet again

Sheffield United's ninth-placed finish means they were the biggest overachievers since Leicester City won the title in 2016 - with pre-season odds predicting they were nailed on to finish at the bottom of the table, according to analysis by betting firm Unikrn https://unikrn.com/bet/sports.

However, the Clarets have upset the odds on a regular basis, finishing eight places higher than the bookmakers predicted, having bettered their predicted finish by a whopping 11 places two seasons ago in finishing seventh.

Leicester produced a 5000/1 miracle four years ago - and while slightly less magical, this season's performance from the Blades, who finished 11 places higher than predicted, was the biggest upset of the pre-season odds since the Foxes magical feat, having been 4/6 favourites to go down at the start of the campaign.

Leicester were, incidentally, five places better off this season in fifth, despite their disappointment at missing out on the Champions League.

Relegated Watford were backed to stay up, having finished 11th in 2019, but finishing five places lower than expected makes them the biggest underachievers, along with West Ham, who ended their dismal season in 16th.

Manchester City were predicted to win the title, but the bookmakers were proved wrong by Liverpool.

Manchester United, meanwhile, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gleefully noted, were not expected to finish in the top four, but an impressive third in the table means that they were two places higher than expected.

Chelsea, Wolves and Crystal Palace were the only sides to finish in the exact position that their pre-season odds predicted.

Pre-season predictions were compiled by analysing detailed odds from a number of outright relegation, top half, top four and winners markets to compile a table based on outcomes that were most likely.

Overachievers, via Unikrn: Sheffield United (+11), Leicester (+5), Burnley (+8), Manchester United (+2), Southampton (+2), Brighton (+2), Liverpool (+1)

Underachievers: Watford (-7), West Ham (-5), Newcastle (-5), Tottenham (-3), Bournemouth (-3), Everton (-3), Arsenal (-2), Manchester City (-1), Aston Villa (-1), Norwich (-1)

2019/20 final places, pre-season odds prediction, difference:

1. Liverpool, 2nd, +1

2. Manchester City, 1st, -1

3. Manchester United, 5th, +2

4. Chelsea, 4th, =

5. Leicester, 10th, +5

6. Tottenham, 3rd, -3

7. Wolves, 7th, =

8. Arsenal, 6th, -2

9. Sheffield United, 20th, +11

10. Burnley, 18th, +8

11. Southampton, 13th, +2

12. Everton, 9th, -3

13. Newcastle, 8th, -5

14. Crystal Palace, 14th, =

15. Brighton, 17th, +2

16. West Ham, 11th, -5

17. Aston Villa, 16th, -1

18. Bournemouth, 15th, -3

19. Watford, 12th, -7

20. Norwich, 19th, -1