English football is not only famous for its high professional quality and fierce competition, but also for the long history of the participating clubs. From monuments like Manchester United, Liverpool to ancient names like Aston Villa or Newcastle, each team carries its own stories, identities and traditions – this deeply affects the way they play and the way bookmakers offer odds for each match. For professional football bettors, understanding the history, playing style and trends of each club is an indispensable strategic advantage. In this article, Bestsoccertips.com will take you through the 10 most historic football clubs in England, not only to admire their traditional values, but also to draw practical perspectives in analysis and betting.
Top 10 most historic football clubs in England
When talking about English football – the cradle of the king sport, it is impossible not to mention the clubs that have contributed to the glorious history and long-standing tradition of the foggy country. Below are the top 10 most historic English football clubs with the most achievements and the greatest influence in the history of English football.
10. Newcastle United
Newcastle United, established in 1892, is the pride of England’s North East and known for having one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. With 4 top-flight English league titles won in the early 20th century, the club has recently risen again thanks to substantial investment from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). Under manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle has become a well-organized team, capable of solid defending, sharp counter-attacks, and dominant midfield control putting them among the Premier League’s toughest competitors and a prominent name in the betting market.
For bettors, Newcastle is considered a “high-value team,” particularly in Asian handicap markets during home matches at St. James’ Park. Their strong pressing game and early goal-scoring ability make them well-suited for bets such as “Newcastle to score first” or “Newcastle to lead at Half-Time.” When facing stronger opponents, bookmakers tend to undervalue Newcastle, creating excellent underdog betting scenarios. Bets on corners and second-half Over goals are also promising, as they often intensify their attacks late in the game. One caveat: during congested fixture periods especially when involved in European competitions Newcastle may rotate their squad. Bettors should monitor team news closely before placing any wagers.
9. West Ham United
West Ham United, founded in 1895 and nicknamed “The Hammers,” is an iconic club from East London. With 3 FA Cup titles and a recent breakthrough by winning the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League, their first European trophy, West Ham has earned renewed respect. Their modern style of play emphasizes physicality, tactical discipline, and high work rate – often causing problems for elite teams. The Hammers are also one of the league’s most promising sides for betting value, given their attacking threat and counter-attacking strength.
From a betting standpoint, West Ham often disrupts conventional Asian handicap markets, particularly when facing top clubs. They are a smart choice as underdogs when receiving +0.75 or more on the handicap. Matches involving West Ham tend to be high in tempo and include numerous set-piece situations creating strong value in Over corner and Over card markets. Against similarly matched teams, bets like “both teams to score” or “even total goals” offer strong odds. Their home matches at the London Stadium often yield surprising outcomes, making reversed HT/FT bets (e.g., Draw at Half-Time, West Ham to win Full-Time) a valuable opportunity if timed correctly.
8. Everton
Everton, established in 1878, is one of the oldest football clubs in England and has a deep-rooted association with the Premier League. With 9 English league titles to their name, they are Liverpool’s long-time rivals in the famous “Merseyside Derby.” Though their recent performances have not matched past glory, Everton remains a gritty and resilient side, with Goodison Park being an intimidating venue for any opponent. Each season, Everton is capable of surprising top-tier teams a trend that keeps bettors alert.
In the betting market, Everton is a “tricky” team due to their inconsistency, which frequently leads to losses against Asian spreads especially when favored. However, when playing as underdogs, bets on +0.75 or +1.0 handicaps can be quite rewarding, particularly in derbies or matches against stronger opposition. Everton tends to adopt a tight and cautious approach in the first half, making Half-Time Unders or “no first-half goal” bets popular options. Their reliance on long balls and aerial play also results in numerous corners making Full Match Over corners a solid play, especially when trailing in the scoreline.
7. Aston Villa
Aston Villa is one of England’s most historic clubs, founded in 1874 and a founding member of the Football League in 1888. Based in Birmingham, Villa has won the English league 7 times and achieved a historic European Cup victory in 1982. After years of inconsistency, the club has re-emerged under manager Unai Emery, playing a modern, disciplined, and highly organized style of football. They are among the few mid-table clubs capable of defeating top teams in the Premier League, especially at their home ground, Villa Park.
From a betting perspective, Aston Villa is an attractive investment when playing at home or against lower-tier opposition. Asian handicap lines such as pick’em (0) or slight favorites often provide high returns, given their pressing intensity and consistent performance. Villa also frequently features in high-scoring matches, making Over goals and “both teams to score” (BTTS) logical choices. With their fast pressing and quick transitions, they generate many set pieces, offering strong value in corner bets or bets on goals after the 60th minute. However, when playing away or under heavy pressure, Villa tends to concede early making bets on the opposing team to score first or to lead at half-time worthwhile options.
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur, founded in 1882, is one of the oldest and most tradition-rich clubs in London. They were the first English team to win a European trophy (the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963) and enjoyed a highly stable period under manager Mauricio Pochettino, consistently finishing in the Premier League’s top four. While they have never won the Premier League, Spurs remain a major force with an aggressive attacking style and a host of star players such as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Their long-standing commitment to attractive football has made their matches especially appealing for betting enthusiasts.
However, Tottenham is also known for being an unpredictable team with sudden shifts in form that have caused many bettors to lose despite seemingly favorable scenarios. At home, they often achieve a high win rate against weaker teams, particularly with modest Asian handicaps (-0.5 or -0.75) and Over corner bets thanks to their rapid wing play. But when facing stronger opponents or under pressure to perform, they can lose control of the match, making bets like “team trailing scores next” or “late equalizer” especially intriguing. To bet effectively on Tottenham, it is essential to monitor the current head coach, squad setup, and team morale the latter often being a traditional weakness for Spurs in key fixtures.
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5. Manchester City
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City has transformed into a winning machine. Founded in 1880, the club’s turning point came with the Abu Dhabi Group’s investment in 2008, leading to 6 Premier League titles in the past decade and the pinnacle being their 2022–23 Champions League triumph. With a playing style centered on possession, pressure, and diverse goal-scoring methods, Manchester City is not only the toughest team to decode in the Premier League but also a unique presence in the betting market.
Manchester City usually wins – but winning bets requires understanding handicaps and match scenarios. Due to their frequent high spreads (1.5 to 2 goals), even a 1–0 or 2–1 win may result in a lost wager. Therefore, handicap bets on City must be carefully analyzed based on their opponent; for example, when facing teams with strong counter-attacks (such as Wolves or Crystal Palace), Under goals or last team to score bets may be safer. Against weaker sides, Over corners and Over total goals are often more reliable than Asian handicaps. Additionally, City is a strong pick for first-half corner bets thanks to their effective wing play featuring stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden.
4. Chelsea
Founded in 1905, Chelsea has risen from a mid-table club to a dominant force in English football, largely due to the financial revolution initiated in 2003 by billionaire Roman Abramovich. With 6 Premier League titles and 2 UEFA Champions League trophies, Chelsea has established itself as a genuine powerhouse. The club also has a strong tradition of performing well in knockout competitions, where they frequently reach the latter stages. Now entering a new chapter under American ownership, Chelsea is rebuilding its core but remains a major name in the betting landscape.
From a betting standpoint, Chelsea is considered a team with a “high volatility index” meaning they can be unpredictable unless one has a deep understanding of their current squad, manager, and schedule. When facing weaker opponents, Asian handicaps of -1 or higher can be risky if the team is not in form. Conversely, in high-profile matches against other “Big Six” teams, Chelsea often exceeds expectations due to their disciplined and pragmatic approach. First-half corner bets are also a smart play, as the team tends to apply early pressure. In UEFA Champions League or FA Cup matches, Chelsea is known for scoring early making them suitable for HT/FT or first team to score bets.
3. Arsenal
Arsenal is one of England’s most historic football clubs, founded in 1886 and widely recognized for its elegant, attacking philosophy. With 13 English league titles, 14 FA Cups, and the remarkable unbeaten 2003–04 “Invincibles” season, Arsenal commands enduring respect. Under manager Mikel Arteta in the current era, the club is rebuilding its image as a tactically refined and disciplined young team a transformation that has introduced new trends in betting markets.
For bettors, Arsenal is considered a “goldmine” during home matches, where they often dominate possession and score heavily in the second half. Asian handicap bets such as -0.75, Over goals, and last team to score have proven profitable, particularly against lower-tier teams. However, against top teams like Manchester City or Liverpool, Arsenal may struggle with finishing and psychological pressure – making Under bets or corners for the opposition more appealing. Recent statistics show Arsenal tends to perform strongly from August to December, suggesting that early-season betting offers the most favorable opportunities when wagering on the North London club.
2. Liverpool
Liverpool represents the pride of Merseyside and is one of the most decorated football clubs in European history. Established in 1892, “The Reds” have claimed 19 English league titles, 6 UEFA Champions League trophies, and 3 UEFA Cups a record that commands respect from any English team. The golden era under manager Jurgen Klopp since 2016 has fully restored their dominance both domestically and in Europe. With their high-intensity “gegenpressing” style, Liverpool consistently delivers fast-paced, emotionally charged matches making them a thrilling choice for betting enthusiasts.
For professional bettors, Liverpool often proves profitable in Over goals markets, corner bets, and first team to score especially when playing at Anfield, where they maintain exceptional form. However, there are periods when Liverpool underperforms against deep-defending teams or during congested fixtures. A common strategy is to focus on second-half bets, when Klopp typically makes tactical adjustments. Furthermore, derby matches or clashes with Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal present valuable opportunities in card and corner markets. Advice: do not bet on Liverpool solely because of their name always consider their form, squad condition, and specific objectives during different stages of the season.
1. Manchester United
As one of the most famous football clubs in the world, Manchester United is not only known for its impressive achievements on the pitch but also for its immense influence in sports culture and the global betting market. Founded in 1878 under the name Newton Heath and renamed Manchester United in 1902, the club has reached many glorious milestones: 20 English league titles (the most in history), 12 FA Cups, and notably, 3 UEFA Champions League titles. Under the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United built a true empire with legendary players such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The periods of inconsistency that followed particularly after Ferguson’s retirement serve as a testament to the volatile nature of modern football, where history and tradition alone cannot guarantee success without adaptation and strategic investment.
In the betting market, Manchester United is a “major brand” but not an easy team to wager on solely based on reputation. Their inconsistency in recent years has caused them to frequently lose against Asian handicap spreads, especially when heavily favored. However, Manchester United becomes particularly interesting in late-game Over/Under bets, last team to score, or Live betting markets thanks to their explosive playing style in the latter stages of matches. Additionally, when facing teams in the “Big Six,” matches involving Manchester United often feature numerous corners and bookings, opening up value in secondary markets. Close attention should also be paid to squad news, injury reports, and European competition schedules when placing bets on the “Red Devils.”
In Summary
In the world of football betting, where every move, every change in formation or even every coach can affect the outcome of a bet, understanding the nature of each team is the key to making smart decisions. The most historic football clubs in England above not only create the identity of the Premier League but also provide countless data, trends and opportunities for players to analyze bets more effectively. Remember: behind every Asian handicap number or over/under ratio is a long history of competition, tactical style and traditional courage. When you know how to combine the heart of loving football with the cool head of a bettor, you will turn betting into an art and the history of these clubs is the map that guides you.
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