2020 has been a year of real difficulty for the sporting world and football is no different. Despite this, growth has been seen across many different league’s around the world, with fans having to spend extended periods of time within their own homes. That has led to new fans viewing different leagues, which they may not have previously. A key example is with the Persian league, which has been a league that is growing in recent years, to increase to an overall market value of just under 100 million euros, across the 16 sides in the top division in Iran. Market value has been added to a number of different sides in the league, so here we cover the leading five, that have increased their market value this year.
Esteghlal FC sit first in the charts for market growth. There 33-man squad has seen an increase of 369,000 to an overall market value of 12.18 million. This puts them clear when it comes to the value of the squad, which is why they are again expected to challenge for the title, following a positive showing last season in finishing as runners-up.
Persepolis FC ran away with the title last season, that saw them finish on 67 points and 14 points clear of the previously mentioned Esteghlal F.C. Therefore, it is little surprise that international bookmakers, such as the ones listed at Arabianbetting.com, still consider them the favourite team for this year title as well, which would be the fifth title in succession. Based on the result of last season, they are currently fairly short odds for the title and have started the current 2020/21 season in strong form. This success has led to the side increasing in their overall market value of the 27-man squad. It has now increased to 9.93 million, following an overall increase of 368,000, which puts them second in this table.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_Persian_Gulf_Pro_League
-fit-1278x789.jpg_da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709_da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709)
In third place is Sepahan FC, who have increased their market value by 317,000 to a total value of the 31 man-squad to 9.83 million. They finished down in fifth position last season, which was well under-par, following a runner-up spot back in 2018/19. Sepahan FC will be expected to improve this season and could again challenge for the title but have made a slow start to the campaign, as they are down in 10th position, following the opening five matches.
Fourth place is then Tractor FC, who have seen an increased market value of 259,000 to 6.48 million overall for the 25-man squad. They enter this season following a positive showing in the 2019/20 campaign, that saw them finish in fourth position. That was an increase from fifth the previous year, so there are big expectations of success for the side this season. There has also been some early season betting support on the side, but they have started slowly. The side will now be looking improve their form and push back up the table.
The final side to mention in fifth is Sanat Naft FC. They have increased the market value of the 24-man squad by 235,000, to a total of 5.65 million. The side finished mid-table last season in seventh and will be looking to improve on this over the current campaign. They have made a strong start in fifth position, so expectations are now high of success.