PFA Player Of The Year Outright Betting Market Explained
Also known as the PFA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year, this award is credited to the individual with the most votes from his fellow professionals in English football. The first award was handed out at the end of the 1973-74 campaign, with former Leeds United hero Norman Hunter the inaugural recipient.
More recently, Erling Haaland won the award following his remarkable 36-goal Premier League debut season in 2022-23, while Phil Foden claimed the prize for 2023-24. You can bet on the PFA Player of the Year at most of the UK’s top bookmakers.
The PFA Player of the Year asks you to bet on the player awarded the prize as voted for by other professional footballers. It is easily confused with similar awards, namely:
- PFA Fans’ Player of the Year with votes cast by supporters.
- Football Writers’ Player of the Year with votes cast by journalists.
- Premier League Player of the Year with votes cast by a panel of judges.
The key difference is that the PFA Player of the Year is voted for by other professional footballers contracted to clubs across England. As a result, the trophy is widely considered the most prestigious individual award in English football.
PFA Player of the Year Terminology
PFA refers to the Professional Footballers’ Association. Founded in the early 1900s, it is a trade union designed to improve conditions for all members. The PFA is made up of more than 5,000 players. Only current members are eligible to win the Player of the Year award.
The phrase Player of the Year is largely self-explanatory. The winner is considered the best individual footballer across all tiers of English professional football.
How Are PFA Player of the Year Votes Cast?
Towards the tail end of every football season, players from the PFA’s list of members nominate two individuals. These votes are accumulated and counted by April when the PFA releases its shortlist of candidates.
Players with the most votes are included in the list. The award is granted to the footballer who earned the most votes at a ceremony in London. Since the award’s inception, only a select few players have won the award more than once:
- Alan Shearer in 1994-95 and 1996-97
- Mark Hughes in 1988-89 and 1990-91
- Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006-07 and 2007-08
- Thierry Henry in 2002-03 and 2003-04
- Gareth Bale in 2010-11 and 2012-13
- Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20 and 2020-21
- Mohamed Salah in 2017-18 and 2021-22
Other than Henry, Ronaldo and De Bruyne, no player has won the award in consecutive seasons. This shows just how incredibly difficult it is to claim the prize.
Betting Strategy for PFA Player of the Year
The winning trend over recent years has seen a mixture of top team contributors and high-scoring players claim the award. Here are some of the recent winners and their Premier League statistics:
- 2018-19 Virgil Van Dijk with 4 goals and 2 assists
- 2019-20 Kevin De Bruyne with 13 goals and 20 assists
- 2020-21 Kevin De Bruyne with 6 goals and 12 assists
- 2021-22 Mohamed Salah with 23 goals and 13 assists
- 2022-23 Erling Haaland with 36 goals and 8 assists
- 2023-24 Phil Foden with 19 goals and 8 assists
This shows us that the current trend is towards players who have a vital role in winning teams. Not since Luis Suarez in 2013-14 has a winning player’s team failed to reach the final of a tournament or win any silverware. As such, you should look to bet on players that boast a starring position in their team’s quest for trophies.
What Recent Winners Tell Us
More than anything, we should note that winning the Premier League is not as essential to winning the PFA award as most would think. Kevin De Bruyne took home the award in 2019-20 despite Manchester City finishing 18 points behind champions Liverpool that season.
Mohamed Salah clinched the prize in 2017-18 despite Liverpool finishing fourth without any silverware. In 2021-22, the Egyptian won the League Cup and FA Cup with the Reds but missed out on the Premier League and Champions League. Yet he won Player of the Year anyway.
Throughout history, the award has been won by players integral to the perceived success of a team. What matters most is the player’s actual contribution to his defined task, whether that is a defensive role, attacking threat or a balance of the two.
Tips For PFA Player of the Year 2025-26
We recommend looking for players that are vital to their team’s system, especially if the side is competing for trophies. For the 2025-26 season, keep an eye out for the likes of:
- Erling Haaland at Manchester City
- Mohamed Salah at Liverpool
- Bukayo Saka at Arsenal
- Cole Palmer at Chelsea
- Martin Odegaard at Arsenal
Erling Haaland continues to be one of the most prolific goalscorers in world football. If Manchester City challenge for the title again under Pep Guardiola, the Norwegian will be central to their hopes. His record-breaking 36 Premier League goals in 2022-23 underline his credentials.
Mohamed Salah remains a key figure under Arne Slot at Liverpool. The Egyptian has won the award twice and continues to deliver elite numbers season after season. A strong campaign with the Reds could see him claim a third prize.
Bukayo Saka has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League. Arsenal’s talisman is fundamental to everything the Gunners do in attack. If Arsenal push for the title in 2025-26, Saka will be a leading contender.
Cole Palmer enjoyed a sensational debut season at Chelsea after arriving from Manchester City. The young Englishman brings creativity and goals from the right side. A consistent campaign could see him challenge for the award.
Martin Odegaard is the creative heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield. The Norwegian captain’s passing range and ability to dictate the tempo of matches make him a genuine contender if the Gunners enjoy a trophy-laden season.
OnTheBallBets recommends checking our Premier League betting sites guide for bookmakers with the best PFA Player of the Year odds. Our Trust Index helps identify reliable operators for season-long outright bets.
Related outright markets to explore include top goalscorer, to win outright, finishing position and team-based outright bets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who votes for the PFA Player of the Year?
The award is voted for by fellow professional footballers who are members of the Professional Footballers’ Association. Each PFA member nominates two players towards the end of the season. This peer-voted format is what makes the award so prestigious.
Does the PFA Player of the Year have to play in the Premier League?
While the award is open to players from all tiers of English professional football, the winner has come from the Premier League in every modern season. The sheer quality and profile of top-flight players makes it extremely difficult for lower league footballers to win.
When is the PFA Player of the Year announced?
The award is typically announced towards the end of the Premier League season, usually in April or May. A shortlist is released beforehand based on accumulated votes from PFA members throughout the campaign.
Does the winner always come from a title-winning team?
No. While winners often play for teams competing for trophies, there are notable exceptions. Mohamed Salah won in 2017-18 when Liverpool finished fourth without silverware. Individual brilliance can outweigh team success in the eyes of fellow professionals.
