BetFred have paid out on Manchester City to win the Premier League, despite their being 18 matches still to be played in the current campaign.
Pep Guardiola's side are currently eight points clear of Chelsea in second place and nine ahead of Liverpool, although Jurgen Klopp's side have a game in hand on the Sky Blues.
City took full advantage of their title rivals slipping up this week, extending their lead at the summit after Thomas Tuchel's side were held at home to Brighton as Liverpool lost to Leicester.
The Citizens did not let the pressure get to them against Brentford on Wednesday evening and secured a 1-0 victory over the Bees.
But even before the game, BetFred owner Fred Done was convinced the eventual league champions had already been decided as he revealed his decision to reward punters who had backed City for Premier League glory.
"I think it's all over," said Done.
"They scored six on Saturday, four against Newcastle, seven against Leeds and, in my opinion, they've got the current best manager in the world.
"I have paid out on City. If you backed City with me, go and get paid now online or in one of my shops. I am paying out on City," he continued.
"It's going to cost me towards £750,000, but all the City fans can go and celebrate with champagne on New Years Eve. Go and get your dough City fans."
While some may be surprised by this decision, this is nothing new from the betting company.
Done paid out early on City last season when leading by 14 points in March as well as in December of the club's title-winning campaign of 2017/18, having witnessed Guardiola's side move 11 points clear after a Manchester derby win.
BetFred became the first bookmaker to offer winnings to customers prior to a side confirming their status as champions - a decision that backfired in 1998.
The company lost in the region of £500,000 after being convinced Manchester United would come out on top, though Arsenal were the eventual winners by a single point.
And Done was again stung by United in 2012 after placing faith in Sir Alex Ferguson's side, only for Sergio Aguero to famously snatch the title away from their local rivals on the final day of the season.
