Start of EPL 2024/25 season: Who are the favorites, Who could surprise, and Who could disappoint?
On August 16th, the curtain rises on the highly anticipated new season of arguably the most enthralling national football league.
Twenty Premier League clubs will vie for the crown, with the battle set to rage for over nine months. However, even at this early stage, the favorites, dark horses, and underdogs can already be identified.
Will Manchester City win the title?
Indeed, the Citizens are the frontrunners. They enter the season aiming to defend their English crown for the fourth consecutive time, boasting the world’s finest striker (Erling Haaland), the best midfielder (Kevin De Bruyne), and the leading Ballon d'Or contender (Rodri).
Yet, all is not seamless for Pep Guardiola. Despite the squad’s undeniable strength and depth, their transfer activity has been underwhelming. Savio from Girona? It’s uncertain whether he will even feature in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb, a standout during pre-season and hailed as one of the most promising talents, has suffered a broken leg and will be sidelined at the start of the season.
A fifth consecutive title for Manchester City seems less certain. Arsenal and Liverpool have come perilously close to dethroning them in the past three years, and this could very well be the season when it happens.
Guardiola’s future adds another layer of uncertainty. It’s likely that he will leave his position at the end of the campaign, leading to speculation that he might prioritize the Champions League over the Premier League, especially with the daunting prospect of facing a star-studded Real Madrid. Given the new tournament format, City may not top both tables, forcing them to choose, and it’s unlikely the Premier League, which Guardiola may view as a conquered challenge, will take precedence.
Haaland’s tendency to excel against weaker sides raises questions about his performance in top-tier matches. Additionally, Ederson’s injury issues could become a serious concern, especially given Ortega's inconsistency. The loss of Julián Álvarez further compounds City’s challenges.
However, Guardiola’s genius is unpredictable. He may yet craft something unimaginable, and for that, he deserves the best of luck.
Will Arsenal win the Premier League?
The plight of Arsenal is heartbreaking; it's painful to continuously fall short of silverware. Yet, such is the misfortune of competing in the same league as Manchester City.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta, Guardiola’s protégé, has been hot on his mentor’s heels for two seasons. Twice, the Gunners have come agonizingly close to clinching the gold, only to be thwarted by sheer bad luck.
Arsenal has not strengthened its squad, which is concerning, but at least they haven’t lost anyone crucial. The acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori should address their defensive issues on the left flank. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was a pivotal figure in the 2022/23 season, faltered in 2023/24, but that’s beside the point.
Arsenal is breathing down Manchester City's neck, and Arteta is obsessed with surpassing Guardiola. Sooner or later, this dream is bound to materialize. The Gunners are on the brink of triumph—why not in the 2024/25 season?
One major issue remains: the center-forward position. Gabriel Jesus, frankly, is not the solution. The Brazilian has not lived up to expectations. The mystery remains as to why Arsenal didn’t secure a new striker over the summer, though there’s still time. Negotiations are ongoing for Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, whose arrival would undoubtedly bolster an already formidable midfield.
But the striker dilemma persists, and it must be resolved. Should Arsenal manage to sign a quality forward, they would undoubtedly emerge as serious contenders.
Will Liverpool win the Premier League?
Liverpool will likely be the third serious contender for the title, but the transition under a new manager could prove to be their undoing.
For Arne Slot, the task of establishing dominance in the Premier League from the get-go is a daunting one. Manchester City and Arsenal, under Guardiola and Arteta respectively, spent four seasons building their teams, while Slot has had just one summer. Furthermore, the legacy of Jurgen Klopp, who left behind a team with grandeur and character, will be a heavy burden.
Expectations on Slot are immense, and whether he can meet them is uncertain. It’s a 50/50 scenario: either he will rise to the occasion, or he’ll be dismissed by winter. A more intriguing prospect would be seeing someone like Thomas Tuchel at the helm of the Reds.
But let’s focus on Slot. The real issue lies in the transfers—or lack thereof. Zero summer signings following a disastrous 2023/24 campaign? How does one expect to win? Mohamed Salah is no longer in his prime and cannot carry the team alone, Darwin Núñez’s finishing leaves much to be desired, and Virgil van Dijk is far from flawless. Only Luis Díaz appears to be at the peak of his powers and in good form, while Bukayo Saka, despite his underwhelming performance at the Euros, remains a key figure.
Slot faces an uphill battle, and his plan remains unclear.
Who are the dark horses?
Chelsea and Manchester United. That's it. Tottenham is unlikely ever to win a trophy, and it’s no great loss, though it's a pity for Son Heung-min. The addition of Dominic Solanke, however, could offer some hope.
It’s hard to have faith in Aston Villa. While Unai Emery and his squad could feasibly finish second or third, as they displayed commendable form last season, a title challenge seems improbable. Yet surpassing Chelsea and Manchester United is within reach.
However, the Pensioners and the Red Devils are established powerhouses. Chelsea has once again spent lavishly, though they are also offloading several players, while Manchester United secured the signatures of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern, along with winning the race for Leny Yoro.
Both teams boast deep benches and a wealth of talent. With neither playing in prestigious European competitions, their focus will undoubtedly be on the Premier League. As for Mykhailo Mudryk and Alejandro Garnacho, we’ve all seen the memes comparing them to Messi and Ronaldo on TikTok. Who knows? Perhaps they will indeed flourish!
Trouble ahead for Everton and Manchester City
Though not directly related to football, it’s worth noting that Everton and Manchester City could be docked points even before the season kicks off. This could impact the league standings, though realistically, Everton is not expected to contend for much, while City’s high-powered legal team is there to manage any such setbacks.
However, the possibility of City being stripped of points—and potentially trophies—could become the season’s biggest shock. It’s not an improbable scenario, particularly in light of the suspicious summer comments from Guardiola and De Bruyne about possibly leaving.
Who will be relegated to the Championship?
Nottingham Forest, Southampton, and… well, let’s say a third candidate could emerge. At the moment, every other team looks at least capable of finishing in the top 15.
Ipswich and Leicester could even set their sights on European qualification. Both teams are solid, having displayed excellent football in the Championship last season.
Bookmakers' favorites:
Manchester City - 2.10
Arsenal - 3.00
Liverpool - 8.50
Manchester United - 15.00
Chelsea - 18.00
Premier League 2024/25 - Round 1 Fixtures:
16.08. Manchester United vs. Fulham (21:00)
17.08. Ipswich vs. Liverpool (13:30)
17.08. Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton (16:00)
17.08. Everton vs. Brighton (16:00)
17.08. Newcastle vs. Southampton (16:00)
17.08. Nottingham vs. Bournemouth (16:00)
17.08. West Ham vs. Aston Villa (18:30)
18.08. Brentford vs. Crystal Palace (15:00)
18.08. Chelsea vs. Manchester City (17:30)
19.08. Leicester vs. Tottenham (21:00)
Leo Peterson
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
