Premier League 2024/25: Early predictions as the EPL takes shape
With the new Premier League season taking a break for international football after just three games, now seems like a good time to offer up some early predictions based on what we have seen so far.
Manchester City went into the season as the bookmakers’ favourites to win the title for the fifth year in a row and they look a good bet to achieve the feat following three comfortable victories.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now rated as 11/10 shots in the latest Premier League betting to claim top spot and it is tough to see who will prevent them from continuing their dominance of English football.
While the odds suggest the title race should be a cakewalk for Man City, the opening few weeks of the season have created several other interesting talking points.
With that in mind, read on as we make some early predictions for the 2024/25 Premier League season, starting with one which will not go down well with Arsenal fans.
Rice proves Arsenal lack the mentality to be title winners
Declan Rice’s brainless red card against Brighton & Hove Albion was a perfect example of why the England midfielder will never justify his ridiculous price tag.
Rice has plenty of previous form for going missing in big games, a point evidenced by his anonymous performances in the two costly defeats against Aston Villa last season.
He took things up a notch against the Seagulls last weekend, picking up a needless second yellow card after preventing Joel Veltman from taking a free kick.
Arsenal have previously been accused of lacking the necessary nous required to win the title. Rice’s childish petulance at the Emirtaes Stadium demonstrated that viewpoint remains valid.
Liverpool will be Man City’s nearest challengers
Liverpool went into the new season with significant doubts hanging over them following Jurgen Klopp’s departure after nine years as manager.
However, if the early weeks of the campaign are anything to go by, the Reds could be set for a hugely productive spell under former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot.
The manner of their 3-0 victory at Manchester United last weekend was impressive and a signal that Liverpool could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Slot’s side may well emerge as Man City’s nearest challengers as the campaign progresses, although a lack of depth in a couple of key areas may scupper their hopes of overhauling them.
Sancho is in the last chance saloon at Chelsea
Having made a name for himself with Borussia Dortmund, it is fair to say that things have not gone according to plan for Jadon Sancho since he returned to England.
His big-money move to Man United quickly went sour, with the winger failing to live up to expectations before he engaged in a well-documented fallout with manager Erik ten Hag.
Sancho’s switch to Chelsea towards the end of the summer transfer window undoubtedly has the potential to go badly wrong given the chaos which ensues at Stamford Bridge.
Based on his time with Man United, it is highly likely that Chelsea will regret signing Sancho and will try to wriggle out of making the move permanent.
Ten Hag is skating on thin ice at Old Trafford
As mentioned earlier, Man United were taken to the cleaners by Liverpool last weekend. Their performance piled the pressure on Ten Hag.
The club’s new off-field executives have been making all the right noises about the Dutchman, but he unquestionably needs his team to improve quickly.
After revamping the squad during the summer, club bosses will be expecting the team to be challenging at the right end of the table.
With Thomas Tuchel reportedly waiting in the wings for the United job, backing Ten Hag to be the next managerial casualty in the Premier League could pay dividends.
Duran poised to enjoy a breakout season at Villa
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran spent much of the summer trying to engineer a move away from the club, but he ultimately remained in the Midlands.
The Colombia star showed flashes of his brilliance last season, most notably when he netted a late brace against Liverpool in May.
The 20-year-old has bagged two match-winning goals in three substitute appearances this term and looks ready to enjoy a breakout season with Villa.
Duran is well worth monitoring in the ‘score anytime’ market over the next few matches, with Vila facing a relatively favourable Premier League schedule.
Southampton are doomed unless Martin adapts
Southampton won promotion to the Premier League playing an attractive possession-based style which earned plenty of plaudits for manager Russell Martin.
However, the Saints have struggled since returning to the top flight, with teams more adept at pressing from the front and causing them problems.
Vincent Kompany faced a similar problem at Burnley last season and his refusal to adapt ultimately led to them dropping back into the Championship after one season.
Southampton will face a similar fate unless Martin acknowledges he needs to introduce an element of pragmatism into his tactical set-up.
Iroegbunam could force his way into the England squad
Everton have started the season in the worst possible style, slipping to three successive defeats to slump to the foot of the Premier League table.
Very few players have emerged with credit during that run of results, although that point cannot be levelled at midfielder Tim Iroegbunam.
He has been a revelation in the middle of the park and already looks a steal at the reported £9 million Everton paid Aston Villa to secure his services.
Given that England are not overly blessed with quality midfielders, Iroegbunam has an excellent chance of forcing his way into the senior squad if he keeps performing.
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