English Premier League 2024/2025 Preview: Can City Make it 5 in a Row?

After an interesting summer that saw different international competitions, the English Premier League will return to our screens on Friday, 16th August 2024. Manchester City have had four titles in a row since the 2020/2021 season and have already appeared as the favorites here to win a record 5th EPL title in a row. Below are the analyses of top clubs and their chances of winning the league.

Manchester City: A Fourth Straight Title Seems Waiting without a Major Addition to the Squad

Manchester City

Manchester City are once again the favorite to lift the 2024/2025 Premier League for a record 5th time in a row. They set a record for the most titles in a row last season when they lifted the Premier League for 4th time in a row.

Manchester City have not been active in the transfer market, and that won’t call for any alarm. The Citizens have only added 20-year-old Brazilian Savinho to their squad. However, their first-choice goalkeeper has been in recent week linked to a move to the Saudi Arabia Pro League, and Guardiola seems not to be bothered with the rumor and has all trust in the second-choice goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, to keep City in contention for any title next season.

However, Ederson told journalist Fred Caldeira on TNT Brasil after the Man City vs AC Milan clash: “I’m happy here at the City. I’m calm with my teammates. I’m enjoying it, too. And I’m getting back into shape, so I have a clear head. Whatever happens is in God’s hands. He knows the right way.”

No matter the situation, Man City remain the favorite to lift the trophy, and I don’t see anything stopping them this season. Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup will be hard for any team to dominate at the moment. Last season’s eventual Champions League winner couldn’t control the game when they faced Man City, and there is no obvious sign that they can dominate the game when they face Man City at the moment. So, in England, Man City are the only consistent team, and only resilience wins the league. So Guardiola and his men will win a record 5th title next season.

Bet: Man City to win the EPL at 2.10 odds.

Arsenal: How Long will the Gunners Wait?

For the past two seasons, Arsenal have always been on the brink of winning the title before they lose concentration and bow out of the race. They added Declan Rice to their squad last season, hoping to get the better, but they could only finish second. This season, again, they look like the only club that can challenge City for glory, but their squad depth is something they will need to work on. Players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and other top players need backups who can step up when things seem to be fading off for the starting 11s.

Moreover, Arsenal Coach Arteta was quoted after the preseason clash against Manchester United saying that they will need a maximum of 114 points if they want to win the league. He added, “If we do that, we will win the league, for sure! This is the objective, and from there, let’s see what we can get.

“But today that has to be the target – win every single game and earn the right to win it and have the biggest probability on the opponent to win the game. When we have difficulties, we still need to be better than the opponent. So, that’s the objective for the team.”

With this, it is clear that Man City will continue to be the problem that will always hinder this hungry Gunners from winning the title for the first time since 2004. So, I see Arsenal winning the league; if Man City are removed from the picture.

Bet: Arsenal to win without Man City for 1.80 odds

Liverpool: The Merseyside Red Hope Hangs in the Balance after the Departure of Jürgen Klopp

Surprisingly, Liverpool can still make it up to this level in the favorite list. They finished outside the top 4 in the 2022/2023 season but ended last season third on the table despite a sluggish start to the season. After the departure of Jürgen Klopp at the end of last season, pressure will now be on Arne Slot to get things running immediately at Anfield.

Thiago Alcántara has already announced his retirement from football, and Joel Matip seems to be out for a new club next season; Liverpool will need to make some significant signings to fight for the top 4, not even the title. Just like other Dutch managers, I don’t expect Arne Slot to come into the Premier League and have a say just like that.

Bet: Liverpool not to finish top 4 for 2.50 odds

Chelsea: Tactics conflict in Enzo Maresca’s Camp

Since Todd Boehly took over the affairs of the Chelsea football club, they have signed lots of players, and nothing seems to be changing on the team. The team picked up towards the end of last season, and fans started showering lots of praise on Mauricio Pochettino, but to the surprise of many, he was sacked. However, Enzo Maresca has taken over, and fans have begun questioning his tactics and decisions in the preseason games he has overseen. Notwithstanding, I see these young boys finish in the top 4.

Chelsea to finish top 4 for 2.37 odds

Manchester United: Eric ten Hag Gets More than Enough Backroom Staff

After Eric ten Hag escaped being sacked last season, the Manchester United board has shown that they are in his support. They have hired lots of new backroom staff, including former Go Ahead Eagles coach René Hake and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as assistant coaches, Jelle ten Rouwelaar (goalkeeping coach), Darren Fletcher (technical coach), and Steve McClaren (technical coach). Not only that, but they have also signed players into key areas in the team. They have signed Leny Yoro Joshua Zirkzee, and Jadon Sancho has resolved the issue that led him out of the club last season with his boss.

However, they still rely on Onana in goal. Onana faced lots of criticism from fans last season, and one would have expected the club to sign a new goalkeeper this season to compete with Onana, but the team has resorted to keeping their faith in the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

On a more practical note, I expect Manchester United to perform far better than how they did last season. The new backroom staff should instill confidence in the team. Moreover, in the previous four seasons, Manchester United finished sixth or lower in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, and they finished in the top four in the following campaign.

Bet: Manchester United to finish top 4 for 3.00 odds