Despite the 2023/24 Premier League season only just disappearing into the rear view mirror, the juggernaut that is the English top flight is already powering up for the 2024/25 campaign.
Pep Guardiola continued to lead Mikel Arteta a merry dance in 2024, as the crafty Catalan secured a record breaking fourth successive Premier League title, in between frustration in the Champions League and an FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.
Arteta was the stony faced bridesmaid once again, as Jurgen Klopp steered Liverpool to third, as he said danke for the memories at Anfield.
The Reds have opted to bring in their own baldy tactician for next season, with Arne Slot taking the reins on Merseyside, while Erik ten Hag has done just enough to keep his job at Old Trafford.
Chelsea and Brighton have opted for new head honchos though, and you can check out the latest manager specials at Paddy Power.
The usual faces are expected to be in the title race again in 2025….but who are the favourites?
Manchester City
Pep is into the final year of his contract in Manchester, with speculation mounting that he has finally grown sick of the sideways Mancunian rain.
If he does opt against signing a new contract, he will want to bow out in style, and launch an assault on every trophy within his reach.
Before a ball has even been kicked in the new campaign, City are favourites to roll again, with the possibility of some key players following Guardiola out the door next summer.
Kevin De Bruyne’s wizardry has given way to creaking limbs in recent months and Erling Haaland has shown signs that he is human after only netting a pesky 27 league goals last season.
If City stay on track, they still have the capabilities to strong arm their rivals , but Arsenal are gaining ground on them at a rapid rate.
They have a huge task on the opening weekend though, as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal
Arteta’s clenched jaw just about managed to utter a congratulations to Guardiola and City on the final day of 2023/24. His team tightened the gap to the champions but once again fell short.
The club are expected to back him in the transfer market after forking out huge sums for Declan Rice and Kai Havertz less than a year ago.
Artetea’s strongest card remains their defensive solidity, and Ben White’s set piece sh**housery, but the eternal debate over needing a striker will be on the minds of Arsenal fans as they try to find a way to break City’s warrior grip.
The Gunners host Wolves on the opening weekend and hope to get off to a winning start.
Liverpool
As Klopp strolled off the Anfield turf for one final time he led the home fans in a slightly awkward ‘Arne Slot’ chant to usher in the new era.
Slot’s record of one Eredivisie title has not wowed Reds fans, but he will do his best to fill the unfillable shoes of Klopp, and the show must go on for Liverpool.
Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah look set to at least see out the final year of their contracts at Liverpool, but the Kloppless halls of Anfield will echo even louder in the months ahead with a wait-and-see scenario for the club.
Slot’s first match in charge will be away to newly promoted Ipswich Town at 12:30 on a Saturday, surely a nod to his predecessor.
Manchester United
The Old Trafford circus is set for a summer season with Sir Jim facing a call over what to do with Ten Hag. Just as the club confirmed plans to mend the ailing Old Trafford roof, fresh pre-FA Cup links claimed the Dutchman was a goner.
However, he refused to follow the script, and somehow managed to win the trophy and get right on Alan Shearer’s nerves in the process.
Erik is the man and will be given at least the first few months of the season to prove he can get United back into the Champions League, however, their title odds remain miles off their rivals.
The Red Devils open the Premier League season at home to Fulham on a Friday night.
The fixtures have finally been released and here’s every game of the opening weekend.
Friday, August 16
Manchester United v Fulham (20:00)
Saturday, August 17
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30)
Arsenal v Wolves (15:00)
Everton v Brighton (15:00)
Newcastle v Southampton (15:00)
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (15:00)
West Ham v Aston Villa (17:30)
Sunday, August 18
Brentford v Crystal Palace (14:00)
Chelsea v Manchester City (16:30)
Monday, August 19
Leicester v Tottenham (20:00)
Read More on the Premier League
- Shoot on over to Paddy Power News for the best Football Betting Tips & News
- When are next season’s Premier League fixtures announced? 2024/25 date for your diary
- When does the next Premier League season start? 2024/25 date for the diary
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