The juggernaut that is the English Premier League is up and running for the 2024/25 campaign.
Pep Guardiola continued to lead Mikel Arteta a merry dance in 2023/24, 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 new season, with Arne Slot taking the reins on Merseyside, while Erik ten Hag did just enough to keep his job at Old Trafford.
Chelsea and Brighton opted for new head honchos though, and you can check out the latest Premier League odds 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.
City are favourites and have got off to the perfect start with three wins from three games, with Erling Haaland bagging an incredible seven goals.
They’ll be tough to beat with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden in the shadows ready to pounce too.
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.
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 have backed him in the transfer market, once again, after forking out huge sums for Declan Rice and Kai Havertz year ago, and his group look a settled bunch.
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 are already two points behind City after dropping points for the first time this season in the 1-1 draw with Brighton.
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 side has nine points on the board after beating Ipswich on the opening day before strolling past Brentford at Anfield and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Manchester United
The Old Trafford circus was 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 opened the Premier League season with a lucky 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford before defeats to Brighton and Liverpool. A title charge looks unlikely…
Read More on the Premier League
- Shoot on over to Paddy Power News for the best Football Betting Tips & News
- Premier League relegation odds: Who are the favourites for the drop in 2024/25?
- Premier League top scorer odds: Who are the favourites to win the Golden Boot in 2024/25?
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