Premier League Predictions 24/25!

And we’re back! 4 weeks on from our Euros heartbreak, the Premier League returns. I didn’t embarrass myself too much in my predictions last year so without further ado, here’s my 2024/2025 predictions.

Relegation:

Last season was an anomaly in that all three promoted sides went back down. The second time in Premier League history that has happened. Unfortunately such is the wealth gap between the Premier League and the Championship, I feel all three promoted sides will go down again. Leicester have lost their manager, talisman and face a potential points deduction. Southampton have little Premier League experience and I can see a scenario where we’re calling them and their coach, Russell Martin, naive when they’ve conceded another goal from playing out from the back. Ipswich I have most hope for, and I believe they have a chance. I certainly don’t think their coach, Kieran McKenna, will be dropping back down with them if they are relegated.

I could make a case for one of Forest, Brentford and Everton being dragged into it, but I think all three have enough. Everton have Sean Dyche, enough said. Brentford are well ran and assuming they keep Toney / adequately replace him, they should have enough. Not as well ran Nottingham Forest have had a quieter summer to usual but they have enough quality throughout their squad, Gibbs-White the shining light.

Mid-Table:

Both Fulham and Bournemouth have lost key men this summer, in Palhinha and Solanke. However, both clubs also have savvy managers and should be comfortable in lower mid table. Wolves, too, have enough know how with Gary O’Neil impressing last season.

Getting into “proper” mid-table territory now and we have the race for the top half between rivals Palace and Brighton. Brighton are one of the teams to look out for with the ambitious appointment of 31 year old Fabian Hurzeler from recently promoted St Pauli. With players returning from injury, I expect them to excite. Palace’s transformative form under Oliver Glasner pushes them into the top 10 for me. Despite Olise’s departure, Palace have some really top players in midfield including Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucoure and Eze.

In keeping with the claret and blue, my pick for ninth and eighth are West Ham and Aston Villa. West Ham have recruited well this summer and should be entertaining to watch going forwards. The bad news is the man they’ve brought in to replace the “cautious” David Moyes, is only a little less cautious. Julien Lopetegui sounds cooler though right?

Another Spaniard is Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery. Steering Villa to the Champions League last season was a phenomenal achievement. Qualifying them into it again would be an even bigger one. Those intense champions league games may take it out of Villa and their squad and for that reason, I think they’ll finish in a respectable eighth.

Top Four:

Next for the top four battle. The bookmakers have Chelsea as the favourites for fourth. Yeah, I know. What are they thinking? Wait, are we talking about Chelsea’s transfer policy or the bookies? It’s undeniable that Chelsea’s squad is full of talented players, especially in midfield, however a lack of quality in defence and a new man in the dugout means I see them struggle for consistency this season and finish 7th.

Another club looking to reclaim glory are Manchester United. Ten Hag is staying (at least for another season) and there’s finally some cohesion off the field. On the field, I expect steady progress from United, which 8th to 6th would represent, but not enough to finish in the top 4.

Another United looking to get back in the top four is Newcastle. Having an injury crisis few would have coped with, Newcastle’s squad struggled with the Champions League games and their high intensity football suffered as a result. With no Europe this season, I fancy Newcastle to push for 4th spot all the way.

Pipping them to 4th will be Tottenham Hotspur. Dominic Solanke has bolstered an attack that lacked a number 9, and he’ll be backed to score in a team that creates a bucket load of chances. I expect the defensive structure to improve with Postecoglou having been at the helm for an over a year now. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall look top talents in midfield and Spurs are the team I’m most looking forward to watching.

Narrowly ahead of Spurs I see Liverpool finishing 3rd. Replacing Jurgen Klopp is no mean feat, however the squad is in a healthy enough position for his successor, Arne Slot. Having failed in their attempts to sign Zubimendi, Liverpool lack a holding midfielder and perhaps a dynamic forward too. Slot himself has promised evolution rather than revolution as he seeks to make Liverpool a better footballing team. A top 4 finish and perhaps a trophy would represent a good first season for Slot as he finds his feet.

Title Race:

And now it comes down to two. The final two, for the last two seasons. Ever improving Arteta’s Arsenal facing the final boss. So far that final boss has prevailed.
Many are pipping Arsenal as title winners this season. They’ve improved year in year and if City drop off at all, Arsenal will be waiting. The core of the team is young, vibrant and ready to win. A move for a goal scorer in the last two weeks of the window could tip it in their favour. City have won 4 in a row, surely it’s Arsenal’s time now?

And that, exactly, is the thinking behind me potentially picking Arsenal. English football doesn’t believe in dominance, a monopoly. The same team winning every season? Nope, that doesn’t happen here. Go to Germany, France or Italy for that nonsense.

City’s four in a row simply hasn’t happened before in the Premier League. The dominance is unprecedented. Given the sums of money spent at the top of the league, it shouldn’t happen. And yet, Guardiola breaks these records. He’s done it at every club and why should we bet against him and City doing it again? He’s hinted at leaving next summer and imagine the fairytale of him lifting a consecutive fifth Premier League trophy as he runs off into the sunset to take the England manager’s job. Oh, did I say that bit out loud?

Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland. City have the best players. They have the best coach. They have serial winners throughout the squad. I see Man City winning it again.


Man City
Arsenal
Liverpool
Newcastle
Man Utd
Spurs
Chelsea
Villa
West Ham
Palace
Brighton
Bournemouth
Wolves
Fulham
Everton
Brentford
Forest
Ipswich
Southampton
Leicester

Top Scorer: Haaland - I mean, who else? Salah or Isak could come close.

Best player: Odegaard - I fancy him to be Arsenal’s main man this season.

One to watch: Adam Wharton - The bidding war next summer will be expensive.