Manchester City are chasing a fifth-successive title, so can anyone edge out Pep Guardiola's side, and who will secure Champions League qualification?
After an epic summer of sport, you might have been forgiven for not realising that the new Premier League season kicks-off on Friday. And so while teams are still finessing their transfer business and making final tactical tweaks, everything is pretty much in place for the 2024-25 campaign to begin.
That means its predictions season, and here at GOAL we're no different. Over the past week, our writers have been giving their takes on all the biggest issues, from the Golden Boot contenders to the first manager to be sacked; from the surprise packages and best signings to the biggest disappointments and relegation contenders.
Today, we've taken a look at the title contenders, as well as the teams who are set for top-four finishes and Champions League qualification:
Getty'Pep's final season to motivate City'
Mark Doyle: The now painfully predictable Premier League will produce the same top three as last season, with Manchester City inevitably finishing top of the pile once more to make it a depressing seven titles in eight seasons. Arsenal will go close, while Liverpool will play some fancy football under new manager Arne Slot, but both sides are still lacking the prolific No.9 required to topple City, who will not want for motivation during what could be Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge.
As for fourth spot, the race is once again wide open. However, Aston Villa are likely to feel the strain of competing in the Champions League, Chelsea are an unknown quantity under Enzo Maresca, Tottenham are likely to continue to flatter to deceive, while Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United will remain a model of mediocrity from top to bottom. Consequently, a Newcastle side unburdened by any European football are the best bet to finish fourth, especially as they’ve rather surprisingly managed to hold onto all of their best players in spite of their PSR issues.
AdvertisementGetty Images'Arsenal still lack a goal-scorer'
Amee Ruszkai: I don't think any team has improved enough to usurp Man City at the top of the table. Pep Guardiola's side might not have made many signings themselves, but they will hope to count on a fully-fit Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones year round, which would immediately improve this winning machine and allow it to go up at least another gear. Arsenal will run them close yet again, however, I don't see the arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori and potentially Mikel Merino, while both exciting, making the difference between second and first; not while the Gunners still lack a natural goal-scorer who can be relied on in tough moments.
Arne Slot's appointment at Liverpool is one that intrigues and, despite a lack of signings, he has a good enough squad to work with to ensure the Reds remain in the top four. This year will be about laying the groundwork for what he wants to achieve on Merseyside and may well be boosted not only be the excitement of something new but, given the lack of summer business, perhaps some reinvigorating January arrivals. Finally, I see Tottenham getting over the line and completing the top four. Ange Postecoglou's first year in north London was interesting but erratic at times, and this second season should deliver more consistency, as the players become more used to his demands.
Getty'Spurs most likely to snatch fourth'
Stephen Darwin: Manchester City's domination of the Premier League is going to continue. They've got the best starting XI, the strongest squad and will be hungrier than ever to add another title to their collection in what could well be Pep Guardiola's final season in charge. Arsenal again look the best bet to be City's closest challengers, with Mikel Arteta having added a steely determination and win-at-all-costs mindset that we haven't always associated with the Gunners. As for Liverpool, the early signs in pre-season have looked positive, and despite Arne Slot's lack of signings so far, Jurgen Klopp hardly passed on a squad that was in urgent need of surgery. Expect a third-place finish for the Reds.
Fourth spot is more difficult to predict, with as many as four or five clubs undoubtedly having one eye on sealing that final Champions League spot. Manchester United and Chelsea fans will be expecting vast improvements on their dreadful 2023-24 campaigns, but there's been nothing to suggest there's going to be significant strides made in the right direction – indeed, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both Enzo Maresca and Erik ten Hag out of a job by Christmas. Given the limitations of those around them, Tottenham feel like the most likely to snatch fourth as Ange Postecoglou continues to assemble a young and hungry squad capable of playing his exciting brand of attacking football.
Getty'Liverpool a force to be reckoned with again'
Richard Martin: It might be a boring prediction to say Manchester City will win a fifth-consecutive Premier League crown, but write Pep Guardiola off at your peril. The Catalan has reinvented his team in each of his eight seasons in the Premier League and never tires of innovating. Last season's team may have lacked the flair of previous incarnations, but they proved tougher and more durable, remaining unbeaten for the final months.
Arsenal will run City close again, but they lack the bloody-mindedness of the Cityzens, while Arne Slot has had an encouraging pre-season with Liverpool and has been boosted by Mohamed Salah staying, so if the Reds can avoid the injury problems that plagued them last season, they should be a force to be reckoned with again, even without Jurgen Klopp. Tottenham should be stronger in their second season with Ange Postecoglou and have made some eye-catching signings. They should finish above Aston Villa, who will find it hard to balance another top-four push with playing Champions League football.