The Premier League gets underway on 16 August when Manchester United host Fulham in a Friday night opener at Old Trafford.
As usual, fans will be preparing their predictions ahead of the new season and the division’s top teams will be plotting their approach as they look to dethrone Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to win a fifth consecutive title but the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be hoping to halt the champions in their tracks.
There is plenty to play for other than top-spot in the Premier League, with the usual four Champions League spots up for grabs.
Read on as we preview the new season, take a look at the potential winners and best of the rest ahead of another eagerly anticipated campaign.
All odds are from bet365 and were correct at the time of writing on Thursday, 8 August.
📰 Table Of Contents
Premier League winners
Last season, it was a three-horse race for the title between Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Reds faded in Jurgen Klopp’s last ride at the helm and it was the Gunners who would take Guardiola’s side to the final day.
But for the fourth time in a row, the blue half of Manchester would lift the famous trophy, but are they favourites to do it again?
2024/25 Premier League fixtures have been released 🔓
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 18, 2024
Manchester City (11/10)
The simple answer is yes. City are being tipped to win the Premier League for a seventh time in eight years.
They may be losing Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne is now 33-years-old, but their squad is still stacked with talent.
Rodri is fresh off winning Euro 2024 and was named Player of the Tournament while Erling Haaland has been fit and firing in pre-season.
City are certainly your safe bet but as is usually the case, there is not much value in a single bet for them to win the top flight.
Arsenal (15/8)
Arsenal are expected to be City’s closest challengers again and this is perhaps their biggest opportunity yet to win their first crown since 2004.
They are priced nearly as short as the champions thanks to Mikel Arteta’s work in the last few years and after coming so close in 2023-24, there will be a renewed energy in North London.
Gunners fans are desperate to see their side get over the line and with a few more additions before the transfer window shuts, they will be in with a shout.
No team conceded less than Arsenal’s 29 goals last season and with a formidable attack as well, it will take another near-perfect season from City to halt Arteta’s men.
Liverpool (7/1)
It is a big jump from Arsenal to Liverpool when betting on the Premier League winners.
Klopp’s reign is over but there is plenty to be encouraged by from Arne Slot’s time in charge so far.
The Reds have looked formidable in pre-season, beating rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Betis.
If they can get Mohammed Salah back to his best, Liverpool could surprise a few punters in 2024-25 and keep pace with the leading two teams.
Chelsea (20/1), Manchester United (22/1), Tottenham (25/1)
If you’re after a longshot, you can get any of Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham at 20/1 or above.
It would be a real shock to see any of these teams challenging for the Premier League title but it is not impossible.
Spurs topped the table after 10 games last season and are looking to strengthen again this summer, while Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have also brought in new faces.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are an unknown entity but look ragged at times. However, they may experience a new manager bounce similar to what their London rivals Spurs had last term.
🏆 Who will win the Premier League title?
🔝 Who will finish in the top four of the table?
📈 Which promoted side will finish highest?Our writers have had their say on some of the biggest questions ahead of the 2024/25 season!
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 6, 2024
Champions League positions
The next best prize after winning the title is qualifying for the Champions League, but as usual, the competition is extremely high.
It is better to presume that all three of Manchester City (1/10), Arsenal (2/11) and Liverpool (1/2) will earn a spot in the top four, leaving one place left to contend for.
Chelsea (11/8)
Chelsea will compete in the Europa Conference League after finishing sixth last season and expectations around the West London club is that they need to improve on that.
Sacking Mauricio Pochettino was a bold move and the Blues will need to back up their decision on the pitch.
They won the Champions League for a second time in 2021 but will need to find a level of consistency if they are to come anywhere close to making the top four this season.
Newcastle (2/1)
It is hard to split any of the chasing pack for a spot in Europe’s elite competition but Newcastle are hoping to make a comeback after a more subdued 2023-24.
They ended up seventh last term earning just 60 points compared to the 71 that got them back into the Champions League the year before.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies will have the added advantage of no midweek football after Manchester United’s FA Cup win knocked them out of Europa Conference League contention, but it may work out for the better.
Manchester United (2/1)
INEOS put their faith in Ten Hag by handing him a contract extension this summer and the Red Devils will be keen to improve their league form despite winning the FA Cup a few months ago.
Pre-season injuries to new signing Leny Yoro as well as Rasmus Hojlund have not made it an ideal start to the new term but there are plenty of emerging youngsters who can step up in their absence.
Man Utd crashed out of the Champions League group stages last season but have two chances to qualify for the competition this time around as they will also be competing in the Europa League.
Tottenham (2/1)
Spurs came close to fourth spot in Ange Postecoglou’s first season but just missed out to Aston Villa.
They have been a regular entry to the competition over the last 10 years but competition for places is now as high as it ever has been.
Postecoglou’s attacking brand of football makes Spurs a great watch, but they need to shape up defensively and avoid injuries if they are to sneak in.
It’s been a bumper weekend of pre-season action 🎬
Catch up on all that happened and what we learned as we approach the start of the campaign 📖 https://t.co/i7d71dBWoo pic.twitter.com/OxhQfrSZLl
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 4, 2024
Aston Villa (3/1)
Villa are previous Champions League winners and may focus their efforts on the competition rather than their exploits in the league.
Unai Emery is building a serious squad in the Midlands and has done well to replace outgoing star Douglas Luiz with Everton’s Amadou Onana.
They are priced as outsiders compared to their rivals but the odds suggest the Villans still have a great shot at making the top four.
Predictions
Depending on what path you want to take, there is a lot of value to be had from some of these picks.
Liverpool at 7/1 to win the league is a massive price considering their reputation and it is possible that some of the expected drop-off from Klopp’s time in charge is being overestimated.
In terms of Champions League picks, it really is a lottery and we could be in for an incredibly tight race.
Spurs to sneak in looks like a good shout with Postecoglou having had a full year to get to grips with his squad.
