Premier League football is back after its summer hiatus and 2024/25 promises to be another campaign of unforgettable action.
Manchester City became the first English team to win four top-flight titles in a row last season and will be aiming to extend that record this time around. Can anyone stop the Citizens in their quest?
We’ve ranked the five favourites to win the 2024/25 Premier League.
The Premier League title favourites in 2024/25:
5. Manchester United – 22/1
Manchester United have watched on as their cross-town neighbours have dominated the Premier League in recent seasons, with the Red Devils having failed to win the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s farewell campaign in 2012/13.
It’s been a decade of decline in terms of league performance for United, whose eighth-place finish in 2023/24 was their lowest of the Premier League era. Erik ten Hag’s team did upset Manchester City to win the FA Cup and salvage their season with silverware, but the onus will be on the Dutchman to improve their league performance ahead of his third season in charge.
It’s been a summer of change on and off the pitch at Old Trafford, with new co-owners Ineos having restructured the hierarchy with the additions of the highly-respected Dan Ashworth as sporting director, ex-Manchester City chief Omar Berrarda and Jason Wilcox.
Straight to it for our latest recruits 🫡#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 15, 2024
The club’s transfer business has been efficient and strategic, with Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui the latest through the door. The duo follow Joshua Zirkzee and the highly-coveted Leny Yoro as new signings, with each aged 26 or under to offer encouragement for the long term. The title looks a big ask based on last season’s levels, though there should be strides forward at Old Trafford.
4. Chelsea – 20/1
Predicting the performance of Chelsea this season appears an impossible task, following two years of chaotic ownership and on-field inconsistency at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca is the fourth permanent manager to take charge in that time and will be tasked with turning an expensively-assembled but disjointed squad into a winning formula. The Italian led Leicester to promotion last season but lacks experience in senior management, adding to the element of uncertainty surrounding the West Londoners.
Chelsea, however, have potential in their ranks with Cole Palmer the shining light of the side. The 22-year-old as a revelation last season to lead the Premier League for goal involvements (33). With Christopher Nkunku back to full fitness and the prospect of a big-name number nine arriving before the deadline, Chelsea can challenge the top teams if (and it’s a big if) things click into gear.
Liverpool – 7/1
Liverpool are another side embarking on a new era after Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down as manager at the end of last season. Arne Slot, a title winner in the Eredivisie at Feyenoord, has been named as the German’s successor and his team have impressed across their pre-season campaign.
Liverpool looked like title challengers for much of last season before faltering during the run-in and the Reds look well placed to go again. Slot is yet to make a first-team signing since his appointment but the core of his team remains strong, with a spine featuring Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah as strong as any in the division.
Arne 👋🔴 pic.twitter.com/JBIeFbagLs
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2024
The challenge will be to implement his methods on a team that has known only Klopp for almost a decade. Only Joe Gomez pre-dated the former boss with Slot’s appointment a step into the unknown for nearly all of the squad.
Arsenal – 13/8
Mikel Arteta will feel Arsenal are getting closer. The improvement in his team has led to back-to-back runners-up finishes in the Premier League with Arsenal taking last season’s title race to the final day of the season.
The challenge now for Arsenal will be taking that final – most difficult – step in their bid to unseat Manchester City from the Premier League throne. Arsenal have had the division’s best defensive record in each of the last two campaigns and led the league for set-piece goals (20) to add another weapon to their, erm, arsenal in 2023/24.
Same corner taker, same outcome 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/pJRzGgdqiN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 11, 2024
What’s required now is the mentality to get over the line, following two seasons in which the Gunners have gained valuable experience of the Premier League pressures.
Manchester City – 13/10
Manchester City’s title success last season earned the Citizens a record-breaking fourth top-flight crown in a row, the latest unprecedented feat Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering team have achieved under his management.
The Blues have averaged 91 points per season across the last seven campaigns, a staggering sequence of consistency and an indicator of how high the bar is to displace them as champions.
Erling Haaland has now scored 63 goals in 66 league games in English football and is aiming to become just the third player, after Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, to win three consecutive Golden Boots in 2024/25.
Looking good, skipper 👕🫡 pic.twitter.com/09XLWwjPoX
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 14, 2024
City have been quiet in the transfer window with Savinho’s arrival from Troyes their only business to date. When your squad is as talented as this one, however, there’s little room for improvement. Guardiola’s team are favourites for a reason.
