According to Express Sport, Arsenal is strongly favoured to beat Manchester City to win the Premier League in 2024–25.

Arsenal and Man City are expected to duke it out for the title for the third season in a row (Image: GETTY

This weekend marks the Premier League’s return. Before kickoff tonight at Old Trafford, members of the Express Sport team shared their predictions for the 2024–25 season. Manchester United takes on Fulham in the season’s opening game. Will Arsenal win their first championship since 2004 and break Manchester City’s imposing winning streak? How will Man United cope after Erik ten Hag was saved by FA Cup glory? This is our opinion…

Charlie Gordon Arsenal won the title.

Top four: Tottenham, Man Utd, Man City, and Arsenal

Leicester, Nottingham Forest, and Ipswich were demoted.

Season’s best player: Martin Odegaard

Evan Ferguson is the young player of the season.

The best opinion: No Chelsea player will score more than ten goals in the league.

Arsenal’s year needs to be this one. They’re getting stronger in the transfer market once more as Manchester City seems to be stagnating despite their increased hunger and agonising close calls over the previous two campaigns. I see Martin Odegaard motivating them to win the championship. If their primary players stay healthy, expect to see a significant improvement from Manchester United this season. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Liverpool struggle under the new management; finishing in the top six would be a respectable showing for them. Cole Palmer is a pleasure to watch, but it will be difficult to top last season, and if Christopher Nkunku keeps having fitness issues, I don’t see any attacker who can take Stamford Bridge by storm.

Archie Griggs: Man City emerged victorious.

Top four: Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City

Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton were demoted.

Season’s best player: Bukayo Saka

Kobbie Mainoo, the season’s youngest player

The latest opinion: Enzo Maresca will leave by Christmas.

It’s certain that Man City will win the league, isn’t it? I see Arsenal failing miserably once more. As Arne Slot gets used to his new role, I envision Liverpool having a challenging start to the season, but they should have enough to guarantee Champions League football. Maresca was never the correct choice for Chelsea in the first place, and he almost cost them a significant lead at the top of the Championship table the previous season. He is in over his head, and if the Blues don’t get off to a fast start, I can see this tenure at Stamford Bridge ending badly. Considering that Chelsea was more than willing to fire Mauricio Pochettino despite making it to Europe the previous season, I predict Todd Boehly—who isn’t exactly known for his patience—will fire Maresca before Christmas.

Charlie Malam Arsenal won the title.

Top four: United States, Arsenal, City, and Tottenham

Leicester, Southampton, and Nottingham Forest were demoted.

Season’s best player: Martin Odegaard

Harvey Elliott is the young player of the season.

The best opinion: Wolves should compete in Europe

Everything in me tells me not to oppose Man City, but at some point, can’t their standards lapse a little bit? Correct? Yes? Perhaps this is Arsenal’s year. The outstanding Martin Odegaard will be essential if that’s the case. Even though City has a strong run-in, the game will likely be quite close—perhaps just a point or two. Because of Liverpool’s terrible summer window thus far, I believe third and fourth are wide open; I’m backing Tottenham and Manchester United to beat the Reds. Even without European football to play, Newcastle is still a serious threat, particularly if Marc Guehi joins them and Alexander Isak remains healthy. Gary O’Neil is my favourite referee, and I have a strange sense that Wolves could atone for all those terrible calls against them. Jorgen Strand Larsen intrigues me.

Sam Smith Winner of the Title: Arsenal

Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Tottenham are the top four.

Southampton, Nottingham Forest, and Ipswich were demoted.

Season’s best player: Martin Odegaard

Alejandro Garnacho is the season’s best young player.

The trendiest opinion: Erik ten Hag fired before Christmas

There’s a sense of dread about Man City this summer. They haven’t really improved, although Arsenal’s team under Mikel Arteta has been strengthened. Distractions could come from the commotion off the pitch around the 115 charges and Pep Guardiola’s future. Spurs and Liverpool will profit from the absence of strong competition for the top four. Erik ten Hag’s tactical shortcomings at Manchester United, meanwhile, will be made clear without the benefit of an injury crisis or a depleted roster. The Dutchman will be lucky if he survives until after Christmas.

Joe Krishnan Arsenal won the title.

Top 4: Manchester United, Liverpool, and City

Everton, Ipswich Town, and Southampton were demoted.

Season’s best player: Bukayo Saka

Alejandro Garnacho is the season’s best young player.

Hottest prediction: Enzo Maresca will be fired by February, and Chelsea will win in October.

I wasn’t too far off because I was one of the few that supported Mikel Arteta’s team throughout the season, all the way to the very end. This time, it will occur not because the 2023–24 campaign was superior to Arsenal, but rather because Man City will be inferior. Regarding Everton, the team is a complete mess at the top, and when that occurs, it permeates the pitch. They have been on the verge of relegation for a few years, and this year it will finally happen. With the possible exception of their opening match against Manchester City, Chelsea has likely had the best run of any of the top teams through the first seven or eight games. It may be difficult for certain teams to adjust to Enzo Maresca’s attacking-oriented style of play. However, as Leicester demonstrated to us the previous season, the Italian’s strategies grow stale and simple to counter. In six preseason games, Chelsea’s defenders allowed 13 goals, thus those two issues combined will result in a winter disaster at Stamford Bridge and the firing of Maresca.

Murphy Amos
Arsenal took first place.

Top four: Tottenham, Man Utd, Man City, and Arsenal

Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, and Ipswich Town were demoted.

Season’s top performer: Rodri

Bukayo Saka, the season’s youngest player

Hottest opinion: Aston Villa does not place among the top eight.

Whether it’s a reduction in quality or a deduction of points, I’m declaring an end to City’s winning streak. I’m still anticipating a close finish, with Rodri winning POTS. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nottingham Forest’s inadequacies also catch up to them this season. My prediction is that Aston Villa will finish outside of the top eight. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them bottom half for a little extra spiciness.

Arsenal is the Tom Parsons title winner.

Top four: Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, and Arsenal

Nottingham Forest, Southampton, and Ipswich were demoted.

Erling Haaland is the player of the season.

Cole Palmer, the season’s youngest player

Hot pick: Manchester United will finish ahead of Liverpool

The Citizens may finally be able to put their season on hold this season as Manchester City prepares for their Premier League hearing. And Arsenal would then be in a strong position to defeat the eight-time Premier League winners. Cole Palmer will lead Chelsea back into the Champions League as he wins the young player of the season award for the second straight year, while Erling Haaland will continue to score more than 30 goals in the Premier League for the second time in his City career to win the player of the season award. Liverpool will have a difficult season under new manager Arne Slot, but Manchester United will have a much better season and place in the top four.