⚽ Premier League 2024/2025 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Zaguru12]

It would be very difficult for Aston Villa to replicate their form of last season, they now play in the Champions League, thus more games, a game every 3 days means a tighter schedule, more fatigue and it is difficult for smaller teams to cope with it. In the 2022/2023 season, Newcastle were the dark horse, look what happened to them in 23/24 season when they played in the CL, i fear that's what's going to happen to Aston Villa this season. I might also add that they lost Douglas Luiz, who moved to Juventus, he was a very important player for them last season.

I agree with you that it is going to be a very long and probably hectic season ahead for Aston Villa. They now have mid week fixtures courtesy of the champions which is now even two games longer than before and as such i also believe it will affect the club’s league form this season. But I don’t think it will affect it as much as it affected Newcastle last season and my point is Newcastle had a manager that hasn’t been in the European premier competition before but with Unai Emery, Aston Villa have someone with much needed experience to guide them through this long fixtures. Secondly Newcastle United were heavily struck with Injuries last season and that to me also affected their form but if Aston Villa could keep a fit squad then they could be able to get a better campaign in Europe and the league than them.

Aston Villa also have loss two key players in Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby but to me they have no excuse because the club currently have the best replacement for the two players. Amodu Onana is one talented midfielder that I think is a good replacement for Douglas Luiz while the depart right wing position by Diaby is filled with either Duran or Leon Bailey with both capable of doing their jobs perfectly there. So I think they have been able to replace their departed players well enough to not use that as a reason for failure

[Nanga Parbat]

Liverpool has been a strong team from the start because Jurgen Klopp has left a solid legacy and it cannot be denied that whatever it is, Klopp has contributed there. But that doesn't mean Arne Slot didn't play a part because it's not easy to carry on the legacy of a great coach and if he rushes then it could end badly. In time he will be successful in his own way because he is indeed a potential coach, but it will take time and process.

Liverpool is in a good run of form and it was a great start. Now the question is, can they continue to be consistent throughout the season or will they repeat the mistakes of the previous two seasons?

The team that wins the match by playing with hard work and good performance in the league, then the league will definitely add its name to the strong one and Liverpool is among them.  We don't care which team is what, the difference is which team is stronger and more hard working.  So obviously he will definitely leave it for them because it is a proof of their performance.  If their coach isn't pushing them to work hard, that's their thinking, but it's foolish of them to do that in every match.  Because every coach has a duty to guide his team towards good performance and hard work and if they are not succeeding in this, then they should change the coach.  If they continue to do the same in the first matches, they will do the same in this season as well.  Or evaluate their performance by watching two or three matches.  Because every team performs well in the first matches and loses in the end.

[Oluwa-btc]

Yes - they are Newcastle, Brighton and Aston Villa.
Manchester United and Chelsea are not underdogs - they are widely expected to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League. But either way - I can't possibly rule out Tottenham for a top 4 spot.

I have a favorite order and here is the list:
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
5. Chelsea
6. Brighton
7. Manchester United
8. Newcastle
9. Aston Villa

Brighton are jokers, don't take them too seriously. It's really not how far but how well. Aston Villa will go far in the Champions League Competition but I can't boast of them in the Premier League Competition with the too many games to be played. I'd say Newcastle United but much has been expected from them for the past two seasons and they've done nothing. Too much criticisms and  pressure has been taken off Eddie Howe. I do feel like the pressure on Erik Ten Hag should be on Eddie Howe after all of the money spent, he's achieved nothing for them and this would be his third season in charge.

As per the list, I'd rank them this way;
Arsenal
Manchester City
Manchester United
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa
Brighton

[reagansimms]

In conclusion, I can't fully believe that Brighton will be the team that surprises us all. Except for waiting for the next few matches when Brighton will face Liverpool and Man City who are currently the strongest teams in the EPL. If in that match Brighton can get a draw or not lose points, I believe that Brighton has a stable consistency and will be successful at the end of the season.

I don't think you get the question, it is not like the dark horse is going to go unbeaten and beat all the big teams, just a team that would surprise everyone and finish in the top four, like Aston Villa did last season and Newcastle in the season before that. Brighton have started very well, that is why people are tipping them to be that team, they have been strong in their last three games despite what you say, you cannot fault their victories based on the performances and conducts of their opponents.

Pinning Brighton as a dark horse team is very appropriate based on their performance in the last three matches, they have started the season well compared to other teams such as Tottenham, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle. Brighton form so far has been very good, they will try to give other teams a shock like Newcastle and Aston Villa did in the previous season.

Yes, the dark horse team is only able to provide surprises, but they are still struggling to compete with Manchester City or Arsenal in the title race, especially since Liverpool is showing its best quality since being handled by Arne Slot. Finishing in the top four would be enough for them, but given the competition this season, Brighton must maintain the form they have shown in the three games they have played.

[mammusu]

I'm still sticking with my preferred choice, which is Aston Villa.

It would be very difficult for Aston Villa to replicate their form of last season, they now play in the Champions League, thus more games, a game every 3 days means a tighter schedule, more fatigue and it is difficult for smaller teams to cope with it. In the 2022/2023 season, Newcastle were the dark horse, look what happened to them in 23/24 season when they played in the CL, i fear that's what's going to happen to Aston Villa this season. I might also add that they lost Douglas Luiz, who moved to Juventus, he was a very important player for them last season.

Aston Villa last season was able to surprise us with their ability to compete with teams like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, but as we know after the 2023/24 season ended Aston Villa had financial problems that forced them to sell some of their star players, so I think there will be a lot of changes happening to Aston Villa this season,  Just like you, I also think that it is very likely that Aston Villa will not be able to maintain their form this season because we know that if teams like Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea have also improved the quality of the squad they have at the moment, if we have Aston Villa who last season appeared Spartan of course this season maybe we will see Brighton become a dark horse ready to threaten big teams at the top of the Premier League standings,But to be honest, I am personally quite curious about Aston Villa ability this season in the Champions League after they have been absent for a long time.

[Velvet78]

As per the list, I'd rank them this way;
Arsenal
Manchester City
Manchester United
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa
Brighton

If we are thinking realistically considering the current performances then my ranking would be like:

- Manchester City
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
- Brighton
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Aston Villa
- Chelsea
- Newcastle United
- Manchester United

I would love to put Arsenal ahead of Manchester City but there is still an obvious gap unfortunately. Otherwise I already want Arsenal to win the league title finally. 

Liverpool look solid but they have a new manager so I need to watch them more. I can trust Arteta more than Arne Slot now.

The reason why I put Chelsea ahead of Newcastle is that I believe they have a bigger potential. I put Manchester United to the last position because they are playing horrible. 

[Spaceman1000$]

Given we have a break in league games for the international games and there are no games to discuss this weekend, I'll ask a different question: do you guys see any potential dark horse this season, i.e. a team that people do not expect too much from, but can turn up surprising everyone e.g. by ending up in the top 4 etc?

Yes - they are Newcastle, Brighton and Aston Villa.
Manchester United and Chelsea are not underdogs - they are widely expected to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League. But either way - I can't possibly rule out Tottenham for a top 4 spot.

I have a favorite order and here is the list:
1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
5. Chelsea
6. Brighton
7. Manchester United
8. Newcastle
9. Aston Villa

I doubt if Manchester united and Chelsea will finish at the top 4 position given the realities on ground, looking at their pattern of play from last season up until this season which is without much improvement, I doubt if both teams stand a chance of being at the top 4 at the end of the season. Of course they are not underdogs but they are among the average team who are struggling to be among the top 10.
I totally agree with your top 9 favorite order, except for the fact Newcastle would have gone up a little maybe replacing Brighton.

[Oluwa-btc]

If we are thinking realistically considering the current performances then my ranking would be like:

I would love to put Arsenal ahead of Manchester City but there is still an obvious gap unfortunately. Otherwise I already want Arsenal to win the league title finally. 

Liverpool look solid but they have a new manager so I need to watch them more. I can trust Arteta more than Arne Slot now.

The reason why I put Chelsea ahead of Newcastle is that I believe they have a bigger potential. I put Manchester United to the last position because they are playing horrible. 

Nothing wrong with being realistic, but we have 38 Games to play in the Premier League Competition, just 3 fixtures has been held, there'll be long term changes, my picks are simply based on long term not just for the moment.
The only reason why people are not rating Arsenal enough to win this Premier League Competition is because they don't have a proven striker like Erling Haaland. It was the same thing that happened last season, but I'm not giving up on them regardless of the fact that they're so recalcitrant towards getting one CF!  Liverpool don't have the sqaud depth to contest for this premier league campaign. Immediately the Champions League Competition kicks in, they'll definitely fall off due to stress and fatigue.. Week in and out Newcastle will be playing only the Premier League Competition, I placed Chelsea ahead of them but I've come to think about it, they stand a better chance of contesting ahead. Saying Manchester United are playing horrible is laughable but then, you are entitled to your opinion. Maybe about this particular situation.

[Pokapoka124]

Brighton are jokers, don't take them too seriously. It's really not how far but how well. Aston Villa will go far in the Champions League Competition but I can't boast of them in the Premier League Competition with the too many games to be played. I'd say Newcastle United but much has been expected from them for the past two seasons and they've done nothing. Too much criticisms and  pressure has been taken off Eddie Howe. I do feel like the pressure on Erik Ten Hag should be on Eddie Howe after all of the money spent, he's achieved nothing for them and this would be his third season in charge.

As per the list, I'd rank them this way;
Arsenal
Manchester City
Manchester United
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa
Brighton

I agree with what you said. Though I’m surprised you put Arsenal ahead of Manchester City. I doubt they are going to do any better than they did last season. Arsenal have already drawn one game which is all City needs to win the league.

This is my list:

• Manchester City
• Arsenal
• Liverpool
• Chelsea
• Manchester United
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Aston Villa
• Brighton

[X-ray]

Given we have a break in league games for the international games and there are no games to discuss this weekend, I'll ask a different question: do you guys see any potential dark horse this season, i.e. a team that people do not expect too much from, but can turn up surprising everyone e.g. by ending up in the top 4 etc?

Yes i see some clubs potentially to be the dark horse. These clubs are Manchester United and Westham. They look very underrated at this moment. But i think they will come with surprises at the end of season. Nobody is expecting anything from following their poor results at the early season.

But i think they must go through the long process to build the chemistry on their team.

Could Brighton be such team? So far, they recorded an easy win over Everton, a win against Man United and scored a point against Arsenal in an away game, which currently places them in the 3rd place. They also crushed Crawley Town (a League One team) 4-0 in an EFL Cup game.

Their manager, Fabian Hurzeler, got nominated for the Manager of the Month award.

It could be brighton but i doubt them to be such a team. It's true they have recorded very good results in the early games of Premier League. But i rarely saw them have good finishing at the end of the season. They looked like a very aggressive team at the start of the season. But, they were toothless at the end.

Brighton's manager was nominated for manager of the month. But, it doesn't convince me to pick them.

[mamesso]

Manchester United has tried to return to its best form by bringing in several top players in the transfer market, but until now Ten Hag has not been able to make the Management and all the fans satisfied with Manchester United current performance. The poor results achieved at the start of this season have put Ten Hag under pressure, the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool was a particularly painful blow because it happened in front of his own supporters.

Picking up three points from three games is a big setback for a team like Manchester United, especially as they have just brought in several new players in the transfer market, the result has left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings. The problems experienced in the last two years may reoccur this season, management must immediately find a solution to the current problems. A change of coach could provide new hope for Manchester United's development, several great coaches are still unemployed at the moment, management must immediately make a decision for a better future for the club.

[Docnaster]

Brighton are jokers, don't take them too seriously. It's really not how far but how well. Aston Villa will go far in the Champions League Competition but I can't boast of them in the Premier League Competition with the too many games to be played. I'd say Newcastle United but much has been expected from them for the past two seasons and they've done nothing. Too much criticisms and  pressure has been taken off Eddie Howe. I do feel like the pressure on Erik Ten Hag should be on Eddie Howe after all of the money spent, he's achieved nothing for them and this would be his third season in charge.

As per the list, I'd rank them this way;
Arsenal
Manchester City
Manchester United
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa
Brighton

Everybody has his or her own view and it's expected to respect everyone's opinion here but looking at your prediction of and how you're referring to Brighton as jokers, I think your knowledge about football is very limited. Aston Villa without doubt was the dark horse in the English Premier League last season but I think it's almost impossible for them to finish the current season in the top four considering the fact that they'll have to play in the UEFA Champions League competition. Three matches have been played so far in the English Premier League and I understand it'll be too early to predict the outcome of the league this season but I'm very confident that Brighton will finish the season in a better position that Aston Villa and Newcastle United

[Issa56]

I doubt if Manchester united and Chelsea will finish at the top 4 position given the realities on ground, looking at their pattern of play from last season up until this season which is without much improvement, I doubt if both teams stand a chance of being at the top 4 at the end of the season.

With the current problem which the two clubs are having currently, they both won’t be able to make it to the top 4 because the two clubs have lots of things that they are supposed to fix, and it’s going to be a gradual process, not something they can just fix easily, so I don’t think both Manchester United and Chelsea will be able to make it to the top 4, and with Manchester United's current performance, I am even expecting them to end the season in the worst position and not expecting anything special from them this season.
 
I won’t just be surprised if I see Manchester United end the season in the middle of the table. With their current performance, I just have the feeling that that’s where they're going to end the season because their coach is not making any impact on the team.

[trendcoin]

If we are thinking realistically considering the current performances then my ranking would be like:

- Manchester City
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
- Brighton
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Aston Villa
- Chelsea
- Newcastle United
- Manchester United

I would love to put Arsenal ahead of Manchester City but there is still an obvious gap unfortunately. Otherwise I already want Arsenal to win the league title finally.  :)

Liverpool look solid but they have a new manager so I need to watch them more. I can trust Arteta more than Arne Slot now.

The reason why I put Chelsea ahead of Newcastle is that I believe they have a bigger potential. I put Manchester United to the last position because they are playing horrible.  :(

I have similar thoughts to you, but I think Chelsea can surprise and push for the top of the list because they have a lot of potential. If the chemistry of the team is right, they can do well. I think Arsenal need a good striker to overtake Manchester City. Manchester City can only lose their position if they lose Pep. Brighton are a very good team but Liverpool have a great football culture. Liverpool can beat them or be favorites against them even in their worse season. I have no comment for Manchester United. I think they have to transfer an alien to the team... :)

[abhiseshakana]

Manchester United has tried to return to its best form by bringing in several top players in the transfer market, but until now Ten Hag has not been able to make the Management and all the fans satisfied with Manchester United current performance. The poor results achieved at the start of this season have put Ten Hag under pressure, the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool was a particularly painful blow because it happened in front of his own supporters.

Picking up three points from three games is a big setback for a team like Manchester United, especially as they have just brought in several new players in the transfer market, the result has left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings. The problems experienced in the last two years may reoccur this season, management must immediately find a solution to the current problems. A change of coach could provide new hope for Manchester United's development, several great coaches are still unemployed at the moment, management must immediately make a decision for a better future for the club.

Man United have made a big overhaul this season, and it has cost them quite a bit of money, but even so, they haven't been able to play well so far, and that's what's happening at the moment. However, I try to see their potential over a fairly long period of time because I feel that what Man United (Ten Hag) is working on doesn't seem like it can be achieved instantly.

A solid team usually has good chemistry and teamwork but, I don't think that can be achieved if the players don't know each other closely. The new players have never experienced the Premier League and they also come from different clubs (except De Ligt and Mazraoui), so I think they definitely need to adapt first.

[len01]

If we are thinking realistically considering the current performances then my ranking would be like:

- Manchester City
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
- Brighton
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Aston Villa
- Chelsea
- Newcastle United
- Manchester United

I would love to put Arsenal ahead of Manchester City but there is still an obvious gap unfortunately. Otherwise I already want Arsenal to win the league title finally. 

Liverpool look solid but they have a new manager so I need to watch them more. I can trust Arteta more than Arne Slot now.

The reason why I put Chelsea ahead of Newcastle is that I believe they have a bigger potential. I put Manchester United to the last position because they are playing horrible. 

Good list, but I would agree more if you put Liverpool above Arsenal.
Arsenal does have a great coach and Arteta has also been with Arsenal for a long time. But looking at Arsenal achievements from the last 2 seasons still makes me doubtful that they can compete for first place or runner up. On the one hand, Liverpool seems to be getting better even though they are no longer with Klopp but we can see their performance in the EPL now.
In terms of experience, maybe I can't say Arteta is more professional, because Arne Slot actually has more experience with several previous teams.
But the conclusion is that the most important thing is that we have to wait for at least a few matches to come and that's when we can judge which team deserves to lead the EPL.

[Velvet78]

Nothing wrong with being realistic, but we have 38 Games to play in the Premier League Competition, just 3 fixtures has been held, there'll be long term changes, my picks are simply based on long term not just for the moment.
The only reason why people are not rating Arsenal enough to win this Premier League Competition is because they don't have a proven striker like Erling Haaland. It was the same thing that happened last season, but I'm not giving up on them regardless of the fact that they're so recalcitrant towards getting one CF!  Liverpool don't have the sqaud depth to contest for this premier league campaign. Immediately the Champions League Competition kicks in, they'll definitely fall off due to stress and fatigue.. Week in and out Newcastle will be playing only the Premier League Competition, I placed Chelsea ahead of them but I've come to think about it, they stand a better chance of contesting ahead. Saying Manchester United are playing horrible is laughable but then, you are entitled to your opinion. Maybe about this particular situation.

I think exactly the same about the striker difference between Arsenal and Manchester City. At one side, there is Haaland. But at the other side, there is Havertz who isn't even a natural striker.    Arsenal was actually going to sign Gyökeres but it failed... I assume they found Sporting's asking price too high. But he was still worth it. Making a single signing was going to be enough already. They have a great squad.

Lastly I don't know whether you are a Manchester United fan. But you must also be unsatisfied with this performance. I really want them to get better of course. I miss Alex Ferguson times...

[Pokapoka124]

when a squad spends the likes of over 1 billion in the span of two years, you expect their first eleven to be really really good, where the players are so good that they can be considered as stars. Chelsea owners did spend a lot of money but the spending was not really well-thought. A lot of these recruitments are seen as future investments, who can be sold for higher prices later on. But I don't think that's how football really works.

If Todd Boehly was more success oriented, I think he would try to buy a few star players, who will make the starting XI in every week and are also proven in the Premier League. Coming to Chelsea could be a delight for a lot of players, as this gets them more wages, a spot in the top 6 clubs in the league is definitely something to be proud of. It's also not like going to Saudi Arabia, which ensures they don't get a backlash.

Chelsea should have gone for more players like Pedro Neto, who are proven in the Premier League, who can start games and can ensure wins, and their buying of worse players does not add much value in the current context. I hope they make better choices soon.

I do not understand Chelsea’s transfer strategy because Todd Boehly keeps making surprising moves. At some point, I thought that the club was focusing on improving the first team squad and getting a striker to suport Jackson. Looking at the recruitment so far, Chelsea now records more than 30 first teams players,  many of them are never going to be starters. This makes you wonder what strategy Chelsea are adopting with their transfers whether it is for instant improvement or for future sale and profit.

[Sandra_hakeem]

I do not understand Chelsea’s transfer strategy because Todd Boehly keeps making surprising moves. At some point, I thought that the club was focusing on improving the first team squad and getting a striker to suport Jackson. Looking at the recruitment so far, Chelsea now records more than 30 first teams players,  many of them are never going to be starters. This makes you wonder what strategy Chelsea are adopting with their transfers whether it is for instant improvement or for future sale and profit.

What leaves me more in awe is the fact that they had a strong formidable team and all of a sudden, an intercontinental war ruined it in a single night. The poor managerial team gave players on lease and use wrong formations in every game... At the time,it was obvious how they had to struggle really hard to draw against a small team like Brentford.

Now, they've got alot of players trippin'... If Jackson isn't the right 9, why not just go for someone else that could replace him ?? He looks more like a central midfielder to me. I've noticed that he's good in laying out passes. Wrong positioning can do alot of damage to a one skilled player.

[Palakka]

Nothing wrong with being realistic, but we have 38 Games to play in the Premier League Competition, just 3 fixtures has been held, there'll be long term changes, my picks are simply based on long term not just for the moment.
The only reason why people are not rating Arsenal enough to win this Premier League Competition is because they don't have a proven striker like Erling Haaland. It was the same thing that happened last season, but I'm not giving up on them regardless of the fact that they're so recalcitrant towards getting one CF!  Liverpool don't have the sqaud depth to contest for this premier league campaign. Immediately the Champions League Competition kicks in, they'll definitely fall off due to stress and fatigue.. Week in and out Newcastle will be playing only the Premier League Competition, I placed Chelsea ahead of them but I've come to think about it, they stand a better chance of contesting ahead. Saying Manchester United are playing horrible is laughable but then, you are entitled to your opinion. Maybe about this particular situation.

I think exactly the same about the striker difference between Arsenal and Manchester City. At one side, there is Haaland. But at the other side, there is Havertz who isn't even a natural striker.    Arsenal was actually going to sign Gyökeres but it failed... I assume they found Sporting's asking price too high. But he was still worth it. Making a single signing was going to be enough already. They have a great squad.

Lastly I don't know whether you are a Manchester United fan. But you must also be unsatisfied with this performance. I really want them to get better of course. I miss Alex Ferguson times...

Manchester City and Arsenal are two teams that have a very capable attacking line at the moment, but we can't compare Haalaand and Havertz at the moment even though they are in the same position as a central striker, Haalaand is plotted by Guardiola as a pure attacker which means he only needs to wait for the ball to come to score, while Havertz I don't see him as a main striker because he is more mobile in playing to the Arsenal center line and defense so far, Arsenal actually rely more wing line for attacked and scoring while Havertz in my opinion is more inclined to play two roles as an Amc and also a striker at the moment, Arsenal in recent seasons have indeed been linked with Gyokeres but I think it's just an issue raised by the media, because so far Sporting Lisbon has never received an official offer from Arsenal to sign Gyokeres who has a release clause of 100 million euros.