It is mid-August, and for football fans, this only means one thing – a new season of the English Premier League (EPL) is just around the corner. The upcoming season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever, with several teams ready to compete for the title in the nine-month championship.
FA Cup winners Manchester United will host Fulham at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday, August 16, marking the first match of the season. The opening week will also feature an intriguing encounter, where the defending champions, Manchester City, will visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge under the leadership of their new coach Enzo Maresca, following the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino after just one season.
Expectations for the 2024-25 season suggest that the title battle will primarily take place between Manchester City and Arsenal. City, who have won the title for the past four consecutive seasons, are the clear favorites to repeat their success. However, a quiet transfer window and the departure of Julian Alvarez, who has been a key player in their attack, may make them more vulnerable than in previous years. Furthermore, Pep Guardiola’s future hangs over the club as he enters the final year of his contract.
Arsenal, who have finished second in the last two seasons under the goal-focused coach Mikel Arteta, has bolstered their squad with Italian international Riccardo Calafiori and appears to be well-equipped to challenge City’s dominance in the Premier League.
In addition to City and Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are also strong contenders for a top-four finish. Liverpool, who fell out of the title race and finished third last season, will undergo a significant restructuring under new coach Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp’s departure. They have had a promising pre-season with three wins out of three in friendly matches, including victories over both United and Arsenal, providing optimism among Liverpool fans.
Manchester United, who finished in their lowest-ever position in the Premier League (eighth), are also looking for a rebuild. With high-profile transfers and a restructuring in management under new ownership, fans are hopeful for a top-four finish this season. Tottenham Hotspur, who narrowly missed out on the top four by finishing fifth, will also aim to build on what they achieved under Australian coach Ange Postecoglou last season.
Throughout the season, fans can follow the latest football news and live text commentary from selected matches on Al Jazeera Sport’s football page.