The English Premier League is back once again, as Manchester City looks to win a record breaking fifth straight title. The chasing pack will have plenty of work to knock them off top spot, and Jack Tobin has you sorted with his season preview and best outright betting tips below!
EPL 2024-25: Season Preview & Betting Tips
Premier League Winner
Manchester City have had an unusually quiet transfer window, only bringing in Savinho from Troyes, while losing Julian Alvarez and Sergio Gomez. However, there isn’t any concerns from a personnel standpoint, given they already had the best depth of any side in the Premier League. The biggest factor standing in the way of Pep Guardiola’s side and an unprecedented title is hunger – can they find the drive to go again over a 38 game season, whilst contending in domestic cups as well as the Champions League?
For a second consecutive season Arsenal gave up a golden chance to win the Premier League, and rightfully loom as City’s biggest challengers heading into season ‘24/’25. Like City, the Gunners haven’t done much in the transfer market, yet given they have a younger squad than the defending champions, they’re looking for continued growth from within. Arsenal still require a top line striker which was probably the difference between them and City, so if they can acquire one early in the season it will give them a huge chance to knock the all-conquering City off their perch.
Liverpool enter the post Jurgen Klopp era with plenty of uncertainty, and as little hype around them coming into a season for nearly a decade. The Reds capitulated down the stretch last season after being top of the table after Matchday 32, winning just three of their last eight games. Arne Slot faces a difficult challenge with Liverpool yet to sign a single player during the off season and it’s difficult to see them being as good as Man City or Arsenal with the same personnel as last season. It’s going to be a period of change under Slot with a new system, so it’s going to be a surprise if the Reds hit the ground running this season.
Ange Postecoglou’s first season in North London started remarkably and had Spurs fans dreaming of a Premier League title, however mid-season injury troubles and five losses from their last seven games saw them throw away a Champions League berth. The acquisition of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth will be a major boost for Tottenham, given they ranked seventh for goals last season. Tottenham simply must make top four, but can they lift a level and have a serious tilt at the title?
Manchester United are coming off one of their worst ever Premier League seasons where they finished in eighth, and have had a busy transfer period as Erik ten Hag looks to get United back to the top of the league for the first time in over a decade. The Red Devils have brought in Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich as well as Leny Yoro from Lille, as they look to strengthen what has been a poor defence in recent seasons. Erik ten Hag and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been on the record saying it will take Manchester United time to become contenders again, and given they have only finished top four once in the last three seasons, it’s safe to say they won’t be challenging for the title.
Prediction: It’s going to take a mighty season to knock off Manchester City, but everything is primed for Arsenal to get over the hump and claim their first title since 2004. Over the past two seasons the Gunners have had the best and second-best defence, whilst they’ve scored the second most goals in each of the last two Premier League seasons. City’s hunger will be tested at some point throughout the season, and given all they’ve accomplished in the league, Europe and domestic cups, there isn’t anything further to achieve and that will make them vulnerable. Arsenal have balance in all three phases of the game, and a manager that is good enough to take them to the promise land.
Arsenal to Win Premier League
$2.70
Golden Boot Winner
Erling Haaland is paying next to nothing to win a third consecutive Golden Boot award, so we’re going to look to the challengers where there’s plenty of value to be found. The last man to lead the Premier League goalscoring before Haaland entered the league was Mo Salah, and after an interrupted season last year between injury and AFCON, is primed to bounce back. Given many of his likely competitors have played in Euro 2024, Salah will come in vastly fresher and ready to hit the ground running. Salah only made 32 appearances last year but still managed to score 18 goals, and will be a major focal point in Liverpool’s new system under Arne Slot.
Mohamed Salah Top Scorer
$11
Prop Bet
Ange Postecoglou has brought a new mentality to Tottenham, and with a full season now under his belt, his impact will be ingrained in his Spurs side now. Losing five of their last seven games in season ‘23/’24 saw Tottenham miss out on the top four by just two points, so there is simply no excuse to not qualify for Champions League football. Tottenham ranked seventh in attack and defence last season, so there is still plenty of upside for them, with only a small margin to bridge to break into the top four.
Tottenham to finish Top 4
$3.00
