by Stanley Annersley
The Premier League is the most popular football competition in the world. There is no arguing it. It is talked about throughout the year, even in the off-season, because its teams are running the transfer market. With nine rounds behind us, one-quarter of the season is done. It is time to discuss the early favourites to take the PL crown home. While some of the world’s best teams play in England, in recent years the title race is always between Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Will things change this year? Let’s see.
Manchester City
Things will not change. Man City has the best coach and almost limitless resources. That is a recipe for success. After nine rounds, they are topping the table. Currently, they’re on a three-win streak. With a 20:9 goal difference, they have the league’s most potent attack, while the defense sometimes looks shaky. Pep Guardiola is not too worried by this as his team is known to play better and better as the season moves on. With the likes of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gundogan, and Josko Gvardiol, he has little to worry about. Unfortunately, the Golden Ball winner, Rodri, is going to miss the entire season, or else this team would be unstoppable. It remains unclear whether City will try to replace him during the January transfer window or whether they’ll rely on Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.
Liverpool
Everyone knew that the task of replacing Jurgen Klopp was not going to be an easy one, but so far, Arne Slot is doing a fine job. The Dutch coach inherited a fine squad and he didn’t make any drastic changes. Smart move! With Mohamed Salah still running the show, he knew where to put his hopes. Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Jota, and Luis Diaz are also doing their best, and Liverpool works like a well-oiled machine during the first nine rounds of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Thanks to Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander Arnold, they look solid at the back, which is a sound foundation for a title-winning squad. With only 5 goals conceded, the attack of Liverpool starts from the back. They currently have 22 points, which places them behind only Manchester City, who has 23 points after nine rounds. Premier League 2024/2025 predictions have Liverpool trailing only City as favourites for the PL title.
Arsenal
With Arsenal, we’re rounding up the top three favourites for the PL crown. Mikel Arteta and his boys are in the running for a few seasons now, but always fall behind City late in the season. Whether it is the lack of quality or experience, time will tell, but Arteta has a talented squad to work with. Arsenal is back to being its regular old self in the Champions League, and they’re only lacking domestic silverware to be on par with the Arsenal of Arsene Wenger. Players such as Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, and Ben White are a solid foundation for a title run. Additions such as Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori show Arsenal’s ambition to make themselves a powerhouse on the island once again. Both fans and pundits are arguing that the team only lacks a true No9 to make them unstoppable. If they sort out this matter in January and add the final piece of the puzzle during the winter transfer market, we could view a different Arsenal come the springtime.
Dark Horses
We need to be real here. Based on current form and squad strength, besides Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, no other team could realistically win the title this season. Of course, miracles are a possibility, so we’re not going to exclude everyone. There are always dark horses to be considered for the unforeseeable.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery is doing wonders in Birmingham. Aston Villa is back in the Champions League after decades of waiting. They finished fourth last year and appear to be able to do the same this year, too. Of course, there are bigger aspirations with Villa and their fans. With 18 points from 9 rounds, they are only five points behind the top team. Villa doesn’t lose too many matches; they’re strong on the counter but able to play possession football if the need arises. With Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran, Rogers, Ramsey, Tielemans, Onana, and Torres playing up to their potential they could make a title run come April. It’s a long shot, but it’s possible. After all, Leicester did it, so can anyone else.
Chelsea
There are a lot of things happening in Chelsea as we speak. But, after a turbulent summer, it would appear they’re on a good track. Enzo Maresca knows what he’s doing, and he’s one of two Pep’s disciples looking to run the PL table in years to come. What this Chelsea team lacks is a bit of consistency, but even that appears to be on the way. With Cole Palmer playing another great campaign and Nicholas Jackson firing on all cylinders, they look to be in good hands regarding offensive power. Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernandes, and Moises Caicedo are contributing with Romeo Lavia making a statement for himself to be the starter in games to come. All that is left for Chelsea is to find a solid foundation at the back, and they could replicate the success of past generations of this big club.
Tottenham & Manchester United
Here, we are entering the domain of fantasy. Yes, these two teams still have mathematical chances of winning the Premier League Title. Will they do it? No! For both teams, it would be a success to reach the spots that lead to CL. Ange Postecoglou has almost the same team to work with as last season. They only need to hit the third gear, and we could see them make some impressive runs later on, bringing them closer to the top of the table. As far as United is concerned, they’ve finally parted ways with Erik Ten Hag. With Ruben Amorim being touted as his successor, we can see the brighter days for the once-biggest British juggernaut. Will it happen this year? Highly unlikely, but it would be a shame not to mention one of the biggest PL teams of all time.
Summary
Like in the last few years, the title race will be decided between Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal. In the era of Pep Guardiola, only Jurgen Klopp managed to win the title, and it is hard to envision it happening again this year. Most teams see hope in the unfortunate injury to Rodri. The most important cog in the mechanism of Pep Guardiola will miss an entire season, and other teams might feast on their weakened midfield, leading to a change at the top. Let’s wait and see!
