Amateur sports are in a great place across the UK and this sees many people getting active in their spare time. Whether it’s team sports or individual sports, the UK amateur scene is in rude health and this looks set to remain true as time moves on.
Football is one of the most popular sports to play around the country, and people who play usually like to keep an eye on the professional leagues as well. The English Premier League is a great example and is one of the top pro leagues globally.
Although it might be taking its summer break currently, fans all over the UK are already looking ahead to who might win the EPL title in 2024/25. But which teams are serious contenders to do this?
Premier League title race 2024/25: what do the bookies say?
To get a better idea of which sides are seriously in with a chance of winning the EPL title next season, looking at what odds the bookies have is wise. It’s perhaps not a surprise to see that the usual suspects of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are current favourites with many. Manchester United are also towards the top of the betting and could be in with a shout of title glory in 2024/25.
Some fans might decide to bet on the outcome of the Premier League title race next year after seeing what the bookies think. If you plan to do this, reading into how do bonuses work in sports betting makes sense. This is because understanding this enables you to register with a sportsbook that offers the best promotions when betting on the title race.
Race for EPL title in 24/25: why are City, Arsenal, Liverpool and United favourites?
Football is widely followed around the UK – even when the season is done and no games are being played! When this happens, looking at how the new season might go and who might win the Premier League title is a great idea.
As noted above, it seems that Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are the top contenders for next season. This is not just based on bookies opinion – if you talk to most fans or look at the table for the last few seasons, it makes sense.
But why are each of these clubs likely to be making a serious title bid in 24/25?
Manchester City
While Pep Guardiola is still in charge at the Etihad, City will always be contenders for the EPL crown every year. Although he might not be in Manchester too much longer, he remains in the dugout for the coming season and has a squad packed full of elite level talent at his disposal.
Barring any moves over the summer, this includes players such as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Jérémy Doku. The quality of the squad at City plus the tactical genius of Guardiola makes them tough opponents for anyone.
The manager will also be extra motivated to win more trophies in what could be his final season, and be keen to bow out with one more Premier League title. The multiple title wins the club already have under Pep also gives them a real edge over their rivals and shows they have what it takes to play at the highest level over the course of an entire season.
Arsenal
Although Manchester City might have been dominant in the Premier League in recent times, Arsenal have been reborn under Mikel Arteta and are fast closing the gap. This was easy to see in the season just gone, when they finished second and just two points off Guardiola’s men.
As a result, Arsenal look very strong title contenders again and will themselves be extra motivated to clinch a title win after being so close in recent years. Arteta has shown himself to be an astute coach and someone who can get the best out of his squad. He should also have learnt from falling just short in the last few seasons and be ready to rectify this on the pitch.
The Gunners have an elite-level squad of their own and some awesome players to pick from. This includes flying winger Bukayo Saka, tough defender William Saliba and creative playmaker Martin Ødegaard. If they can hang on to their best players and maybe add a top-class striker, they could prove to be a real threat.
Liverpool
In some ways, it might be strange to tip Liverpool as 2024/25 title contenders, when the Jürgen Klopp era has ended. Incoming coach Arne Slot, though, looks the real deal and has enjoyed success at previous side Feyenoord. With a reputation for playing attacking football and developing players, Slot could pick up where Klopp left off.
If this does happen, we should see a reinvigorated Liverpool playing on the front foot and blowing most EPL teams away. As with City and Arsenal, Slot has a squad packed full of top players to select from and this quality should shine through. Top men to look out for include Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk.
Manchester United
As with tipping a Liverpool side welcoming a new coach in 24/25, football fans might raise an eyebrow at Manchester United being tipped to challenge for the EPL title next year. This is not quite as unlikely as it seems, though – but much will rest on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides to do about manager Erik ten Hag.
For now, Ten Hag remains in situ and could actually be slowly building something special at Old Trafford. An FA Cup win in 23/24 is certainly not to be dismissed and would show that he can win trophies for the club. There is no doubting his tactical acumen as a coach and his team showed in flashes last season just how good they can be.
As with Arteta at Arsenal, though, he might need to sign a top-class striker to really push for the title. Although players like Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho can supply the chances, United might need more firepower up top to convert them.
Premier League title race 2024/25
Although we might be enjoying Euro 2024 right now with the Premier League taking a break over summer, the new season will soon be here. The sides discussed here look likely to be the main contenders to taste Premier League glory.