Premier League 2024/25: Key Dates, Favorites, and Insider Insights
The thrilling 2023/24 Premier League season has concluded with Manchester City emerging as champions for the fourth consecutive time, finishing two points ahead of their closest competitors, Arsenal.
When does the 2024/25 season start and end?
The Premier League has announced that the 2024/25 season will commence on Friday, August 17, exactly 90 days after the previous season ended. The final round of matches is set for May 25, with all ten games kicking off simultaneously.
Schedule changes:
To alleviate the congested schedule during the Christmas and New Year period, the league has implemented measures to give clubs additional rest in three of the holiday game weeks. No team will play within 60 hours of their previous match.
For the first time since 1995, a Premier League match was held on Christmas Eve in 2023 when Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Molineux. However, there will be no holiday fixtures in 2024.
How many matches are there in the season?
The 2024/25 season will feature 380 matches, including 33 weekend games, four midweek rounds, and one bank holiday gameweek. The complete schedule will be released on June 18.
Who are the favorites to win the championship?
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, who has confirmed his stay at the Etihad Stadium for another season, remain the favorites, having secured six of the last seven titles.
City’s domestic dominance is attributed to Guardiola’s ability to continually evolve his strategy and conduct mini-rebuilds, seamlessly integrating new talent to replace key players.
Championship contenders:
While dethroning Manchester City will be challenging, Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, have shown they can compete at the top. The Gunners fought for the title until the last day of the 2023/24 season, finishing second, but their progress under Arteta makes them strong contenders.
Other contenders:
- Liverpool: The only team to have beaten Manchester City in the past seven seasons (2019/20). Under new management by Arne Slot, they are entering a new era after nine years with Jurgen Klopp.
- Manchester United: Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, they have not reclaimed the league title. Erik ten Hag’s future is uncertain, but significant off-field changes aim to restore the club’s former glory.
- Chelsea: Despite a disappointing 12th place finish in the 2022/23 season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side secured European competition by the season’s end.
Conclusion:
The 2024/25 season is set to be thrilling. Will Manchester City maintain their dominance, or will another contender rise to challenge them? The answers will unfold soon.
Premier League 2024/25: Key Dates, Favorites, and Insider Insights
