Top flight football is finally back – meaning it’s time for our brave and bold Premier League predictions.
We needed a motley crew of Daily Star hacks to forecast how the 2024/25 campaign will unfold and we’ve found nine writers willing to put their reputations on the line in a bid to answer your burning questions, starting with which teams will lift those all important trophies.
Including everything from the first manager to get the sack, breakthrough talents set to emerge, and the surprise package that will stun us all, we’ve even asked for the top scorer, which admittedly seems a bit pointless thanks to goal cyborg Erling Haaland.
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Our man Dan Burnham came out on top last year, with a staggering six correct answers (he even predicted Jurgen Klopp to leave Liverpool!) While anti-Nostradamus Patrick Austen-Hardy left everyone laughing with the bonkers shout that Chelsea would win the league.
How will our savvy scribes get on this time around? Read on to find out (and don’t quote us on these next May – especially Adam Cailler, who certainly hasn’t held back!)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Liam McInerney
Premier League winner: Arsenal
Champions League spots: Arsenal, Manchester City, Spurs, Liverpool
Surprise package:West Ham
Relegated: Ipswich, Southampton, Nottingham Forest
Player of the season: Martin Odegaard
Young breakthrough talent: Archie Gray
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Manchester City
Carabao Cup winner: Spurs
First manager sacked: Nuno Espirito Santo
Bold/outrageous claim: Spurs winning a trophy
I had mixed emotions writing these predictions. It pains me to say as a Tottenham fan that I believe Arsenal will win big this season – either the Premier League or Champions League. But on a more positive note, Spurs have some really exciting youngsters (Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall look very impressive) and I think we will finally win our first piece of silverware since 2008.
I am praying for the Europa League, but beggars can’t be choosers and I would take a Carabao Cup now (obviously). Hopefully new man Dominic Solanke loves a bus without a roof, because I’m already buzzing for the parade next summer.
(Image: Kieran McManus/Tottenham Hotspur FC/REX/Shutterstock)
Richard Brown
Premier League winner: Manchester City
Champions League spots: Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea
Surprise package:Crystal Palace (top eight)
Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Southampton
Player of the season: Rodri
Young breakthrough talent: Savinho
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Manchester City
FA Cup winner: Tottenham
Carabao Cup winner: Manchester United
First manager sacked: Steve Cooper
(Image: PA)
Bold/outrageous claim: For the first time in a decade, both Chelsea and Manchester United will finish above Liverpool, who miss out on the top six.
Yes, I’m biased as a City fan, but given it looks like this will be Pep Guardiola’s final season, you best believe he’s not going to let them slow down. Despite losing Julian Alvarez, the rumoured departures of Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson look like they’ll come to nothing and City still look a cut above the rest, although Arsenal should run them close again.
At the other end of the spectrum, Liverpool could struggle. It doesn’t feel like Arne Slot was their first choice, it’s been a tough transfer window so far, and there are plenty of question marks about the future of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in particular that could cast a shadow over this season.
Will Evans
Premier League winner: Arsenal
Champions League spots: Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City
Surprise package: West Ham United
Relegated: Brentford, Southampton and Nottingham Forest
Player of the season: Martin Odegaard
Young breakthrough talent: Amad Diallo
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Manchester City
Carabao Cup winner: Arsenal
First manager sacked: Nuno Espirito Santo
Bold/outrageous claim: West Ham to challenge for Europe
(Image: Getty Images)
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Surely Arsenal can’t finish second three years in a row? This is the season for them to lift the title for me, especially if Manchester City are in hot water early next year over their 115 charges.
I’m really excited to see West Ham under Julen Lopetegui and they’ve bought very well this summer so I think they could surprise a few. Amad Diallo is my one to watch, and after a brilliant spell in the Championship a couple of seasons ago, now is his time to step up and start regularly for Man Utd.
I don’t think Nottingham Forest will survive especially with Leicester coming up with quality. It won’t be long before their erratic ownership decide for a change.
Cameron Winstanley
Premier League winner: Arsenal
Champions League spots: Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham
Surprise package: West Ham
Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leicester City
Player of the season: Martin Odegaard
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Young breakthrough talent: Ethan Nwaneri
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Liverpool
Carabao Cup winner: Manchester City
First manager sacked: Eddie Howe
Bold/outrageous claim: Eddie Howe will leave Newcastle and become England boss. Aston Villa will go deeper in the Champions League than Arsenal.
Third time’s a charm for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side just couldn’t hold off Manchester City last year but this year the young Gunners are another year wiser and more experienced in their battle with Pep Guardiola’s machine, who may struggle to find the determination to go again after a record-breaking fourth title and a summer of transfer links to Saudi Arabia for a host of integral players.
Manchester United and Tottenham will take advantage of (another) summer of change at Chelsea and Liverpool to finish in the top four, with Aston Villa to be preoccupied with their Champions League campaign – which incidentally will take them to a quarter-final (with a kind draw). While West Ham will be celebrating a return to European football thanks to their shrewd transfer business.
(Image: Getty Images)
Will Schofield
Premier League winner: Manchester City
Champions League spots: Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United
Surprise package: Bournemouth
Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Ipswich
Player of the season: Kevin De Bruyne
Young breakthrough talent: Samuel Iling-Junior
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Manchester City
Carabao Cup winner: Aston Villa
First manager sacked: Russell Martin
Bold/outrageous claim: Todd Boehly sells up at Chelsea
It’s one last dance for Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City. Guardiola’s ginger prince will deliver them one last Premier League and FA Cup triumph before riding off into the sunset (which is probably setting over Saudi Arabia).
Aston Villa will only keep improving under Unai Emery, with Samuel Iling-Junior proving to be a shrewd signing by the Spaniard – surely it’s their time to win some silverware and grab another top-four finish. Still, they’ll be pushed by Bournemouth (despite losing hot-shot Dominic Solanke).
Over on the continent, it’ll all be about Real Madrid – their team looks ridiculous. The Kings of Europe have only been further bolstered by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe – good luck beating them in the Champions League!
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Adam Cailler
Premier League winner: Liverpool
Champions League spots: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Leicester City
Surprise package: Leicester City
Relegated: Southampton, Aston Villa, Everton
Player of the season: Dominik Szobozlai
Young breakthrough talent: Conor Bradley
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Ipswich
Carabao Cup winner: Bournemouth
First manager sacked: Unai Emery
Bold/outrageous claim: Manchester United will finish bottom half but Erik ten Hag will keep his job
Liverpool will surprise everyone by signing just one player before the end of the window, yet outshining everyone on the pitch to take the Premier League title. Aston Villa will not cope with European football and the expectations of splashing all the cash in this window.
Leicester come into the season without any expectations, and have a very talented squad. Don’t be shocked if they finish fourth. Everton will continue to be Banter FC, and finish bottom by a long, long way. I rest my case.
(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Oscar Maung-Haley
Premier League winner: Manchester City
Champions League spots: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United
Surprise package: Crystal Palace
Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leicester City
Player of the season: Erling Haaland
Young breakthrough talent: Yankuba Minteh (and Archie Gray)
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland (with Alexander Isak pushing him close)
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Manchester City
Carabao Cup winner: Newcastle United
First manager sacked: Enzo Maresca
Bold/outrageous claim: Enzo Maresca doesn’t make it to Christmas
Only a fool would pick against Guardiola and Manchester City. While there’s no doubt Arsenal could win the title this term, City have the best squad, and are looking to win the Premier League for the fifth time on the bounce. I think Arsenal will run them close and Liverpool will be in the conversation.
Yes, I’m biased as a fan, but I think Newcastle United get top four ahead of Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester United. Eddie Howe’s side don’t have to worry about European football this term and can go full noise in the Premier League every week.
Enzo Maresca will be the first manager sacked because of Chelsea’s baffling summer. They take on City on the opening day, which could get nasty. Meanwhile, Yankuba Minteh, fresh off his PSR move from Newcastle to Brighton, lights up the Premier League in his debut season.
(Image: Getty Images)
Simon Hamalienko
Premier League winner: Manchester City
Champions League spots: Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool
Surprise package: West Ham
Relegated: Ipswich Town, Leicester, Everton
Player of the season: Phil Foden
Young breakthrough talent: Yehor Yarmoliuk
Top goalscorer: Dominic Solanke
Champions League winner: Real Madrid
FA Cup winner: Tottenham
Carabao Cup winner: Manchester City
First manager sacked: Steve Cooper
Bold/outrageous claim: Ruud van Nistelrooy will be Manchester United boss by Christmas
My predictions all depend on whether Manchester City avoid any serious punishment for alleged financial wrongdoing (which I think they will), but I don’t see a lot of change with the top two clubs being City and Arsenal. I do see Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle having it tougher than people expect and nearly put Erik ten Hag as the first manager to be sacked.
The only team I think have spent fairly well is West Ham – Max Kilman may push for the England squad and Niclas Füllkrug could prove to be the signing of the season. Everton may finally fall this year – they’re desperately in need of players and even Sean Dyche’s wonders might not save them this time.
(Image: Everton FC via Getty Images)
Neil Docking
Premier League winner: Manchester City
Champions League spots: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham
Surprise package: Manchester United (eventually)
Relegated: Ipswich, Southampton and Nottingham Forest
Player of the season: Erling Haaland
Young breakthrough talent: James McAtee
Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland
Champions League winner: Manchester City
FA Cup winner: Liverpool
Carabao Cup winner: Arsenal
First manager sacked: Nuno Espirito Santo
(Image: Getty Images)
Bold/outrageous claim: Gareth Southgate to steady the ship at Manchester United after Erik ten Hag finally gets the boot
Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are a cut above the rest of the Premier League, with a huge drop in quality between those three and everyone else. They will take the three top spots in that order and there’s a good chance they all end the season with some form of silverware.
Manchester United struggled last year with an injury crisis and off-field drama, but they still looked like the worst coached team in the league, often winning in spite of manager Erik ten Hag. He’ll be lucky to last until Christmas with his side miles off the pace.
Nevertheless, United still have lots of individual quality in their ranks. After Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulls the trigger and hires his pal Gareth Southgate, the ex-England boss will surprise everyone by turning the Red Devils’ fortunes around and finishing as high as sixth.