24/25 Season Preview

Before we get to Predictions - let’s take a quick look at where we are at…..

(Remember when watching your favorite TV show meant waiting a week to see what happened with the cliff hanger - they would recap what’s happened so far …..)

Previously, on the Clean Sheet….

But that was last year - Here are the “Top Stories” CS is following heading into the season.

The Teams

The Stadiums

Size matters. Here’s the name, location and size of each stadium.

Here’s a GREAT 2min video of “drone” footage flybye’s of each stadium.

The Schedule

Planning a trip to the UK? Looking ahead to watch parties? Wonder why it’s such a grueling schedule - here’s the seasons schedule.

The ODDs

Based on the bookmakers - here is the projected order of finish and lines you can get.

Interesting to note:

• City face Financial Fair Play (FFP) violations. Without them, they would be clear favorites, but with the uncertainty City have the same chance of relegation as Palace.

• LCFC also face FFP violations which makes them odds on favorites to be relegated.

Reminder, +120 means you will win $120 on a $100 bet. -175 means you need to bet $175 to win $100. Think Ipswich will run it all the way? You could win $150,000 if they do, or if you throw $1 at it you could win $1500.

Sack Race

You can get Odds on the first manager to leave their club. In England when you get the sack you are fired.

• The fewest managers to leave a PL club in a season is 2.

• The fastest, Paul Sturrock of Southampton at 1 week in 2004.

• The most in a season, 14, in 2014.

• Last season there were 4 managers removed during the season, if you count Lopetegui of Wolves leaving days before matchweek 1.

The Odds

CS Prediction Considerations

• Marathons. 38 matches, Europe Comps, International duty, transfer windows - a lot can happen over a 10-month season. It’s a marathon, not a sprint and every point matters.

• Gaffers Matter. Maybe more than any other sport, the right fit and quality of the manager in the EPL can make a big difference.

• Goals Matter. Not just scoring them, but the Goal of the team. Yes, winning is the priority, but it’s not the only priority. Is it to just stay up, to play for the future, to collect a big payday by selling your best player, to win a Europe Cup. The goal of each Club goes way beyond just trying to win today - know the goal and you have a better understanding of the decisions that will be made throughout the season.

• Infractions. Financial Fair Play has added an entirely new variable, and it is not yet clear how it all works and is applied. We will see how the PL handles this year’s reviews.

• Talent. Pretty self-explanatory.

• Depth. Important.

• Ownership. Some clubs “outkick their coverage”, others underwhelm, but there are reasons why clubs with smaller stadiums and revenue continue to outperform other clubs with more resources.

• Intangibles. One great scorer can elevate a club. Home pitch atmosphere matters. Momentum can carry a team for that one extra win that matters.

CS 2024/25 Guesses

1 Arsenal

This team seems to be on a mission. After back-to-back seconds this club feels closer to taking the next step than they do to dropping off. It was a busy summer with key acquisitions and all indications are that the club is sprinting into the season. Whether City are deducted points for FFP violations or not, they’ve got the manager, talent and motivation to make this their year. The Gunners and Gaffer Mikel Arteta win their 14th league title and break a 20-year drought.

2 Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp stepped down from a club that is on the rise and Arnie Slot is inheriting an established side. The Reds went thru injuries last season that derailed their chances at a title, but it did provide a great opportunity for them to play their young and up and coming players - and they did not disappoint. This is an experienced, talented club and Slot seems to understand not to rock to boat too much. The risk will be if things get off to a slow start and the team questions their approach. That could lead to a club that finishes out of Europe. But the upside of a club that gels under Slot seems more in the cards.

3 Tottenham Hotspur

Gaffer Ange Postecoglou has won everywhere he’s gone. Last season Spurs exceeded expectations after losing Europe’s leading scorer (Harry Kane) just after the season started, and completely changing the style of play club had been used to. The talent is there, the desire to be active in acquisition is there, and a year of training under Ange is a great formula for success. Europa League will challenge the depth of the club, but it seems it’s something that ownership will be willing to address as the season goes on.

4 Man City

Pep is a master strategist and motivator and has the most talent on paper. But, here’s the reason City will not win the PL: Pep’s goal this year is to win the Champions League. They have 6 of the last 7 PL titles, but only 1 CL title. In addition, it’s hard enough to win 2, 3 or 4 in a row - that’s great sustained focus and energy - I just don’t see them getting up for number 5. Add to that the FFP violations that hang over the club, the lawsuits that will follow, and the distractions already in play. Not only do City miss out on a PL title this year, but in a tight race they fall to fourth. The Consolation Citizens - a Champions League Cup.

5 Man United

Is ten Hag the guy? Depends on which way the wind is blowing it seems. And leadership seemed to have some mixed messages about the goals for this year. Paraphrased, the Club will be making long term decisions to set a solid foundation for future dominance, and they will also be playing to win today. Can momentum carry over from the big FA Cup title over Man City? United seemed up to the task last week when the Community Shield match was played between last season’s PL winner (City) and FA Cup winner (United) when the sides drew 1-1. City eventually won on a shootout 9-7, but it does seem like EtH has stabilized this massive club. Now, to finish fifth or better they are going to need to pick up steam fast. I like their chances to rebound off a down year.

6 Newcastle

Eddie Howe. St James’ Park. Not playing in Europe. Ownership that will spend. All reasons why the Magpies will have a better season this year than last, however if a couple of those things change (Howe leaves the club, spending slows because of FFP) then Newcastle would be lucky to stay in a Europe spot. The talent is there, and any lack of depth will be minimized by having a lighter schedule. The Geordies take advantage of a lighter schedule, Howe sticks with the club and they continue to build for the future.

7 Aston Villa

Gaffer Unai Emery just continues to win, taking over Villa 2 years ago mid-season, climbing them to 7th in the table and then 4th last season. The talent is there, Ollie Watkins is a difference maker, and Villa Park brings a great home pitch advantage. And Emery didn’t just sit on the success, he has been very active in the offseason. Expect and updated club. The question is, is there enough depth and energy to handle the significant increase in schedule. Adding the Champions League schedule will be tough and while teams always respect Villa in the PL, they did surprise some last season. That won’t be the case this year.

8 Chelsea

The Blues were the most difficult team to place. Cole Palmer is a blast to watch, and talent is all over the pitch, but I don’t trust ownership to stay the course during the ebbs and flows of a season. Gaffer Enzo Maresca is also a big question mark and when the struggles come will he even still be in the job. This team struggled through more than half of last season but really found it down the stretch and were one of the better teams in the league. When they were good, they were great. But manager Pochettino left, and Chelsea brought in a bunch of new players (albeit high quality players) who are now going to need to gel with each other and a new, young manager. This team could win the title or finish out of the top 10.

9 Crystal Palace

Momentum can be a tricky thing. In baseball it’s only as good as your next starting pitcher. In soccer, it seems to be more tied to the gaffer and leaders on a team. When Gaffer Oliver Glasner took over in mid-February last season the transformation of the club was noticeable. Palace took 19 of a possible 21 points over a very difficult stretch and finished 10th in the table and, more importantly, seem to have their new manager that has key players bought into his system and an ownership group that is on the same page. If a couple of the bigger club’s stumble, this could be a season where the Eagles fly into Europe.

10 West Ham

From defense to offense, new Gaffer Julien Lopetegui will be bringing a style Hammer fans have been waiting to see. If this team gets off to a good start and brings the energy, with the fans week in and week out, it could be a great year. The offseason was pretty ho-hum until it wasn’t as WH seemed to use the Declan Rice money from last offseason to make some key pick-ups including arguably the best signing of the summer in Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund. Will it be enough to make a run at Europe again this season? Possible. What it does mean is a significant increase in excitement and energy coming out of East London.

11 Brighton & Hove Albion

There is talent at BHA, good young talent mixed with solid leadership in Lewis Dunk (32yo), Danny Welbeck (33) and James Milner (38). The big question is, how will the team respond to Gaffer Fabian Hurzeler? It’s quite a gamble by the Club, but it just may be what they need. Owner Tony Bloom has done a great job with sound decision making, so there is trust Hurzeler will work out. BHA will benefit from a lighter schedule this season. Last year their Europe competitions really seemed to tire the club out. Expect BHA to contend for top 10 and if things fall right another run at Europe.

These remaining 9 clubs could all be in the relegation battle on the final day.

12 Everton

Three straight seasons of just avoiding relegation, including last season when they had to overcome significant Financial Fair Play penalties (8-points). Now the issue - who owns the club? There have been multiple purchase attempts, and all have fallen through. That makes things tough on the Gaffer in terms of know what money is available to buy and sell players. Fortunately, Sean Dyche is the right manager for the job. His personality and style of play seems to fit this situation - circle the wagons, rely on one of the best goalkeepers in the PL, and fight as a team. This club has been in the top level of English soccer for 122 YEARS! This is the year they get through the sales issues, are safe from relegation much sooner than they recently have and set a solid foundation for a run at top 10 in the years to come.

13 Southampton

Leicester City and Ipswich Town both secured automatic promotion by finishing first and second in the Championship. Southampton finished fourth and had to fight their way in through the playoff. They’ve continued to fight and be very active in the offseason. Gaffer Russell Martin has brought in 3 big time pickups (Lallana, Taylor and Diz) and 4 additional quality players. This club knows what it takes to stay in the PL and they seem to be positioned to hit the ground running.

14 Fulham

Prior to last season FFC had back-to-back-to-back promotion then relegation seasons. The last two seasons saw a nice 10^th and 13^th place finish. So, some pretty good consistency. Unlike Bournemouth, FFC had very few winning or losing streaks last season, just solid consistency. It does seem like Marco Silva has the ear of the team and a good relationship with ownership. The question this year, what is their goal? Just to stay up? Make a move to the top 10? Right now it seems like a wait and see approach. They are good enough for top 10 if they invest, or just good enough to avoid relegation. So, we will put the in the middle.

15 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Is Gary O’Neil the right guy to manage wolves? Are ownership committed to pushing for a top 10 level club in the PL. All questions looking for answers. There have been some good pickups this offseason but also some impactful losses. The bookmakers are all over the board on where Wolves will land this season. If O’Neil is able to pull this Club together like he did for the first half of last season it could be a great run for Wolves. If they start the season like they finished last year, O’Neil may be out of a job and Wolves fans will be hoping to avoid relegation next May.

16 Brentford

The Bee’s have been getting more out of less than any team in the PL over the last several seasons, but Brentford underperformed for most of last season and really struggled down the stretch. Entering the season, Ivan Toney remains on the club, but the question is for how long. Gaffer Thomas Frank is good enough to find a way to keep this team up and he’s got a great connection with ownership. They could pull the right strings to move this Club up the table, if they don’t it feels like this small club in London may end their 3-year PL run.

17 Leicester City

Losing Manager Enzo Maresca to Chelsea over the summer was a blow and seemed to really slow the momentum the Foxes had running away with the Championship Title last season. Add to that question marks still remaining at key positions that are taking longer to fill than expected and Financial Fair Play sanctions lingering, and you can see why the bookmakers have LCFC favored for relegation. Will they be able to overcome a 6-point deduction? Will be tough, yet Everton did more than that last season. This LCFC season will come down to the connection between ownership and new manager Steve Cooper pushing the right buttons as the season goes along. LCFC finishes above the relegation line as a result of the quality of the Club leadership, having just enough talent and having an experienced manager at avoiding relegation.

18 Bournemouth

Last season was “streaky” to say the least. The offseason was quiet, but Bournemouth were able to keep Gaffer Andoni Iraola who was looking forward to a full season with most of his club back including striker Dominic Solanke. But plans change and Solanke is off to Spurs leaving a big hole up front for the Cherries. Last season started with 9 winless matches and the club will need to fight to keep that from happening again this year. The Cherries could pull the right strings to move this Club up the table, but it feels like this small club on the far South Coast may end their 2-year PL run.

19 Ipswich Town

What a GREAT story the Tractor Boys are. Back-to-Back promotions all the way to the PL and the manager who took them there turning down bigger offers to stick with the side in the top level. It would be fun to watch this side continue their winning ways and surprise the “big boys” along the way. At the end of the day, there just is not enough talent and depth to stay up, but we will be rooting for you.

20 Nottingham Forest

It’s been a pretty quiet transfer window period for a side that needs more talent and depth. Last season’s move from Coooper to Nuno didn’t really change the trajectory of the club so the question is, will Nuno get more out of this side now that he’s had a full offseason to be with the club. A great fan base and Stadium atmosphere (City Ground) could help Forest avoid relegation, but it’s going to take more than that and I don’t see the manager being there a full season or the player acquisitions being enough to keep this team from relegation.

How many points does it take to win the PL - here are the PL Champions since 1992 what their point total.