Premier League Predictions: Winner, Top Four and Full League Prediction

Domestic action returned last weekend with the Championship, which for many, served as a wonderful appetiser, but now it’s time for the main course.

The Premier League is back. Starting on Friday night, when Fulham travel to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford, England’s top division is back in business.

Fortunately, there’s still time to get a few pre-season bets on, which is what we’re doing here, after predicting what the league table will look like in around nine months time.

Premier League 2024/25 league table prediction

A foolish task, I know, but let’s give it a stab anyway. Here’s how the Premier League table could look come May 2025, with analysis and betting angles to follow below.

Race for the title

At the end of the day, we know that Manchester City will be there or thereabouts, they may even win the league by a comfortable margin, though I really wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal once again push hard, and I wouldn’t be too shocked if they get over the line this time.

They’ve certainly not weakened over the summer. In fact, Arteta's men have strengthened, adding Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed at the Euros, to their defensive ranks. With last season’s positive experience behind them, the Gunners can’t really be expected to do anything other than challenge for the league, can they?

Away from the top of the tree, where it could be another two-horse race, Liverpool can be expected to finish in the top four for the eighth time in nine years, even without Jurgen Klopp, leaving one place up for grabs.

That precious fourth spot looks like it could be hotly contested by a handful of teams. Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle will all have sights set on the top four and whichever of those teams secures that spot won’t exactly surprise people by doing so.

For my money, Villa have marginally the strongest claims of landing fourth. Under Unai Emery, they’re arguably the most settled of the contending teams, while they’ve done some seemingly shrewd business over the summer window too.

I’m also going to stick my neck out and say that Newcastle, despite having vast riches to draw on, will struggle to challenge for the top four. Yes, Eddie Howe’s men fell victim to numerous injuries last term, but they also showed themselves to be flat-track bullies. They overpowered many of the smaller teams, but far too often, in big games, against big teams, they didn’t turn up.

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European places

If one of the five teams mentioned above does take fourth, which seems somewhat likely, the rest will probably fill most of the other European places, but we could see challenges from elsewhere.

The Hammers could very easily do better than last year in their bid to challenge for European football. Their squad looks very strong, with several final-third players capable of doing real damage, even against the big teams. Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug are all very positive signings too.

Relegation

At the bottom of the table, it’s really difficult to see newcomers Ipswich surviving. It happens, sure, and the Tractor Boys may spring a surprise, much as they did by finishing second in the Championship last season, but I’m happy to say that they’ll be heading back down at the first time of asking, as will Southampton for my money.

The Saints returned at the first attempt thanks to that play-off final victory against Leeds, but the team that finished fourth in the Championship last season won’t be strong enough to seriously compete in the Premier League. Signings of Ben Brereton Diaz and Flynn Downes aren’t the most eye-catching either.

Having flirted with the drop for several seasons now, it wouldn’t be hugely surprising if the Toffees finally exited. With another points deduction seemingly on its way, Sean Dyche’s side look set for another fight for survival, especially after an underwhelming transfer window.

Many of Everton’s likely rivals, such as Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Brentford, look stronger offensively, which spells danger for the men from Goodison Park.

The betting angle

At the available odds, I like the look of two bets here, one of which focuses on a positive finish, the other on a negative one.

West Ham Top Six Finish

West Ham will start a Premier League season without David Moyes at the helm for the first time since 2019, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

After the Spaniard failed at Wolves, much will be made of Julen Lopetegui’s appointment, but I’m not going to rush to judge that move as a negative one.

We know how strong the Hammers can be when at their best and I really do feel that they’ve made some excellent acquisitions. Niclas Fullkrug, who registered 20 goals and assists in the Bundesliga last season, bolsters an attack not short of goals, as does Crysencio Summerville, who also adds pace and plenty of creativity.

At the back, Max Kilman, who has long been a key player for Wolves adds experience and defensive nous while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another smart addition, strengthening the full-back options that Lopetegui has at his disposal.

Looking at their squad in general, the Hammers have got quality in all areas and if they can avoid a repeat of last season’s poor start, then they should be right up there in the battle for the top six, so much so that odds of 5/1 (Betfred) look a little generous.

Everton to be Relegated

Recent news suggests that the Toffees are likely to be on the end of a third points deduction, which certainly won’t help their cause, but that’s far from the only catalyst behind this bet.

As touched on above, the Toffees look weak offensively. They struggled to score goals on a regular basis last season, scoring just 40 goals. Only a relegated Luton team scored less.

With Calvert-Lewin never likely to remain fit for the whole season, do Dyche’s men really have enough about them to get the goals required to stay up? Will Iliman Ndiaye solve the problem? I seriously doubt it.

We’ve also seen strong suggestions that Barcelona youngster Vitor Roque will head to Goodison Park before the window ends, but again, is that enough to keep them up? I’m just not sure.

If we look at the three or four teams likely to be playing pass the parcel with that third and final relegation spot, then they all look to have more about them in the final third and that’s the real catalyst.

Recommended bets

To confirm, here are two recommended pre-season bets ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign:

West Ham Top Six Finish @ 5/1 with Betfred

Everton to be Relegated @ 5/2 with Betfred

More Premier League content:

• Premier League relegation odds 2024/25: do newly promoted teams typically survive?

• Premier League top scorer odds 2024/25: how do favourites perform?

• Premier League transfers: newcomers to watch out for this season

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