The celebrations are only just beginning after Liverpool officially became the Premier League champions on Sunday, but as one title race comes to a close, the countdown begins for the start of the next title race.
Admittedly, it is too early to know for sure how next season might play out, especially if this campaign is anything to go by. Liverpool had just a 5.1% chance of winning the Premier League title at the start of the season, per Opta, but quickly took a commanding lead and cruised their way to the title. It was not the only surprising development of the campaign – Manchester City, who had an 82.2% chance to win the title, were out of the race by the new year and are currently stuck in the middle of a battle to finish in a UEFA Champions League berth.
Much of next season’s title race might also depend on the business done in the transfer window, since a busy summer awaits several teams. That could be true for City and Liverpool as much as it might be for other ambitious sides like Newcastle United and Aston Villa, hoping to rise up the ranks, and the same is true for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur after surprisingly poor seasons. Not all of them will be title contenders, but the unexpected outcomes of this season mean that some will shoot their shot next time around and could be worth keeping an eye on.
Here’s an early look at next season’s contenders for the Premier League title.
Honorable mention: Aston Villa
Unai Emery has successfully taken Aston Villa from strength to strength in his two-plus years on the job, most recently going toe-to-toe with a very impressive Paris Saint-Germain side before their quarterfinal exit in the UEFA Champions League. At this point in time, though, they feel a step or two removed from being a dark horse contender for the title. Breaking into the upper echelons of the Premier League is an uphill battle for any team that is not already there, especially one that will have to deal with the grueling Thursday-Sunday cadence reserved for teams in the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League. Pencil them is a very viable contender for a top-four spot, barring some major summer signings and another unusual Premier League season.
5. Chelsea
Once upon a time, Chelsea were surprising many by keeping pace with Liverpool despite shifting to a youth-focused squad with an inexperienced manager in Enzo Maresca. The last four years have not necessarily been kind to them, though – they have won just seven of their last 17 Premier League games, and Cole Palmer has not scored in his last 12 league games. The money and prestige that come with a Champions League spot could help them upgrade their squad, too. That is perhaps the only thing that gives them an edge over Villa since, truthfully, the Blues do not look like they are ready to be a genuine contender for the title just yet.
4. Newcastle United
Being labeled a dark horse means it is still incredibly likely that the trophy will go elsewhere, but if any team has earned the label, it is Newcastle United. Eddie Howe is to the Magpies what Emery is to Villa, though Newcastle seem a step ahead of Villa at this stage. There is an argument to be made that they have been the most in-form team in England since the new year, picking up some notable wins against Arsenal and Liverpool along the way. Howe and company also snapped the team’s 65-year trophy drought along the way when they won the EFL Cup in March, making them one of the more intriguing teams to follow both in England and in Europe next season. Their hopes of another impressive campaign, though, may rest on their summer business – there is definitely a question of whether or not they can hang onto Alexander Isak, who has 22 league goals this season, and they may need to upgrade in several positions to really go up a level.
3. Liverpool
There are probably three genuine contenders for the title as things stand – Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City – and the ranking could change dramatically depending on their summers. The Reds might still be in confetti-filled settings, but there was a reason they only had a 5.1% chance of winning the title this season – they opted not to refresh the squad. Liverpool’s bet that their veterans had one more strong season in them ultimately paid off, but at some point, Arne Slot and company will need to build for a life without the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. There’s also the added complication of filling Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role when he makes his likely move to Real Madrid over the summer, which could be the immediate priority when they do their summertime business. If they successfully upgrade their squad in time for next season, they may just be the favorites to repeat; if not, they may have to settle for a lower spot on the table.
2. Arsenal
There’s a theme developing of always being the bridesmaid for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who are set to clinch their third successive second-place finish. They will be appeased with this season’s inability to enter the title race with their first Champions League semifinal in nearly two decades, but this season’s league form offered plenty of reminders that the Gunners need a true goal scorer to do serious damage in the domestic competition. There’s also an argument to be made that if no other team perfectly conducts their business in the transfer window, the Gunners might still have what it takes to rise to the top in another Premier League season of imperfections. The surest way to finish first, though, will likely be by landing the forward they clearly miss; if not, the pressure will likely only mount on Arteta.
1. Manchester City
This Premier League season may have been unique in a lot of ways, but if there’s any team worth paying attention to next season, it’s Manchester City. They may have exited the title race quickly this time around, but the weight of expectations will return in no time at the Etihad Stadium, especially after their splurges in the winter transfer window. Rebuilding may be the focus in the summer, especially as Hugo Viana starts his new role as the director of football. He will be tasked with finding a replacement for Kevin de Bruyne and City will still have to figure out what to do while Rodri finishes up his recovery from an ACL tear, but with Pep Guardiola still around and Erling Haaland ready to reclaim his status as his generation’s greatest goal scorer, it is hard not to pick them as the team to beat.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Slovenský kapitán odmítl reprezentaci. Místo přípravy na MS dorazil za Varaďou do Vítkovic
„Je dobře známo, jaké trenérské úspěchy Václav Varaďa v kariéře měl. Znám hodně kluků, kteří pod ním hráli, bavili jsme se o tom. Možností bylo víc, ale co jsem chtěl, hledal a představoval si, toho se mi tady dostalo. Proto jsem podepsal s Vítkovicemi. Bylo hodně pozitivních věcí, které mě přilákaly,“ uvedl zkušený hokejista, který se v Ostravě dohodl na víceletém kontraktu.Do Ostravy dorazil na úvodní sraz Vítkovic na přelomu staré a nové sezony. „Znám se asi jen s Jindrou Abdulem, nějaké roky jsme spolu trénovali v Bratislavě a chtěl jsem vidět i další kluky, kteří už tady jsou. No a samozřejmě jsem se chtěl potkat i s trenéry a členy realizačního týmu. Přijel jsem se seznámit, kvůli tomu jsem tady,“ říkal.Z domova to neměl daleko. Bydlí ve slovenské Čadci, s hokejem začínal v Žilině. Jeho hokejového dovednosti jej dovedly až do NHL, kde oblékal dres New Yorku Rangers a Calgary Flames. Poslední čtyři roky hrál […]
It’s time for Giannis Antetokounmpo to depart from the Bucks after another early exit
The Bounce Newsletter | This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.On this date in 1963, with the 83 pick in the 14th round of the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks drafted Bill Raftery out of La Salle. It wasn’t an easy pick to make. It took ONIONS!The Buck Stops HereBucks, Giannis should prioritize themselvesA couple years ago, when the Bucks paired Giannis Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard, they were supposed to get a second life in title contention. Instead, they’ve now been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round for the second straight year. The Bucks were supposed to challenge Boston in a race for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they’ve been left in the dust.AdvertisementWith Lillard’s Achilles tear putting him out for perhaps all of next season, the Bucks are […]
Geniální žert. Dýmovnice v barvě rivala baví anglické fanoušky
Proč? Z dýmovnice, kterou hrdě držel nad hlavou, k nebesům začal stoupal modrý dým. Barva Evertonu, největšího liverpoolského rivala.„Právě mi psal kámoš, nakoupil 10 000 modrých dýmovnic. Poslední čtyři týdny nahrazuje modré etikety červenými. Doufám, že jich prodá proklatě hodně,“ prozradil plán už 19. dubna na sociální síti X fanoušek Toffees.My mates just texted me there He bought 10,000 blue flares and spent the last 4 weeks taking the blue labels off them and putting red labels on them I hope he sells the fookin lot pic.twitter.com/rZGw6RkRbV— TonyBlueblood (@LesleyField5) April 19, 2025 Tak ohromné množství se mezi oslavující fanoušky určitě nedostalo. Ačkoliv se promyšlený vtípek nepodařil na maximum, účel částečně splnil. Propíraný moment rozebírá několik zahraničních médií.Na hřišti jsou Reds v porovnání s Evertonem dlouhodobě úspěšnější. Merseyside derby za posledních 14 let prohráli pouze dvakrát.Ve zmiňovaném utkání, které jim definitivně zajistilo zisk mistrovského titulu, porazili Tottenham 5:1. V tu chvíli […]
Casagrande elege técnico que prioriza essência do futebol brasileiro: “A escola é assim”
Casagrande, em podcast no YouTube (Reprodução) Casagrande vê o Flamengo destoando do atual “padrão” aplicado no futebol brasileiro. Diante da prioridade máxima estabelecida por Filipe Luís, o time carioca não costuma voltar com a bola em investidas no ataque. Neste cenário, o ímpeto ofensivo aplicado magistralmente pelo técnico é visto como um aspecto cada vez mais esquecido nos jogos da seleção. “Talvez o Flamengo seja o time que menos toca para o lado e para trás. Irrita ver um time que está na entrada da área adversária e vai tocando pro lado, toca pro volante, pro zagueiro e volta para o goleiro. Isso é irritante no futebol brasileiro.”, disse Casão, no UOL News Esporte. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “O estilo do Filipe Luís é outro. A escola do Flamengo é assim (ofensivo) e a escola da seleção brasileira é assim também. Isso […]
Jay Woodcroft? Manny Malhotra? 9 candidates to be Canucks’ next head coach
Rick Tocchet informed the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday that he will depart the organization after a successful two-and-a-half year stint that saw him accumulate the second best point percentage of any coach in franchise history, while winning the Jack Adams for coach of the year in 2024.Replacing what Tocchet brought in Vancouver won’t be easy, and Canucks management is very much in the early stages of a process to identify a new bench boss that the club sincerely believed wouldn’t be required this summer.Advertisement“We’ll do a shortlist,” said Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford on Tuesday afternoon. “I’d expect our phones will ring on a regular basis from people who want this job. We’ll narrow it down fairly quick and start the process from there. Up until now, we didn’t talk about it.”As the process begins the Canucks will […]
Talk of the Devils roundtable: Man United’s greatest European away games
Manchester United have enjoyed many memorable European nights away from home over the years, and ahead of their season-defining trip to Bilbao to play Athletic Club on Thursday night the Talk of the Devils crew of Ian Irving, Laurie Whitwell, and Andy Mitten looked back at some of their favourites.AdvertisementUnsurprisingly a famous comeback in Turin came up almost instantly, but you can listen to the full episode below or in the Talk of the Devils podcast feed to hear the rest of the gang’s selections.This partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on the Talk of the Devils feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Ian: This one’s from Al (listener), “The best European away game was the 3-2 against Juventus in 1999. They had two early goals, and I thought it was over. But […]
Related
Slovenský kapitán odmítl reprezentaci. Místo přípravy na MS dorazil za Varaďou do Vítkovic
„Je dobře známo, jaké trenérské úspěchy Václav Varaďa v kariéře měl. Znám hodně kluků, kteří pod ním hráli, bavili jsme se o tom. Možností bylo víc, ale co jsem chtěl, hledal a představoval si, toho se mi tady dostalo. Proto jsem podepsal s Vítkovicemi. Bylo hodně pozitivních věcí, které mě přilákaly,“ uvedl zkušený hokejista, který se v Ostravě dohodl na víceletém kontraktu.Do Ostravy dorazil na úvodní sraz Vítkovic na přelomu staré a nové sezony. „Znám se asi jen s Jindrou Abdulem, nějaké roky jsme spolu trénovali v Bratislavě a chtěl jsem vidět i další kluky, kteří už tady jsou. No a samozřejmě jsem se chtěl potkat i s trenéry a členy realizačního týmu. Přijel jsem se seznámit, kvůli tomu jsem tady,“ říkal.Z domova to neměl daleko. Bydlí ve slovenské Čadci, s hokejem začínal v Žilině. Jeho hokejového dovednosti jej dovedly až do NHL, kde oblékal dres New Yorku Rangers a Calgary Flames. Poslední čtyři roky hrál […]
It’s time for Giannis Antetokounmpo to depart from the Bucks after another early exit
The Bounce Newsletter | This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.On this date in 1963, with the 83 pick in the 14th round of the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks drafted Bill Raftery out of La Salle. It wasn’t an easy pick to make. It took ONIONS!The Buck Stops HereBucks, Giannis should prioritize themselvesA couple years ago, when the Bucks paired Giannis Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard, they were supposed to get a second life in title contention. Instead, they’ve now been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round for the second straight year. The Bucks were supposed to challenge Boston in a race for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they’ve been left in the dust.AdvertisementWith Lillard’s Achilles tear putting him out for perhaps all of next season, the Bucks are […]
Geniální žert. Dýmovnice v barvě rivala baví anglické fanoušky
Proč? Z dýmovnice, kterou hrdě držel nad hlavou, k nebesům začal stoupal modrý dým. Barva Evertonu, největšího liverpoolského rivala.„Právě mi psal kámoš, nakoupil 10 000 modrých dýmovnic. Poslední čtyři týdny nahrazuje modré etikety červenými. Doufám, že jich prodá proklatě hodně,“ prozradil plán už 19. dubna na sociální síti X fanoušek Toffees.My mates just texted me there He bought 10,000 blue flares and spent the last 4 weeks taking the blue labels off them and putting red labels on them I hope he sells the fookin lot pic.twitter.com/rZGw6RkRbV— TonyBlueblood (@LesleyField5) April 19, 2025 Tak ohromné množství se mezi oslavující fanoušky určitě nedostalo. Ačkoliv se promyšlený vtípek nepodařil na maximum, účel částečně splnil. Propíraný moment rozebírá několik zahraničních médií.Na hřišti jsou Reds v porovnání s Evertonem dlouhodobě úspěšnější. Merseyside derby za posledních 14 let prohráli pouze dvakrát.Ve zmiňovaném utkání, které jim definitivně zajistilo zisk mistrovského titulu, porazili Tottenham 5:1. V tu chvíli […]
Casagrande elege técnico que prioriza essência do futebol brasileiro: “A escola é assim”
Casagrande, em podcast no YouTube (Reprodução) Casagrande vê o Flamengo destoando do atual “padrão” aplicado no futebol brasileiro. Diante da prioridade máxima estabelecida por Filipe Luís, o time carioca não costuma voltar com a bola em investidas no ataque. Neste cenário, o ímpeto ofensivo aplicado magistralmente pelo técnico é visto como um aspecto cada vez mais esquecido nos jogos da seleção. “Talvez o Flamengo seja o time que menos toca para o lado e para trás. Irrita ver um time que está na entrada da área adversária e vai tocando pro lado, toca pro volante, pro zagueiro e volta para o goleiro. Isso é irritante no futebol brasileiro.”, disse Casão, no UOL News Esporte. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “O estilo do Filipe Luís é outro. A escola do Flamengo é assim (ofensivo) e a escola da seleção brasileira é assim também. Isso […]
Jay Woodcroft? Manny Malhotra? 9 candidates to be Canucks’ next head coach
Rick Tocchet informed the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday that he will depart the organization after a successful two-and-a-half year stint that saw him accumulate the second best point percentage of any coach in franchise history, while winning the Jack Adams for coach of the year in 2024.Replacing what Tocchet brought in Vancouver won’t be easy, and Canucks management is very much in the early stages of a process to identify a new bench boss that the club sincerely believed wouldn’t be required this summer.Advertisement“We’ll do a shortlist,” said Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford on Tuesday afternoon. “I’d expect our phones will ring on a regular basis from people who want this job. We’ll narrow it down fairly quick and start the process from there. Up until now, we didn’t talk about it.”As the process begins the Canucks will […]
Talk of the Devils roundtable: Man United’s greatest European away games
Manchester United have enjoyed many memorable European nights away from home over the years, and ahead of their season-defining trip to Bilbao to play Athletic Club on Thursday night the Talk of the Devils crew of Ian Irving, Laurie Whitwell, and Andy Mitten looked back at some of their favourites.AdvertisementUnsurprisingly a famous comeback in Turin came up almost instantly, but you can listen to the full episode below or in the Talk of the Devils podcast feed to hear the rest of the gang’s selections.This partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on the Talk of the Devils feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Ian: This one’s from Al (listener), “The best European away game was the 3-2 against Juventus in 1999. They had two early goals, and I thought it was over. But […]
Be the first to leave a comment