MADRID, 15 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off this Friday with Manchester City, the favourites in full dominance of English football, followed by their biggest rivals in recent seasons, Arsenal and a Liverpool that has changed its cycle.
Pep Guardiola’s team is the team of records and will once again be a rival to beat with a squad that can still be strengthened. Last season, City became the first team to win four league titles in a row and only Liverpool, in 2020, has broken a celestial dictatorship that wants more.
After winning the Community Shield to open the season at Wembley, City return to London to open the Premier League with a demanding visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Guardiola’s men want their seventh Premier League title in the last eight years and, following the departure of Julián Álvarez, they have investment to make.
Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden lead a team that continues to discover talents such as Oscar Bobb and James McAtee. Last season, the title race went down to the final matchday, with City and an Arsenal side that continue to trust Mikel Arteta to end the 21-year drought.
The Gunners, who will try to go far in the Champions League, have been reinforced by Declan Rice and have the same power up front with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. Arsenal, who make their debut against Wolves, have been performing almost perfectly, which is what City demands of them.
Meanwhile, Liverpool also have a top-class squad but are without their captain for the last nine years. The departure of manager Jurgen Klopp is causing some uncertainty in the ‘red’ team, but Arne Slot has a great foundation to not fail. The Anfield side, who will start away against Ipswich, are also waiting to finalise their squad in the centre of the field.
The Premier League is also hoping to bring back some of the big names that have been affected in recent years. Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca on the bench; Manchester United, still trusting in Ten Hag but forced to start well to avoid the rumor mill; and Tottenham, who have not really taken off despite the good form they had last season with Ange Postecoglou, are facing an important season to get back on top.
All of them were passed on the right by Aston Villa under Unai Emery, the Spanish coach who led the ‘Villains’ to the Champions League 41 years later. Despite losing Douglas Luiz, Villa, who kick off on Saturday against West Ham, have the challenge of establishing their revolution in a league that gives no respite every weekend, although they are far from surprising as they did in 2016 when Leicester won the title.
–PROGRAM OF THE DAY:
-Friday 16th.
Manchester United – Fulham.
-Saturday 17th.
Ipswich – Liverpool.
Arsenal – Wolves.
Everton – Brighton.
Newcastle – Southampton.
Nottingham – Bournemouth.
West Ham – Aston Villa.
-Domingo 18.
Brentford – Crystal Palace.
Chelsea – Manchester City.
-Monday 19th.
Leicester – Tottenham.