The English Premier League 2024/25 season is set to commence with the opening match between Manchester United and Fulham on August 16, 2024. The season’s format consists of 380 matches spread across 38 rounds, featuring 20 teams. The competition will unfold over 33 weekends, four midweek rounds, and one Bank Holiday matchweek, with each team playing 38 games, home and away against each other. The final round of fixtures is scheduled for May 25, 2025, with all matches kicking off simultaneously.
The opening weekend is packed with intriguing fixtures. Manchester United, fresh from their FA Cup triumph, will face Fulham at Old Trafford. Defending champions Manchester City will travel to Stamford Bridge to play against Chelsea, who are under new management with Enzo Maresca replacing Mauricio Pochettino. The weekend also includes matches like Arsenal hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool facing Ipswich Town.
The 2024/25 season is expected to be highly competitive, with Manchester City and Arsenal emerging as the primary contenders for the title. Manchester City, under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, are the defending champions, having secured the title in the last four seasons. However, City’s strength may be tested this year due to a relatively quiet transfer window and the departure of key player Julian Alvarez. Moreover, Guardiola’s contract situation adds an element of uncertainty.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, finished as runners-up in the past two seasons and are seen as the main challengers to City’s dominance. The Gunners have bolstered their squad with the addition of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. This signing is expected to strengthen Arsenal’s defense, which was among the league's best last season.
Apart from Manchester City and Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are also strong candidates for a top-four finish. Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot, are undergoing a significant rebuild after Jurgen Klopp's departure. The team’s promising pre-season performances, including victories over United and Arsenal, provide optimism for a successful campaign.
Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing eighth-place finish last season. Despite a challenging season, United’s FA Cup win was a silver lining. The club has made notable signings, including Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich and Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, aiming to strengthen their squad for a top-four finish.
Tottenham Hotspur, under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, is also a team to watch. The North London club narrowly missed out on the top four last season and will be looking to build on last year’s performance. New signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth is expected to bolster their attacking options.
The EPL welcomes three promoted teams for the 2024/25 season: Leicester City, Southampton, and Ipswich Town. Leicester City returns to the Premier League after winning the Championship, Southampton is back following a playoff victory, and Ipswich Town joins the top flight after 22 years.
In addition to the exciting fixtures and title race, the transfer window has seen several significant moves. Notable transfers include Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal, Matheus de Ligt to Manchester United, and Pedro Neto to Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers. These additions are expected to have a substantial impact on the league’s dynamics.
Fans can look forward to an exhilarating season of English Premier League football, with intense competition, new talent, and high-stakes matches. For ongoing updates and match commentary, Al Jazeera Sport provides comprehensive coverage throughout the season.
