New Delhi: The latest edition of the Premier League season is almost upon us with the season kicking off on Friday, 16th August 2024 when Manchester United play host to Fulham in the season opener. The 2024/25 season is set to be an exciting one to tune into, with it potentially being Pep Guardiola’s final season at the Etihad, while it’s also going to be the first season for new managers Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca in the league.
Four-time defending champions Manchester City travel to London to take on Chelsea in their opening fixture that reunites both Guardiola and Marseca, the latter of whom served as assistant to the former for the 2022/23 season. The first weekend also sees two of the most active Premier League teams in the transfer window, Aston Villa and West Ham, take on each other on the opening weekend.
With all 20 teams set for action over the coming weekend, the first matchday of the season is set to be a thrilling one. There are several big talking points heading into the season, so let’s dive in to find out more about these major points.
1) Stopping Manchester City
Kyle Walker lifts the Premier League trophy alongside teammates after the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2024. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Since winning the league title back in 2017, Pep’s Man City have only been denied the title once, and that was in the Covid-affected season in 2020, when Liverpool won the title. The big question on everyone’s mind heading into the season is, Can anyone stop Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut from capturing a record-extending fifth consecutive title in what could potentially be a tumultuous season for the champions? The Citizens were pushed to their limits by Arsenal last season, and look to be the best equipped to win what would be its first title since 2004.
The only other team that can pip City to the title is Liverpool, who seem capable of producing the consistency to finish ahead of City but that is a big ask for Arne Slot, who’ll be taking charge of his first season in the league since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the off-season. After making more significant off-season purchases, Manchester United and Chelsea ought to do better, but challenging for the title seems to be a step too far for them currently.
2) Improvement in VAR?
Referee Robert Jones checks the VAR screen for a handball by Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
This will be the sixth season where video reviews will be used in England’s top division and they continue to be a sore point in terms of its implementation, much to the frustration of players, managers and fans alike. This season, a new account on X (formerly Twitter) will provide live explanations and clarifications for VAR and will also provide live refereeing from every match.
Another major change in the VAR implementation for this season will be the semi-automated offside technology, which will be utilized for the first time this season but will come into effect from after the first international break. According to the Premier League, there are now 96% of accurate judgments made in games, up from 82% prior to the introduction of video reviews.
3) Goals Galore
The LED board shows the 0-8 scoreline during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Newcastle United at Bramall Lane on September 24, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Premier League teams have a challenge on their hands if they are to cross the 1,246 goals scored in the previous season. The previous total was itself an incredible 162 goals higher than the previous record for a single campaign, that was set in the 2022/23 season with 1084 goals. That puts the average goals at 3.28 goals per game, which is way higher than the previous high of 2.85 goals per game.
A few of the factors contributing to the skyrocketing goal totals were more stoppage times, more daring managers, and VAR interventions. Will it carry over into this season? The season also has managers like Arne Slot, Enzo Maresca, Julen Lopetegu, and Fabian Hürzeler, all of whom are known for their attacking brand of football. Considering none of these managers were in the league last season, it won’t be surprising to see if the goals scored number for the season surpasses the one set last season.
4) Long Road Ahead
A detailed view of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy before the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020 Final between FC Bayern Muenchen and Tigres UANL at the Education City Stadium on February 11, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by David Ramos – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
For some of the clubs involved, this could be the longest-ever club season courtesy of the new formats of the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Looking at the champions Manchester City, whose season has already started by winning the Community Shield on Saturday, and their season could last till 13th July 2025, when the final of FIFA’s expanded and revamped Club World Cup takes place in the United States.
This makes it an 11-month season for City and Chelsea, the other Premier League team involved in the Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has publicly expressed his worries about the excessive amount of football scheduled for this season, especially considering the Champions League’s format is changing as well. Add to that the Premier League’s removal of the winter break, this season will be a test for both the players and the managers.
5) More Points Deduction?
A young boy with a placard outside Goodison Park before Everton play Manchester United in the first fixture after the club were deducted 10 points by the Premier League for financial irregularities. (Photo by Colin McPherson/Getty Images)
Both Everton and Nottingham Forest had some points deducted last season for failing to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules of the league, and that forced all clubs to be more aware of their finances so that they ensure compliance with the competition’s regulations that are being more strictly applied. In addition to UEFA’s Financial Fairplay, the Premier League’s PSR also keeps the clubs’ overspending in check.
Having broken spending regulations in their previous Premier League season, Leicester City—one of the three promoted teams—are set to face points deductions, but have other teams learned their lesson? Teams seem to be more conscious of what it takes to comply, based on some of the imaginative transfer activity in the final weeks of June and the dearth of big-name acquisitions made thus far in the summer window.
6) Farewell Campaign?
Pep Guardiola kisses the Premier League trophy after the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
This season could very well see a lot of goodbyes to long-serving Premier League legends. As he approaches his ninth year at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola will eventually have to decide as to whether to stay for a decade. Similar to how Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are nearing the end of their Anfield contracts, this may be Kevin De Bruyne’s last season at City. Enjoy him while you can.
Next is Everton, who is getting ready for its final season at Goodison Park, where it has played since 1892. After that, the team will play at a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, which is expected to cost £760 million ($975 million).
Let’s take a look at some of the major talking points heading into the 2024/25 edition of the Premier League, which starts on Friday night when Manchester United host Fulham. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
