Liverpool romped to their second Premier League title in five years in the 2024/25 campaign, and they did so in unexpected fashion. Before a ball was kicked last August, the Reds were considered distant third-favourites behind reigning champions Manchester City and back-to-back runners-up Arsenal. The departure of iconic boss Jurgen Klopp was supposed to rock Anfield, but incoming boss Arne Slot had other ideas.
Despite the former manager only adding the injury-ravaged Federico Chiesa to his squad, Liverpool managed to embark upon a scarcely believable campaign, losing just once in their opening 30 games to race into a huge title lead. A whopping 29 goals from their talismanic Mohamed Salah proved far too much for second-placed Arsenal to cope with, and they ultimately finished ten points adrift as the Merseysiders claimed the crown.
But the 2024/25 season is now in the history books, and attention has immediately turned to next season. So, who do online gambling sites make the favourites to win the title next year? Let’s find out.
Liverpool
Let’s start at the top. The latest odds from the popular Bovada gambling site currently make Liverpool the 2/1 favourites to win the title once again next season. If they are to live up to the billing, it would mark the first time in over four decades. However, they do have a number of obstacles ahead of them in their pursuit.
The Reds have lost the best right-back on the planet in the form of academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has now departed Anfield for Real Madrid, but at least the club has received €10m for his services, which is more than the zero they were expecting following the expiry of his contract. Los Blancos were due to receive the England international on a free transfer on June 30th, but they have paid somewhat of a premium to bring the 26-year-old to the Bernabeu a month early for him to be eligible for their group games at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
Liverpool are expected to replace one of their finest-ever academy graduates with Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutchman is a different sort of player from the outgoing Alexander-Arnold. He usually marauds down the right-hand touchline rather than dropping into a central midfielder like Trent, and it remains to be seen how that will affect Arne Slot’s plans.
Florian Wirtz is also expected to arrive from Die Werkself, and that is a signing that has excited the Liverpool fan base. The German playmaker has arguably been the best player in the Bundesliga, and if he can carry his recent form over to the Premier League, the Reds will certainly have a player on their hands.
FLORIAN WIRTZ THE GERMAN HERO!
Germany ties it up in stoppage time!!
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) July 5, 2024
Add to that the fact that both top scorer Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk have signed new contracts and will remain at Anfield next season, and it is clear that the Merseysiders will certainly contend for the crown once more.
Arsenal
At the start of the recently concluded season, Arsenal were the favourites to claim a first title in 21 years. Unfortunately for them, though, just as was the case in the previous two seasons, the Gunners finished second once again. If that wasn’t painful enough, they also came within touching distance of a first Champions League final since 2006, only to lose out to Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
The North London side simply has to bring in a new striker if they are to contend next season. Gabriel Jesus was expected to be the saviour when he arrived from Manchester City three years ago, but he has proven to be far too injury-prone, and when he is fit, he doesn’t find the back of the net with enough regularity. Kai Havertz was brought in from Chelsea two years ago, but he is more of a playmaker than an out-and-out goalscorer, and he, too, has struggled with injury issues.
The Gunners are currently priced at 9/4 to win the title next year, just behind the newly minted champions. If they end up signing Sporting CP goal machine Viktor Gyökeres as they are expected to, then those odds could be slashed dramatically.
Manchester City
The 2024/25 campaign was an uncharacteristically poor one for Manchester City. The Blues have ruled over English football with an iron fist over the last half a decade, winning a record four straight Premier League titles, as well as a famous treble in 2023. They were expected to make it five on the spin this season, but an injury to midfield general Rodri curtailed their hopes.
After being injured in an early-season clash with Arsenal at the Etihad, the Spaniard left a gaping hole in Pep Guardiola’s midfield. That was exploited time and again, and at one point, City dropped way down the Premier League table. Ultimately, they recovered to finish third, and with Rodri back in the lineup next season, they could well return to championship contention.
Much like their two title rivals, City will have to strengthen in the summer. Their legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be leaving the Etihad after a trophy-laden decade with the club, and replacing the outgoing Belgian is of paramount importance. They, too, are priced at 9/4, and if they can manage to tempt another sensational attacking midfielder to the North West, their odds could well be shortened as well.
