As the 2024/25 Premier League season enters its final stages, the battle for the title, European slots, and survival in the top division heats up. Liverpool leads the title race after 25 games, while Arsenal and Manchester City remain in contention. Meanwhile, teams such as Newcastle and Aston Villa compete for European places, while the fight to escape relegation remains fierce.
This article includes a comprehensive summary of each team’s current standing, crucial fixtures, and what to expect as the season nears its conclusion.
Liverpool, the title favourites, finished first with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Balanced squad, good attack, and effective defence.
•Key players include Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Darwin Núñez.
•The biggest threat is Arsenal (8 points behind with a game in hand).
Liverpool has dominated this season under Arne Slot. They have an eight-point lead over Arsenal and are in control. However, with vital games remaining against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham, the title fight is far from finished.
2nd – Arsenal (biggest challenger)
•Games played: 24 (one in hand).
•Strengths: Resilient defence and midfield inventiveness.
•Key players include Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice.
•The biggest threat is Liverpool’s dependability.
Arsenal remains Liverpool’s greatest threat, but they must be near-perfect in their final games. Their game in hand could be critical in narrowing the gap, but they must capitalise on the Reds’ mistakes.
Manchester City ranked third among outside title contenders, with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Experience in title races and team depth.
•Key players include Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden.
•Biggest Threat: Inconsistency this season.
City is 10 points behind Liverpool, and while it is feasible for them to create a late assault, they will need Liverpool and Arsenal to drop points while they go on a flawless run themselves. Their upcoming match against Liverpool is a must win.
Battle for European Qualification
Nottingham Forest finished fourth in the Champions League Dream, with 26 games played.
•Strengths: Attacking football, great home record.
•Biggest threat: inconsistent away form.
Forest has been a surprise this season. They are fourth in the standings and are favourites for the final Champions League slot, but they must remain clear of Newcastle and Tottenham.
Chelsea (5th) and Newcastle United (6th) are both Champions League hopefuls with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Strong defence and strong counter-attacks.
•Key players include Bruno Guimarães, Alexander Isak, and Kieran Trippier.
•The biggest threat is inconsistency versus inferior opponents.
Newcastle is in contention for a top-four finish, but they will need Aston Villa to lose points while maintaining their current form. A successful end to the season could earn them Champions League football.
Fulham, a surprise European contender, and Aston Villa finished 7th with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Strong midfield and well-organised defence.
•Key players include João Palhinha, Andreas Pereira, and Willian.
•The biggest threat is a lack of squad depth.
Fulham has stunned many by entering the European discourse. While they are unlikely to compete in the Champions League, a Europa League or Conference League spot is a possible goal.
Brighton ranked 8th (outside shot at Europe) with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Tactical flexibility, positive team dynamics.
•Key players include Kaoru Mitoma, João Pedro, and Lewis Dunk.
•The biggest threat is defensive inconsistency.
Brighton is still in contention for the top six, but they will need to go on a big run in their remaining matchups. They’ve battled with consistency, which may cost them a European spot.
9th: Brentford (Mid-Table Stability)
•Games played: 25.
•Strengths: Consistent home performance, disciplined tactics
•Key players include Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo, and Ethan Pinnock.
•Biggest Threat: Struggles with top teams
Brentford is unlikely to make it to Europe, but they have demonstrated their ability to compete with the league’s best clubs. Their primary goal will be to finish in the top half of the field.
Middle-Table Uncertainty
Tottenham Hotspur finished 10th after a disappointing season, with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Strong assault and aggressive football.
•Key players include Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski.
•The biggest threat is defensive vulnerabilities.
Tottenham has been one of the most disappointing teams this season, lying in 12th place with only 30 points. Their lack of defensive strength has cost them dearly, making European qualification a difficult task.
11th – Crystal Palace, 12th – Everton, and 13th – Manchester United.
These teams are mired in mid-table mediocrity. Manchester United, in particular, has had a dismal season, lying 15th with only 29 points from 25 games. Injuries, poor form, and tactical uncertainty have harmed them.
Relegation Battle: The Fight for Survival.
The bottom of the standings is as competitive as the top, with several teams vying to avoid relegation.
West Ham (Survival Likely) ranks 16th, with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Experience under pressure
•Key Players: Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá.
•The biggest threat is defensive problems.
West Ham should have enough to escape, but they must avoid a meltdown in their remaining games.
Wolves (In Serious Danger) ranked 17th with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Attacking ability.
•Key players include Matheus Cunha and Pedro Neto.
•Biggest threat: Poor defence (54 goals conceded).
Wolves are dangerously close to relegation, and they must improve defensively if they are to remain up.
Ipswich and Leicester (relegation candidates) finished 18th and 19th, respectively, with 25 games played.
•Strengths: Championship experience.
•The biggest threat is a lack of Premier League quality.
Ipswich and Leicester are both struggling in their first season back in the Premier League and are expected to slide back down.
20th – Southampton (Almost certain to go down).
•Games played: 25.
•Points: 9.
•Strengths: A youthful squad
•Biggest Threat: The league’s worst defence (57 goals conceded).
Southampton is almost certain to be relegated, requiring a miracle to survive.
Final predictions
•Premier League Champions: Liverpool
•Champions League spots: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa.
•Europa League spots: Newcastle, Fulham
•Conference League Spot: Brighton
•Relegated teams: Southampton, Ipswich, and Leicester.
The 2024/25 Premier League season is shaping up to be an entertaining finish. While Liverpool remains in pole position for the title, Arsenal and Manchester City will push them to the limit. Meanwhile, Aston Villa and Newcastle compete for Champions League football, and the relegation battle will be heated until the final day.
Who do you believe will win the league? Can Arsenal catch Liverpool, or will there be a dramatic twist in the last months?
