What a summer for soccer fans – first the Euro 2024, then the Olympics, and now comes the English Premier League, kicking off at 3:00 pm ET on 16th August.
Historically, Manchester United leads the total number of wins. They have won the Premier League 13 times. Manchester City has won eight times – four of these came in the last four seasons. This year, however, they have tough competition from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Every season comes with its vibes and challenges. What the 20 participating clubs will bring to the field is yet to be seen. Until then, let us take you through the English Premier League (EPL) preview.
Football: England Premier League: Clubs Preview
20 clubs are participating in the 2024-25 EPL season, which runs from August to May. Each team plays two matches against each other – one at home, and one away. This brings the total number of matches to more than 300, spread over several months.
Here’s a rundown of the clubs based on their rankings in the 2023-24 season:
1. Manchester City
Manchester City has won four consecutive Premier League cups, and their last year’s finish stood at 91 points with a +62 goal differential (number of goals scored minus the number of goals conceded.) Moreover, they were unbeaten in their last 23 matches. Last season, they also led the table in all aspects of the game, including ball possession (65.2%), touches, passes, assists, and buildup attacks.
Man City will be looking to add a fifth win this season as a farewell to manager Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires in 2025. They have added Brazilian footballer Sávio as a forward to their squad, while center forward Julián Álvarez has left for Madrid.
Manchester City will play Chelsea on Sunday, 18th August.
2. Arsenal
Arsenal was the runner-up last season with 89 points and a +62 goal differential (number of goals scored minus the number of goals conceded.) Arsenal has one of the youngest teams, with an average age of 25 years.
This season, they have signed several new players – defender Riccardo Calafiori, who moved from Bologna, goalkeeper David Raya, and a new striker, Kai Havertz. Their midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has switched to the Fulham club.
Arsenal will host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 17th August.
3. Liverpool
Liverpool finished third last season with 82 points, and a +45 goal differential. Midfield attacker Fábio Carvalho has left for Brentford, center midfield Thiago Alcantara has retired. Liverpool has not added any new faces this season.
Their new coach Arne Slot is known for his defensive play, and being patient with the ball. This is evident as he has placed Martin Zubimendi as a midfielder, a player who is more of a controller than an attacker. This might also help prevent injuries, which hampered Liverpool’s game last season.
Liverpool will play Ipswitch Town on Saturday, 17th August.
4. Aston Villa
Aston Villa finished 4th last season with 68 points and a +15 goal differential. They have added several new players this summer – defensive midfielders Amadou Onana and Enzo Barrenechea, left-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea, center-forward Cameron Archer, midfielders Jaden Philogene, Samuel Iling-Junior, and Ross Barkley.
Right winger Moussa Diaby has left for Al Ittihad, while midfielders Douglas Luiz, Tim Iroegbunam, Morgan Sanson, and center-back Calum Chambers have also switched to other clubs.
Their manager Eddie Howe has a long history of managing different clubs and will bring experience to the squad.
Aston Villa will play West Ham United on Saturday, 17th August.
5. Tottenham Hotspur
They finished last season in the 5th position (66 points, +13 goal differential). They allowed just 8.8 passes per defensive action, the lowest last season. They have made major changes in their squad this season. Dominic Solanke will join as center-forward. Archie Gray from Leeds United and Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden will be the new center midfielders. Right-back Emerson Royal, and center-backs Joe Rodon and Eric Dier have left for other clubs. Yves Bissouma will miss the first match following a one-game suspension.
Tottenham Hotspur will play Leicester City on Tuesday, 20th August.
6. Chelsea
Chelsea finished in the 6th position last season with 63 points and a +14 goal differential. For this season, the club has made a lot of changes, especially with bringing in new players. Notable inclusions are Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Filip Jörgensen, among others. On the contrary, Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, and a few others have left the club to join different squads.
Their key attack players are Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Raheem Sterling. They also have a young squad with players like Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea will play Manchester City on Sunday, 18th August.
7. Newcastle United
After dealing with 41 injuries last year and securing 7th position with 60 points and a +23 goal differential, Newcastle’s playing potential is dependent on injury management. The club brought in Eddie Howe, whose forte is refining tactics on the ground.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali has returned to the squad after serving a 10-month ban from competitive football. More entrants include Lewis Hall from Chelsea (left-back) goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest, center-forward William Osula from Sheffield, and center-back Lloyd Kelly. Midfielder Elliot Anderson and forward Yankuba Minteh have left for other clubs.
The first match of Newcastle United will be against Southampton on Saturday, 17th August.
8. Manchester United
Manchester United finished 8th last season with 60 points and a -1 goal differential. This season, Man U. has shaken up the entire squad with several new faces. New additions include, center-backs Willy Kambwala, Matthijs de Ligt, Raphaël Varane, and Leny Yoro, center-forward Joshua Zirkzee, right-backs Noussair Mazraoui, Aaron Wan Bissaka, and several more players.
The team has been hampered this season with several injuries. Defender Luke Shaw will miss several games because of a calf injury. New center-back Leny Yoro has been ruled out for three months, and forward Rasmus Hojlund has a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkee is set to make his debut against Fulham.
Manchester United will play Fulham on Saturday, 17th August.
9. West Ham United
West Ham United ended last season mid-table at the 9th position. They played inconsistently last season and lost six matches by three or more goals. They finished the season with 52 points, and a -14 goal differential, meaning they gave away more goals than they scored.
This club has also shaken up its squad and added several new promising players – a new goalkeeper, Wes Foderingham from Sheffield, center-back Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, left-winger Crysencio Summerville, center-forward Niclas Füllkrug, midfielders Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luis Guilherme, and Guido Rodríguez.
Midfielders Flynn Downes, Saïd Benrahma, and center-back Thilo Kehrer have left West Ham.
West Ham will play Aston Villa on Saturday, 17th August.
10. Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace was 10th last season with 49 points, and a minus-1 goal differential.
They have added right-winger Ismaïla Sarr, who previously played with Marseille. More inclusions include center-back Chadi Riad and midfielder Daichi Kamada. Currently, they are in talks to acquire Arsenal forward, Eddie Nketiah. 25-year-old Eddie has scored 29 goals in his 153 appearances and has attracted interest from several clubs.
Crystal Palace plays Brentford on Sunday, 18th August.
11. Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton was 11th last season with 48 points, and a -7 goal differential.
Brighton had a weak team last season, as none of the players managed to score double-digit goals. Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson scored six goals each, the highest for their team. This year, they have chosen a young, and more experienced squad. Right-wingers Yankuba Minteh, and Amario Cozier-Duberry, center-midfielders Malick Yalcouye, and Pascal Gross, and attacking mid-fielders Adam Lallana and Facundo Buonanotte have joined Brighton this season. More additions include Mats Wieffer and Ibrahim Osman.
Center-forward Deniz Undav has shifted to Stuttgart.
Brighton & Hove Albion will play Everton on Saturday, 17th August.
12. AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth was 12th in the 2023-24 season with 48 points, and a -13 goal differential. However, they ranked second in ball recoveries, and third in passes allowed per defensive action. This year, their key player Dominic Solanke has shifted to Tottenham. He made 19 goals, and 3 assists last season for Bournemouth. They have replaced him with Enes Unal, who scored 14 goals for Getafe. They have also agreed to a record deal of £40.2m to sign Brazil striker Evanilson from Porto.
More new additions include left-winger Luis Sinisterra, center-back Dean Huijsen, and right-back Julián Araujo.
Bournemouth will play Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 17th August.
13. Fulham
Fulham was 13th last season with 47 points, and a -6 goal differential. They were one of the oldest teams last season. This summer, they’ve decided not to renew contracts for Tim Ream (moving to Charlotte), Bobby De Cordova-Reid (shifting to Leicester City), and Willian. Midfielder João Palhinha is moving to Bayern Munich.
Fulham will play with a young squad this season – Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal, Ryan Sessegnon from Tottenham, and Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal.
Fulham will play Manchester United on Saturday, 17th August.
14. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers finished 14th last season with 46 points, and a -15 goal differential.
Only two players shone last season – Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan, and practically saved their team from finishing at the bottom of the table. This year, they are bringing Rodrigo Gomes from Braga, Pedro Lima from Sport Recife, Tommy Doyle from Manchester City, and Jørgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo.
Right winger Pedro Neto has switched to Chelsea, while center-back Max Kilman has moved to West Ham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will play Arsenal on Saturday, 17th August.
15. Everton
Everton was near the bottom of the table at the 15th position in the 2023-24 season. (48 points, and a -11 goal differential.
Their top player Amadou Onana has switched to Aston Villa. Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin will continue with Everton.
Several regular players will be missing from the opening match. Defender Jarrad Branthwaite has a groin injury, captain Seamus Coleman (calf) and midfielder James Garner have a calf injury. Defender Nathan Patterson is suffering from a hamstring injury, while the young striker Youssef Chermiti has injured his foot.
Everton will play Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, 17th August.
16. Brentford
Brentford was 16th last season, despite finishing ninth in 2022-23.
This year they have signed a big name – Fábio Carvalho from Liverpool to strengthen their attack. Igor Thiago will join as a center-forward. Unfortunately, Thiago has suffered a knee injury and will miss out on several games.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper David Raya has moved to Arsenal, and center-forward Neal Maupay will return to Everton.
Crystal Palace plays Brentford on Sunday, 18th August.
17. Nottingham Forest
Nottingham was 17th last season, and just about managed to avoid regulation (moving to lower leagues).
Five fresh faces have arrived this season – center-midfielder Elliot Anderson from Newcastle, center-back Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina, left-winger Jota Silva, midfielder Marko Stameni, and a new goalkeeper Carlos Miguel from Corinthians.
Nottingham Forest will play Bournemouth on Saturday, 17th August. They lost all their last eight matches against Bournemouth.
18. Leicester City
Leicester City were relegated to the Championship last season for finishing in the bottom three.
They managed to win the Championship with 97 points, and a +48 goal differential.
New faces for Leicester City this season include midfielders Fatawu Issahaku, Caleb Okoli, and Michael Golding, right-winger Bobby De Cordova-Reid from Fulham, and attacker Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton.
Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has moved to Chelsea.
Leicester City will play Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, 20th August.
19. Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town, another team at the bottom, finished 2nd in the Championship with 96 points and a +35 goal differential.
They have two players from major clubs joining them this season – Right-winger Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea, and center-forward Liam Delap from Manchester City.
Ipswitch Town will play Liverpool on Saturday, 17th August.
20. Southampton
Southampton was at the bottom of the pool finishing 4th in the Championship. This season they have roped in big names – Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City, and Flynn Downes from West Ham. More new faces include Midfielders Ben Brereton Díaz, Yukinari Sugiwara, Nathan Wood, and Ronnie Edwards left-backs Wellington and Charlie Taylor, and center-forwards Juan and Rento Takaoka.
Southampton will play Newcastle United on Saturday, 17th August.
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