Three Teams All Bettors Should Keep Their Eyes on in the 2024/25 Premier League Season
As the 2024/25 Premier League season gets going, bettors are gearing up for another thrilling year of football. Much of the anticipation throughout the preseason was based on three teams, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Last term, the three of them battled it out for the crown, and this year, they could be set to do the same again.
The Blues, of course, were the team that came out on top of that particular triple threat, managing to take advantage of Arsenal's late-season slip-up against Aston Villa to romp to their fourth straight title. Now, the website providing the best sports betting in Canada makes Pep Guardiola's side a +120 favorite to retain their crown. The Gunners are just behind them as +180 second favorites, while Liverpool are a more distant +700 third favorite following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
But while much of the attention from punters is on that leading trio, three other teams will provide much more betting value every week.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have long been a staple in the Premier League, often hovering around mid-table with occasional flirtations with relegation. However, last season, the appointment of Eintracht Frankfurt's former Europa League-winning boss Oliver Glasner completely revolutionized the mood at Selhurst Park. The German boss was brought in to take over from Roy Hodgson back in February, and he brought with him a new style of play that immediately created an upturn in results.
The fearsome trident of Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Michael Olise was crucial to the Eagles' success. Central defender Marc Guehi also shone brightly as England reached the final of Euro 2024, and staving off the transfer interest in him will be crucial. Those four were critical as Palace secured victories against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Aston Villa toward the latter part of the campaign, and further impressive performances are expected this year.
Unfortunately for the Eagles faithful, one of their standout quartet has already departed. The brilliant Olise has left for the bright lights of Bayern Munich for £50m, and how Glasner invests those funds will be imperative to any success his side may have.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa has been on an upward trajectory over the past few seasons, steadily climbing the Premier League ranks. When former Arsenal boss Unai Emery took over the club 18 months ago, they were relegation candidates. Fast forward to the start of the 2024/25 season and the West Midlands club is gearing up for a maiden campaign in the UEFA Champions League. Some glow up indeed.
Last term, the Villans finished in fourth place in the Premier League, managing to take advantage of the poor form of both Manchester United and Chelsea. They went head-to-head with Tottenham Hotspur for the fourth and final Champions League spot and they managed to emerge victorious, finishing two points clear of their North London rivals.
Ollie Watkins has emerged as a prolific striker, scoring a whopping 27 goals and providing a further 13 assists in all competitions. He has plenty of support in the form of exciting winger Leon Bailey and deep-lying playmaker Youri Tielemens. The recent addition of central midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton and Ian Maatsen - who was crucial in helping Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last term - makes it clear that Emery's men are aiming to be contenders once again next season.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Often overlooked, Brighton has been making steady progress and could very well be the surprise package of the season. They thought that they managed to cling on to manager Roberto De Zerbi, who was attracting interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea. However, he has since left for Marseille, and in his place comes the 31-year-old Fabian Hürzeler, the youngest manager in Premier League history.
The Seagulls ended last season comfortably sitting in mid-table as well as reaching the knockout round of the UEFA Europa League. Unfortunately for the South Coast outfit, they were unable to secure an immediate return to European competition, eventually finishing 12 points adrift of Newcastle in seventh place. One can expect that disappointment to fuel them even further this season.
While Brighton are by no means contenders for the title, expect them to comfortably beat the teams in the bottom half of the table, as well as kicking points off of those in the top seven. They have sold arguably the greatest player in the club's history Pascal Groß to Borussia Dortmund, as well as Deniz Undav to Stuttgart. But Brighton's famed scouting system runs deep, and they have brought in plenty of youngsters in the hopes of turning them into diamonds.
19-year-old Yankuba Minteh has arrived from Newcastle, 20-year-old Brajan Gruda has been brought in from Mainz, and another 19-year-old Ibrahim Osman has left Danish outfit Nordsjaelland in favor of the Amex. They will all be aiming to impress next season while catapulting Brighton back toward the top six.