We are almost at the midpoint of the 2024/25 Premier League season, and already, the finishing line is shaping up to be a sprint to remember. Aside from the passionate fans and stunning strikes, the unpredictability that looked to be dwindling from the English top flight in recent years has been reinvigorated this campaign, with any side capable of picking up a result on the right day.
That catalyst for chaos has been reflected across the free bets UK bookies are providing, with sides at both ends of the table still having plenty to play for before we reach the business end of the season.
Indeed, whether it’s the charge for the title, an outsider squeezing their way into the coveted Champions League places, an underdog pushing their luck in midtable, or one of the newly promoted sides battling to avoid the drop back down to the Championship, there are narratives littered around the Premier League table, and it’s enthralling to watch.
In this article, we assess why this season feels so refreshing for the neutrals and how it has reminded football fans why the Premier League is the most watched in the world.
A new champion?
After four successive league titles, it looks as if – barring one of the most incredible comebacks in football history – that Manchester City’s love affair with the Premier League trophy is over.
Pep Guardiola’s men, stopped in their tracks by a loss of form and injuries, have dropped well below their usual standards, opening the door for Liverpool and Arsenal to challenge for the league.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been perennial contenders but never managed to get over the line, and despite being one of the favourites at the start of the season they have dropped crucial points already. It leaves Liverpool with a chance to win their first title since 2020 in Arne Slot’s first campaign at Anfield.
The meritocracy of Manchester looks to finally be at an end, with many bored of Guardiola’s City hoovering up any silverware, but who will be crowned champion come May?
Quality across the league
The main selling point of the Premier League is the talent that can be attracted to such a small island. Players from across the world will want to play in England’s top flight, and that is reflected in the plethora of quality players from not just the top six, but across the entire league.
Each team, regardless of their standings in the table, has two or three quality players that could perform at the highest level, with players like Mathues Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba attracting interest from top clubs despite their team’s place in the league.
That rule does not just apply to foreign stars – there is plenty of homegrown talent that has stood out this term, too. Few at Leeds United would have expected to see Archie Gray crop up as Tottenham Hotspur’s centre-back, while Liam Delap’s goals will try and keep Ipswich afloat.
Teams punching above their weight
The best thing about the season so far has been the number of underdogs. The likes of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, and even Bournemouth could all realistically secure places in the European competitions, and it’s a testament to how much the standard has improved this season.
There is still a long way to go, and with City inevitability set to rediscover their form, the outsiders will need to remain consistent in order to finish strongly.
Still, the stories that this season has produced will live long in the memory. Jamie Vardy continues to age like a fine wine at Leicester City, while Chris Wood’s renaissance at Forest has meant Nuno Espirito Santo’s gang of merry men are winning over many with their swashbuckling and gallant performances.
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Overall, this could go down as one of the best seasons in Premier League history – one that will have fans glued to their seats until the final day.
