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The Premier League season is beginning to wind to a close, with just 12 matchdays left in the 2024/25 season.
Fates are starting to be revealed, as three more teams seem destined for the drop while others look to solidify their places in European football.
Today, I’m locking in five final predictions that could happen before the final day on May 25th.
Southampton will break Derby County’s record
When Southampton got promoted last May, they knew despite the elation of being back in the Premier League, they would be facing a severe uphill battle to keep their place in it.
Their summer business indicated their intent to an extent, as signings like England international Aaron Ramsdale and loanee stand-out centre back from the 23/24 season Taylor Harwood-Belis joined the club. However, signings like Flynn Downes, Ben Brereton Diaz (who left on loan to Sheffield United in January) and Maxwel Cornet struggled to make an impact.
This season though, the Saints have won just two games and drawn five, accumulating a measly nine points so far this season after 26 games. While it’s harsh to kick someone when they’re down- in this case, a whole football club- Southampton have been nothing short of pathetic this season, regularly displaying minimal fight and grit in their performances to the St Marys faithful and its travelling contingent.
Ivan Juric is an experienced coach who, if given the time, could have Southampton returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking next season. When sides go down as limply as Southampton do, which seems certain to happen even at time of writing with 12 games to go, managers at the helm regardless of how much time they’ve had in that season do well to survive. It could end up being a short first spell in English football for the Croatian.
In their last 12 games, Southampton need just three points to avoid achieving the lowest point tally in Premier League history, but unfortunately even that seems to be to be just too much to ask of this Southampton squad, who will surely have to rely on the young shoulders of Tyler Dibling if any feat is to be achieved, as he’s been the only bright spark in the frontline for the south coast side this season.
Leicester and Ipswich will return to the Championship
Leicester and Ipswich have had a lot more to smile about this season than fellow relegation elect Southampton. Leicester, lead by Steve Cooper and Ruud Van Nistelrooy this season, have enjoyed great victories over the likes of Tottenham and Bournemouth, and have unearthed gems in Facundo Buonanotte (on loan from Brighton) and Bilal El Khannouss.
Ipswich, currently only separated with Leicester on goal difference, have also picked up a stellar victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over Ange Postecoglou’s side this season, as well as impressive victories against Chelsea and Wolves.
However, as both sides sit five points adrift from a Wolves side taking great shape under new manager Vitor Pereira, cracks in their respective defences and ultimately a simple gulf in class compared to the rest of the league could make survival a prospect to large for both sides.
Despite being on the same amount of points, Ipswich arguably have more to be optimistic about with their chances of escaping the drop. Keiran McKenna has a firm brand of football instilled in his players, despite the many new faces introduced from last season; Van Nistelrooy has only been with his players for 12 weeks, and despite his praise from the Leicester squad for being much clearer and direct with what he expects from them, that may well be a rift between what he wants and expects and what can happen in reality.
Ipswich have an abundance of offensive talent, with the likes of Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson, Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke able to entertain the Portman Road faithful. This youthful and dynamic attack contrasts largely with Leicester’s, as their attack is spearheaded by 39-year-old club legend Jamie Vardy, who- despite the ever-present Red Bull in his diet- is clearly slowing down and isn’t the player he was even three-four years ago, let alone the player he was when Leicester won the league.
Despite all this, both sides face an uphill battle against a Wolves side that are clearly coming into their stride, recently beating Aston Villa and Bournemouth and narrowly losing 2-1 to Liverpool in a game where they dominated the second half and were unlucky to not come away with at least a point against the league leaders.
The West Midlands side have found a new level of defensive solidity, with Toti Gomes entering good form in Pereira’s back three. Brazilian midfielders Joao Gomes and Andre have also been providing excellent cover for this defence in midfield, as well as offering much more on the ball. Wolves’s resurgence has famously been helped massively by Matheus Cunha, who is now starting to put up numbers that have matched his consisntely marvellous performances in gold this season.
These factors could prevent Ipswich and Leicester places in the Premier League in the 2025/26 season, 10 years on from when the Foxes won the league and Ipswich narrowly finished outside the play off spots in the Championship.
Forest, City and Villa get Champions League Football
The race for top five (still feels strange saying that instead of top four) is yet to ebb and flow many different ways, as only seven points separate 10th and 3rd. It’s a bizarre season for it, as sides like Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth threaten to raise European eyebrows and earn a spot in the greatest club competition in the world next season.
Despite the league champion’s struggles this season, there’s always a feeling of inevitability of post-January Manchester City, who never fail to impress in the second leg of the season. In seasons past, this has helped them close gaps on Liverpool and more recently Arsenal to lift title after title, but this season as City 2.0 begins to develop it could be the factor that only assures them a place in the Champions League in 2025/26.
For all City’s faults, they still possess world class talent whilst nurturing new and exciting names into their squad, especially the four January signings they spent almost £200 million on. Ruben Dias has picked up form lately that has seen him perform much like his normal imperial self; Nico Gonzalez has adapted to the Premier League well and has impressed in his recent appearances; Erling Haaland remains a goalscoring phenomenon that keeps him on the hunt for a third consecutive golden boot.
While City’s qualification for the Champions League (should they achieve it) would come as no surprise, Nottingham Forest’s would certainly be a story for the ages. After barely surviving relegation last season, finishing 17th and just six points above the drop, Nuno Espirito Santo has guided his side to the dizzying heights of 3rd at time of writing, where his side show no signs of letting up on UCL qualification.
It’s been a bewildering turnaround for the Midlands side, who are seeking a return to the competition for the first time since 1980. Players like Matz Sels, Ola Aina, Nikola Milenković and Chris Wood to name a few have taken major strides forward in their games this season, keeping the Garibaldis well clear of a relegation scrap.
Forest are experiencing a similar season as Aston Villa did last season, though if Nuno’s side were able to get it over the line this season, it would be much more of a shock. Last year, after finishing 7th in 2022/23, Villa shockingly clinched a place in the top four in what was Unai Emery’s first full season in English football. This season, they’ve competed in the Champions League (like Forest would be doing next season) for the first time since the 1980’s and have achieved a last 16 place against Club Brugge.
Villa haven’t struggled with the demanding balance of competing for a Champions League spot and simultaneously competing in the Champions League, finishing in the top eight with great wins over Bayern Munich, Celtic and Bologna. In the league, despite currently sitting 7th, they’re just two points off Bournemouth, three of City and five off Forest.
January signings Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen have settled into life at Villa Park nicely, with Rashford and Asensio inspiring a recent comeback victory against Chelsea. Despite losing Jhon Duran in the window, one of the best players in the first half of the season for Unai Emery’s side, the additions could prove to be the edge Villa have over other sides like Newcastle and Bournemouth in their quest for back-to-back seasons in the Champions League
Real Madrid will win the Champions League, and Kylian Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or
The euphoric Real Madrid are currently favourites for yet another league title, though the road to number 37 (currently nine more than Barcelona) may be more tricky than ever, as city rivals Atletico Madrid and eternal El Clásico opponents Barcelona are still in the mix, with Barcelona top on 55, Atletico on 53 and Real on 51 with a game in hand (they play Granada today- they could well be back on top by now).
As difficult as it may be to deny Real Madrid the likelihood of them winning La Liga, it’s even harder to deny them the likelihood of them winning the Champions League yet again for a 16th time. Even without their voodoo-like, imposing grip they have on European football, Los Blancos have one of the most immensely talented squads in world football.
Kylian Mbappe spearheads the new wave of ‘Galacticos’ at the new-look Santiago Bernabéu, the centre piece of a front three with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, two of the world’s best players, let alone wingers. Jude Bellingham dictates the midfield, partnering his natural style and elegance with a divine offensive presence that allows him to dominate games at his will.
On the insanely low chance he’s having an off game in the middle of the park, he’ll have the likes of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modric, and Eduardo Camavinga to help him run the game while any combination of those three balance the tempo and expertly perform the dirty work. Get past them? It’s a back four with the likes of Uruguay captain Fede Valverde, the explosive Antonio Rüdiger and ever reliable Ferland Mendy. Even then, the giant Thibaut Courtois stands in between the sticks to beat.
Despite the excellence of the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid this season, to deny Real Madrid would be almost foolish given their incomparable European pedigree and immensely gifted squad. While not perfect- Mbappe and Vini Jr aren’t always in tandem and the inexperienced Raul Asencio partners Rüdiger after Eder Militao’s season ending injury in November- they seem very close to it, and that will probably see them crowned European champions once again.
Such an achievement will likely see Kylian Mbappe on the front and back pages. A UCL title will likely close out a season with at least 45g+a, as the Frenchman currently sits on 30g+a in 37 games across all competitions. Such achievements for himself and his side could well prove to be enough to pick up his first Ballon d’Or, a footballing prophecy we’ve long waited to be fulfilled.
Liverpool will win the league with at least 90 points
It’s been a sensational first season at the helm for Arne Slot, as Liverpool currently sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table with just 11 matches to go for the Merseyside club.
Pre-season saw lots of successes, with many enjoying what they saw in pre-season with great wins over Manchester United, Arsenal, and Sevilla. However, these performances prompted no title aspirations from many, with the majority tipping Arsenal after two years of coming close to finally get it over the line.
Despite these predictions, the prospect of Mikel Arteta lifting the Premier League title is a prospect seemingly increasingly unlikely, as a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates leaves the Gunners eight points adrift from Liverpool, who can extent the gap to 11 today at the Etihad if they beat Manchester City.
Arne Slot has already instilled a style of efficiency and ruthlessness in his side this season, as the Reds have dominated the league so far and have proven time and time again they can go out and get the job done. Led by Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool don’t make games as emotional or as frantic as they used to under Klopp (though this is certainly not down to any calming down in the Kop). There’s a coolness and solidity to Liverpool that enters a pitch looking to crush their opponents, irregardless of flicks and tricks that make a performance more shiny and whimsical.
It’s not easy for Liverpool from here- as mentioned, they’re about to face Manchester City in a ground they haven’t won at in 10 years, and they still have to face the likes of Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs (though three of these fixtures are at Anfield).
If the Reds can clinch title number 20 from here though to draw level with Man United’s all time record of 20 league titles, it certainly won’t be down to luck.
