After Manchester United recorded their worst-ever finish last season, which team is best placed to perform below expectations this time around?
After an epic summer of sport, you might have been forgiven for not realising that the new Premier League season kicks-off this week. And so while teams are still finessing their transfer business and making final tactical tweaks, everything is pretty much in place for the 2024-25 campaign to begin.
That means its predictions season, and here at GOAL we're no different. Over the next week our writers will be giving their takes on all the biggest issues, from the teams who are likely to be scrapping for survival to those who will be fighting for top-four finishes and the title, and everything in between.
Today, we've taken a look at potential biggest disappointments, and which teams are most likely to underperform relative to expectations over the next nine months:
Getty Images Sport'Top-four finish unlikely for Man Utd'
Mark Doyle: Manchester United fans are buzzing again, with INEOS having signed a couple of potential stars in Joshua Zirkzee and Lenny Yoro. In reality, though, United’s squad isn’t much stronger than last season, whey they registered their worst-ever Premier League finish. The FA Cup win over Manchester City earned Erik ten Hag another year at the helm and Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Co. are reportedly aware that a title challenge is too much to expect from the coming campaign. However, even a top-four finish looks unlikely, with so many doubts still surrounding the form, future and fitness of so many key men.
AdvertisementGetty 'Expect a drop-off from Villa'
Amee Ruszkai: Disappointment is a harsh word to use, especially because it's somewhat anticipated, but I expect a drop-off from Aston Villa. It would only be natural given the need to balance Champions League football and the inexperience a lot of players in the squad have in the competition. However, there are other factors, too. Douglas Luiz's departure is a huge blow and there are a lot of new signings that Unai Emery needs to bed in, which won't be easy.
Getty'INEOS could regret keeping Ten Hag'
Richard Martin: Manchester United usually respond to a bad season by having a good one and returning to the Champions League. But many signs point to them having another frustrating campaign as they have not fixed a lot of the problems that afflicted them last time around. Their injury crisis has already begun with Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund set to miss the first chunk of games while their midfield still feels lethargic, even if Casemiro showed signs of encouragement during the Community Shield. INEOS could very quickly live to regret their leap of faith in keeping Erik ten Hag as coach.
Getty Images'Chelsea are destined for failure'
Tom Maston: Todd Boehly's highly-entertaining lesson in how not to run a successful football club has entered its third chapter, and the signs are that all non-Chelsea fans are in for yet another laugh-a-minute riot when it comes to events at Stamford Bridge. While the Bues have again been busy in the transfer market, some of their business has bordered on baffling as they continue to flood certain areas of the pitch with big-money buys while neglecting others. This once again bloated squad has been handed to Enzo Maresca to mould into something approaching serviceable, but his lack of top-flight coaching experience means this is a project that is destined for failure.