The Premier League season ended recently with a bang, and Manchester City kept the title for the fourth time in a row. Like with any season ending, it’s time for an analysis of the championship.
Here are some of the key takeaways from this season’s Champions League, which can be helpful for those who are interested in a sports bet or simply unconditional football fans.
Manchester City is Still Untouchable
The Sky Blues held their own against Arsenal, and once again, they’re the undisputed champions. The team’s dominance over the Premier League is now well-established, and Pep Guardiola is here to stay with his team of A-listers.
Arsenal’s best efforts weren’t enough to tackle the Citizens. The Gunners had one of their best seasons ever, with new records. They scored 91 goals, won 28 matches, and finished with a +62 goal difference. Yet, it wasn’t enough to beat Manchester City.
Crystal Palace’s Struggle
Crystal Palace has gone through quite a lot this season. They experimented with several coaches, and each change seemed to bring its fair share of disappointments. It really started in 2017 when Frank de Boer replaced Sam Allardyce. However, de Boer only lasted four league matches, each being a defeat without a goal. Roy Hodgson came in and managed to get the team back on its feet. He was then replaced by Patrick Vieira.
Unfortunately, Vieira didn’t fulfill the team’s ambitions despite a promising first season. Thus, Hodgson returned in 2023. He, once again, helped the Eagles keep their status. In an unexpected twist, the team still didn’t stick with Hodgson.
However, it seems like the third time was really the charm, and the South London team found a worthy leader in Oliver Glasner. The Austrian has put the team on the right track, taking them from 15th to 10th on the leaderboard.
He mobilized the team’s offensive talent, giving players like Jean-Philippe Mateta or Eberechi Eze the room they needed on the field to shine. The new formation works better for the talented players, and if they keep this up, they could keep climbing the ladder during the upcoming season.
Manchester United at a Crossroad
The Red Devils have been experiencing a steady decline since 2013. The team suffered from managerial instability, failed transfers and a lack of identity, which showed on the field. They experienced 14 losses, almost breaking their worst record of 16 defeats in 1989.
The team’s struggle isn’t due to a lack of talent since players like Alejandro Garnacho or Bruno Fernandes proved their worth. Many eyes turn to Erik ten Hag, and his work is questioned. The FA Cup has been a breath of fresh air for the team and shows their potential is still there; it’s just dormant. He may not see another season with the Red Devils. It’s also likely that the team will be one of the most active on the transfer market. Erik ten Hag confirmed Man Utd is eager to do business, and this clearly means the team knows it needs new blood.
Other teams already have some of United’s players in the scope. For example, Fulham made a £20m for McTominay, and it’s the second bid the team made to get the Scottish midfielder. So, there’s already a lot of demand, but the Red Devil need to sell at a high price to ensure they can buy confirmed players and form next season’s finest.
A League Where Every Mistake Can Cost
The ups and downs of this season highlight how complicated the Premier League is. Even a tiny mistake can cost everything, like it happened with Arsenal missing the title. However, it also shows that the best teams are those with the utmost discipline and strategies. Talent isn’t the only factor.