The English Premier League (EPL) has been solid in terms of performances, and maybe even some drama. Well, the fans still have a lot to get excited about because we’re still barely halfway through the tournament.
The 33rd edition of the Premier League kicked off on August 16, 2024, and the second half will start on Match Week 20 which will be on January 4, 2025. There are multiple matches scheduled on that day and that includes favorites like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.
Before we talk about the upcoming second half of the tournament, there are a few matches we have to see. Those who are curious or simply want to know the latest betting odds can check TheTopBookies Premier League upcoming match predictions, to give you the overview, here’s the latest EPL ladder:
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Liverpool | 15 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 31 | 13 | 18 | 36 |
| Chelsea | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 19 | 18 | 34 |
| Arsenal | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 30 |
| Nottingham Forest | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 28 |
| Manchester City | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 27 |
| Bournemouth | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 25 |
| Aston Villa | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 25 | -1 | 25 |
Updated as of 12/19/24
The bottom 3 teams so far (Relegation), are Ipswich Town, Wolves, and Southampton.
Favorites to Win So Far
It’s easy to say that the top 4 teams are usually the favorites to win so far, but there are teams that many have been rooting for even before the season has begun.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has instilled a new belief and winning mentality in his young squad. Arsenal has been quite a powerhouse so far with players like Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Jesus firing on all cylinders, and they’ve helped the team be in a good spot at this point.
So, the second half will mostly test the team’s resilience. It will be interesting to see if they’ll be able to handle the increased expectations and manage to avoid a late-season collapse.
Manchester City
Never count out Pep Guardiola’s City. Manchester City has a squad overflowing with talent and a proven track record of success, so they are more than capable of reeling in Arsenal.
Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are some of the players to watch out for. City’s depth will be crucial in the second half, allowing them to rotate and maintain freshness during a congested fixture list.
Newcastle
Even if Newcastle is not favored by many, they’re still worth mentioning based on how they’ve been performing in the first half of the season. We can all agree that Eddie Howe has somehow orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at Newcastle United. The team’s solid defense and clinical counter-attacking style have been notable, and even if they’re at the 12th spot right now, there’s a good chance that they’ll advance the ladder in the second half.Relegation Battle
At the other end of the table, the fight for survival is just as fierce. Fans will agree that whenever they look at the EPL table, the first top 7 teams are probably the main focus since they’re usually the ones that have a good shot at reaching the finals. However, it’s also important to see the three bottom teams.
Southampton are struggling to find consistency, while Nottingham Forest’s squad depth is being tested. Wolves, despite a recent managerial change, face an uphill battle to avoid the drop.But since there are still plenty of matches to look forward to, Everton, West Ham, and Leeds United are still in danger.
Player Performances and Emerging Stars
Even if football is all about team play, there have been individuals who have been showing a lot of potential this year. Ollie Watkins has upped his game at Aston Villa and has become one of the league’s most clinical finishers. It seems like he has improved a lot under Unai Emery’s guidance.
At Arsenal, Bukayo Saka continues his ascent to elite status. The same goes for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. Palmer’s adaptation since his Manchester City departure has been exceptional.
Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has also helped transform Liverpool’s midfield. He’s also one of the players to watch out for and has helped Liverpool attain their current spot at the table. That said, we can also say Liverpool is also in good standing in terms of bringing home the championship.
Final Words
There will be a couple of matches to get excited about before the year ends and before the second half begins. Be sure to catch all the action on Sky Sports (UK). You can stream those matches on Amazon Prime Video and Now TV also.
