Premier League fans do not have to wait too long for box office entertainment when the new season begins. At least, that’s what the opening day fixtures have told us.
The 2024/25 season promises many great things but as far as Premier League football goes, nothing is certain. Manchester City are the champions and they kick start their campaign away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and possibly serve that spicy encounter from last season.
Nothing is impossible but repeating that spectacular eight-goal thriller seems a bit too much to ask from these two sides who will certainly learn from their defensive mistakes and avoid a goal glut. Chelsea have a new man leading them from the dugout and his opposite number, Pep Guardiola, will be wary of the Blues and any threat they serve.
But the lenses throughout the season will mostly be on Man City. They chase a record-extending fifth title after their unprecedented fourth last season victory against the Blues will be a welcome boost for a hectic start.
Arne Slot should slot in well at Anfield with a favourable start on paper. But Ipswich will be no pushovers, considering their sturdy rise over the last few years. The departure of Jurgen Clop will hurt Liverpool somehow in the course of the season and the Reds will hope an inevitable pain does not begin at the start of the season with a shock loss to newly promoted Ipswich.
Ispwich’s promotion buddies Leicester City and Southampton have been pitted against Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United respectively. Leicester have produced some stellar displays in the Premier League and this would be an equally great opener.
Erik ten Haag was backed by Manchester United in the closing days of last season after he put an FA Cup win on his CV. That goes without saying, the Red Devils will seek a major collective improvement, beginning the first day of the season against Fulham.
The Full fixture list is below:
🚨 Announce 2024/25 Premier League fixtures 🚨 pic.twitter.com/g7PU3duDV6
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 18, 2024
GHANAIAN PERSPECTIVE
Last season was one to remember for Ghanaians in the Premier League. Epitomised by Mohamed Kudus in the West Ham shirt, Ghanaians had. Season to remember. The former Ajax forward had a phenomenal campaign with the Hammers bagging eight goals and six assists in his maiden season.
Seasoned Premier League forward Jordan Ayew played 35 games for Crystal Palace and contributed to 11 goals for the Eagles. A chance against Brentford to remind us how pivotal he is to Palace is on match day one of the 2024/25 campaign. In what was a stellar season for Antoine Semenyo, the Bournemouth striker scored eight goals and found two assists to further put the cap on the fine displays Ghanaians put in last season.
The 2024/25 season will present fresh opportunities for the seven representatives to assess themselves against world class teammates and opposition. Kudus has no point to prove after his glorious maiden season, but would seek to stamp his name on the minds of Premier League followers around the world. His goals and playmaking skills are gradually becoming a trademark for Kudus.
Hopefully, we will see more of Kudus’ symbolic sitting celebration. His first opportunity will be against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa who finished in Champions League places last term.
Tariq Lamptey has another chance to make an impression in the Brighton shirt and if the last few months are anything to go by, he could be called on in the opening fixture against Everton.
Injuries and loss of form led to only 19 appearances for the Seagulls, producing three assists. The diminutive fullback will hope for a fitter season, wilding the magic wand on the flanks.
It is a fresh start. The slates are clean and while those truly at the top of England’s top leagues will crave the spotlight, Ghanaians will find their spots on one the biggest stages of world football and hopefully make their mark.
