Monday 2nd June 2025
Season 2024/25 ends
The final day of the Premier League 2024/25 season threw up a couple of unexpected results that kept things interesting in the battle for the remaining European qualification places for next season.
Manchester City avoided their potential banana skin as they won 2-0 away to Fulham and secured 3rd place in the process but 4th placed Newcastle United lost 1-0 at home to Everton to open the door for the sides immediately below them in the table to overtake them and pinch their CL qualifying spot. Aston Villa would have done that had they avoided defeat away to Manchester United but after a controversial (and incorrect) refereeing decision denied them the opening goal midway through the second half, despite being down to 10 men at that point, they went on to lose 2-0 and so remain below the Magpies in the final table. We will never know whether they would have held on for the point they needed had their goal been allowed but it would have given them something to hang onto. Either way, the loss guaranteed that Newcastle United hung onto their CL spot for next season with Villa missing out.
The question then was which competition Villa would compete in next season and who would get the final CL qualifying spot. That was decided at the City Ground where Nottingham Forest and Chelsea went head-to-head for that final spot. Victory for either would do the job. It was the Blues that came through with a 1-0 win that earned them CL football next season as well as leapfrogging Newcastle United in the final PL table to finish 4th, the Magpies 5th. As it happens, a draw would have been enough for Chelsea but they were not to know that at kick-off. A draw would also have seen Forest qualify for the EL next season but defeat means that spot goes to Aston Villa with Forest having to make do with a Conference League spot. Not what Forest fans were dreaming of most of the second half of the season but still a very successful season for the club. The Conference League also represents a genuine opportunity for Forest to win another European trophy since they will be one of the strongest teams in the competition.
As a footnote to the season, following Tottenham Hotspur being victorious in the Europa League, Chelsea did the same in the Conference League to become the first club to win all 4 major UEFA club competitions. Paris Saint Germain then thrashed Inter Milan in the Champions League final as they won the trophy for the first time.
So the season has ended although there is the inaugural FIFA World Club Championship in its new format starting mid-June. Manchester City and Chelsea represent the PL both having won the CL in the past 5 seasons.
Was it a good season? Not really in my opinion. The title race never really happened with Liverpool strolling to their 20th top flight title win. Relegation was decided the earliest in PL history. The battle for European qualifying places did go to the wire to add interest but overall I think it was an average season. Clubs will strengthen over the summer in the hope that they can improve and achieve whatever targets they have. Hopefully next season will see a proper title race and the promoted clubs fare better than in the past 2 seasons where all 3 have made an immediate return to the Championship.
All that is left now is for me to once again thank everyone for taking part in the competition. I hope it continues to be enjoyable and add extra interest to the season. I will be sending out an email shortly detailing final prizes, final kitty values and who wants paying.
Any suggestions as to improvements I can make to either the competition or the website are always welcome, as are ideas to expand the membership.
No World Cup this summer so I will return in August to preview the Premier League 2025/26 season and canvass interest. Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe summer.
Premier League Prediction Competition 2024-25 – Session 8, Week 5 (of 5)
Stefan secured the Session 8 title with a solid 30 points in the final week. Martin claimed the runners up spot to pick up the prize for second place. Peter took the final POTW of the season with 41 points.
Congratulations to all above and all winners this season.
Season Summary:
| Person | Session Wins | Runners Up | POTWs | Total Prize Money | Profit/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen | 4 | 0 | 5.5 | £127.50 | £87.50 |
| Stuart | 2 | 0 | 4 | £70.00 | £30.00 |
| Stefan | 1 | 0 | 4 | £45.00 | £5.00 |
| John | 1 | 0 | 3 | £40.00 | £0.00 |
| Nick | 0 | 2 | 4 | £40.00 | £0.00 |
| Peter | 0 | 2 | 4 | £40.00 | £0.00 |
| Martin | 0 | 2 | 3.5 | £37.50 | -£2.50 |
| Tony | 0 | 1 | 4 | £30.00 | -£10.00 |
| Guy | 0 | 0 | 4 | £20.00 | -£20.00 |
| Steve | 0 | 0 | 2 | £10.00 | -£30.00 |
| Vince | 0 | 1 | 0 | £10.00 | -£30.00 |
Prizes are very modest currently due to modest entry. If anyone has friends, family, work colleagues etc… who may be interested in taking part, please pass on an invitation to them. More competitors means bigger prizes.
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
CONTACT ME AT… contact.sytykf@gmail.com
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