Another year is almost done, and what a year it has been.
We have seen England fall just short again, Liverpool upgrade on Jurgen Klopp, Manchester City maintain their dominance before suffering a remarkable fall from grace and yet more turmoil and frustration at Manchester United.
So what will 2025 bring? Here we bring you our (in some cases wild) predictions for the next 12 months.
1. Liverpool will go unbeaten for the rest of the Premier League season
Arne Slot has been a revelation after succeeding Klopp at Anfield, bringing calm to the chaos and getting the best out of a Liverpool squad that looks head and shoulders above everyone else.The Merseysiders have lost just once this season in the league – a surprise setback at home to Nottingham Forest in September – and that will be the only mark on the loss column come May.Liverpool still have to go to Manchester City, Aston Villa and Chelsea but that won’t worry them.Slot’s men will have the title wrapped up by April.
2. Guardiola to leave Manchester City at the end of the season
He may have signed a new deal recently that ties him to the club until June 2027 but Guardiola will quit in May after City fail to claim a place in the Champions League.The Catalan has been showing visible signs of stress in recent weeks and will take the option to walk away after a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad.The Barcelona influence will be kept, though, as Xavi is named as his successor.
3. English clubs will win all three European trophies
After missing out on the Premier League crown once again, Arsenal will successfully turn their attention to conquering Europe. Mikel Arteta’s side will win the Champions League after beating Real Madrid in the final.Tottenham will make it a North London double by winning the Europa League with Ange Postecoglou vindicated for sticking to his principles and maintaining his all-out attacking approach.And Chelsea will win the Conference League as they should given the investment in their squad and the fact the competition is, quite frankly, rubbish!
4. Xabi Alonso to take over at Real Madrid
Madrid will say an emotional farewell to Carlo Ancelotti after finishing third in La Liga behind Barcelona and title-winners Atletico Madrid and failing to retain their Champions League crown.In will step former Madrid midfielder Alonso following his successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen.His first act will be to confirm the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a free transfer.
5. Declan Rice named England captain
Harry Kane’s influence on the squad will wane as he continues to underperform for his country, losing his starting spot in the process.And new boss Thomas Tuchel will put his stamp on the Three Lions by naming Rice as his permanent skipper.Arsenal man Rice impresses on and off the field as England win every game in 2025 after being handed a relatively straightforward qualifying group for World Cup 2026.
