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The Premier League has been back to its best this season, with a plethora of exciting moments, stunning strikes, and memorable matches that have fans glued to their seats in the early stages. Indeed, the Premier League betting odds will have been shocked by the slow start of Manchester United and the inconsistency at Chelsea, along with other sides like Crystal Palace and West Ham United, who have fallen well below par.
While defending champions Manchester City have once again started strongly, they required some late drama against Arsenal in a 94th-minute equaliser to rescue their unbeaten streak – which stretches back to last December at the time of writing. Pep Guardiola will know the loss of Rodri could be crucial, though, with consecutive draws threatening to prevent City from winning their fifth successive title.
Elsewhere, there have been plenty of other sides that have caught us by surprise this season. In this article, we take a look at four teams that have perhaps overperformed in the early weeks of the 2024/25 Premier League. Read on to find out more.
Liverpool
The Arne Slot era is up and running at Anfield. Many thought that the Dutchman would struggle when he was announced as Jurgen Klopp’s successor – nine years with a group of players and they can become creatures of habit. But despite just two summer signings, Slot ensured his side were top of the league by the second international break.
The performances of Ryan Gravenberch, who has reinvented himself as a defensive midfielder, and another flying start from Mohamed Salah in what could be his last season at Liverpool, have helped the Reds top the table with games won in a more controlled, possession-based manner.
If they keep up their form through a period of games without Alisson in goal, there’s every chance they could compete for the league.
Arsenal
Pursuing the Premier League title for a third-straight season, it may seem strange to call Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal overachievers, but when you look at the results they have already produced in the early weeks, they have a very good chance of lifting the trophy come next May.
The Gunners were seconds away from beating City at the Etihad Stadium after overcoming Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, and those results alone will give fans at the Emirates confidence that they are in this for the long haul.
If Arsenal can carry on their good form, despite injuries to captain Martin Odegaard, then this team will go a step further in its development – growing in experience from a side that capitulated in the Champions League race three years ago to one that could well end their 21-year wait for domestic glory.
Fulham
After losing the spine of their team, Fulham looked as if they would struggle to avoid the relegation places, with Joao Palinha, Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream amongst some of the key departures from Craven Cottage. However, Marco Silva never seems to panic and has the west Londoners on the periphery of Europe after a great start.
Having ran City close at the Etihad and United at Old Trafford, Fulham play fearlessly and while they have conceded some avoidable goals, their wins over the sides around them have given them the freedom to go and challenge the top six, with key wins coming over Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa
Many were shocked when Aston Villa finished fourth in last season’s Premier League, earning a spot in the Champions League for the first time since 1984. What is more surprising is that their good form has continued into this season under Unai Emery.
The Spaniard is one of the most underrated coaches in Europe and has helped Villa pick up where they left off last season, winning four of their first seven games.
Jhon Durán has felt like a new signing at Villa Park – coming off the bench to score key goals against Everton and then Bayern Munich in Europe – and if Emery can find a way to pair the Colombian with top scorer Ollie Watkins, then the Birmingham outfit could find themselves in the top four again come the business end of the campaign.
