FST has a weekly column in The Mixer where we meet our team of football betting experts and get their take on the hot topic of the week.
As we look forward to Gameweek Eight of the 2024/25 Premier League season, we ask our panel of experts who has surprised them the most in the top flight this season.
aaron rogan
New brighton Boss Fabian Herzeler has faced a difficult start, but he has guided the Seagulls to sixth place in this early stage of the campaign. Only suffering one defeat despite meeting Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United already suggests the south-coast club is set for another strong season.
While the Seagulls were busy over the summer, much of their spending focused on future players, with Matt O’Reilly injured just minutes after his debut.
The 31-year-old boss Herzeler has quickly got his charges playing to his style and he looks set to make another remarkably shrewd move for the Seagulls.
Alex Wrigley
I knew Arne Slot was a good manager, but I didn’t expect such a seamless transition at Anfield after so long with Jurgen Klopp, especially with both managers employing such different brands of football.
I fully expected a transitional season liverpool And there’s no denying there’s a bit of pressure for a slot, in fact we’ve seen them dominate proceedings, winning nine of their ten competitive games and conceding just four goals in the process.
The upcoming fixtures with Chelsea and Arsenal will be Slott’s biggest test yet, but even if they drop points in these games, this is still an excellent start for the Dutchman.
aidan perkins
I did not expect chelsea Getting off to such a good start under new manager Enzo Maresca. After finishing last season strongly, Mauricio Pochettino’s departure was a surprise, and in another chaotic summer transfer window it looked as if Maresca might be taking some time to settle into bed at Stamford Bridge.
However, four wins from their first seven games has left the Blues just four points off the top and they have laid a solid foundation to launch a realistic bid for a top-four finish.
jamie griffith
Bearing in mind that I thought they would be in a relegation battle this season, I’d go with nottingham forestWho have performed well enough in the early weeks to suggest they will well clear the drop zone.
Nuno Espirito Santo has shown a willingness to be tactically flexible, regularly altering his side depending on the opponent, while the front four of Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood is no stranger to any situation. The sides are dangerous enough to hurt – just ask Liverpool.
The Tricky Trees have lost just one league game this season and are set for a first relegation-battle-free campaign since returning to the Premier League in 2022.
james mason
I thought Aston Villa There may have been a slight decline this season given the added demands of Champions League football, but they continue to impress under the expert guidance of Unai Emery, who is arguably the Villans’ best transfer in recent years.
Only one defeat in all competitions shows how competitive Villa have been and, of course, they achieved a memorable 1-0 win in the Champions League at Bayern Munich’s home ground.
Staying within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round of the League Cup, and taking maximum points from their first two European matches, Villa’s start to the campaign has certainly raised my eyebrows.
james milton
fulham Despite losing the influential Joao Palinha and Tosin Adarabioyo during the summer, their only league defeats were defeats by narrow margins to Manchester United and Manchester City.
New signings Emile Smith Rowe and Joachim Anderson have settled in well, while there should be more to come from Sander Berge and Reiss Nelson, and the resurgence of Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore is a real bonus for Marco Silva.
The Cottagers’ upcoming opponents include Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves, so they should be confident of increasing their points tally ahead of a tough run of December fixtures.
Rob Eddy
On a positive note, Thomas Frank has continued to showcase his managerial talents and has enjoyed an impressive start brentfordDespite three defeats. With the addition of Ivan Toni up front and record signing Igor Thiago in pre-season, the Bees have continued to score goals, and their energy and style make for an entertaining watch. Brentford’s three defeats have come to Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham – all away – with the Anfield upset being the only game in which they have failed to score. This may continue for a long time.
In contrast, Crystal Palace have performed well below expectations given the end of last season – even taking into account the departures of Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen – and they need to rapidly turn their form around. needs or they may find themselves in unexpected trouble.
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