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In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with our team of football betting experts and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
As we look ahead to gameweek eight of the 2024/25 Premier League season, we ask our panel of experts who has surprised them most in the top flight this term.
Aaron Rogan
New Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was dealt a tricky start but he’s guided the Seagulls to sixth at this early stage of the campaign. To have only suffered one defeat despite meeting Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United already suggests the south-coast club are in for another strong season.
While the Seagulls were busy in the summer, much of their spending was focused on players for the future, while Matt O’Riley was injured just minutes into his debut.
31-year-old boss Hurzeler has quickly got his charges playing to his style and he is set to be another remarkably shrewd move for the Seagulls.
Alex Wrigley
I knew Arne Slot was a good manager, but I did not expect such a seamless transition at Anfield after such a long time under Jurgen Klopp, especially when the two managers employ such differing brands of football.
I fully expected a transitionary season for Liverpool and wouldn’t have ruled out a bit of pressure for Slot, but instead we have watched them dominate proceedings, winning nine of their ten competitive games and conceding just four goals in the process.
Upcoming meetings with Chelsea and Arsenal will be the biggest tests for Slot so far, but even if they drop points in these games it has still been an excellent start for the Dutchman.
Aidan Perkins
I didn’t expect Chelsea to make such a good start under new manager Enzo Maresca. After they finished last season strongly, Mauricio Pochettino’s departure was a surprise, and another chaotic summer transfer window looked like it might take Maresca some time to bed in at Stamford Bridge.
However, four wins from their first seven games has left the Blues just four points off the top and they have built what looks to be a solid foundation on which to launch a realistic bid for a top-four finish.
Jamie Griffith
Considering I thought they would be in a relegation battle this term, I’ll go with Nottingham Forest, who have shown enough in the early weeks to suggest they will finish well clear of the drop zone.
Nuno Espirito Santo has shown a willingness to be tactically flexible, regularly tweaking his side depending on the opponent, while a front four of Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Chris Wood is dangerous enough to hurt any side – just ask Liverpool.
The Tricky Trees have lost just one league game this season and look set for a first relegation-battle-free campaign since their return to the Premier League in 2022.
James Mason
I thought Aston Villa may have dropped off a little this season given the extra 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.
Just one defeat in all competitions shows how competitive Villa have been and, of course, they secured a memorable 1-0 Champions League victory at home to Bayern Munich.
To be within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, into the fourth round of the League Cup, and also taking maximum points from their first two European matches, Villa’s start to the campaign certainly has my eyebrows raised.
James Milton
Fulham have made a bright start despite losing the influential Joao Palhinha and Tosin Adarabioyo during the summer, with their only league defeats being narrow losses away to Manchester United and Manchester City.
New signings Emile Smith Rowe and Joachim Andersen 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 boosting their points tally before a tough run of December fixtures.
Rob Eddy
From a positive perspective, Thomas Frank continues to showcase his managerial talents and has enjoyed an impressive start with Brentford, despite three losses. With Ivan Toney moving on and record signing Igor Thiago crocked in pre-season, the Bees have continued to bang in the goals, and their energy and style is an entertaining watch. Brentford’s three defeats have been to Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham – all away – with the Anfield reverse the only game in which they have failed to score. Long may it continue.
In contrast, Crystal Palace have performed well below expectations given last season’s finish – even taking into account Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen’s departures – and they need to turn their form around swiftly or may find themselves in unexpected trouble.
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