📈 Power Rankings: Surprise early leaders in 2024/25 | OneFootball

Power Rankings are back for 2024/25 and as the European football season kicked off we’ve looked at the sides who started the season with a bang.

Here are the 10 sides to take an early place in our Power Rankings table.

📈 Power Rankings: Surprise early leaders in 2024/25

10. Liverpool (🆕)

The Arne Slot era at Liverpool began with a win on the Premier League’s opening weekend. After an unconvincing opening against newly-promoted Ipswich, the Reds moved through the gears after the break to claim a 2-0 win at Portman Road. Diogo Jota’s opening goal was a wonderfully worked move from back to front, as Liverpool showed early signs of Slot-ball in action.

9. Arsenal (🆕)

Arsenal are up and running for the campaign after cruising to a 2-0 win over Wolves at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s team were comfortable throughout in North London, with two moments of real quality from Bukayo Saka deciding the contest. Kai Havertz continued to make a mockery of suggestions the Gunners need a ‘proper’ number nine with the opener from Saka’s cross, before the latter hit a sweet second to seal the three points.

8. Rennes (🆕)

After four consecutive seasons in Ligue 1’s top six, Rennes 10th-place finish in 2023/24 was a step backwards. Despite some big-name departures during the summer, Julian Stephan’s first full season began with a bang as Rennes thumped Lyon 3-0.

Hopes are high that a frontline of Ludovic Blas, Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo can fire the French side back into continental competition.

7. Feyenoord (🆕)

After a false start to the season with a home draw against Willem II, the Rotterdam side responded with a 5-1 thrashing of PEC Zwolle under new head coach Brian Priske. Santiago Gimenez – subject of an approach from Nottingham Forest – was in the goals with a second-half brace.

6. Brighton (🆕)

Brighton began life under Fabian Hurzeler impressively after swatting aside Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park. The Premier League’s youngest-ever permanent manager got off to a winning start and there was plenty to like about their performance.

Kaoru Mitoma looked back to his best, while summer signing Yankuba Minteh was a menacing threat before his enforced substitution. The Seagulls have two flyers on the flanks this season.

5. Marseille (🆕)

Marseille made light work of a Brest team that upset the odds to finish third in Ligue 1 in 2023/24. Under the management of ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille ran riot to secure a 5-1 win on the road. New signings Mason Greenwood (2) and Elye Wahi made an instant impact with debut goals.

4. Atalanta (🆕)

The Europa League winners top the early Serie A table after thrashing Lecce 4-0. It was a clinical performance from Atalanta who trailed their hosts for shots on goal, but braces from summer signings Marco Brescianini and Mateo Retegui earned an emphatic three points. The perfect response to their defeat in the UEFA Super Cup.

3. Manchester City (🆕)

Manchester City were handed a tough test to begin their title defence but looked at ease to claim a 2-0 win at Chelsea. Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a customary goal, before Mateo Kovacic charged forward to score a second against his old employers.

Pep Guardiola’s team had drawn both league fixtures with Chelsea in 2023/24 but avoided an opening-weekend banana skin at Stamford Bridge. Kovacic’s classy performance sent a message to Chelsea, who spent around £270m on the midfield replacements he ran rings around.

2. Sporting Lisbon (🆕)

Sporting Lisbon sent an ominous message in their defence of the Primeira Liga, dismantling Nacional 6-1 on the road. Resident goal-machine Viktor Gyokeres was on target twice, while Pedro Goncalves was involved in three goals in a fine performance from Ruben Amorim’s side.

Unlike their biggest rivals, Sporting have kept their best talent at the club this summer. The champions will be tough to stop in 2024/25.

1. Verona (🆕)

Verona take the early lead in our Power Rankings after securing the result of the weekend.

Antonio Conte said his Napoli side ‘melted like snow in the sun’ as Verona thrashed the 2023 Serie A champions 3-0, with second-half goals from Dailon Livramento and Daniel Mosquera sealing a memorable win.

The surprise package of the opening round of Power Rankings.

Read – Premier League Awards – Debut delight, liquid Liverpool

See more – Premier League Team of the Week – Saka, Kovacic, Mitoma

Subscribe to our social channels:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok