Who will be the 2024-25 Premier League's surprise package? GOAL writers make their predictions

Richard Martin: Crystal Palace must have wished last season could have kept going as they staged a breath-taking finish, winning six of their last seven games while annihilating Manchester United and Aston Villa. In a matter of weeks, Oliver Glasner transformed the team's tactics from Roy Hodgson's reactive ways and built a team that was frighteningly good at transitions and in beating the press. Michael Olise joining Bayern Munich is a big loss, but Glasner has already shown that a collective plan is more important than individuals. Expect a top-10 finish, at least.

Mark Doyle: Crystal Palace should benefit enormously from a full pre-season under Oliver Glasner, who oversaw a dramatic improvement after taking over in February. However, the loss of Michael Olise is a big blow and the French winger could soon be followed out of the exit door by star centre-back Marc Guehi, while Jean-Philippe Mateta is going to require an extended break following his Olympic exploits. As a result, Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham look better placed for a stronger season overall, as they’ve made some exciting signings, including Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug, Brazilian teenage sensation Luis Gulherme and former Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville.

Amee Ruszkai: I really liked what I saw from Crystal Palace in the first few months of Oliver Glasner's tenure last season and I can see them building on that after a first full pre-season under the Austrian. Michael Olise's sale is a hit, sure, but they've kept hold of Eberechi Eze and made some interesting, exciting signings. Keeping hold of players like Adam Wharton and Marc Guehi amid rumours in the latter stages of this transfer window will also be important, though I do expect to see Palace kick on regardless and make real progress under Glasner.

Tom Maston: With most of the 'top' teams having had pretty quiet transfer windows thus far, it's West Ham who have had the most eye-catching summer. Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug should add another dimension to their forward line, while Guido Rodriguez was a Barcelona target at the start of the window. Beating Juventus to the signing of Jean-Clair Todibo is the cherry on the cake of what has been a wonderful first few months in charge for Julen Lopetegui, and with no European distractions for the first time in three seasons, the Irons can be fully-focused on pushing for a top-six finish.

Stephen Darwin: Crystal Palace looked invigorated following the arrival of Oliver Glasner and expect that progress to continue in the 2024-25 campaign. Losing Michael Olise to Bayern was obviously a big blow, but in Ismaila Sarr they've managed to find a really decent replacement. Keeping Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi will be important, but given Adam Wharton's rise - and Jean-Philippe Mateta's goal threat that's continued into the Olympics - European qualification should now be the aim for the Eagles.

Matt O'Connor-Simpson: West Ham look exciting, don’t they? Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug join a squad already packed with accomplished Premier League operators. And to top it all off, new coach Julen Lopetegui looks like a well-judged appointment. With the Spaniard at the helm, the Hammers should get better at controlling possession, but Lopetegui is still a defence-first manager. He will find a group that’s receptive to these ideas after a few years of Moyes-ball. Provided the Lucas Paqueta situation drags on and the Brazilian can contribute for most of the season, don’t be surprised to see West Ham mount a serious top-six challenge.

James Westwood: Ipswich have already made six new signings ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League, including the promising Chelsea academy graduate Omari Hutchinson, but their most important piece of business was keeping Kieran McKenna. The Irishman is one of the most brilliant young managers in the game, bringing a distinctive identity to this Ipswich side that will deliver plenty of upsets. The Tractor Boys can hurt any team on the transition and have enough quality to be much more than just relegation battlers.

Krishan Davis: It would probably be unfair to call Aston Villa a surprise package after their top-four tilt last season, but another team in claret and blue is quietly building an impressive squad capable of doing some damage. With Julen Lopetegui in the dugout, there will be some renewed optimism at West Ham and a fresh start should do them good. Crysencio Summerville and Guido Rodriguez look like smart signings, and although they were pricey, Max Kilman and Niclas Fullkrug will strengthen them too. Meanwhile, it looks like Lucas Paqueta will avoid a ban for alleged spot-fixing for most of the season. If things go to plan, a top-six push isn't out of the question.

Joe Strange: It may depend on their ability to keep - or more likely replace - the influential Marc Guehi, but Crystal Palace look primed to start looking upwards this season. Manager Oliver Glasner oversaw a seismic shift in style, performances and results in the final few months of the previous campaign, and despite losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, the Eagles appear ready to aim for more than just survival. Retaining the services of Eberechi Eze will be key, but some smart transfer business this summer bodes well for a top-10 finish, and perhaps even a push for the Europa Conference League.