January 1st. New yr, renewed hopes, countless optimism, and an total brighter outlook on life. It’s the time of the yr when everybody pushes for extra, and soccer stars aren’t any exception. As all the time, we are going to see some gamers and groups come out swinging this new yr, and we can’t wait to see what impression they find yourself making.
As we head into an action-packed 2024, we are going to optimistically check our luck and make some difficult predictions for the yr. Now, with out additional ado, let’s try the highest six predictions for 2024!
#6 European Golden Boot: Harry Kane
Tottenham Hotspur legend Harry Kane has been in sensational type at Bayern Munich. He has linked up effortlessly with teammates, created goalscoring alternatives, and, after all, scored a bucketload of objectives.
The European Golden Boot is awarded to the goalscorer with the best factors on the finish of the season. Since Kane performs in one of many prime 5 European leagues, his objectives are multiplied by a coefficient of two. The Englishman has to this point scored 21 objectives in 15 matches within the German prime flight, pushing his factors whole to 42 and rising because the European Golden Boot frontrunner.
Kane has been in a league of his personal within the Bundesliga, and we’re backing him to march his solution to Golden Boot glory on the finish of the 2023-24 season.
#5 Copa America: Uruguay
Defending champions Argentina will begin the 2024 Copa America because the favorites in June, and deservedly so. They’ve a stacked squad, that includes eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, Manchester Metropolis sharpshooter Julian Alvarez, and Golden Glove winner Emiliano Martinez, amongst others. They’re additionally tactically sound and have plain camaraderie, making them the crew to beat.
Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless not our choose for 2024 Copa America. We’re backing Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay to beat the reigning world champions to the punch.
La Celeste have been on the prime of their recreation currently. Their passing has been spot on, they’ve attacked in numbers, and defended like their lives relied on it. In 2023, Uruguay performed 10 matches between the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and worldwide friendlies, profitable seven, drawing twice, and shedding simply as soon as. Most significantly, they proved their mettle towards one of the best groups on the continent, Brazil and Argentina, beating each groups by a 2-0 scoreline.
If they will maintain their cool and play as much as their potential, they’ve a good chance of going the gap.
#4 English Premier League: Manchester Metropolis
Manchester Metropolis weren’t at their finest within the first a part of the 2023-24 Premier League season. They dropped 17 factors in 19 matches within the English top-flight, which allowed Liverpool and Arsenal to open up a lead on the prime. Nevertheless, within the final two video games, issues have taken a optimistic flip for Metropolis, with Arsenal dropping six factors and Liverpool ceding two, permitting the reigning champions to shut the hole.
At present, Metropolis discover themselves in third place within the Premier League standings with 40 factors from 19 video games. Liverpool sit on the summit with 42 factors in 19 whereas Aston Villa are second with 42 in 20 matches. Underneath Pep Guardiola, Metropolis have developed a behavior of placing on a present within the second half of the season, and we expect them to ship this yr as nicely.
#3 UEFA Champions League: Manchester Metropolis
The UEFA Champions League is likely one of the most unpredictable competitions on this planet of soccer. Any crew within the Spherical of 16 are able to going the gap, so it’s quite difficult to choose a favourite. Nevertheless, if we needed to choose a crew that look the most probably to go deep within the competitors, we must go along with reigning European champions Manchester Metropolis.
They gained all six of their matches within the group stage this season to safe a spot within the Spherical of 16. Not all of these victories had been simple, however their resilience and high quality in the end shone by way of. Doing it over again within the knockouts is a tall order, but when there’s any outfit able to matching Actual Madrid’s report of defending the UEFA Champions League trophy, it’s this unforgiving Metropolis.
#2 UEFA EURO 2024: France
The extremely anticipated UEFA EURO match will return with all its glitz and glamor in June, that includes the highest 24 groups on the continent. Germany, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain are all able to lifting the trophy, however we’re backing France to win their third European Championship in 2024.
France have arguably probably the most balanced squad in worldwide soccer. Kylian Mbappe and co. can tear by way of any protection on the planet, outpass any midfield, and, on their day, can stifle even one of the best attackers. Les Bleus got here mighty near profitable the 2022 FIFA World Cup, solely shedding to Argentina on penalties within the ultimate. This golden era is keen to depart that disappointment within the rearview mirror, and we consider they are going to be profitable of their endeavor this summer time.
#1 Ballon d’Or: Kylian Mbappe
Arguably one of the best participant on the planet, Kylian Mbappe completed third behind Lionel Messi (winner) and Erling Haaland within the Ballon d’Or race in 2023. This yr, he might lastly fulfill his future and elevate the coveted particular person honor in Paris.
Mbappe has been in superb type for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) within the 2023-24 season. Taking part in 22 video games in all competitions, he has netted 21 instances and offered two assists. His objectives have performed a pivotal position in serving to the Parisians climb to the highest of the Ligue 1 rankings.
If Mbappe can maintain at it and push PSG to the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France glory, and deep into the UEFA Champions League this season, he would have a robust probability of breaching the highest three.
Whether or not Mbappe in the end wins the trophy may rely upon his and France’s efficiency within the 2024 UEFA EURO. A string of fantastic performances in Germany might take him to probably the most celebrated accolade in soccer historical past.
