Arsenal were the favourites to defend their title after finishing the previous season unbeaten, but they also faced competition in the form of regular challengers Manchester United and Chelsea, the latter under the new management of Portuguese José Mourinho, who had just won the UEFA Champions League with Porto.

Liverpool also had a new manager in Spaniard Rafael Benítez, who had just won La Liga and the UEFA Cup with Valencia and were expected to challenge for the title too.

Another managerial change at a club aiming for the top was at Tottenham Hotspur, who appointed Jacques Santini, who had just led France to the quarter-finals of the 2004 European Championship.

At the other end of the table, amongst those tipped for relegation were Norwich City, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, having all just been promoted from the First Division (rebranded this season as the Championship).

The promoted teams were Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, returning to the top flight after an absence of nine, one and six years respectively.

Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both relegated after a season's presence, while Leeds United ended their top flight spell of fourteen years.

Goalkeeper – Petr Čech Defenders – Gary Neville, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole Midfielders – Shaun Wright-Phillips, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Arjen Robben Strikers – Thierry Henry, Andy Johnson Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard won this award.

Arsenal and French striker Thierry Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot award for the third time in his career with 25 goals.