2024-25 Adran Premier predictions: Cardiff City and Swansea City to battle for title?

The fourth season of the Adran Premier gets started on Sunday, and there is plenty to be excited about.

Cardiff City lifted the trophy for the second consecutive year in April and will be looking to win it for the third straight time, a feat not achieved since Swansea City did it between 2019 and 2022.

However, there is a sense that this is the most wide-open league for many a season, with plenty of clubs strengthening well over the summer.

With that in mind, here are our predictions for the 2024-25 Adran Premier.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN

Last season: 4^th in Adran Premier

There is always an underdog feel to Aberystwyth Town, and they proved last season the underdog in them is alive and well.

Spurred on by young stars like Lleucu Mathias, Lily Moralee-Hughes and Modlen Gwynne, Aber finished in the top four for the second time in three seasons. That achievement is even more astonishing considering the managerial merry-go-round that the club were on for months on end.

There’s another new face in the dugout this season, with Chris Church coming over from Swansea City. Church is looking to transform Aber from a side that likes to defend to one that’s a bit more free flowing, but he’s lost some key players that could help him.

The trio of Niamh Duggan, Gwenllian Jones, and Elin Jones have moved to rivals Cardiff Met, while veteran Kelly Thomas has retired, and has found a new role on Church’s coaching staff.

There have been three new signings in the summer, with goalkeepers Chelsea Herbert and Mia Gleave moving to West Wales, and defender Hannah Davies linking up from Cardiff Met, but more signings could be necessary if they are to preserve their place in the top four.

There could be more youth players that the wider public aren’t aware of who could have the same impact as the ones who broke out last year, but it feels like an Aberystwyth side who are missing some sort of spark.

Clwb Pêl-Droed Prediction: 7^th

Aberystwyth Town star opens up on new manager and season ambitions

BARRY TOWN UNITED

Last season: 7^th in Adran Premier

It’s been a very busy summer down in sunny Barrybados.

In Stevie McCarthy-Campbell’s first campaign in charge, he oversaw many highs a lows. After a slow start, Barry went on a run of picking up 13 points from a possible 18, and they really put themselves in pole position to win the Plate. However, the Linnets would go on to lose their final four games of the season and finish seventh for the third season in a row.

Plenty of players have come and gone at Jenner Park. Aimee Deacon, India Shanahan and Taite Trivett have departed, and they were responsible for scoring 13 of Barry’s 23 goals last season. Along with them, goalkeeper Erin Brennan has now retired, Hana Bennett has moved back to England, while former Cardiff City duo Danielle Broadhurst and Zoe Atkins have also departed.

However, what Barry have done is bring in plenty of Adran Premier experience. Five have come in from Pontypridd United, including Jasmine Turner and Erin Murray, two from Gwalia United, one being proven goal scorer Ingrid Ådland, Ellie Preece and Grace Corne arrive from Cardiff Met, while Keira Harris joins from Pontardawe Town.

What this Barry team now has is strong Adran Premier experience, coupled with plenty of depth. This was a team last year who did rely in some capacity on youth, but this summer has seen a slight change, and they’ve got a lot of quality. Come the end of the season, this is a Barry team that will shock many across the country.

Clwb Pêl-Droed Prediction: 4^th

New look Barry Town aiming for Adran Premier top four

BRTION FERRY

Last season: 1^st in Adran South (Promoted)

Having been heartbroken in the last year’s playoff final, finally, Briton Ferry are here in the Adran Premier.

They couldn’t have gotten to the topflight in finer fashion either. Twelve wins from twelve in the Adran South, coupled with a 4-0 victory in the playoff final saw them gain promotion in fine style under Rhys James.

There’s always two ways a club can go when they move to a higher league; either you bring in a number of players, or you put your faith in what you’ve already got, and Ferry have done the latter. This was already a squad who had a close bond, and to not ruin that is an incredibly wise move by the management.

That doesn’t mean there’s been no activity, with three new names being added to the team. Aimee Heath arrives from Carmarthen Town, Tija Richardson comes in from champions Cardiff City, while there’s a lot of excitement around what Maia Owen could do, as she joins the group from the FAW Girls Academy.

Another thing to like about this group is that there’s Adran Premier experience within it. Richardson, along with Laura-May Walkley and Alison Witts, know what it takes to play and thrive in this division and having them guiding a hungry group of players is more than ideal.

Overall, all the pieces are there for Ferry to have a solid first season in the Adran Premier. While the top four maybe slightly out of their reach, they have more than enough to survive.

Clwb Pêl-Droed prediction: 6^th

Adran Premier newcomers Briton Ferry not here to make up the numbers

CARDIFF CITY

Last season: 1^st in Adran Premier (Champions)

There’s no doubt that Cardiff City have been the best team in the country for two seasons now, but heading into this campaign, there are question marks.

Despite winning the treble, the Bluebirds have let go of some important pieces. Decorated captain Siobhan Walsh has retired, Adran Premier Player of the Year Seren Watkins and pacey forward Rhianne Oakley have both joined West Bromwich Albion, while Hannah Power will miss part of the season. That’s the whole spine of a team gone in one summer.

To address this, City have brought in the likes of Nieve Jenkins from Cardiff Met, former Bluebirds Shannon Evans and Lily Billingham, while forwards Fiona Barry and Laura Curnock will be looking to help Eliza Collie with scoring goals.

You would also expect a number of players from the U19 team to become regular starters. The age group side have dominated the southern section for many seasons now, and plenty of players will be ready to make the step up to senior football.

But the big question is, will that be enough? Another season of Champions League football is great preparation for this upcoming season, however, there’s been a lot of change in such a short space of time. Without a doubt, Iain Darbyshire will have a plan up his sleeve, but a third title in a row looks uncertain.

Clwb Pêl-Droed prediction: 2^nd

Adran Premier Players to Watch

CARDIFF MET

Last season: 6^th in Adran Premier

There might not be a team with more question marks looming over them this season than Cardiff Met.

The Archers have previously been serial trophy winners, but last season can only be described as a blip. Finishing in the bottom four, Met managed to claw themselves to a sixth-place finish, which is commendable considering where they were at one stage.

Before they’ve even kicked off for the season, there’s been plenty of eyebrows raised around Cyncoed. Daniel Delahay departed his post at the beginning of August, and the club announced that Chris Baker would take over the role on an interim basis.

Baker inherits a squad that’s had a major overhaul. Some of Met’s mainstays have moved to different clubs in the Adran Premier. Grace Corne and Ellie Preece have joined Barry Town, Tiggy Webb has gone north to TNS, while Nieve Jenkins has joined champions Cardiff City.

What Baker is left with is an incredibly young squad. They have added more youngsters, most notably Gwenllian Jones, India Shanahan, and Niamh Duggan, who alongside Esme Kilburn-Thompson, could provide excitement for the university side.

With all this being said, there is a lot of worry and uncertainty surrounding Met, and the once rulers of this league could well find themselves in a very unfamiliar position come the end of the season.

Adran Leagues Transfer Tracker: Every deal from the summer window

Clwb Pêl-Droed prediction: 8^th

SWANSEA CITY

Last season: 2^nd in Adran Premier

There is a sense that this could be a very special season for Swansea City.

The past two seasons have seen the Swans come away trophyless, but there have been factors for that. There have been many managers that have taken charge of the ship, and there’s yet another new face this season, but there’s plenty of optimism around this appointment.

Jamie Sherwood once upon a time got promoted to the WSL with Yeovil Town. That in itself is an impressive achievement, and if he can translate that over to Swansea, then that’s already a great start.

Secondly, their transfer window has been nothing short of sensational. The Swans have brought in a good blend of youth and experience. Aimee Deacon and Maddy Murray could well be at the club for many years, Danielle Broadhurst and Nia Jones provide some incredible experience, while someone like Taite Trivett brings bags of pace and energy.

When you add all these players to those already at the club, then you get a real sense of how strong this side is. Katy Hosford is coming off the back of a stellar campaign, Stacey John-Davis will be back and raring to go, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks is a maestro in the midfield, Jess Williams is a warrior in defence. There’s proven quality all over the pitch.

Monet Legall said in preseason that she wants opponents to fear playing Swansea City again, and this is the season it could well and truly return. Their two-year drought could well end this season.

Swansea City ready to strike fear back into Adran Premier opponents

Clwb Pêl-Droed prediction: 1^st

TNS

Last season: 5^th in Adran Premier

TNS are embarking on a very new and exciting journey.

After winning the Conference Plate last season, the Saints enter a new era ahead of this campaign, as they move to a semi-pro model. With such a move, the club have prepared for it by changing a few things.

Firstly, Shauna Duffy replaces Greg Draper, and while she’s not taken charge of a competitive game as manager yet, plenty of players have talked about how her ethos and ideas are forward thinking, and that they feel prepared for any opponent.

That moves us on nicely to the business the Saints have conducted this summer. Plenty of players have moved over the border to play their football in the Adran Premier. Sophie Phillips moves over from Birmingham City, Poppy Kendrick-Jones joins from Everton, but the potential signing of the season comes in the form of Wales international Maria Francis-Jones.

For all the eye boggling signings, the Saints have lost a couple of their mainstays. Youngster Evie Williams has joined Loughborough Lightning, centre back Izzy Redding heads to Sporting Khalsa, while former captain Beth Lewis has also departed.

On paper, this is a squad that looks a lot stronger than previous seasons, and it has that bit of quality that the Saints have perhaps been lacking. A top four spot feels like a necessity for this team, but they could well be the dark horse for the title.

Clwb Pêl-Droed prediction: 3^rd

Former Man City and Burnley striker reveals why she chose Adran Premier transfer

WREXHAM

Last season: 3^rd in Adran Premier

Wrexham enjoyed an incredible debut season in the Adran Premier, but now heading into their second season, there are questions floating around the Cae Ras.

While plenty of clubs have made moves in the transfer window, Wrexham’s dealings have been on the down low. Striker Abbie Iddenden moves across from Stoke City, goalkeeper Lizzie Craven will provide some competition to Del Morgan, while Nat Clark will try and stake her claim to start in the midfield.

There is of course a lot of good existing talent in this team. Lili Jones will continue to dominate the midfield, Amber Lightfoot will continue to dazzle down the wing, while Keren Allen will continue to be a rock at the back.

But the big question will be, what happens if Wrexham run into a few injuries? We saw that when Rosie Hughes got injured midway through last season. The Red Dragons weren’t quite the same up top, and Hughes hasn’t been the same player since. What if a Lightfoot or a Jones get injured? Do Wrexham have the quality to replace them?

When you see what the likes of Barry and TNS have done in the window and have added a tremendous amount of depth, you begin to ask whether Wrexham have the same. A lot of teams may also know what to expect of Wrexham this season, and it will be up to them again to perhaps prove the doubters wrong.

Clwb Pêl-Droed prediction: 5^th

CLWB PÊL-DROED ADRAN PREMIER PREDICTIONS

1. Swansea City
2. Cardiff City
3. TNS
4. Barry Town United
5. Wrexham
6. Briton Ferry
7. Aberystwyth Town
8. Cardiff Met

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)