Premier League: Tests for top and bottom teams
Liverpool manager Arne Slot lifts the Premier League trophy with the players at Anfield, Liverpool last May.
The tricky business of predicting the Premier League season is upon us. And without knowing the outcome of last night’s opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth we throw caution to the wind and predict how the season will play out come May 2026.
So, without further ado here’s my call for the 2025/2026 season.
Andoni Iraola will do well to see his players match their ninth-place achievement of last season. The departure of Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen will be hard to resolve for a side that built its form and fortitude on good defensive work.
Antoine Semenyo.
12th
: Again, we ask, can the Gunners make that next step into the title promised land? Mikel Arteta has the unenviable task of making sure his side don’t become the first team to finish in the runner-up spot for the fourth years in a row. He has finally addressed the obvious big issue of the side’s lack of firepower up front with the signing of Viktor Gyökeres. While also bolstering the midfield with the arrival of Martín Zubimendi. Will it be enough to secure that title dream?
Viktor Gyökeres.
First.
Unai Emery and Villa did so well on many fronts last season, but one wonders where the progress will come from this season? There may be a push to claim the Europa League, an Emery specialty and definitely achievable by Villa.
Emiliano Martínez.
Sixth.
The big fear of Bees fans is how the departure of talismanic boss Thomas Frank and top scorer Bryan Mbeumo will affect them? Can they avoid been dragged into the relegation mire? Irish eyes will all be on the performance of new boss Keith Andrews, while Cork attention of course will be drawn to Caoimhín Kelleher after his big move from Liverpool.
Antoni Milambo.
18th.
Manager Fabian Hürzeler brought unexpected success to the Seagulls in his first full season at the club. Building on that will be the next test. A quiet transfer window saw them sign Greek youngsters Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas. But will it be enough to push on? Losing João Pedro to Chelsea won’t help.
Danny Wellbeck.
Ninth.
Scott Parker and his Burnley side return to the big time and everyone expects them to go right down again in their typical yo-yo club manner. The experience of Kyle Walker in defence may be needed more here than any other club.
Maxime Estève.
19th
The Pensioners continue to buy and sell players like that is the point of the exercise but if they can find the right combination, they have the depth to do serious damage. The arrival of João Pedro and Liam Delap will add another level of competition to a side packed with talent.
Cole Palmer.
: Fourth.
Fresh from their giant-killing run to claim the FA Cup and Charity Shield, the always difficult to beat Palace in cup campaigns will look to improve their league consistency. With Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta looking in top form going into the season, Palace boss Oliver Glasner might get his wish of challenging for higher positions.
Eberechi Eze (if he stays).
10th.
One cannot underestimate the power of moving to a new stadium. This can bring a fresh belief in the project, inspiring players to greater things. It also carries the danger of overwhelming a side with the pressure of expectation. David Moyes still needs to sign a few new players to bolster a light-weight squad. Jack Grealish’s loan will help.
Cork’s Jake O’Brien.
14th.
: Marco Silva continues to get the best out of a club with limited resources. The question for the Cottagers is whether Silva can continue to get the better-than-expected results on such a limited budget.
Antonee Robinson.
11th.
: Most pundits see Leeds returning to the Championship immediately and that may well be the case. I think they have the critical size and ambition to break the recent trend of all three promoted sides going back down. They will be lucky to survive that trend, but under the Premier League experience of manager Daniel Farke they have a better than most chance of surviving.
New boy Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
: 17th.
Arne Slot did the unimaginable and win the title in his first season and without buying any new players. Now comes the difficult job of repeating the feat with his own set of players in place. A very unlike Liverpool spending-spree in the market has put him in the best possible position to do so. The problem with getting so many new players, is the time that it may take for them to blend together.
Florian Wirtz.
Second.
Lots of questions remain after Man City’s relatively poor performance last season. Does the club need a major overhaul of talent or will some key adjustments work? Has the talismanic Rodri fully recovered from injury? And does Pep Guardiola still have the hunger for silverware at the Eastlands? The season will soon tell.
Rodri (if fit).
Third.
One can probably presume that things will get better for United and boss Ruben Amorim this season. The Portuguese manager has been clearing out much of the talent that failed to click with his system last season. Whether he has or can still get replacements to reinvigorate the club’s hopes is the question.
Bryan Mbeumo.
Fifth.
: The Toon and Eddie Howe created history and a great deal of joy on Tyneside with their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool last season. But those good feelings seem in short supply now with a relatively quiet transfer window and the ongoing, now, antagonistic battle to keep Alexander Isak in a Magpie shirt.
Sandro Tonali.
Eighth.
Forest may have been the biggest surprise merchants from last season and were in Champions League qualification contention until their form trailed off late in the season. They will be less likely to surprise opponents this time out so may find themselves lower down the table as a result.
Morgan Gibbs-White.
13th.
A welcome return to the Premier League for the Makems and the Stadium of Light. However, one fears it will be just a flying visit, and they are favourites to go straight back down. Nevertheless, the Black Cats will fight all the way and may cause some big names some difficulties on their visit to the northeast.
Chris Rigg.
20th.
Ange Postecoglou claimed his promised trophy in his second season but the 17th place finish in the table was not enough to save him, so Spurs replaced him with Thomas Frank who comes to the club with a huge reputation from Brentford. The Dane will no doubt improve the Londoners (see Super Cup final) but will it be enough to bring Spurs into title contention? (also see Super Cup final).
Mo Kudus.
Seventh.
The aforementioned Mo Kudus’ departure to Spurs will hurt Hammers’ ambitions. Graham Potter still takes on a side at the Olympic Stadium who remain a solid proposition especially at home. However, one feels the impetus from the Davis Moyes days in East London has evaporated and they will be battling to stay up.
Niclas Füllkrug.
15th.
The exodus of nine first-team player and a slow transfer window leaves Wolves in a dangerous position. While they should be good enough to survive, unless they have an extraordinary late surge in the market, you would not be surprised of a drop.
Emmanuel Agbadou.
16th.
App?
