2025/26 Premier League Predictions: Arsenal to Edge Liverpool? Top 7, Relegation & Awards

The new season is here, the Tyne–Wear derby is back, and I’m calling a razor-thin title race with an even thinner race for European football. Here are my confident, somewhat unbiased predictions for 2025/26.

Why this season could be special

Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland return; the fixtures are tasty from week one; and several contenders like Liverpool, Manchester City and even Chelsea have doubled down in the market. Stars such as Florian Wirtz, Viktor Gyokeres, Jeremie Frimpong, Rayan Cherki, and more are now Premier League players – adding to a league that already has a host of players regarded as the best in the world. Not to mention exciting young prospects like Jorrel Hato, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Christhian Mosquera and Maxim De Cuyper will no doubt look to make names for themselves in the Premier League. We should expect a three-team title race, an even tighter race for European football, and an enthralling battle for survival.

My Top Seven (and why)

1) Arsenal — Champions

Two long-standing gaps addressed: a true penalty-box No.9 and a tempo-setting No.6 – enter a lethal striker in Viktor Gyokeres and the metronomic Martin Zubimendi. With an already elite defensive base and the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard lighting the creative spark, this MIGHT be the year the journey turns into jubilation.

2) Chelsea

Maresca’s structure has them looking coherent and repeatable. With Palmer’s creativity and a trimmed, idea-fit squad, this is a steady top-four side. Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and wonderkid Estevao joining the ranks will produce a breath of fresh attacking prowess to West London, making them a serious candidate for the Premier League trophy in May.

3) Liverpool

Title winners last season, with an emphatic campaign from one Mohammed Salah, have added high-end creativity and magic between the lines with the signings of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. If the new pieces click quickly, they can absolutely go back-to-back. I just think Arsenal start just a bit sharper than the Reds, especially with them losing a creative and defensive talisman in Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. For this, I see them still on the podium, but in third place.

4) Manchester City

Re-tool, not rebuild. Natural left-side width and ball-carrying returns with Pep going back to the drawing board, introducing the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijani Reinders and the hypnotic Rayan Cherki. Haaland remains inevitable, and Pep will find solutions—but I see a mini transition keeping them firmly in fourth place, missing out by the finest of margins.

5) Manchester United

A faster, more direct front line with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Benjamin Sesko will be attempting to take Manchester United back into European football and back to being feared. There’ll be thrilling streaks, but consistency over 38 is the final boss, especially with a defence that still looks leaky. No European football will mean one game a week for the Red Devils, and this is what sees them finish in fifth – back in the big time.

6) Newcastle United

The saga of the summer – Alexander Isak. He wants out, but the Magpies are standing firmly between the Swede and the exit door, whilst failing to secure most of their transfer targets to ensure their feat of Champions League qualification last season is a regular occurrence up north. Depth over 50+ matches is the caveat; the ceiling remains high, but if they don’t manage to reinforce correctly and keep Isak frozen from the squad, they could be in trouble.

7) Tottenham Hotspur

Thomas Frank’s no-nonsense structure plus a line-breaking attacker between the lines. However, with Tottenham still yet to sign a striker and winger to replace the gaps left by club icons Harry Kane and now Heung-Min Son, Europe is likely, but which European competition they end up in is in their hands. A top-four charge may be a season away, but I do believe they will be taking part in the Europa League next season.

Relegation: The Three I fear for

Leeds United

Leeds United are a team that despite winning the EFL Championship last season and being known for creating a daunting atmosphere at Elland Road, I think they will fall victim to the growing disparity between the quality in the Championship and the Premier League. The dagger for Leeds will be those pesky six-pointers and being able to hold sides to narrow draws at home and struggling on the road.

Burnley

Despite them creating English football history with the best defensive record last season, I personally do not think they will be the same stubborn defensive unit in the Premier League. A decent spend of money may help them, but if Scott Parker’s side don’t think of a way to play more than just defensive football and hoping for goals on the break or set pieces, they will be back in the Championship in the blink of an eye.

Brentford

Their manager? Gone. Club captain, leading goal scorer and no.1 goalkeeper? All gone too. This season would be nothing short of a miracle if they manage to survive in the Premier League this season or even replicate any of the football they’ve played for the past three seasons. If they don’t use any of the whopping £70M+ they received for Bryan Mbuemo to recruit, reinvigorate and refresh the team, they will be joining Burnley and Leeds in the Championship too.

 

Awards for the Season

Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Despite me not backing the Citizens to lift yet another Premier League trophy, I expect Nordic gunman to get back to his personal best and net a whopping 31 goals for Pep Guardiola’s side. However, in the golden boot race I expect to see the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Mohammed Salah and surprisingly, Jørgen Strand Larsen who I’m personally backing to have a strong campaign for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Player of the Season: Martin Ødegaard

That’s right – Martin Ødegaard will have an absolute blinder of a season, and I’m ready to invest my stocks! The Norway and Gunners captain will no doubt be instrumental for Arsenal’s title charge and having previously been starved of a striker with pure predator instincts and runners in behind – this season we might just see the best of Martin Ødegaard.

Young Player: Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz winning young player of the season despite his side failing to defend the Premier League title and bring home back-to-back titles in Merseyside – but that’s how well I think he will perform this season. Following closely behind him, I believe will be Benjamin Sesko, Rayan Cherki and Estevao who will have a season where he will take Stamford Bridge by storm and ignite fear into several Premier League defences.

Signing of the Season: Martin Zubimendi

Not the most glamorous of choices, and definitely a player who might go under the radar because of his lack of goals and assists. In spite of this, I believe the Spaniard will be a metronome for Mikel Arteta’s side, being the perfect tempo specialist allowing the Gunners to transition swiftly from defence to attack throughout the season. Many might’ve doubted the transfer in the summer, and even at times in the season he may not be appreciated by the masses but by Spring, he will unanimously be seen as one of the best in the league.

Breakout Star: Rayan Aït-Nouri

Rayan Ait-Nouri for a few seasons now has been one of the best full/wingbacks outside of the top six, and if we’re being honest, one of the best in the league. His raw talent on the ball will shine in Pep Guardiola’s system this season and will be key for Man City’s new-look free flowing football.

Transfer spend snapshot

As of right now, heavy spending from the top hitters in the league is nothing short of normal, but major investment from Premier League new boys Sunderland and Burnley could potentially be the difference between them putting up more than just a fight to stay in the league, and their fans returning to putting Preston (A) on the calendar for next season.

Final word

I’m backing Arsenal to finally secure a first title in over twenty years, edging Liverpool and surprisingly Chelsea in a race decided by inches. Honestly, I’m predicting a final day bonanza with only 5 points separating the top four, with City lurking just outside the podium for top three. United are more dangerous than they’ve been in recent years and will have a rocky winter; Spurs are awkward for everyone and will have a stronger, yet stable finish. At the bottom, it’s survival math and variance—as ever.