Predicting the 25/26 Premier League season

And so the new season of the Premier League starts this evening. What comes is often a couple of days of excitement as it builds up to the first few matches, and then there's weeks of dissapointment as I try to deal with the inevitability of the awfulness that is supporting Everton. But before that happens, let's have a bit of fun and I'll try to have a go at predicting the outcome come the end of the season.

20. Burnley

Well, somebody has to finish bottom and I'm afraid I think it will be Burnley. I've not been enamored with their transfer business. Losing James Trafford is very unfortunate for them given that their big strength in the Championship last season was their defence and the lack of goals conceded. While Scott Parker might be able to help keep them tight defensively, something they were unable to do their last time out in the Prem under Kompany, I struggle to see where their goals are going to come from. Signing Broja may their plan, but having seen him on loan at Everton last season I don't expect him to be that good.

19. Leeds

Again, another of the promoted sides going straight down. It is unfortunate but I simply don't see them as having done enough business in the window to stay up. The gap is ever widening and we're now well aware that so much needs to be done. I just don't think they've done enough. If the rumours are true that Calvert-Lewin is being signed, it seems they're really struggling in the window (just like everyone else is to be fair). I also don't have faith in Daniel Farke when it comes to the Premier League, and it seems that the fanbase and even the board at Leeds don't considering that they were thinking about replacing him.

18. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Yes, I'm predicting one of the relegated teams to not be one of the promoted teams. Wolves have done well for the most part the past few seasons. They, like Everton, have had rough seasons but not many have been as difficult. Last season though was rough. Sacking Gary O'Neill was the right choice and, for the second half of last season at least, Vitor Pereira was a decent manager. I still think that there are concerns about him. Maybe that's just me hoping that Everton made the right choice in opting for Frank Lampard over him back in 2022 (there were protests against signing Pereira). Also, losing Cunha and Aït-Nouri are big deals.

17. Sunderland

Just because I think they'll stay up doesn't mean I think it'll be easy for them. The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is still incredibly large, but I believe that if any of the promoted teams have done what's needed to stay up, it'll be Sunderland. The signing of Granit Xhaka is probably the biggest point in their favour. A player with a wealth of Prem experience will be a big bonus for them and unlike Henderson, I think he still has plenty to offer the Prem. It'll be a tough season for them but I think they'll do just enough to stay above the line.

16. Brentford

This has been a real rough window for Brentford. Losing Mbeumo and Nørgaard are huge losses, but arguably their biggest loss is that of their manager, Thomas Frank. I don't have a lot of optimism for Brentford when it comes to Keith Andrews. However, I have faith in the board at Brentford and I'm certain that Andrews will be gone before long if he isn't a good manager and someone decent will replace him. Brentford will have a tough season, but they'll just about manage.

15. West Ham United

I don't think Graham Potter is a good manager. One reason I was against the sacking of Dyche last season was because I was worried that Potter would be the replacement. His success at Brighton is largely because Brighton is an extremely well run club. He got exposed at Chelsea. I also don't see much in the way of their squad that seems decent. Callum Wilson is certainly a signing. Jared Bowen will do them well, and from what I've heard briefly from West Ham fans online Kudus wasn't that great for them so may not be that big a loss. I still think that there are five teams this season that are worse than them.

14. Bournemouth

Bournemouth have done very well the past few seasons. I will always be concerned about Everton facing them. However, they've lost much of their defence over the window and it doesn't seem like they've replaced it all that well. Irialo is a great manager, and his tactics will be able to keep Bournemouth away from any relegation fights. But it will still be a bit of a drop off this season.

13. Fulham

Fulham haven't really bought anyone, but also haven't really lost anyone. Marco Silva is a decent manager, will keep them doing well. I just think there's a few teams that have improved enough this window to take over them. It's as simple as that.

12. Nottingham Forest

What an amazing season they had last year. To qualify for Europe, and to be pushing for the Champions League for much of the season is a phenomenal achievement for Forest, but their fall off towards the end of the season was massive, and I don't think they'll be able to push as much as they did last season. Plus, having European football will affect them, so I expect them to have a bit of a drop.

11. Crystal Palace

Another team to have an amazing season last year. Winning the FA Cup for the first time is amazing for their fans to go through. I think they'll stick to mid-table this upcoming season, but largely because they have to contend with European football as well. They haven't really lost anyone though, so I don't think it'll be a difficult season for them. Plus, I'm touting them to win the Conference League.

10. Everton

And here it is, my beloved Everton. To finish at the middle of the table, to avoid relegation fights is all I've really asked for the past couple of seasons. While we have managed to be relatively stable, there have still been a lot of scary months. But it's a whole new dawn for the club. New owners, a new stadium (which I went to last Saturday and it was amazing) and Moyes' first transfer window with us (other than his last stint as out manager of course). Some of the signings we've brought in I'm really excited for. Barry and Aznou will add some great attacking power to out team, while Dewsbury-Hall was amazing on Saturday and is exactly the kind of signing we should've been making in seasons past. Plus, having Grealish on loan is a big statement.

I've got a lot of hope for next season. I am however ready for them to let me down.

9. Manchester United

This is a big improvement for them over last season. Man U have strengthened massively in terms of their attack, with them essentially having a whole new front three. Giving Amorin that window will help him to get his tactics working and getting points on the table, but it is still Man U. I don't think they'll go that much higher.

8. Tottenham Hotspur

Again, another Big 6 team I'm predicting to have a big improvement. I feel Spurs will do better largely because I think Thomas Frank is better at adapting his tactics to suit his squad that Amorin is. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done at the club though. Losing Son is a big deal for them but from what I've seen of pre-season it seems Richarlison is doing well for them and may be able to finally show he's worth what the club paid for him.

7. Brighton

Brighton is Brighton, a club that has to be considered one of the best run clubs in the country. You can generally be pretty confident that any player they bring in to replace those they lose will be just as good, and then they'll be able sell that player for a massive profit. I'm confident that Brighton can keep doing what they do.

6. Newcastle United

It has been a very rough window for Newcastle. I don't think I really need to go into it. They definitely needed to strengthen going into the Champions League and it's not something that has at all become easy for them. They still have much of their squad, although the Isak situation is concerning, and Eddie Howe is a great manager so I'm sure they'll still have a good season overall. But it will be a bit of a drop off, just like the last time they got into the Champions League.

5. Aston Villa

Villa were very unlucky to miss out on the Champions League last season. I feel like given their business and the fact that they still have Unai Emery in charge, it will be a similar season for them to last season, but they'll have an easier time than Newcastle will.

4. Chelsea

Chelsea did far better last season than I expected them to. Maresca has been a great manager for them, and getting to win the Club World Cup is quite the feat for them. Their ability to sell a lot of their players this season has been very unexpected as well. I think they'll have another great season, but I still think a lot of work is left to be done.

3. Manchester City

I would say that right now is a transitional period for City. Getting Rodri back from injury will help them out a lot, but there's still a lot of work that needs to be done to get them fighting back for the very top of the table. I'm also not sure that Pep has it in him to keep going with the club. I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves or announces he's leaving by the end of the season.

2. Liverpool

A lot of people would say that the Reds are going to finish top purely because of their transfer window, and it's true that they have been spending like Prem winners. The players they've brought in are huge assets for them that will ensure they get into the top two easily, but I can't help but feel there's now a bit of a transition period for them.

Plus, I'm a toffee. I just can't predict them to win.

1. Arsenal

Surely it has to be now. After all these seasons of finishing second, I think now has to be their team. It almost feels like now is their last chance at getting the win before Liverpool and City take them back over again and they fall back to their lows of the Covid era. I'm also not one of the naysayers who thinks Gyökeres will be a flop. If he gets the support he can be given by the rest of the squad, I'm sure he'll be getting them the goals they need. Not a crazy amount mind, but just enough to get them over the line.