Chelsea champions, Arsenal £52m transfer flop, Eddie Howe sacked - Premier League predictions

The new Premier League season is here and it is sure to be another campaign full of thrills, spills and VAR controversy.

Liverpool will be looking to defend their crown, having roared to the title last time out, but Arsenal will have something to say about that. The Gunners will want to end a run of three consecutive runners-up finishes and finally get over the line.

Manchester City will want to banish a poor season last time out, but theirs was stellar in comparison to the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta press conference LIVE - Arsenal boss on Man Utd, title hopes, transfers and injuries

READ MORE: Every word Enzo Maresca said on Chelsea transfer plans, Romeo Lavia latest, Crystal Palace clash

We've got new players to enjoy watching - Viktor Gyokeres finally made his move to the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool raided Bayer Leverkusen for two star players, while United have added three players to boost their forward line.

Whatever happens, you can be sure of excitement from day one, but how do you think it will pan out come May 2026?

We asked our football.london writers to look into their crystal balls to make their predictions for the 2025/26 campaign with a little write-up of why they’ve made the decisions.

Joe Doyle

Champions: Man City

Top four: Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea

Relegated: Burnley, Brentford, Wolves

Champions League winners: Bayern Munich

Europa League winners: Roma

Conference League winners: Strasbourg

FA Cup winners: Man Utd

Carabao Cup winners: Arsenal

Premier League Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Player of the season: Erling Haaland

Young player of the season: Adam Wharton

Signing of the summer: Liam Delap

Worst signing of the summer: Mohammed Kudus

Flop of the season: Benjamin Sesko

First manager sacked: Eddie Howe

I’ve said this because… While Man City had a poor season by their standards, they only finished 13 points off Liverpool last year. I think the additions they've made in the transfer window have been smart, and with Rodri set to return in September they could be a mean team again this year.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all made good signings and should have enough to comfortably seal top four places, in my opinion. But it will be a difficult year for Burnley, Wolves and in particular Brentford after losing their manager, captain and potentially top two attackers from last season.

I think Bayern Munich, with the help of a favourable draw, have got enough to win the Champions League this season, while Roma will surprise a few to lift the Europa League; Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg have the players to win the Conference League.

Erling Haaland will bounce back from a *dismal* season of just 22 Premier League goals to win the golden boot, and he may well get the player of the year prize. Adam Wharton will get the recognition his performances deserve with a place in England's World Cup squad and the young player of the year award.

I think for the price, you'd have to go some distance to find a better buy than Liam Delap this season - it's an absolute bargain when you look at the benchmark for strikers this summer.

I don't necessarily think Mohammed Kudus is a bad player, but equally I don't really see from last season what made Spurs decide he was worth £55million when they already have Brennan Johnson on the right. As much as it pains me to say, I don't think Benjamin Sesko will be the salve to Man Utd's problems - especially for nearly £75million.

The first manager sacked will be Eddie Howe if the Alexander Isak situation isn't solved amicably - I can see things turning poisonous if they get off to a bad start. If it is, then Scott Parker will be first out of the door.

Tom Coley

Champions: Liverpool

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea

Relegated: Burnley, Leeds United, Sunderland

Champions League winners: PSG

Europa League winners: Aston Villa

Conference League winners: Fiorentina

FA Cup winners: Chelsea

Carabao Cup winners: Manchester City

Premier League Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Player of the season: Declan Rice

Young player of the season: Estevao Willian

Signing of the summer: Hugo Ekitike

Worst signing of the summer: Benjamin Sesko

Flop of the season: Jack Grealish

First manager sacked: Keith Andrews

I’ve said this because…

Liverpool were comfortably the best team last season and look stronger now. They have added quality to the squad and Hugo Ekitike may well prove to be the cheaper Alexander Isak anyway.

The top four might not be much of a competition this year if Chelsea deliver on their promise and summer momentum from the end of last season, that will leave a lot of clubs fighting to be between fifth and 10th.

Manchester United will hope to get into the top end of that mix but Benjamin Sesko isn't the player to fire them there. He's raw and will have a lot of pressure on him even though the attackers behind him are improved.

Although Arsenal will still fall short to Liverpool, Declan Rice underpins everything good about that team and continues to be the energy driving it forward and holding it together. He's excellent.

At the other end, Keith Andrews has a tough task at Brentford, who may be too smart for their own good with this one. That could save Andrews if he does start badly.

Speaking of, there does seem to be more teams at risk of going down with questions around West Ham, Wolves, Brentford themselves, and even Nottingham Forest, but it is hard to look past the newly promoted guys again.

Rob Guest

Champions: Arsenal

Top four: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea

Relegated: Burnley, Sunderland, Brentford

Champions League winners: Bayern Munich

Europa League winners: Aston Villa

Conference League winners: Fiorentina

FA Cup winners: Chelsea

Carabao Cup winners: Manchester City

Premier League Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Player of the season: Bukayo Saka

Young player of the season: Ethan Nwaneri

Signing of the summer: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Worst signing of the summer: Kyle Walker

Flop of the season: Benjamin Sesko

First manager sacked: Daniel Farke

I’ve said this because… Arsenal have strengthened their squad for the new season and filled the gaps that they needed to with some quality players. That could potentially make all the difference when it comes to their title aspirations, with Viktor Gyokeres potentially the goalscorer who can shoot them to the title.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea will make up the top four in what should be a fascinating title battle between the quartet. Burnley, Sunderland will return to the Championship at the first time of asking and they may well be joined by Brentford following the managerial change and loss of key players.

I have a feeling Bournemouth may also slide down the table after parting with three of their back four but they should have enough in them to stay up. Erling Haaland will get his hands on the Premier League Golden Boot and it may be Bukayo Saka who is crowned player of the season as he has had plenty of rest this summer and he will be intent on making up for lost time following his injury last term.

Ethan Nwaneri has looked sharp in pre-season and could potentially put himself in contention for a World Cup place if he gets regular minutes. In terms of the summer signings, Jack Grealish is a terrific piece of business for Everton, who may push for a European place, but don't be surprised if Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall grabs the headlines as he is exactly what the team have been missing in recent years.

I'm not convinced of Burnley's decision to sign Kyle Walker and Benjamin Sesko may struggle to hit the heights at Manchester United due to his high price tag and the time needed to adapt to his new surroundings. There was plenty of speculation regarding Daniel Farke's Leeds future despite winning promotion and he may go early on if they struggle to pick up the points. I would not be shocked if Ange Postecoglou is the man to replace him at Elland Road.

Chelsea look set for a big season and could add the FA Cup to their recent trophy haul, with Manchester City, who need to win silverware this campaign after what happened in 2024/25, getting their hands on the Carabao Cup. Harry Kane will triumph in the Champions League with Bayern Munich, Aston Villa will taste European glory in the Europa League and it's about time Fiorentina finally won the Conference League after going close in recent years.

Lee Wilmot

Champions: Chelsea

Top four: Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal

Relegated: Sunderland, Burnley, Brentford

Champions League winners: Bayern Munich

Europa League winners: Roma

Conference League winners: Strasbourg

FA Cup winners: Liverpool

Carabao Cup winners: Tottenham

Premier League Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Player of the season: Cole Palmer

Young player of the season: Myles Lewis-Skelly

Signing of the summer: Joao Pedro

Worst signing of the summer: Evann Guessand

Flop of the season: Alexander Isak

First manager sacked: Keith Andrews

I’ve said this because… I'm bound to be made to look stupid, as I often do at the end of the season after these predictions, but I've got this nagging feeling that Chelsea will do a Liverpool and surprise everyone this season.

I think they've done some good business in the transfer window and have a couple of strikers who can put the ball in the back of the net. And any team with Cole Palmer in it is likely to do well and he’s my pick for player of the season.

Myles Lewis-Skelly had a great breakout year last year and will surely only go from strength to strength, so is my pick for young player of the year, while there are plenty of names you can look at for flops and worst players.

Aston Villa have spent £28million on a striker who scored 22 goals in 120 appearances in France, I can't see that ending well and if Alexander Isak does not get his move to Liverpool, I think he may well have a disaster of a season with Newcastle, struggling to get his head back in the game and perhaps taking a few numbers off his price tag by the start of next summer!

Brentford have lost good players and while Kelleher is a good goalkeeper, I don’t think he can save the Bees from the drop or new boss Keith Andrews from the sack.

Sam Truelove

Champions: Liverpool

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea

Relegated: Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley

Champions League winners: Bayern Munich

Europa League winners: Aston Villa

Conference League winners: Crystal Palace

FA Cup winners: Arsenal

Carabao Cup winners: Liverpool

Premier League Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Player of the season: Florian Wirtz

Young player of the season: Ethan Nwaneri

Signing of the summer: Jack Grealish

Worst signing of the summer: Armando Broja

Flop of the season: Noni Madueke

First manager sacked: Scott Parker

I’ve said this because… This could be one hell of a Premier League season. I can't see beyond Liverpool for the title, while I think they will do well in the majority of the cup competitions too. They may even have success in the Champions League but I’m backing Bayern Munich to win UEFA’s top club competition as I really like their squad.

Don’t underestimate Chelsea this year, either. Man City will be back to their best and so will Erling Haaland so I'm backing the Norwegian for the Golden Boot, while Florian Wirtz is a real talent and if he takes to the Premier League quickly, then we are in for a treat.

Jack Grealish going on loan to Everton could be a real coup for the Toffees, if the Englishman stays fit, and he will be motivated to play for England at the World Cup. Armando Broja signed for Burnley in a deal worth up to £20million but the striker has been injury prone in recent years and I feel like it could be a waste of money, which could result in Scott Parker losing his job around Christmas.

Finally, I think Noni Madueke could struggle at Arsenal in his first season. His favourite position is on the right, which is where Bukayo Saka plays, and I'm yet to be convinced by his performances on the left.

Kieran Horn

Champions: Liverpool

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea

Relegated: Leeds United, Sunderland, Burnley

Champions League winners: Chelsea

Europa League winners: Aston Villa

Conference League winners: Crystal Palace

FA Cup winners: Tottenham Hotspur

Carabao Cup winners: Manchester City

Premier League Golden Boot: Ollie Watkins

Player of the season: Mohamed Salah

Young player of the season: Ethan Nwaneri

Signing of the summer: Tijjani Reijnders

Worst signing of the summer: Aaron Ramsdale

Flop of the season: Anthony Gordon

First manager sacked: Scott Parker

I’ve said this because… The Premier League is often very unpredictable and yet it appears quite obvious what teams will be in the top four and bottom three. Reigning champions Liverpool have strengthened significantly despite losing some key players and thus Arne Slot's side retaining the title is my prediction.

Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea have also bolstered their ranks and I'm expecting a big gap to form between those three sides and the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Deep cup runs and eventual triumphs will play a role in that for three of those teams with an English sweep of all the European trophies on the cards in my mind. Chelsea winning the Champions League is somewhat of a rogue shout but they just appear to have that edge in knockout competitions and I’m expecting them to go all the way.

More attackers arriving at Anfield will see the goals shared out but Mohamed Salah will turn provider and break the Premier League assist record to crown him player of the season. In my opinion, Ethan Nwaneri is going to explode over the next nine months as it now looks like he will be deployed centrally.

Ollie Watkins has looked exceptional in pre-season and that will continue into the competitive games with a 25-goal haul as my prediction for the Villa striker. I’m also a huge fan of Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders with the midfielder likely to hit double-figures for goals.

In my opinion, Aaron Ramsdale is not good enough to be a first-choice goalkeeper for a top-half club and very quickly Nick Pope will be No.1 again. Newcastle United have endured a challenging summer and I’m expecting Anthony Gordon to struggle and also lose his place with Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes and the Alexander Isak replacement as the front three.

Scott Parker will be sacked in October with Burnley re-appointing Sean Dyche.

Jack Flintham

Champions: Liverpool

Top four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City

Relegated: Brentford, Burnley, Sunderland

Champions League winners: Real Madrid

Europa League winners: Porto

Conference League winners: Crystal Palace

FA Cup winners: Brighton and Hove Albion

Carabao Cup winners: Manchester United

Premier League Golden Boot: Alexander Isak

Player of the season: Florian Wirtz

Young player of the season: Carlos Baleba

Signing of the summer: Florian Wirtz

Worst signing of the summer: Anthony Elanga

Flop of the season: Eddie Howe

First manager sacked: Keith Andrews

I’ve said this because… While I feel the status quo at the top of the Premier League will largely remain the same, I think this is the best chance for the past two seasons for a newly promoted club to avoid the drop. Leeds have everything in place to do just that and if Daniel Farke can galvanise this group of players, Elland Road could become a difficult place to visit.

Despite him being unlikely to play the opening weekend of the season, I do think that Isak will get his move to Liverpool and flourish at Anfield with Wirtz providing a great creative threat for the Reds on their way to the title. The Swede’s departure will likely contribute to Newcastle having a poor season.

I expect them to finish mid-table as they struggle to cope with the demands of the Champions League and Premier League without Isak. I am also unconvinced whether Elanga will prove to be value for money for the Magpies. I expect Palace to fight back from missing out on Europa League football by winning the Conference League.

While I am also tipping Brighton to enjoy a season similar to Palace last year where they focus on the FA Cup and win it while also being safe from the drop. And while I see Andrews being sacked first, I feel it will be too little, too late to save Brentford from relegation - there has been just too much change there.