Premier League Predictions 25/26

As we gear up for another season of highs and lows, thrills and spills and everything in between. Every team will be aiming high, but some have to fall below expectations to keep the balance. The Premier League season kicks off today with Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at 8pm GMT. In this post I'm going to take a look at where I think every team will finish from 20th to 1st. I'll also give a reason why, who their standout player will be and one position that needs investing in the most. Without further ado, let's begin at 20.

20th - Burnley

Unfortunately I think Burnley will go straight down. In the Championship last season they were famed for having an incredibly tight defence, shipping just 16 goals. They reached the infamous 100 point club as well. However, it's incredibly hard to translate form to the Premier League as it's an entirely different level. While they have recruited fairly well with Kyle Walker, Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja the significant purchases, I do think they have quite a bloated squad. Injuries are unavoidable, but having such a big squad with 13 new players arriving can be a recipe for disaster.

Standout: Marcus Edwards. Arriving from Sporting Lisbon, a Champions League level player could be a real difference maker.

Investment: Despite the squad overhaul, I do feel they look quite light in central midfield. Should Ugochukwu face an injury or not perform to a standard then they're very light, Josh Cullen and Josh Laurent are the only other options.

19th - Wolves

Wolves have been a mainstay in the top division for many seasons now, not just surviving, but actually thriving. Having said that, last season was a real eye opener for them. Finishing 16th, but only because the teams below them performed so bad. The relegation dogfight would've been far more intense had the bottom three mustered more than 12 wins between them. While Wolves have recruited, they've lost their two biggest and best players in one window, Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Cunha dragged that club free of the drop, but will not be there to replicate that this season.

Standout: Jorgen Strand Larsen. He showed what he's capable of last season and Wolves will look to him for goals again and I think he'll give them that.

Investment: Centre Back. Last season Wolves donned a three at the back system with attacking full backs. With only four natural centre backs in the side, and one still sidelined with an injury, then this will be an area in dire need of addressing.

18th - Leeds

For similar reasons to Burnley, Leeds I think will go straight down. I do think they have a bit more about them and I reckon they'll be hard to break down at home. However, I don't think the squad has been improved enough to match the quality of the Premier League. The relegation battle will involve more teams this season, but Leeds take the final relegation spot.

Standout: Ethan Ampadu. A former wonderkid that couldn't quite crack the Premier League, but now he's club captain at the age of 24 and off the back of an excellent season in the Championship. A solid backline will be Leeds' biggest hope and he's right there in the middle of it.

Investment: Leeds are pretty well stacked in most positions, but I do think they need to take another look at the attacking midfield role. There's a lot of reliance on Brenden Aaronson to be the creative pulse in the team.

17th - Sunderland

Of all the teams to get promoted, Sunderland have had the best transfer window so far. The level of quality signed is genuinely incredible and I do feel like those will be the difference makers. While I think they will survive, I don't think they'll necessarily prosper. Having said that, survival is probably the highest on their list of objectives so they'll certainly take it either way.

Standout: Granit Xhaka. A former Arsenal star and recent Bundesliga winner. Despite age, Xhaka will bring leadership and raise the floor in terms of technical quality. If Sunderland survive, they'll have Xhaka to thank.

Investment: This is probably the only team who I can't say need investment. They've added and retained quality all over the team, but I think they actually need to look at moving players on. 41 player squad will cause friction if not dealt with.

16th - Brentford

Brentford have been subject to the curse of playing very well in the Premier League, eventually your squad will get ripped apart. This summer has been that for Brentford. Thomas Frank leaving for Spurs. Christian Norgaard heading to Arsenal, Bryan Mbuemo going to Manchester United, Mark Flekken moving abroad and still players like Yoane Wissa potentially heading for an exit. All starters and key figures for the club gone in one summer will prove very tough to overcome. They're too good for relegation, but they'll be dragged into the dogfight.

Standout: Mikkel Damsgaard. While Mbuemo and Wissa stole the headlines last season, it was Damsgaard that provided the silk touch before most attacking moves. He was instrumental in linking the rest of the team to the attack and he'll have to do that once again, I reckon he will.

Investment: Even without the potential move for Wissa, Brentford need more in attack. Especially an out and out striker. Igor Thiago is the only real 'striker' and that won't be enough.

15th - West Ham

After a poor campaign last time out it was essential that West Ham made moves this summer and I don't think they've done it at all. They will struggle again and even lost a creative spark in Mohamed Kudus, a season in which they were bereft of spark. I place them above Brentford as I think they have a more settled squad with an experienced Premier League manager. Time is ticking, or they'll have to be looking behind them for the campaign.

Standout: Jarrod Bowen. The one player in that West Ham team who always turns up, year after year and he will again. He will once again be the main goalscoring threat and he will provide the goods again.

Investment: Striker. Callum Wilson won't be enough to lead the line, especially if his injury concerns continue. There is Niclas Fullkrug, but he proved to be very underwhelming.

14th - Bournemouth

One half of the curtain raisers alongside Liverpool tonight. However, I think Bournemouth need more time behind the curtain. The curse has hit Bournemouth as well as Brentford, with the squad getting torn apart. Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Ilya Zabarnyi have all departed. 3 of their starting back 4 last season, a season in which they excelled defensively. Despite the strengths going forward, the defence needs work and needs it fast.

Standout: Adrien Truffert: Milos Kerkez left big shoes to fill, but Bournemouth found a shrewd replacement in Truffert. The full back position doesn't get a lot of love in terms of standout players, but I believe Truffert will help Bournemouth fans forget Kerkez.

Investment: Centre back. Despite acquiring Bafode Diakite, Bournemouth need another to reach the level of the Huijsen and Zabarnyi partnership.

13th - Everton

I really like the work that Everton have done this summer. A brand new stadium and a huge change in form towards the back end of the season has built momentum for the club. Momentum needed to be used effectively and I feel like they've done that. A spattering of smart signings across the team has elevated the standard. I think they could reach higher, but I believe the teams further up this list are better overall.

Standout: Thierno Barry. The striking position for Everton has been questioned for years now. Dominic Calvert-Lewin couldn't stay fit and Beto had question marks over his ability. Barry can change that.

Investment: I think there's a couple of positions that could do with looking at, but I feel as though the right back slot needs an upgrade. Seamus Coleman is a legend of the club, but he won't feature all that much, that leaves Nathan Patterson. Everton need a bit more down that side.

12th - Crystal Palace

Palace claimed victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield to set the stage for the new season. Palace themselves have been extremely quiet in terms of incomings and outgoings, but Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi remain likely to leave. If they do end up leaving I can see Palace struggling, however, they do have a very exciting squad even without Eze and Guehi. They won't push European spots, but will steer well clear of the relegation battle.

Standout: Ismaila Sarr. He scored in the Community Shield and was in devastating form last season. If Eze does go then Sarr will have to take the reins in terms of providing goals and assists.

Investment: Centre back. The importance of this escalates if Guehi does leave, even if he doesn't I do believe Palace come up short at the back.

11th - Fulham

Fulham were very good last season and their team hasn't changed. Marco Silva is a very good manager and I think he'll be the reason why they won't falter. The Cottagers played some sleek football and I have no reason to think they won't again. I think the lack of investment so far will hold them back slightly, but the team as a whole will still be able to churn out results

Standout: Emile Smith-Rowe. If he can stay fit then he'll be integral to Fulham and their creative output. I want the best for him and we'll see the best of him this season, in my opinion.

Investment: Anywhere. They've made one signing. They just need some sort of investment anywhere in the team, just something extra to offer a different dimension.

10th - Brighton

The thing is with Brighton is that they have such a revolving door of players, but every single time they manage to find someone better than the one before. So while they have lost Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson, Simon Adingra and Pervis Estupinan, what they have in their ranks will replace them all. Brighton are just a very good team and they will remain a very good team next season.

Standout: Carlos Baleba. A player subject to huge interest from Manchester United, but if he remains then he'll dominate that midfield.

Investment: Losing Joao Pedro is huge and replacing him with a couple of young (teenagers) is risky. I think they need more experience up top, aside from Danny Welbeck.

9th - Aston Villa

Villa are a mixed bag. I don't really know what I'm going to get from them, but the players they have are very good. However, they're another team that hasn't seen many incomings and that could hurt them in their pursuit of European football. PSR constraints haven't helped, but not every good signing needs to be expensive. They'll squeeze in top half, but not any further than that.

Standout: Morgan Rogers. Made a statement by signing a new contract amid interest from all over the place. A brilliant season that looks set to continue.

Investment: The goalkeeping situation is looking precarious, with Emi Martinez not guaranteed to be at the club at the end of the summer window. The only other keeper is Marco Bizot, a 34 year old from Stade Brest. That won't be enough if Martinez does leave.

8th - Nottingham Forest

Forest were very much the crown jewel of over-performers last season, with genuine shouts for Champions League football. Despite falling off towards the end of the season, it was still an amazing campaign. They have a squad stacked with talent and are constantly adding new brilliant players. In addition to this, they also retained Morgan Gibbs-White, one of their most important players. The only adversity they could face is balancing European football with domestic which can be incredibly hard.

Standout: It has to Morgan Gibbs-White. The beating heart of the team and the one who pieces the team together, keeping him was more important than any incoming they could've made.

Investment: While the forward line can interchange and play multiple positions, I do feel like perhaps a bit of depth could be useful on that left side of the attack.

7th - Manchester United

No European football will be a blessing in disguise for United for just one season. The entire front line has changed and elite players have been added which will help them in many games, but I think the lack of attention to the defensive frailties will cause them issues. This is why I place them outside the big six, but 10 times better than last season.

Standout: Bruno Fernandes. The eternal string puller. The one that will give life to the new look attack. If Benjamin Sesko, Mbuemo and Cunha explode this season then it'll be Fernandes that's allowed them to do so.

Investment: Centre back. A number of teams should be in the market for new central defenders and United are no different. Ruben Amorim generally plays with three and they'll need cover for them.

6th - Newcastle United

With Champions League football returning to Tyneside, it'll be a challenge to balance four competitions, which is made even harder due to their best player revolting against the club. Alexander Isak is still subject to huge rumours, which needs to find a resolution so as to not derail the whole season. Fundamentally Newcastle have a good squad, they just need to move Isak on so they can recruit.

Standout: Anthony Gordon. If not for Isak last season, he would've been the most important player in Newcastle's attack. Endless amounts of energy, but supremely talented.

Investment: Striker. Without a doubt the position that Newcastle have pursued the hardest to no avail so far, but continue they must.

5th - Tottenham Hotspur

Forgetting last season's domestic campaign, they still ended up with a big trophy. They now must kick on and they're certainly trying to by adding Thomas Frank. A very good manager who is known for building tough to beat sides who play attractive football. If he gets his targets then Spurs will have real shouts for finishing top four. However, the balance of Champions League football and a domestic campaign is foreign to Frank, so it'll be interesting to see how he navigates that.

Standout: Mohamed Kudus. He's looked electrifying in pre-season and will be looked to for big contributions to goals and assists which he looks like he'll do.

Investment: With James Maddison's injury and the rejection of Morgan Gibbs-White, the need for a creative midfielder is essential. Eze looks high on their list of targets which could be extremely important in the grand scheme of things if they land him.

4th - Chelsea

If there was a prize for winning pre-season then I think Chelsea would've won it. The Club World Cup under their belts and have just oozed quality in all the other friendlies they've played. They're going to be a real problem this season as they were last time out. This season feels different though, they look closer to the finished product, not just harbouring three entire starting XI's. They look more refined, more silky, more polished. I do feel like they're too new on the scene to challenge the three above them, but will take them all the way.

Standout: Cole Palmer. As much as I'd want to go rogue due to all the talent they have, it will just be Cole Palmer's world that the rest of the Chelsea team live in

Investment: Chelsea have spent heavily, but also sold big to balance the books. The only position I do feel needs more attention is the goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez is a good shot stopper, but not the one that can take them to the next level.

3rd - Manchester City

You can never rule City out of a title race and if it wasn't for my bias hope as an Arsenal fan then I'd have them second. Having said that, this is a relatively new look City team and it could take some time to gel and find what works. The comfort for City though is that the players they have are just too good to not gel very quickly, although Rodri's injury until September will perhaps be tough to navigate.

Standout: Tijjani Reijnders. It's easy to select Erling Haaland, but he just finishes the good work of others. Reijnders will be the one that has to try and replace Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri (temporarily) all in one go. The heartbeat of the new look City team.

Investment: I still feel like City have needed a proper right back for a little while now. I don't mind Rico Lewis, but they need to stop with the Matheus Nunes right back gimmick. It was the same with us and Thomas Partey, it never really worked.

2nd - Arsenal

Unfortunately I think we do just fall short again. We've done well to recruit depth and add the much needed striker, but we lack that level raiser on the left side of the attack. I do think people forget how good we are as a team and came up short last season due to an injury crisis. If we can rotate better then I think we close the gap on top spot, but I can't see the team at the top spot falling away.

Standout: Martin Zubimendi. I think all the good that happens with Arsenal will come with this man in the team. He has the ingredients to be our Rodri and I think we'll struggle when he's not in the side for whatever reason.

Investment: Left wing. We've done really well to add where we've needed it, but as I stated earlier, we need a world beater on that left wing and Gabriel Martinelli isn't that, neither is Trossard.

1st - Liverpool

Liverpool won the league and then went and dropped over £200M to improve the squad, if they add Isak then what else can you say. They're doing what champions should do, solidify their status as the best. Of course a lot of their hopes will again rely on the fitness and form of Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, but we can never rule them out as they always come back stronger.

Standout: Hugo Ekitike. Young, hungry and full of responsibility. Having just finished watching the first game, he's going to be a real problem this season.

Investment: If Liverpool don't land Isak this summer then they're left quite short up front. Having sold Darwin Nunez, they're left with Ekitike and Cody Gakpo as the centre forward, although Gakpo regularly plays out wide.

There you have it. My predictions for the season as of Friday 15th August 2025. My mind will likely change based on whatever business occurs between now and the end of the transfer window. I will also revisit this post at the end of the season to see how I done. Anyways, enjoy the season folks!