Premier League 2025-2026 Season Predictions: Top Contenders and Surprise Teams
The Premier League season is here again, and with it comes a mix of excitement, new signings, tactical shifts, and endless debates about who’s heading for glory and who’s going to struggle just to survive. From Liverpool defending their crown to the newly promoted sides hoping to avoid a quick return to the Championship, the storylines for 2025–26 are stacked. This preview runs through the top 10 teams, with more focus on player transfers, tactical stats, strength, weaknesses and including Matchplug’s season predictions. Title Contenders Liverpool Arne Slot’s debut season couldn’t have gone better. Liverpool were not just effective; they were more efficient than they had been in years. According to ESPN, their expected goals per shot rose significantly under Slot compared to Klopp’s final campaign, and defensive metrics stayed among the league’s best. The rebuild continued this summer. Salah remains central, but the departures of Núñez and Díaz mean the attacking structure looks new. Wirtz and Ekitike are top young talents, but they will have to adapt quickly. Defensively, Frimpong adds attacking thrust from right-back, but also leaves questions about balance. Last Season Liverpool finished 1st in 2024/25, regaining the title for the first time since Jürgen Klopp’s departure. Slot made them more controlled in possession compared to Klopp’s high-risk chaos, improving shot quality and reducing defensive lapses. Salah delivered a sensational season, topping both goals and assists charts, while the back line held strong despite transition. Key Transfers They’ve spent big to rebuild the attack, while also moving on several key names. Losing Díaz, Núñez, and especially Alexander-Arnold changes the dynamic, but Wirtz and Ekitike bring top-level potential. Strengths Weaknesses Tactics Slot will stick with a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid, pressing with structure but more compact than Klopp’s sides. Wirtz could play as the No. 10 behind Ekitike, with Salah drifting inside from the right. Expect Liverpool to dominate possession more than in past years, while still threatening in transitions. Prediction Liverpool’s squad looks strong enough to defend their title, but Arsenal and City have also strengthened. If Wirtz and Ekitike settle quickly and Salah maintains his outrageous form, Liverpool are in the fight to the very end. The defence could wobble at times, but talent depth across the pitch keeps them in pole position. Predicted finish: 1st or 2nd Arsenal Arsenal enter the new season with the same ambition to finally take the final step and win the Premier League. After back-to-back second-place finishes, Mikel Arteta’s squad looks stronger than ever, both in depth and quality, and the club’s summer business shows they are determined not to fall short again. Last Season Arsenal finished 2nd in 2024/25 with 74 points, behind Liverpool but ahead of Manchester City. Their defensive record was excellent, anchored by William Saliba and Gabriel, but their attack didn’t always produce enough clear chances in the biggest games. Key Transfers The standout signing is Gyökeres, a proven finisher who gives Arsenal the true No. 9 they’ve lacked. Zubimendi offers stability and control in midfield, allowing Declan Rice to push forward more often. Madueke adds depth and competition on the right wing, while Mosquera strengthens defensive depth. Strengths Weaknesses Tactics Expect Arteta to continue with his flexible 4-3-3/3-2-5 system, with Zubimendi sitting deepest, Rice operating as a box-to-box disruptor, and Ødegaard pulling strings further up. Gyökeres will be the focal point in attack, giving Arsenal more direct scoring options compared to Jesus or Havertz as false nines. Prediction Arsenal look primed for another title challenge. Their transfer window directly addressed last season’s shortcomings, particularly in midfield balance and finishing. If Saka and Ødegaard remain fit and Gyökeres adapts quickly, Arsenal could finally edge past Liverpool and Manchester City. Predicted finish: 2nd again but genuine title contenders Manchester City After a season where Pep Guardiola’s side fell short of their usual dominance, Manchester City head into 2025/26 with plenty to prove. A third-place finish in 2024/25 was considered underwhelming by their standards, especially after losing key games against Arsenal and Liverpool in the title run-in. The squad still oozes quality, but the summer has been about reshaping and ensuring Guardiola’s system stays fresh. Last Season City finished 3rd with 71 points. While still boasting the league’s best possession stats, their attack lacked sharpness at crucial moments, and defensive lapses cost them games they would normally control. Erling Haaland’s numbers remained elite, but the supporting cast didn’t hit the same heights as previous years. Key Transfers The big addition is Savinho, who impressed on loan at Girona last year. His pace and dribbling give Guardiola another wide option alongside Jeremy Doku. Dani Olmo offers creativity and versatility, while Barco is one for the future but adds depth in a position City often rotate. Strengths Weaknesses Tactics Expect Guardiola to continue his hybrid 3-2-4-1, with Rodri as the anchor, De Bruyne/Foden as creators, and Haaland leading the line. The difference this year may be more wing-focused play with Doku and Savinho providing width. Dani Olmo gives flexibility, especially when City face deep blocks. Prediction Manchester City may not start the season as outright favourites after finishing behind Liverpool and Arsenal, but writing them off would be foolish. Guardiola’s ability to rebuild cycles is proven, and with Haaland still a goal machine, they remain in the mix. Depth could be the difference in the final months, but their margin for error is smaller now. Predicted finish: 3rd Chelsea Chelsea enter another season of change, with a new coach and yet another summer of heavy spending. The club continues to invest aggressively, but the big question is whether this version of Chelsea finally finds balance after years of inconsistency. Last Season Chelsea finished 6th in 2024/25, securing a European spot but never truly threatening the title contenders. They showed flashes of quality, especially late in the season, but inconsistency and lack of cohesion kept them out of the top four. Key Transfers The additions of Vítinha and Doué point towards a midfield rebuild that emphasizes creativity and control. Félix, meanwhile, has
