Saturday, 6 September 2025
We're back. The transfer window has slammed shut, and with that the die is cast and another season of Premier League action awaits. It's a season chock-full of narrative and drama. Can anyone dethrone Arne Slot's rampant Liverpool? Will Arsenal finally compete for the game's biggest honours? Could this be a big comeback year for the newly crowned World Champions Chelsea? Watch this space.
Premier League 2025/26 Predictions in a nutshell:
Champions: Liverpool
Champions League qualifiers: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City
Relegated: Sunderland, West Ham, Burnley
Golden Boot winner: Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Golden Glove winner: Raya Martin (Arsenal)
Player to watch: Mo Salah (Liverpool)
New signing to watch: Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal)
Young player to watch: Estêvão (Chelsea)
First manager to get the sack: Graham Potter (West Ham)
Shock of the season: Manchester United sack Amorim less than a year into the job
ARSENAL
Nickname: The Gunners
Ground: Emirates Stadium
Capacity: 60,000
Position last season: 2nd
Manager: Mikel Arteta
It's a pattern you could set your watch to, Arsenal being tipped for great things and then never delivering. The Gunners, to their credit, have been consistently competitive in recent years, buoyed by the stability and common respect that manager Mikel Arteta holds in north London.
But at the same time, we can't ignore the fact that Arteta has only the single FA Cup to his name over six seasons at the Emirates. This is despite spending close to £1 billion during that time, including another £200 million this past summer. Their rivals, Chelsea, were famously described as "billion pound bottle jobs" by Gary Neville, but as the silverware starts to accumulate at Stamford Bridge, it's becoming increasingly impossible to ignore the lack of tangible success here.
To their credit, Arsenal have spent well this summer. Under Mikel Arteta’s direction, they’ve secured exciting new additions like Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, and Martin Zubimendi, while shoring up a defense that has been the division’s tightest for two straight seasons. This has been offset by untimely injuries, most notably to Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard, but Arteta’s squad depth and strategic signings provide a cushion.
With their newfound firepower and a looming early-season test at Anfield, Arsenal’s title tilt feels more tangible than ever. But it’s now or never if this is to be the campaign where they transcend “consolidation” and finally win major silverware under Arteta.
Key Signing: Viktor Gyökeres
Key Man: Riccardo Calafiori
Verdict: Title contenders, but patience is running thin for Arteta.
ASTON VILLA
Nickname: The Villans
Ground: Villa Park
Capacity: 42,640
Last season: 6th
Manager: Unai Emery
Key Man: Riccardo Calafiori
Verdict: Title contenders, but patience is running thin for Arteta.
ASTON VILLA
Nickname: The Villans
Ground: Villa Park
Capacity: 42,640
Last season: 6th
Manager: Unai Emery
Aston Villa kick off the new campaign under Unai Emery with a tempered sense of optimism after a relatively subdued summer. Despite missing out on Champions League qualification last season, there is no ignoring the impressive progress the club has made in recent seasons.
The squad remains competition-ready, anchored by creative dynamo Morgan Rogers and midfield linchpin Youri Tielemans. The Villans have spent carefully (net spend around £10.7 million) and added promising young talent like Zépiqueno Redmond, striker Evann Guessand, and goalkeeper Marco Bizot, while absorbing the loss of Jacob Ramsey.
Expectations are realistic: fans expect European football, perhaps a deep cup run, but focus remains firmly on building consistency in the league amid financial constraints and the ever-intensifying Premier League field.
Key Signing: Zépiqueno Redmond
Key Man: Morgan Rogers
Verdict: It's been a positive few years, but have they done enough to keep pace?
BOURNEMOUTH
Nickname: The Cherries
Ground: Dean Court
Capacity: 11,307
Last season: 9th
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Nickname: The Cherries
Ground: Dean Court
Capacity: 11,307
Last season: 9th
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Last season was a highly productive one for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, with a record points haul and memorable 9th-place finish. But they face a baptism of fire with key defensive losses, including Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who were all so impressive last season.
Despite this, there’s cautious optimism around the club’s buy-low, sell-high transfer model. They’ve signed goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea for £25 million and recruited left‑back Adrien Truffert from Rennes to restore defensive balance. Record signing Evanilson leads the attack alongside Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, while rising star Alex Scott remains one to watch after a breakout U21 Euro campaign.
With Iraola’s high-pressing philosophy and Bill Foley’s investment unlocking a new training complex and plans to own Vitality Stadium, expectations are pragmatic: another top-half finish is the target in a season of consolidation.
Key Signing: Đorđe Petrović
Key Man: Antoine Semenyo
Verdict: Will do well to match last season's finish.
BRENTFORDNickname: The Bees
Ground: Brentford Community Stadium
Capacity: 17,250
Last season: 10th
Manager: Keith Andrews
Brentford have been a club on the rise in recent years. This year we will see how much of that is down to the skilled stewardship of manager Thomas Frank, departing this summer for Tottenham. Whatever happens, it will be a season of significant transformation, with Keith Andrews, the former set-piece coach now thrust into a leadership role amid understandable uncertainty.
Additionally, the Bees have lost several key players, including captain Christian Nørgaard, prolific forward Bryan Mbeumo, and goalkeeper Mark Flekken, leaving fans both nervous and expectant. New signings like Jordan Henderson bring vital experience and calm to a reconfigured squad, while youthful energy from additions like Antoni Milambo and Dango Ouattara, plus the goal threat of Igor Thiago, provide fresh optimism.
Brentford still has good infrastructure in place from the investment of recent years, but this is a season defined by adaptation, leadership under a new manager, and whether the Bees can maintain stability in a volatile mid-table fight. It could be a challenging one for them.
Key Signing: Dango Ouattara
Key Man: Nathan Collins
Verdict: Should be safe, but could be a relegation risk if they don't start well.
BRIGHTON
Nickname: The Seagulls
Ground: Falmer Stadium
Capacity: 31,876
Last season: 8th
Manager: Fabian Hürzeler
Of all the clubs to rise into the Premier League in recent seasons, Brighton appear to stand out as the one which has achieved the most sustainable success. A very well-run outfit which has turned the coastal club into a recognisable brand and a marketable organisation.
The seagulls embark on the new season under head coach Fabian Hürzeler, aiming to build on an impressive 8th-place finish last term and challenge once again for a European spot. Yet this is not the same Brighton we have seen in the last few years. Victims of their own success, they continue to shed talent on and off the pitch, while their wealthier rivals adopt more of their strategies making it harder to rebuild.
It is difficult to see where the goals come from with this team. The departure of João Pedro to Chelsea will be a big blow, leaving the team increasingly reliant on an ageing Danny Welbeck up front. Fresh blood is a must, and to that end the Seagulls have injected both youth and defensive steel into the squad with signings like Charalampos Kostoulas, Diego Coppola, Olivier Boscagli, and Maxim De Cuyper. The club has built a reputation for identifying and developing quality young talent, and they will need to do so again if they want to maintain their position.
Key Signing: Maxim De Cuyper
Key Man: Kaoru Mitoma
Verdict: Will be a tough season, and they are unlikely to match the heights of previous years.
Key Man: Kaoru Mitoma
Verdict: Will be a tough season, and they are unlikely to match the heights of previous years.
BURNLEY
Nickname: The Clarets
Ground: Turf Moor
Capacity: 21,944
Last season: Promoted (Runner up)
Manager: Scott Parker
Back in the Premier League after their record-breaking promotion campaign under Scott Parker, Burnley face a daunting survival fight amid heavy summer turnover, including the departure of key defensive stalwarts like James Trafford and CJ Egan‑Riley.
While their Championship campaign was defined by defensive mastery, conceding just 16 goals and keeping 30 clean sheets, both all-time records, the transition to the elite tier is perilous. Prominent new recruit Kyle Walker brings leadership and Premier League experience, but expectations remain low, with pundits and betting markets pointing toward Burnley being prime candidates for relegation
Burnley aren't a bad side by any means. But in a league where every team is a quality team, someone has to go down, and Burnley simply look weaker than their rivals on paper. Ultimately, stability at the back, tactical discipline, and key performances from signings like Armando Broja could be the difference.
Key Signing: Kyle Walker
Key Man: Josh Cullen
Verdict: Prime candidates for relegation.
Key Man: Josh Cullen
Verdict: Prime candidates for relegation.
CHELSEA
Nickname: Blues
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Capacity: 40,044
Last season: 4th
Manager: Enzo Maresca
Nickname: Blues
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Capacity: 40,044
Last season: 4th
Manager: Enzo Maresca
Whisper it quietly, but could BlueCo's much maligned project at Stamford Bridge finally be starting to pay off? The three years since Clearlake's takeover of the club have been chaotic to say the least, and largely viewed as a failure. Last season, however, things finally seemed to click. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea finally broke back into the top four and secured Champions League football, and additionally secured the first two pieces of silverware under the new regime. Most notably becoming the inaugural Club World Cup winners this summer courtesy of an ominous 3-0 demolition of Paris Saint-Germain, generally considered to be the greatest side in world football at the moment.
The problem with a transfer policy focused solely on youthful prospects is that many of them will fail. On the other hand, the ones that hit, hit big. Chelsea's strategy appears to be that if they buy enough players, eventually they will land on a XI of incredible young talent. Oddly, it seems to be producing results. Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo have been the biggest successes to date, and new signing João Pedro looks like he may be the missing piece of the puzzle - a reliable striker at long last. Then there is the matter of Estêvão, the young Brazilian that seems to be the talk of the league at the moment. If he can show his potential then Chelsea may have a gem of a player on their hands.
So it's exciting and optimistic times at Stamford Bridge, but beneath the surface, many of the same issues remain. Robert Sanchez still does not convince in goal. On his day he's great (see the PSG final) but he's inconsistent and unpredictable. Add to that a burgeoning injury crisis in defence - Levi Colwill is out for the season, Wesley Fofana perpetually - and this is still a very vulnerable team, no matter how good they look up front.
Key Signing: João Pedro
Key Man: Cole Palmer
Verdict: They'll fancy themselves, but weakness in defence makes any talk of a title charge premature. They will do well to finish top four again.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Nickname: Eagles, Glaziers
Ground: Selhurst Park
Capacity: 25,486
Last season: 12th
Manager: Oliver Glasner
CRYSTAL PALACE
Nickname: Eagles, Glaziers
Ground: Selhurst Park
Capacity: 25,486
Last season: 12th
Manager: Oliver Glasner
It's an exciting, yet frustrating time for Crystal Palace fans. Riding high under the leadership of Oliver Glasner on the back of their FA Cup and Community Shield triumph, yet barred from UEFA from competing in the Europa League due to conflicts with the multi-club ownership rules (yet somehow no issue for City Group or Redbull?).
Amid this confusion, Palace have faced a summer marked by uncertainty and transition, with key exits including Eberechi Eze and doubts over the future of Marc Guehi. Manager Oliver Glasner has implemented a high‑tempo 3‑4‑2‑1 pressing system that helped them finish strong last term and now sets sights on a push into European territory, something uncharted for the club in the Premier League era. Incoming signings like Borna Sosa and free‑agent goalkeeper Walter Benítez bolster the squad, while Ismaïla Sarr adds fresh attacking threat alongside Jean‑Philippe Mateta.
Ultimately, Glasner deserves great credit for what he has done at Palace. They are a genuinely good side and even without Eze they could really kick on and build on this. The note of caution, as it always is, is simply that the standard of the league is so high.
Key Signing: Yeremy Pino
Key Man: Ismaïla Sarr
Verdict: Will be targeting a top half finish.
EVERTON
Nickname: Toffees
Ground: Hill Dickinson Stadium
Capacity: 52,769
Last season: 8th
Manager: David Moyes
A mix of the old and the new for Everton, who begin a new era under their former long-time manager David Moyes in the stunning new Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees are aiming to build on the mid-table resurgence they achieved last season.
Although the summer saw the exit of nine regular starters, high-profile arrivals like Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and promising youngster Tyler Dibling inject creativity and energy into the side.
Squad depth remains a concern, especially in midfield and defense. But if the momentum continues, Everton could push for a top half finish. More likely is to be floating somewhere around mid-table.
Key Signing: Jack Grealish
Key Man: Jordan Pickford
Verdict: A transition year.
FULHAM
Nickname: The Cottagers
Ground: Craven Cottage
Capacity: 29,130
Last season: 11th
Manager: Marco Silva
Nickname: The Cottagers
Ground: Craven Cottage
Capacity: 29,130
Last season: 11th
Manager: Marco Silva
There's a lot to like about Marco Silva's Fulham side. They play good football and close down opposition very effectively, providing tough competition for even the best opposition in the league. After a credible mid-table finish last term, the ambitious club will be looking to build on this further.
The Cottagers are poised for another season of mid-table consolidation under the guidance of Marco Silva, who remains pivotal despite growing frustration over a notably quiet transfer window - a single summer signing (backup GK Benjamin Lecomte) and minimal reinforcements have left fans cautious about squad depth, particularly at full-back and up front.
Last year’s club-record 54-point finish and FA Cup run have raised expectations, with players like Alex Iwobi and emerging talent Joshua King seen as key to pushing beyond mid-table status. Any European push will hinge on consistency and the ability to turn promising performances into results.
Key Signing: None
Key Man: Calvin Bassey
Verdict: Not a relegation risk, but unlikely to push any higher than mid-table.
LEEDS UNITED
Nickname: The Whites
Ground: Elland Road
Capacity: 37,645
Last season: Promoted (Champions)
Manager: Daniel Farke
Ground: Elland Road
Capacity: 37,645
Last season: Promoted (Champions)
Manager: Daniel Farke
A return to the Premier League for Leeds United. The Whites are brimming with hope after a dominant Championship campaign, with intriguing signings such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer among a host of summer additions including Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, Lucas Perri, and Noah Okafor, all aimed at solidifying midfield and attack.
But the Premier League is a big step up for any club and there remain doubts surround the forward line, particularly with two injury‑prone free agent attackers (Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha) bearing much of the goal-scoring burden - a high-reward but risky position to be in.
Make no mistake, the focus this season is on survival. They are well positioned to compete, and in Farke they have a manager who can handle it. But we see this time and time again, success in the Championship is no guarantee of success in the Premier League.
Key Signing: Anton Stach
Key Man: Joe Rodon
Verdict: Should stay up, but could be sucked into the relegation battle.
LIVERPOOL
Nickname: Reds
Ground: Anfield
Capacity: 61,276
Last season: Champions
Manager: Arne Slot
Ground: Anfield
Capacity: 61,276
Last season: Champions
Manager: Arne Slot
A dream start to life in England for Arne Slot, and already the shadow of Jurgen Klopp appears to have been vanquished.
After clinching the 2024–25 title, Liverpool head into the new season with reasonable prospects to retain their crown, buoyed by a massive summer of reinvestment under Arne Slot. The club has smashed transfer records to bring in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and center-back prospect Giovanni Leoni, retooling both attack and defense for optimal balance.
While depth issues remain, particularly at defensive midfield and center-back, the general consensus is that the Reds now boast one of the most formidable squads in world football, combining firepower, experience, and tactical agility to go deep on all fronts.
Key Signing: Alexander Isak
Key Man: Mo Salah
Verdict: Among the favourites for the title.
Key Man: Mo Salah
Verdict: Among the favourites for the title.
MANCHESTER CITY
Nickname: Blues
Ground: Etihad Stadium
Capacity: 53,400
Last season: 3rd
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Nickname: Blues
Ground: Etihad Stadium
Capacity: 53,400
Last season: 3rd
Manager: Pep Guardiola
How quickly things change. From record breaking title winners to also-rans. Make no mistake, Manchester City are a formidable side, but they are not the City of old, and this is very much a season of transition. The departure of legend Kevin De Bruyne signals the true end of an era, and requires deep consideration as to how the club moves forward.
The club has re-invested heavily, approximately £293 million, to revitalize the roster. They have brought in key signings like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, and academy return James Trafford. Talented players, but even in the best case scenario, it will take time to step into the void left by their forebears. Much will depend on how well their remaining old guard can usher in this new era. Above all, a return to fitness for Rodri is seen as a critical catalyst for restoring midfield stability.
Strange as it is to say, this City side do not enter the season among the favourites. Many have tipped them to compete for the title, but I don't think they're there yet.
Key Signing: Tijjani Reijnders
Key Man: Erling Haaland
Verdict: Not quite ready for a title challenge.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Nickname: Red Devils
Ground: Old Trafford
Capacity: 74,879
Last season: 15th
Manager: Ruben Amorim
Key Man: Erling Haaland
Verdict: Not quite ready for a title challenge.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Nickname: Red Devils
Ground: Old Trafford
Capacity: 74,879
Last season: 15th
Manager: Ruben Amorim
It's been a rough several years for Manchester United, reaching a nadir in last season's 15th place finish, only just clear of the relegation battle. Now the Red Devils embark on a critical transitional season under Ruben Amorim as they aim to salvage pride and rebuild.
Their summer window has been ambitious but somewhat chaotic, with big-money additions like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško, Diego León, and new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Of these, Mbeumo looks a shrew piece of business, but question marks hang over the others.
Concerns still linger about the team’s tactical rigidity and overall coherence, with recent analysis pointing to inflexible formations, midfield gaps, and defensive vulnerabilities under Amorim. With expectations tempered, where even a top-half finish may feel like progress, United will hope that smart integration of new talent and improved stability can turn their fortunes around.
Key Signing: Bryan Mbeumo
Key Man: Bruno Fernandes
Verdict: Back in the top half, but not likely to contend for anything bigger.
Key Signing: Nick Woltemade
Key Man: Bruno Guimares
Verdict: Will once again compete for Champions League qualification.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nickname: The Reds
Ground: City Ground
Capacity: 30,445
Last season: 7th
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
Key Man: Bruno Fernandes
Verdict: Back in the top half, but not likely to contend for anything bigger.
NEWCASTLE
Nickname: The Magpies, Toon
Ground: St James' Park
Capacity: 52,305
Last season: 5th
Manager: Eddie Howe
Nickname: The Magpies, Toon
Ground: St James' Park
Capacity: 52,305
Last season: 5th
Manager: Eddie Howe
Anyone who follows the sport knows of Newcastle's ambitions. They want to reach the elite of world football. While this has not yet materialised, there is no denying the turnaround in fortunes that we have seen in recent years. From a punchline to perpetually in and around the Champions League spots, Newcastle head into the season brimming with expectation after lifting their first domestic trophy in 70 years, clinching the EFL Cup, and finishing a strong 5th last term.
The summer has been a whirlwind: fan-favorite striker Alexander Isak departed in a record £125 million move to Liverpool, forcing a tactical reset. In response, the club bolstered the squad with targeted signings like Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, and Yoane Wissa, moves graded a solid "B" for salvaging the window despite the high-profile loss.
With Eddie Howe’s tactical acumen, known for pressing and fluid formations, combined with returning Champions League football, Newcastle are positioning themselves to compete on multiple fronts, though their title odds are still long compared to the elite.
Key Signing: Nick Woltemade
Key Man: Bruno Guimares
Verdict: Will once again compete for Champions League qualification.
Nickname: The Reds
Ground: City Ground
Capacity: 30,445
Last season: 7th
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
The 2024/25 season was a remarkable one for Nottingham Forest. In and around the Champions League places for much of the season, before finishing up in a respectable 7th place with Europa League qualification. It may seem like a disappointing finish, but it still represents their highest finish in decades and a strong result for a side that was unfancied at the start of the season.
Nuno Espírito Santo remains in charge, armed with major summer reinforcements including Douglas Luiz on loan, Nicolò Savona, Oleksandr Zinchenko on loan, Dan Ndoye, and left-back Cuiabano, all signaling owner Evangelos Marinakis’s bold intent. Despite rumors around Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga’s futures, Forest's spending spree, reportedly over £200m with 13 new signings, leaves them deeper and more resilient squad-wise, ready to juggle domestic and European demands.
The big question, of course, is can they repeat their heroics from last season? Can they do better? The truth is that expectations should be tempered. Forest remain a strong side, but this is a very competitive league.
Key Signing: Dan Ndoye
Key Man: Callum Hudson-Odoi
Verdict: Unlikely to match last season's finish, solid mid-table.
Key Man: Callum Hudson-Odoi
Verdict: Unlikely to match last season's finish, solid mid-table.
SUNDERLAND
Nickname: The Black Cats
Ground: Stadium of Light
Capacity: 49,000
Last season: Promoted (Playoff)
Manager: Régis Le Bris
Nickname: The Black Cats
Ground: Stadium of Light
Capacity: 49,000
Last season: Promoted (Playoff)
Manager: Régis Le Bris
After an eight-year exile from the Premier League, Sunderland are back, and in emphatic style. They secured promotion via a dramatic play-off final comeback and have since backed manager Régis Le Bris with £132m–£164m in transfer spending, bringing in a mix of seasoned pros like Granit Xhaka, defensive reinforcements Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo, and exciting youngsters such as Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, and Chemsdine Talbi, who’s already making his mark on the wings.
Their off-season has been hailed as a blueprint for promoted clubs: ambitious, strategic, and long-term focused. Yet survival remains the core challenge: predictive models and experts place Sunderland among the most likely to struggle, often tipped for relegation despite the club’s optimism.
It’s a season built on bold intent. But will it be enough for the Black Cats to survive?
Key Signing: Granit Xhaka
Key Man: Daniel Ballard
Verdict: Will be in the relegation battle.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Nickname: Spurs
Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Capacity: 62,850
Last season: 17th
Manager: Thomas Frank
Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Capacity: 62,850
Last season: 17th
Manager: Thomas Frank
Taking the term "emotional rollercoaster" to a new level. Last season was a year of highest highs and lowest lows for Tottenham fans. Former manager Ange Postecoglu accomplished something that some of the world's finest managers, from José Mourinho to Antonio Conte, failed to do, and won silverware with Tottenham. For that accomplishment, he was unceremoniously fired thanks to the club's dismal 17th place finish, just a whisker from relegation.
In comes manager Thomas Frank, the man who managed to turn unfancied Brentford into a competitive Premier League mainstay, and optimism is flying high. Tottenham enter this season amid a bold reset, banking on Frank's pragmatic, well-organized style to restore stability.
The summer window has been marked by ambitious signings, most notably the creative powerhouse Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for over £50 million, and midfield dynamo Mohammed Kudus, as well as reinforcements like Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Kōta Takai, and a loan for João Palhinha. On the other hand, key departures such as Son Heung-min leave a void in leadership and goal threat.
While the consensus expectation is that the club should be expecting a mid-table finish, optimism is riding high and early-season form has started strong. There is expectation that they could target something more.
Key Signing: Mohammed Kudus
Key Man: Richarlison
Verdict: Probably not ready for a top four challenge, but this team looks good and should be right back among the Europa League places.
Key Man: Richarlison
Verdict: Probably not ready for a top four challenge, but this team looks good and should be right back among the Europa League places.
WEST HAM UNITED
Nickname: The Hammers
Ground: London Stadium
Capacity: 62,500
Last season: 14th
Manager: Graham Potter
Nickname: The Hammers
Ground: London Stadium
Capacity: 62,500
Last season: 14th
Manager: Graham Potter
West Ham enter the new campaign under Graham Potter, who begins his first full season under pressure to reverse a disappointing 2024/25 league performance and ongoing instability behind the scenes.
The Hammers are leaning on reliable contributors like Jarrod Bowen, and the return of Lucas Paquetá, to drive results, while new additions such as El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mads Hermansen spark cautious optimism in a squad struggling for depth. Still, the outlook is considered to be grim reflecting limited reinforcements, lingering structural issues, and the threat of slipping into the relegation mix.
It isn't too long ago that West Ham was looking upwards into the European qualification places, but how things can change. This season their focus is very much on survival. Suffice it to say, things are not looking great. Performances just haven't been there, and right now it is difficult to see where the turnaround is going to come from. It would not surprise me if Potter became one of the first managers to go this season.
Key Signing: El Hadji Malick Diouf
Key Man: Jarrod Bowen
Verdict: Unless something changes quickly, a real risk of relegation.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Nickname: Wolves
Ground: Molineux Stadium
Capacity: 31,750
Last season: 16th
Manager: Vítor Pereira
Key Man: Jarrod Bowen
Verdict: Unless something changes quickly, a real risk of relegation.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Nickname: Wolves
Ground: Molineux Stadium
Capacity: 31,750
Last season: 16th
Manager: Vítor Pereira
How things change indeed. Long gone is the dewey-eyed optimism of last decade when Wolves were spending big and dreaming of Europe. Last season they only just about survived. Under the stewardship of Vítor Pereira, Wolves aim to build on that miracle escape from relegation in 2024/25, where he steered them from 19th to safety with a six-match winning streak.
This summer has been one of significant upheaval, key contributors like Matheus Cunha, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Pablo Sarabia have departed, leaving sizeable gaps in attack and defense. In response, the club has invested, welcoming reinforcements including Fer López, Marshall Munetsi, Edgerson (on loan), and returning striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, who has now been signed permanently after netting 14 Premier League goals last season.
The mood is cautiously optimistic. Fans still back Pereira’s leadership, but the reality is that a repeat of last year’s struggle is likely, meaning another season of dogged survival is in store.
Key Signing: Jørgen Strand Larsen
Key Man: Hwang Hee-chan
Verdict: Without qua.
Predicted table:
1. Liverpool
2. Arsenal
3. Chelsea
4. Manchester City
5. Tottenham
6. Newcastle
7. Manchester United
8. Crystal Palace
9. Aston Villa
10. Bournemouth
11. Nottingham Forest
12. Everton
13. Brighton
14. Fulham
5. Tottenham
6. Newcastle
7. Manchester United
8. Crystal Palace
9. Aston Villa
10. Bournemouth
11. Nottingham Forest
12. Everton
13. Brighton
14. Fulham
15. Wolverhampton Wanderers
16. Leeds United
16. Leeds United
17. Brentford
18. Sunderland
19. West Ham
20. Burnley
18. Sunderland
19. West Ham
20. Burnley
