With the Premier League season getting underway this week, we have asked This Is Anfield ‘s contributors their annual predictions!
Liverpool get their campaign started with a trip to Newcastle on Sunday, as Andoni Iraola looks to make a flying start.
It feels like one of the hardest seasons to predict in the top flight in years, but Arsenal are the clear favourites to defend their crown.
Here’s how This Is Anfield‘s contributors believe it will play out over the next nine months.
SAM MILLNE @sam_millne
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard holds the FA Community Shield as they celebrate their victory during the FA Community Shield match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026.
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard holds the FA Community Shield as they celebrate their victory during the FA Community Shield match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Sunday August 16, 2026.
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Man City
Relegated: Hull, Fulham, Ipswich
First manager to be sacked: Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace)
Surprise team: Bournemouth
Best new signing: James Trafford (Leeds)
Worst new signing: Crystal Palace swapping Brennan Johnson for Dwight McNeil
HENRY JACKSON @HenryJackson87
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
Relegated: Hull, Ipswich, Coventry
First manager to be sacked: Sergej Jakirovic (Hull)
Surprise team: I’ve got a feeling Aston Villa are going to suffer quite a big slump.
Best new signing: Sandro Tonali could be class for Tottenham.
Worst new signing: He’s a good player, but Elliot Anderson won’t justify his price tag at Man City.
JAMES NALTON @JDNalton
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 13, 2026: Manchester City's manager Enzo Maresca during an open training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the start of the FA Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 13, 2026: Manchester City's manager Enzo Maresca during an open training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the start of the FA Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Top four:
1. Man City
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
Relegated: Hull, Ipswich, Coventry
First manager to be sacked: Gary O’Neil (Ipswich)
Surprise team: Tottenham
Best new signing: Caleb Yirenkyi will catch the eye for Coventry and attract interest from Champions League clubs.
Worst new signing: Gonzalo Garcia can be a good goalscorer in a good team, but I’m not sure Fulham will be a good team this season.
PETER BOLSTER @peter_bolster
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Top four:
1. Liverpool
2. Arsenal
3. Man City
4. Chelsea
Relegated: Hull, Ipswich and Crystal Palace
First manager to be sacked: Pierre Sage
Surprise team: Tottenham
It sounds strange calling Tottenham a surprise team because of the size of the club, but given where they’ve been over the last couple of seasons, if they suddenly end up in the Champions League places then I think they absolutely count.
I actually think they could do it.
Best new signing: Elliot Anderson
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 13, 2026: Manchester City's Elliot Anderson during an open training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the start of the FA Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, August 13, 2026: Manchester City's Elliot Anderson during an open training session at the Etihad Campus ahead of the start of the FA Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Worst new signing: Youri Tielemans or Bruno Guimaraes. The funny thing is, I think both of them will probably start really well.
You’ll get the first month or two where everyone is saying how brilliant they are, the fans are buzzing and Sky Sports are telling us they’ve transformed the midfield.
But over a full season, I think both signings could end up slowing their teams down and leaving them more vulnerable.
They’re both very good players- I just don’t think either signing necessarily gives those teams what they actually need and will inevitably weaken their structure.
JOANNA DURKAN @JoannaDurkan_
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 22, 2026: Manchester City's goalkeeper James Trafford celebrates with the trophy after the Football League Cup Final match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Wembley Stadium. Man City won 2-0. (Photo by Josh Le Feuvre/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 22, 2026: Manchester City's goalkeeper James Trafford celebrates with the trophy after the Football League Cup Final match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Wembley Stadium. Man City won 2-0. (Photo by Josh Le Feuvre/Propaganda)
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
Relegated: Ipswich, Hull and Coventry
First manager to be sacked: Matthias Jaissle
Surprise team: Leeds
Best new signing: On the same theme as above, James Trafford.
Worst new signing: Youri Tielemans, don’t see how he’s the midfield legs Man United need.
AARON CUTLER @aaron_cutler
LEEDS, ENGLAND - Monday, August 18, 2025: Leeds United's manager Daniel Farke celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Everton FC at Elland Road. Leeds won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - Monday, August 18, 2025: Leeds United's manager Daniel Farke celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Everton FC at Elland Road. Leeds won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Tottenham
Relegated: Hull, Ipswich, Coventry
First manager to be sacked: Daniel Farke
Surprise team: Tottenham
Best new signing: Ousmane Diomande (Nottingham Forest)
Worst new signing: Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
ADAM BEATTIE @beatts94
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 11, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Gary O'Neil during a post-match press conference after the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 11, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Gary O'Neil during a post-match press conference after the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
Relegated: Coventry, Ipswich, Leeds
First manager to be sacked: Gary O’Neil
Surprise team: If it counts given the money they’ve spent, I can see Tottenham bouncing back in a big way.
Equally, though, I can see Roberto De Zerbi leaving within two years.
Best new signing: There haven’t been many moves I’ve been overly jealous of so far.
Annoyingly, I think Bruno Guimaraes is a huge statement signing for Arsenal, and even though defending the title is always a challenge historically, I’m not sure anyone is well-placed enough to stop them this year.
Worst new signing: Morgan Rogers
He’s clearly a top player and I think Chelsea will have a big season, but even in this crazy market, I just do not see a £117 million footballer there.
MATT LADSON @mattladson
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. Man City
4. Liverpool
Relegated: Hull, Ipswich, Forest
First manager to be sacked: Sergej Jakirovic
Surprise team: Tottenham and Chelsea to do well. Crystal Palace and Sunderland to struggle with European football.
Best new signing: Morgan Rogers for Chelsea and Mateus Fernandes for Tottenham.
Worst new signing: Garnacho – some downgrade that for Villa.
HARRY McMULLEN @mcmulhar
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa after the UEFA Champions League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday March 17, 2026.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa after the UEFA Champions League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday March 17, 2026.
Top four:
1. Man City
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
Relegated: Fulham, Coventry, Hull
First manager to be sacked: Alvaro Arbeloa
Surprise team: Ipswich
Best new signing: Bradley Barcola hopefully! Right now probably Joao Gomes to Aston Villa.
Worst new signing: Jordan Henderson. He’s still too good to be a cheerleader, but not quite good enough for Chelsea’s level.
It’s a weird move all round.