There is plenty of optimism at Leeds heading into the 2026/27 season – the same can’t be said of Fulham, though!
As the new season edges closer, we’ve spoken to fans of Liverpool’s 19 Premier League opponents to get the lowdown on their respective clubs.
Here’s how supporters of Brighton, Leeds, Fulham and Brentford are predicting things to pan out.
Brighton
Last season: 8th
TIA predicted finish: 8th
Best XI: Verbruggen; Costinha, Vuskovik, Struijk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Gross, Minteh, Mitoma; Kostoulas
THE VIEW FROM BRIGHTON
Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire)
Where will Brighton finish? 14th. The squad is not set up for a Sunday, Thursday, Sunday season.
Where will Liverpool finish? 3rd. Five of the big six having new managers makes it difficult to predict.
Losing Mo will affect the Reds, despite him being a distraction and soap opera at times last season.
Who will win the title? The title is Arsenal’s to lose as they have continuity at the top.
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: I like Mac Allister. I’m delighted he went to Liverpool and was a model pro at the Albion.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's number ten Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's number ten Alexis Mac Allister during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I dislike Van Dijk because he often scores against us and raked Ferguson’s Achilles a few seasons ago. He’s never recovered.
One player you wish Brighton would sign realistically: Mac Allister – better as a big fish in a small pond.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Cautious. Brighton have lost main strikers to Chelsea two seasons in a row, and no sign of replacements.
Mitoma and Baleba are injured so I can see it being a toiling season with Europe a good and bad distraction.
Advice for visiting fans: Come down for the weekend, you’ll be very welcome. Loads of pubs and clubs.
The Liverpool match is at the end of the season so the weather will be great.
Leeds
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Leeds United's Harry Wilson during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Leeds United's Harry Wilson during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 14th
TIA predicted finish: 10th
Best XI: Trafford; Bogle, Muharemovic, Bijol, Rodon, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Stach; Wilson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
THE VIEW FROM LEEDS
James Thewlis
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)
Where will Leeds finish? 10th-13th. I feel like we can really build on our 15th-place finish last season. We were comfortably in the top half once our style of play was sorted out.
We will, however, need to improve away from home as we only won two games away from Elland Road in the league.
With the amount of change going on at other clubs and many being in European competitions, I feel like we can really take advantage of the continuity and lack of upheaval we’ve experienced.
Where will Liverpool finish? Tricky one, but I will predict 4th-6th. I thought you struggled in the friendly against us recently in the second half, and against Monaco.
Defensively, I feel there are real concerns with the openness and number of goals conceded. It is only pre-season, but the issues mean things could be tough initially.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
You have lost lots of experience from the squad and re-finding an identity under a new, though very good, manager may take time.
That being said, Isak looks sharp and Wirtz has started pre-season well. Szoboszlai has now become the talisman and he will need to have a season like last in his preferred position.
Defensive reinforcements are a must. Araujo is a good addition, but this is based on him staying fit.
Who will win the title? I don’t think you can look past Arsenal. With the upheaval currently at their main competitors, they have added depth and quality.
Saliba’s injury does weaken them, but the defensive depth they have is ridiculous. Tzolis is a good signing and Bruno just adds further quality to the midfield.
The Champions League will likely be their main priority, but the double is not unrealistic.
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: My favourite player would be Wirtz; he’s the type of player disappearing from the game but the type of player you pay to watch.
He did struggle last season to adapt to the pace of the league, and was not the Wirtz in a Germany shirt, but I feel as though it’s a matter of time before he shows his true quality at Liverpool.
I do also like Ekitike and it’s a shame about his injury.
Least favourite player might be Gakpo, not because he turned down a move to Leeds the other year, but because he offered very little leading the line last season. He could offer much more with his physical attributes.
One player you wish Leeds would sign realistically: Has to be Igor Paixao. We were linked with him massively last summer before he went to Marseille.
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (R) is challenged by Leeds United's captain Ethan Ampadu during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (R) is challenged by Leeds United's captain Ethan Ampadu during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
They’re in quite a bit of financial trouble, so we could go back in for a reasonable price. We need further X-Factor players at the top of the pitch and he would be one.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Optimism is high. The three signings made so far improve the starting XI.
Trafford coming in could be a game-changer based on our recent history of goalkeepers, but I feel we need reinforcements in certain areas, particularly a No.9 and cover at full-back.
Having a quality bench that can come on and impact games is key in the Premier League, and if we can upgrade this before the close of the transfer window, we will pick up more points.
Advice for visiting fans: Enjoy the atmosphere and don’t take the chanting to heart; get involved in the banter.
Elland Road is one of the best, loudest, most traditional grounds in the country. It will help that we both hate Man United – be ready to stand up!
Fulham
Last season: 11th
TIA predicted finish: 18th
Best XI: Leno; Tete, Anderson, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, Smith Rowe, Muniz, Garcia
Some players are battling with others to start, though!
THE VIEW FROM FULHAM
Rob Richardson
Where will Fulham finish? 14th
Where will Liverpool finish? It seems like it’ll be quite an open title race this year. Maybe 2nd.
Who will win the title? Arsenal possibly but I’m really not sure!
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: My favourite is Virgil van Dijk.
As for least favourite, my answer would definitely have been Mo Salah. Harvey Elliott also isn’t particularly popular with Fulham fans!
Fulham's Harvey Elliott applauds the fans at full time of the third round Carabao Cup match at The New Den, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 25, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Millwall. Photo credit should read: Steven Paston/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications
Fulham's Harvey Elliott applauds the fans at full time of the third round Carabao Cup match at The New Den, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday September 25, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Millwall. Photo credit should read: Steven Paston/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications
One player you wish Fulham would sign realistically: I was hoping that we might sign Jarrod Bowen, but he has now extended at West Ham.
I’d like to see Joao Palhinha back.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? I’m a bit worried. We’ve punched above our weight with Marco Silva and really relied on Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson’s goals last year.
But it sounds like we’ll play some exciting football under Arbeloa, so I’m looking forward to that!
Advice for visiting fans: Take the tube to Hammersmith instead of Putney Bridge. There are some nice pubs on the river that welcome away fans.
Brentford
Last season: 9th
TIA predicted finish: 12th
Best XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van De Berg, Hickey; Sangare, Jensen, Damsgaard; Ouattara, Thiago, Schade
THE VIEW FROM BRENTFORD
Billy Grant (@billythebee99)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, April 27, 2026: Brentford's head coach Keith Andrews waves to the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brentford FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Monday, April 27, 2026: Brentford's head coach Keith Andrews waves to the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Brentford FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Where will Brentford finish? 6th
Where will Liverpool finish? 5th
Who will win the title? Man City unfortunately.
Favourite and least favourite Liverpool player: Favourite – Ryan Gravenberch.
Least favourite – Alexander Isak. There is no excuse for a player refusing to train or play to force a move as Isak did at Newcastle.
We had the same with Wissa. He’s dead to us.
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
One player you wish Brentford would sign realistically: Doing things the Brentford way, I do like the look of Rio Ngumoha for the future.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Very optimistic. Keith Andrews, who everyone thought was going to relegate us, nearly got us to Europe in his first season in charge.
We have some cracking signings like Sangare, Anthony and Wilson adding to a very settled side and giving us strength in depth.
An explosive attacking line of Ouattara, Thiago and Schade will give many defences problems.
Advice for visiting fans: Come early. Brentford is a great away day.
There are loads of pubs in the area down by the River Thames that are a five-minute walk from the ground, including our boozer The Steam Packet.
You can wear colours no problem, as long as you show manners.
2026/27 Season Previews
third kits collage FI
third kits collage FI