The wheels of the summer transfer market may still be turning, but a treacherous pre-season campaign is coming to an end, which only means one thing: the 2025/26 Premier League is just around the corner – and it is one that is expected to be jam-packed with twists, turns, upsets and jubilation from start to finish.
Liverpool won the title at a canter last time out – but does winger-turned-pundit Joe Cole expect the Reds to do so again? Ahead of the Reds kicking off their defence against Bournemouth, the former Chelsea and England winger has revealed his full Premier League table prediction, from the relegated trio to the winners.
Cole's Premier League Prediction – 20-16
Leeds United
Despite managing to land some shrewd summer additions – think the talismanic Simon Adingra and captain material Granit Xhaka! – Cole has predicted Sunderland to finish rock-bottom of the English top flight. Just ahead of them are Daniel Farke’s Leeds United.
After losing their star man in Matheus Cunha, Cole believes Wolverhampton Wanderers will finally succumb under the pressure and, thus, face relegation into the second tier. Only Burnley, of those that earned promotion in 2024/25, are predicted to stay up.
Brentford, after losing Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United and Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur, may struggle under Keith Andrews, Cole believes. They finish high enough in the table (16th) to avoid relegation, but it’s still a significant drop-off from 2024/25.
Cole's Premier League Prediction 20-16
Position
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Cole's Premier League Prediction – 15-11
crystal palace fa cup
The reigning FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace, historically finish in 12th season-after-season – but Cole believes a dip in form will see them end up in 15th next term. That’s just one place behind West Ham United, who finished in the same spot last season. David Moyes is trying to work his magic; but that’s not enough.
Over the course of the summer transfer window, Bournemouth have lost Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez, who were both crucial to the defensive solidity of Andoni Iraola’s men. In the eyes of Cole, that’s bound to be detrimental, even though he’s tipped them to still finish 12th, which is very respectable.
Despite being one of the surprise packages of last season’s Premier League campaign after finishing seventh, Cole thinks that Nottingham Forest will not be able to replicate the same heroics given the additional pressure of performing in Europe. It’s an 11th-placed finish for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
Cole's Premier League Prediction 15-11
Position
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Cole's Premier League Prediction – 10-6
tottenham europa league
Marco Silva’s Fulham are predicted to, just about, creep into the top half of the table. After achieving their worst-placed finish (15th) in Premier League history last season, Cole – perhaps placing trust in their new, and much more logical, recruitment model, predicts an improvement from Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United as they finish ninth. That's a big call to make given their combination of proimising summer business so far, bringing in the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo, and life with European football.
Cole predicts Brighton & Hove Albion to secure the same place they did last season – eighth. Should they lose Carlos Baleba to Manchester United, however, that could change drastically given how integral the four-cap Cameroon international is to the Seagulls?
Aston Villa have been boosted by the arrival of Evann Guessand – and the additional firepower is enough to see them secure seventh place in the 2025/26 Premier League standings in the eyes of Cole. Tottenham Hotspur – who are recognised as the best-run club in the Premier League – will finish in sixth, which is a vast improvement on last season.
Cole's Premier League Prediction 10-6
Position
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Cole's Premier League Prediction – 5-1
chelsea club world cup
Much is made of the Premier League’s competitiveness nowadays – and so, finishing fifth is no mean feat. That will be achieved by Newcastle United, Cole believes, as the Magpies will finish just below Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have finished second three seasons on the bounce up until this point.
Club World Cup winners – and Cole’s former employers, it must be noted – Chelsea are predicted to finish in third place, the ex-winger stated. Regarded as one of the best teams in world football by virtue of Opta’s Power Rankings, the Blues are thriving under Enzo Maresca and so it’s not a terrible shout at all.
The one-time Premier League winner believes that Manchester City will be pipped to the post by Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who will retain their status as champions of England. It’s clear to see why, given their summer business has been so fruitful: should they get Alexander Isak, it could be over even before it’s started.
Cole's Premier League Prediction 5-1
Position
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