Chelsea will be eyeing a fourth-place finish at the very worst this season, but the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham are harder to predict.
The new campaign is so close we can taste it, with Bournemouth‘s visit to Liverpool getting things underway on Friday evening.
It remains to be seen if newly-crowned Club World Cup winners Chelsea have enough to mount a title challenge, but they are among a group of clubs chasing Champions League football.
Here’s how fans of the Blues, Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have previewed the 2025/26 season.
Chelsea
Pedro Neto missed training following the death of Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota (Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA)
Last season: 4th
TIA predicted finish: 4th
Best XI: Sanchez (regrettably), James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Caicedo, Palmer, Neto, Estevao, Pedro.
The view from Chelsea
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 19, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Richard Long (@Chelseafan_Rick)
Where will Chelsea finish? Third.
Where will Liverpool finish? Champions, especially if Alexander Isak joins.
Who will win the league, if not Liverpool? I think Man City will go a lot closer this season and expect them to push Liverpool all the way after taking last season off.
One player you wish Chelsea would sign, realistically: Honestly, just any half-decent goalkeeper.
I genuinely think we could have a shot at challenging for the title, but as long as Robert Sanchez is in goal, we have no hope. He’s that bad.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? After a strong finish to last season and a fantastic win over PSG in the Club World Cup, I think there is cautious optimism amongst fans.
We’ve got some outstanding players – Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella among them – and should have a lot more firepower up top with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Realistically, I would like to see a title challenge and a trophy.
Advice for visiting fans: Just enjoy watching Palmer – he’s one of those players you pay your money to watch, and why we all fell in love with the beautiful game.
Newcastle
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 16, 2025: Newcastle United's Tino Livramento during the Football League Cup Final match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Wembley Stadium. Newcastle United won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 5th
TIA predicted finish: 5th
Best XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Gordon, Elanga, Isak (if he stays).
With apologies to Dan Burn!
The view from Newcastle
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 8, 2022: Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St. James’ Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Dave Black (@cm9798)
Where will Newcastle finish? This is all very hard to answer.
We have only signed Anthony Elanga, and lost Callum Wilson (barely fit) and Sean Longstaff (sixth-choice), so that’s not a disaster, but more incomings are required.
The problem is, of course, that our star man is effectively on strike, or injured, depending on who you believe.
The Alexander Isak saga is no nearer a conclusion and it feels like we are either going to go into the new season without him or with a disgruntled version of him, neither of which seems that appealing.
If he were fit and happy, I would say we have a good chance of being fifth again.
But I find it very hard to believe we could replace him with somebody better, so let’s say an optimistic seventh.
Where will Liverpool finish? With Isak, champions. Without, probably champions!
My only shred of doubt is if Man City pull themselves together – we all know what a juggernaut they can be.
One player you wish Newcastle would sign, realistically: Marc Guehi, but I’m not sure if he’s even realistic now.
We need a centre-half with pace, and if Isak’s intent on leaving, an alternative to Benjamin Sesko.
We are running out of top-tier options, having already lost out on him, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbuemo, and so on.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Honestly, not great. It’s been a window to forget, in what was meant to be a big summer for us.
We have PSR headroom, but bids for all of the above have failed, and then throw in the Isak situation and there’s not a lot to be pleased about.
Our first XI, when all fit, went on a ridiculous run last season, and there was optimism we could kick on further with the same players plus some additions.
Take your goalscorer out, though, and it’s a different picture. If we finally land Yoane Wissa, plus a real star forward to replace Isak, then I will be a bit happier.
Advice for visiting fans: We play Liverpool on a bank holiday Monday and there’s bad blood brewing between the two fanbases – at least on social media – so let’s try and keep it clean!
Tottenham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 3, 2024: Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (R) is challenged by Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Goodison Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 17th
TIA predicted finish: 8th
Best XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Palhinha, Maddison (injured!), Kulusevski, Kudus, Solanke.
The view from Tottenham
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 11, 2023: Brentford's manager Thomas Frank interviewed before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Sam Hawkey (@samhawkey)
Where will Tottenham finish? Sixth and an FA Cup win. We’ve broken the seal, so now we can crack on with some other silverware!
Where will Liverpool finish? Top spot. Liverpool were very good last season, and when you look at the recruitment, it looks ominous for anyone else.
I think the biggest thing is that winning the league and beating the other clubs going for the title will mean they won’t fear anyone.
If you think back to last season, it was very much a ‘surprise’ – now it’s much more about going out and delivering on being favourites.
Who will win the league, if not Liverpool? Man City. I think they will bounce back.
I think people forget that when players first come into the Premier League, they take a moment to adapt.
Not only that, but Pep Guardiola has a long history of buying well and bedding them in to create a team that can be contenders.
One player you wish Spurs would sign, realistically: I will go for Adam Wharton.
I love how he plays, and at the base of the midfield, he just makes a team tick.
He’s low-key and English, so will never get the praise he deserves, but that controlling influence in midfield would be so welcome.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? It’s ok. It’s back to a ‘building season.’
We need to put something together in the league – let’s face it, that last season won’t be tough to beat – and go on a cup run.
Advice for visiting fans: Spend a bit of time having a few drinks at the ground beforehand.
It is genuinely one of the most impressive stadiums in European football, and the beers are delightful.
Aston Villa
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 15, 2025: Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers (L) is challenged by Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Aston Villa FC at Goodison Park. Aston Villa won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 6th
TIA predicted finish: 7th
Best XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Tielemans, Kamara, Malen, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins.
The view from Aston Villa
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, November 10, 2022: Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Frankie Maguire (@FrankieMaguire)
Where will Aston Villa finish? Fifth. Last season’s top four have spent so heavily this summer that it will be a major (though not impossible) challenge to break through into the Champions League places.
Heavy spenders Spurs and Man United have also spent big and will almost certainly provide more of a challenge than last season.
I’m going to be optimistic and say Aston Villa finish just ahead of both of them, although if Ruben Amorim’s style clicks, United could provide a serious challenge without the distraction of European football.
Where will Liverpool finish? First. This is one of the hardest seasons to predict in recent memory and you could make a case for any of last season’s top four.
Losing the dynamism of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, and tragically Diogo Jota, while settling in new players signed for big fees, won’t be easy.
That is the only real thing leaving me with some doubt on whether Liverpool can manage a second title in a row.
Arne Slot has proven himself a fantastic coach and nobody should bet against him repeating last season’s excellence with the outstanding new signings the Reds have made.
Who will win the league, if not Liverpool? Man City. Liverpool will probably face a much closer fight for the title this season from both City and Arsenal.
Club World Cup winners Chelsea might just feel their summer exploits as the season drags on.
Arsenal have made smart signings and should be much improved, but Pep Guardiola is a true genius.
With Rodri back from injury and the arrival of top-level new signings, City could be hard to stop if they click quickly and have tactical tweaks that other clubs struggle to adapt to.
The only question about Guardiola is whether he is burnt out – last season, there were times he looked exhausted.
One player you wish Aston Villa would sign, realistically: Harvey Elliott.
Believe it or not, we’ve spoken at length on our podcast about potential signings and always come back to Liverpool’s own Elliott as someone who would suit Unai Emery’s style.
He is a superb technical player and could do the role that on-loan Marco Asensio excelled in last season.
At 22 years old, there is a lot more to come from Elliott. He has done well at Liverpool, but it is so hard to get consistent starts in such a talented squad.
Villa would be a good move for him, as I’m certain he would start almost every week.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 19, 2025: Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans celebrates after scoring his side's first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? The dreadful performance at Old Trafford on the final day of last season really put a downer on a lot of Villa fans, myself included.
We had such a memorable year, but couldn’t get over the line in both the FA Cup and the race for top five.
Villa have also had an unusually quiet transfer window, which hasn’t generated much enthusiasm. It feels like the team is short in one or two areas at present.
Fans can finally get excited now Villa have moved to sign Nice forward Evann Guessand, though.
One or two players have also looked sharp in pre-season, and there is a sense that numerous squad members could be primed to improve this year.
A big win to start the season off would be perfect.
Advice for visiting fans: Birmingham is a massively underrated city.
There is a lot there if you want to explore the central areas. It has loads of great boozers, restaurants and alternative spots.
Like Anfield, Villa Park is a fantastic stadium and feels historic. It’s absolutely worth a visit if you can grab a ticket.
Nottingham Forest
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday, December 14, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Nottingham Forest's head coach Nuno Espírito Santo during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season: 7th
TIA predicted finish: 10th
Best XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
The view from Forest
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday, December 14, 2025: Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood (L) and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Matt Davies (@MattDavies_FF)
Where will Forest finish? 10th. Last season, Nottingham Forest overachieved and Europe presents a new challenge so some dropoff is expected.
Anthony Elanga has gone, but Dan Ndoye should be a good replacement in the first XI. Some squad depth is needed before the end of the transfer window.
Where will Liverpool finish? First.
Man City and Arsenal have improved, but the degree to which Liverpool have strengthened means they should win the league unless they get injuries, especially in the centre of defence.
Who will win the league, if not Liverpool? City, if Rodri is really back and able to play at the level he was pre-injury.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 14, 2025: Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
One player you wish Forest would sign, realistically: A top defensive midfielder – a real ball winner.
I’m not sure how realistic it is, but a Joao Gomes from Wolves type of player.
How’s your optimism for the season ahead? Very high. We’re coming off the back of a great season and are in Europe for the first time in 30 years.
We’ve also kept a key man in Morgan Gibbs-White when he looked set for Spurs.
Advice for visiting fans: Don’t expect the best facilities, but do expect one of the best atmospheres in the league.
It’s a proper old-school stadium.