Former Rangers striker-turned-beloved pundit Ally McCoist has given his predictions for who will finish in the top six of the 2025/26 Premier League season, snubbing both Manchester United and Newcastle. The new campaign is just days away, with defending champions Liverpool kicking things off against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday.
As is common practice before the start of any season, predictions and guesses as to how it may pan out are rife. But speaking with The Sun, McCoist has given his verdict on who he thinks will be fighting for the European spots come May, with some bold assumptions being made.
Sixth - Tottenham Hotspur
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It is all change at Tottenham this coming season. A new manager in Thomas Frank, and no Son Heung-min after a decade at the club. Yet despite the turbulent transition, McCoist reckons that the Europa League winners will climb back into the top six and at least qualify for Europe again next season.
The domestic campaign can't get much worse, one would imagine, after slipping down to 17th - a collapse that ultimately cost Ange Postecoglou his job, despite guiding the club back into the Champions League via their European success. But with new signings like Mohamed Kudus and Joao Palhinha, McCoist believes the tide will turn slightly on the white side of North London.
Fifth - Aston Villa
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A rather brave position for McCoist to place Aston Villa, purely because, with the exception of Liverpool last season, when a team remains stagnant and doesn't invest much in their squad during the off-season, they tend to get swallowed up by the teams around them.
Unai Emery has made just three signings, but none would be expected to impact the first team right away. And they have lost Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, who helped them during their loan spells midway through last season. Yet, McCoist is backing the tactical brilliance of Unai Emery to guide the Villans to fifth, which may be enough for Champions League football.
Fourth - Manchester City
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Most would probably assume that Manchester City's blip, which saw them drop down to third after winning four consecutive titles, was a one-off. However, McCoist thinks things will only get worse at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola tipped for his lowest ever league finish.
The Catalan coach has never taken a team any lower than third in his career, and despite some new reinforcements and a potential superstar coming through the door, McCoist believes the downward trajectory of the Cityzens is only bound to continue.
Third - Chelsea
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With City out of the top three, that makes room for reigning World Champions Chelsea to leapfrog them and continue their progress under Enzo Maresca. It has been a rocky time at Stamford Bridge since Todd Boehly came to power, but the Italian coach has certainly steadied the ship - and during the summer tournament in the United States, the Blues looked like a force to be reckoned with.
Aiding Cole Palmer with the likes of Joao Pedro in attack, in particular, has really made Chelsea look like a dangerous threat going forward, and as long as they can keep it tight at the back - as they did in the CWC final against PSG - they will be a hard team to stop.
Second - Arsenal
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Groundhog Day will strike again for Arsenal, according to McCoist, as for the fourth season running, he thinks that Mikel Arteta's men are going to fall just short.
Should that be the case, it could be the end of the road for the Spanish coach - unless he can secure a maiden Champions League triumph for the club. If he doesn't, though, how long can the Gunners stick with being second fiddle for?
First - Liverpool
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Whether or not McCoist's predictions look any different after the Community Shield (the footage was filmed prior to kick-off) is unknown, but for now, he is on record predicting that Liverpool will retain their crown and secure a record 21st league title.
Some big money has been spent across the park, most notably on the services of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike in attack. And while there have been signs of incredibly exciting link-up play, defensively the Reds look vulnerable, especially on the counter. Should Arne Slot address this, though, then there could be every chance they storm to victory yet again and be the dominant force.