The TBR Football team has made their predictions for the upcoming season as Liverpool look to defend their title for the first time in the Premier League era.
Arne Slot has refused to rest on his laurels after lifting the title last season, by significantly strengthening his Liverpool squad with more business expected before the end of the transfer window, including the conclusion of the Alexander Isak transfer saga.
The Reds are expected to face a strong challenge from a resurgent Manchester City, recent challengers Arsenal and Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side, who have recruited heavily once again.
At the other end of the table, the newly-promoted trio of Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland all face an uphill battle to retain their top-flight status.
With the new season fast approaching, here are the TBR Football writers’ predictions for the 2025/26 Premier League.
Mohamed Salah poses with the Premier League trophy in front of Liverpool fans.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League
Who will win the Premier League title?
Graeme Bailey: Liverpool
The best team got better – Florian Wirtz is such a special player, and I fully expect Alexander Isak to join him. They are a special, special team.
Kieran Smith: Liverpool
As much as it pains me to say as a Manchester United fan, they’re going to be the business this year.
Arne Slot’s team was already frightening, and to add a ludicrous pool of players to the mix is borderline unfair. If they get Isak, you may as well hand the medals over now.
Giuseppe Labellarte: Manchester City
They have strengthened their ranks considerably. Rodri is back and, after a difficult 2024/25 campaign, the team will have a point to prove.
I can imagine another big title battle where the top two get 90+ points each.
Billy Meyers: Liverpool
Had Liverpool not embarked on the sensational summer of spending they have, I would have backed Arsenal to win the title.
However, I just cannot see past the Reds, after they added the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and potentially Alexander Isak to what was already a stellar squad.
Lucas Arnold: Arsenal
I’m completely biased, but I have just got the feeling that Liverpool might be a bit suspect defensively this season.
They’ve signed loads of brilliant forwards, but Frimpong and Kerkez are both very attacking, and I think some teams will be able to work them out.
After glimpses of Gyokeres in pre-season, I’m also backing him to be a big success under Mikel Arteta.
So, although most will understandably still choose Liverpool, or maybe even Man City, I’m backing Gyokeres to score 20 and win the title.
Robert McHugh: Manchester City
This is not said to talk down Liverpool’s significant achievement last season, but the race for the Premier League title was not a classic last season, and 75 points would have been enough to take the crown.
Pep Guardiola has recruited well in the close season, with Tijjani Reijnders looking particularly impressive, and they could return to their usual, unfeasibly high standard this season.
Pep Guardiola looks on during the Club World Cup.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Who makes the Premier League top four?
Graeme Bailey: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea
Arsenal come up short again, but it will be close. However, if Gyokeres does deliver, this could be one of the closest Premier League seasons ever.
I worry about City’s defence, but if Rodri and Reijnders are good, I would not rule them out of a challenge. And Chelsea are so good – I think they are a keeper short of being a real title contender.
Kieran Smith: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea
Boring – but the most plausible.
Giuseppe Labellarte: Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea
I can’t see any real surprises in the top four this year due to how strong these four are.
Billy Meyers: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City
I can see Arsenal pushing Liverpool close for the title, and also envisage another early push from Chelsea, like we saw last season – albeit a more sustained one ending in a third-place finish.
Manchester City will just pip Tottenham to that final UEFA Champions League spot, as I feel the Citizens still need a new centre-midfielder and a right-back.
Lucas Arnold: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City
I don’t think there’s much debate about this – others won’t be close.
Robert McHugh: Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea
It is hard to see how the rest of the league closes the gap, unless Newcastle move late in the window.
Estevao of Chelsea during the pre-season friendly match against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Who will be relegated to the Championship?
Graeme Bailey: Burnley, Brentford, West Ham
Burnley have made some good signings, but they can look forward to a Championship title challenge in 2026/27.
I think Brentford and West Ham have got their managerial appointments wrong. I think both squads look weaker.
However, if Keith Andrews and Graham Potter are axed by Christmas, then Sunderland and Leeds could get dragged back into this.
Kieran Smith: Sunderland, Burnley and, shockingly, Brentford
I think Brentford are in trouble. Leeds will stay up. Not great predictions so far as a Red Devil, really?
Giuseppe Labellarte: West Ham, Brentford, Burnley
The first two are weaker since last season, and their recent managerial appointments aren’t especially inspiring, while Burnley just seem to lack the quality to last the distance.
Billy Meyers: Brentford, Wolves, Burnley
The appointment of Keith Andrews, while admirable, represents a significant risk for Brentford.
The Irishman’s first foray into a management role – a Premier League gig no less – has not been helped by a chaotic summer, in which Bryan Mbeumo has left and Yoane Wissa is pushing to follow. The pair netted 39 goals combined in the Premier League last season.
I also think Wolves enjoyed something of a new manager bounce under Vitor Pereira last season, which will not extend into the 2025/26 campaign, whereas Burnley just haven’t strengthened enough to survive compared to Sunderland and Leeds.
Lucas Arnold: Sunderland, Leeds United, Burnley
I was so tempted to put either Brentford or Wolves in there, but I just think it’s so hard for promoted sides to bridge the gap now, even if Leeds and Sunderland have spent really well.
Both will go down fighting, but once Brentford get their new signings in, I think they’ll quickly prove that they are still a Premier League side.
Robert McHugh: Burnley, Brentford, Sunderland
I should declare my interest as a Leeds fan here, but I do think they will have enough to remain in the top flight, especially if they can sign a top-quality striker.
It is a big ask for Keith Andrews to hit the ground running at Brentford. Sunderland will fall valiantly, having recruited well.
Keith Andrews looks on ahead of Brentford v Borussia Moenchengladbach - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Who is the best new signing ahead of the 25/26 Premier League season?
Graeme Bailey: Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is just so good, I love him, and he could be one of the Premier League’s greatest ever additions.
And a quick call out to Nottingham Forest, who were great in the transfer market last summer, and I believe they have found another gem in Dan Ndoye, and likewise, I love Everton’s pick up of Thierno Barry.
Kieran Smith: Bryan Mbuemo
I’ve got to back my club. I think Bryan Mbeumo is going to be a revelation at Old Trafford. United barely scored last year, but I can’t see them struggling with the new dynamic trio, with Mbeumo my personal pick of the bunch
Giuseppe Labellarte: Tijjani Reijnders
City made the difficult decision to let Kevin De Bruyne go, and Reijnders has been brought in as his replacement. Already a world-class player, I back him to go up another level under Guardiola’s tutelage.
Billy Meyers: Simon Adingea
Very excited to see what El Hadji Malick Diouf can do at West Ham – he has one of the sweetest left feet I’ve seen in a while.
Putting the likes of Florian Wirtz aside, I think Simon Adingra at Sunderland could also prove to be the signing of the summer, or his new teammate Habib Diarra. Also have high hopes for Thierno Barry at Everton and Tijjani Reijnders at Manchester City.
Lucas Arnold: Viktor Gyokeres
Long-term, I think Thierno Barry could be a really clever signing for Everton to end their number nine conundrum.
But for now, I think Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal. Even if he doesn’t start every game, he gives Arteta a whole new dimension across the season.
Arsenal have taken their time to buy a striker, but they might have found the right one.
Robert McHugh: Rayan Cherki
Having resisted the temptation to say Anton Stach, who I believe is a very astute signing by Leeds, I believe Rayan Cherki will prove to be a brilliant signing for Man City.
Only Raphinha and Bruno Fernandes created more chances than Cherki across Europe’s top five leagues, and can play both through the middle and on the right.
The loss of Riyad Mahrez was quietly devastating for the Citizens. Cherki can fill that void next season.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates his Arsenal goal
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Who will be the biggest Premier League transfer flop?
Graeme Bailey: Jordan Henderson
I think Brentford are in for a long, hard season, and Jordan Henderson being one of the main signings is not good – his good Premier League days are well behind him.
Kieran Smith: Viktor Gyokeres
I genuinely think Viktor Gyokeres will struggle. He’s arrived with a big weight on his shoulders, and if he doesn’t hit the ground running, that weight only gets heavier. That said, maybe I’m just bitter he chose Arsenal.
Giuseppe Labellarte: Jordan Henderson
Much will be expected of Henderson given his past heroics, but, as Graeme also pointed out, there’s a feeling that he’s well past his prime, and he could well struggle in a depleted team.
Billy Meyers: Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus at Tottenham could prove to be the worst signing of the summer, if not exciting at first. The Ghana international lost his way a bit with just five goals in 32 Premier League appearances last season, so he has a lot to prove after Spurs splashed £55m on his signature.
Lucas Arnold: Newcastle United
I’m picking Newcastle United as a whole. It is so odd to see such a big, brilliant club having such a terrible window.
Robert McHugh: Bryan Mbuemo
Apologies, Kieran, but I just can’t see how Bryan Mbuemo is the man to save Man Utd’s faltering attack.
Mbuemo significantly overperformed on his expected goals last season, according to OneFootball’s data. I expect him to revert to the mean this season at Old Trafford.
New signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Diego Leon and Matheus Cunha of Manchester United pose for a photo while holding match shirts prior to the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 09, 2025
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Premier League Surprise Package
Graeme Bailey: Manchester United
I think some people think Ruben Amorim is not good. He will show he is a very good head coach and move United back towards the top of the league, a year early, before we talk title contenders, but still a huge, huge improvement coming.
Kieran Smith: Manchester United
Manchester United are in no conversations whatsoever, and while I don’t think we’ll set the league alight, the standard of football will drastically improve. I want to see good quality football again – and I think I will at Old Trafford this season.
Giuseppe Labellarte: Sunderland
The Black Cats have strengthened considerably – what a signing Granit Xhaka is – and a Stadium of Light packed with tens of thousands of incredibly passionate fans is bound to become a fortress, so I feel Sunderland will exceed expectations.
Billy Meyers: Everton
David Moyes is a highly underrated coach who will make the Toffees tough to beat with Barry now leading the line. I can see Everton going on a run in the FA Cup too, if not winning it.
Lucas Arnold: Brentford
Given I’m not tipping them for relegation, I think Brentford staying up can actually be considered a bit of a surprise, given how disastrous their summer has been in terms of losing talent.
I think they’ll spend well before the window closes and prove that their model can cope with all of Frank, Mbeumo, Norgaard, and potentially even Wissa leaving.
Robert McHugh: Everton
I agree that Everton can raise a few eyebrows in the 25/26 season, after completing some strong recruitment.
Moyes laid the foundations defensively last season as the Toffees tightened up significantly at the back. Now, with Jack Grealish expected to join, alongside new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the Toffees can look forward to a strong season.