Although the wheels of the summer transfer window remain well-oiled, pre-season is over and that marks the return of the Premier League, which begins with Liverpool hosting Bournemouth on Friday night. Adding to the festivities, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, Theo Walcott and Jermain Defoe have all predicted which teams will finish in the top four in 2025/26.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool won the league at a canter last season; Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal finished second for a third consecutive season and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – despite their struggles – came in at third. But what do the quintet of footballing icons believe will happen this time round? Will the Reds retain their status as champions, or will they be knocked off their perch?
Premier League trophy.
Steven Gerrard
steven gerrard-1
Although Steven Gerrard is regarded as one of the best players to never win a league title, he certainly has the credentials of a top Premier League player. Chelsea are fourth in his predictions, followed by Guardiola’s men – who will be keen to right their wrongs from a tumultuous 2024/25. The Scouser also believes Arsenal will not be able to buck their trend of finishing in second place, while Liverpool will be crowned back-to-back champions come May.
Theo Walcott
Former footballer and TV pundit Theo Walcott
Once again, Chelsea – despite beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final – are predicted to finish fourth by Walcott, finishing just behind their cross-London rivals Arsenal. Both teams have Champions League football to contend with – but Walcott believes his former club are better equipped.
Next up are Manchester City, who are the only team to win four consecutive titles in Premier League history. Liverpool – who could still add Alexander Isak to their ranks before the end of the summer – are expected to reign supreme once again.
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
There’s a theme emerging here, isn’t there? Chelsea, once again, are predicted to find their way into the top four – but just about. Alan Shearer, England's top flight’s all-time top goalscorer, also believes that Manchester City will come third. Now, onto the top two, and the ex-Newcastle United striker believes the reigning champions, Liverpool, will usurp Arteta and his entourage to the top spot in the impending campaign.
Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe England
Offering something a bit different, Jermain Defoe has predicted Arteta’s men to finish fourth – instead of second like Shearer and Gerrard believe. Beating them to third spot will be Enzo Maresca-led Chelsea, in the eyes of the former bagsman.
In agreement with the others, Defoe is under the impression that those on the red half of Merseyside will manage to repeat last season’s success by lifting gold come the end of the season. That means that Manchester City will have to make do with picking up a silver medal; something they are not accustomed to.
Rio Ferdinand
rio ferdinand man utd
Rio Ferdinand, with six Premier League titles under his belt, is a natural-born winner – and it’s not unfair to say that he knows what he’s talking about. Chelsea are fourth in his 2025/26 predictions and the Blues are followed by those in east Manchester.
Manchester City will be pipped to second place by Arteta, widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football, and Co, while Liverpool – his former club Manchester United’s rivals – are, in his eyes, frontrunners to secure the title in May.
Watch their full answers below: