Premier League predictions: Liverpool and Arsenal title race, high 4, relegation debated
Liverpool are the workforce to beat going into the 2025-26 Premier League season, however will Arne Slot's facet nonetheless be standing on the highest step of the rostrum subsequent Could?
Membership World Cup this, switch window that – it's practically time for the good things once more. The 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off subsequent Friday, with Liverpool at house to Bournemouth serving as a curtain-raiser.
The trophy is safely at Anfield after Arne Slot's facet ran away with it final time period, and now the problem for the likes of Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis is to take it from them. Subsequent is the battle for the Champions League, the place Manchester United haven't been for 2 years.
And what in regards to the relegation scrap? We are going to see all three promoted groups go straight again down for the third 12 months working?
Over the following 10 months, we'll discover out. All we will do for now could be ask the Mirror Soccer workforce to look into their crystal balls, in order that's precisely what we did.
Listed below are our writers' 2025-26 Premier League predictions.
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Andy Dunn: They gained it in a ten-point canter final season and have completed storming enterprise within the switch market so it actually is difficult to again in opposition to Liverpool retaining their Premier League title and in opposition to Mohamed Salah amassing one other Golden Boot, particularly when he may have the most effective signing of the window, Florian Wirtz, to assist him out.
You’ll count on Erling Haaland to rival Salah for the Golden Boot however the Manchester Metropolis striker may effectively discover the going powerful with a new-look facet taking a superb whereas to gel. Metropolis’s transitional interval will imply Chelsea and Arsenal giving Liverpool probably the most to consider and with Cole Palmer pulling the strings, Enzo Maresca’s Membership World Cup champions ought to present improved Premier League type.
Arsenal have additionally had a superb summer season of recruitment and I count on extra massive issues from their good children, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, however they may nonetheless come up simply brief.
Sadly, will probably be one other battle for the three promoted golf equipment however Leeds United ought to have sufficient to outlive. In his brief time there, Graham Potter has but to persuade at West Ham United and so they could possibly be mildly stunning candidates for the drop on the finish of the 2025-26 season.
Chris McKenna: Liverpool to retain the English league title for the primary time because the Eighties and overtake Manchester United with No 21. Why? As a result of they’ve spent massive and spent effectively whereas their rivals are taking part in catch up.
Florian Wirtz is a large signing and I feel he may have a starring position of their success to make him not solely the most effective purchase of the winner however a contender for participant of the 12 months. Manchester Metropolis will push them although as Pep Guardiola rebuilds his workforce however I count on them to search out their peak once more within the following marketing campaign whereas Arsenal and Chelsea will refill the remainder of the highest 4.
Who'll win the Premier League title? Give us your prediction within the feedback part.
Burnley and Leeds will battle to remain up however I reckon Sunderland could shock just a few with their new faces. Brentford have misplaced their supervisor and greatest gamers, they could possibly be in hassle. Manchester United a shock bundle? Solely as a result of they gained’t be as terrible as they have been final season and can push for a high six spot.
Erling Haaland will discover his capturing boots once more and edge out Mo Salah within the race with the latter to overlook some video games on account of AFCON. Leny Yoro appears to be like a promising defender and will star for United this time period.
However I did predict Nottingham Forest would get relegated final season and so they certified for Europe – so I wouldn't guess on any of those!
Neil McLeman: There are 4 real contenders in probably the most open title race for years. Champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal have spent massively however the Man Metropolis rebuild started in January whereas years of Chelsea spending noticed them win the FIFA Membership World Cup final month. The after results of taking part in a significant summer season of one in all many unknowns this season.
Arne Slot was excellent in his first Anfield season however faces an arguably an much more tough activity on this marketing campaign of integrating massive cash signings as title favourites. Strain will begin to construct rapidly on Mikel Arteta if the Gunners usually are not competing for silverware.
With out European soccer, Ruben Amorin may have the possibility to stamp his identification on Manchester United and might obtain a top-six end. However one other summer season of gradual switch exercise at Selhurst Park threatens to make Crystal Palace’s first full European marketing campaign an enormous problem after their historic FA Cup success.
Any promoted facet staying up is now a minor miracle. Will Burnley’s extra pragmatic defensive solidity be extra profitable within the high flight than Vincent Kompany’s extra open method again in 2023-24? Can Marc Guiu save Sunderland? And the way lengthy will Daniel Farke final at Leeds?
James Whaling: Liverpool gained the league at a canter final time period and it's onerous to think about they may have had a greater switch window. With the potential addition of Alexander Isak nonetheless to come back, it's onerous to again in opposition to the Reds going back-to-back.
Arsenal additionally look stronger and I fancy they are going to be Liverpool's closest challengers, making it extra of a race than final time period. A change of surroundings could possibly be simply the tonic for Noni Madueke as he bids to nail down a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for subsequent summer season's World Cup.
Manchester Metropolis don't look fairly able to reclaim their crown, though I feel Erling Haaland will return to the highest of the purpose charts, health allowing. Chelsea to finish the remainder of the highest 4.
On the different finish, I feel we may have extra of a battle on our arms within the race to remain afloat. Leeds and Burnley look extra well-equipped than promoted sides from the final couple of years to retain their top-flight standing. A complete host of golf equipment could possibly be within the combine, together with Wolves and Everton, however I've plumped for Brentford and West Ham to hitch Sunderland within the drop zone.
The Bees particularly have had a disappointing summer season, dropping boss Thomas Frank to Spurs and principal marskman Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United. I feel rookie supervisor Keith Andrews has an actual job on his arms to take care of the membership's upward trajectory.
Florian Wirtz appears to be like like being the Premier League's latest famous person and I feel he might be proper within the combine for Participant of the 12 months come subsequent Could. Myles Lewis-Skelly is in an important place to proceed his growth and might be one of many favourites to scoop the Younger Participant award.
Ben Husband: Liverpool have been head and shoulders the most effective workforce within the Premier League final season…and so they could have gotten even higher in the course of the summer season. I count on Manchester Metropolis to place up a significantly better problem this time round, however I'm backing Arne Slot to do what Jurgen Klopp couldn't – and return to again.
And with that, I can’t look previous Mo Salah profitable one other Golden Boot and being the most effective participant within the division. Jeremie Frimpong may even slot in seamlessly at proper again and maybe supply what his predecessor Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t.
Arsenal will nonetheless be comfortably within the high 4, however I don't anticipate them being as shut with regards to the title race. Their switch enterprise doesn't encourage me and I wouldn't be stunned in the event that they fall off barely.
That being stated, 25/26 guarantees to be an enormous season for Ethan Nwaneri. He ought to turn into an much more essential a part of Mikel Arteta’s squad and can make it into Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.
On the different finish of the desk, there's little question the three promoted sides will put up a greater first of staying up than in earlier years, however till I see in any other case, I nonetheless suppose the hole will show an excessive amount of – regardless of their spending.
Wolves have misplaced loads of expertise in the course of the window, however the acquisition of Jhon Arias ought to reap instant advantages. He regarded one of many higher gamers on the Membership World Cup and will hit the bottom working.
Tom Victor: This season’s Premier League marketing campaign is a troublesome one to name, given the extent to which all the massive hitters have strengthened. Liverpool are unlikely to be as comfy as they have been final time period, however I’m anticipating Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea’s Membership World Cup exploits to depart them simply behind the reigning champions and final season’s runners-up Arsenal.
On the different finish of the desk, West Ham weren’t far above the drop zone final time period and have misplaced Mohammed Kudus with no substitute coming in, leaving relegation as an actual concern. Elsewhere, James Trafford’s Man Metropolis return is prone to injury Burnley and Sunderland will want a flurry of latest signings to hit the bottom working if they’re to outlive.
Talking of hitting the bottom working, Liverpool’s report signing Florian Wirtz ought to be key to their success. I’m predicting the other on the opposite facet of Merseyside, although – David Moyes had a horrible report with big-money signings at West Ham, and I concern the identical may occur with Everton new boy Thierno Barry.
Brentford want some gamers to step up after extra high-profile exits, and I’m backing Igor Thiago to make up for his misplaced 12 months, although I don’t see anybody catching Erling Haaland within the golden boot race now that his provide line has been bolstered.
Lastly, Spurs will certainly enhance on final season’s league displaying, and Archie Grey – nonetheless simply 19 – has an opportunity to get pleasure from a extra settled second season below new boss Thomas Frank.
Daniel Orme: Liverpool have been by far and away the most effective workforce within the league final season – and a profitable summer season has solely made the champions even stronger. Given the brand new faces that they’ve welcomed to Anfield, it might be honest to say that they’ve as soon as once more acquired the strongest squad on paper which ought to be sufficient to see them win the league as soon as once more.
That also needs to see Salah thrive and win the Participant of the 12 months and whereas Gakpo just isn’t an unknown amount, I reckon he may hit even larger heights and even be within the working for that gong too.
However the identical won’t be stated of summer season arrival Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman is much from a nasty signing however he’ll want some adaptation and won’t get as many objectives as his lofty price ticket suggests. Amongst their rivals, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki ought to signal, whereas Viktor Gyokeres will catch the attention for Arsenal.
In the meantime, two of the three promoted golf equipment will drop again into the Championship and may effectively be joined by Brentford, who’ve taken a large danger by changing Thomas Frank with Keith Andrews. The exit of Bryan Mbeumo and the potential departure of Yoanne Wissa haven’t helped.
Oli Gamp: It could have been onerous for me to go in opposition to Liverpool for the title even when they’d made zero signings. After splurging £300m – and on some terrific new signings – they give the impression of being lifeless certs to elevate the Premier League crown as soon as once more.
I really feel particularly the £116m addition of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen will flip them into an much more deadly power. Mark my phrases, Wirtz might be generally known as 'The Locksmith' after this season as a result of he's demonstrated how he can unlock even the tightest of defences and make issues occur. Within the final two seasons alone, he has 34 objectives and 28 assists. He's fairly merely a weapon and that's mirrored in me backing him for greatest signing and POTY.
Man Metropolis ought to push Liverpool shut after strengthening too and whereas Arsenal have made good signings on this window, I really feel they may come up brief as soon as once more in what could possibly be a crossroads second for Mikel Arteta subsequent summer season. It looks like the correct time for Alexander Isak to push on and present why he’s one in all Europe's greatest strikers proper now and he may add to his 27 strikes from final season, particularly if he joins Liverpool.
I additionally really feel Leeds will break the hoodoo of promoted groups going straight again down after some good additions which have gone below the radar and their present high quality, however time could possibly be up for Brentford after dropping Thomas Frank. And whereas I feel Arsenal may have a disappointing season, I can see Ethan Nwaneri dazzling individually and displaying why he is without doubt one of the brightest skills now we have on this nation.
Alan Smith: The chasing pack will put up an even bigger problem than final season however Arne Slot's squad is stronger and could possibly be boosted additional. The one weak spot seems an absence of depth at centre half, that means an harm to Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate may derail them. As soon as they’re out there the Reds must be favourites.
Pep Guardiola's revamped midfield will see them climb to second above Arsenal whereas Chelsea might be fourth in a tightly-packaged group.
It’s turning into a well-known, regarding sample however the promoted three seem prone to go straight again down. Their solely likelihood of surviving is that if a longtime membership leads to turmoil.
West Ham want extra additions within the switch window, whereas the calls for of European soccer may imply a regression at Nottingham Forest. But each ought to nonetheless be higher than the brand new boys.
Erling Haaland might be high scorer as Metropolis fall simply brief, whereas Mohamed Salah will once more be participant of the 12 months as a result of Liverpool’s new firepower ought to distract opposition defences.
Scott Trotter: Arsenal's pre-season hasn't been too convincing but it surely must be their 12 months in some unspecified time in the future, proper? Liverpool could have launched too many adjustments, whereas Manchester Metropolis have some catching as much as do after final season.
Chelsea could have a more durable time than many count on too with larger competitors to come back within the Champions League and an enormous squad nonetheless to handle, although they could be greatest positioned for fourth place until Aston Villa make some good strikes. Florian Wirtz will gentle up the league as soon as Liverpool settle however they may have an excessive amount of to do if Viktor Gyokeres hits the bottom working.
Manchester United won’t be as unhealthy as final season, and will discover some fluency with one recreation every weel however nonetheless a way off competing with the most effective. A state of affairs that can depart no one fairly content material after they’d one eye on relegation final season.
Brighton may push into the European spots as a interval of stability sees them make the most of these with busier schedules, whereas the groups promoted from the Championship will inevitably face a troublesome time. Vitor Pereira may spring a shock with Wolves, together with Jorgen Strand Larsen, and regardless of their high-profile exits ought to get pleasure from a protected 12 months.
Sam Meade: Metropolis, after their 12 months off, will come again with renewed motivation and I feel that'll be sufficient to get them over the road. Liverpool nonetheless look electrical, but when they do land Alexander Isak I begin to marvel the place the entire items of the jigsaw slot in. Newcastle, even when they lose their talisman, are extremely effectively coached and will spring a shock regardless of their poor summer season.The sensation round West Ham isn't nice, however Graham Potter confirmed time and time once more that he was capable of maximise his assets at Brighton. I've acquired massive wraps on Cherki, who regarded sensational for Lyon in opposition to Manchester United in Europe final 12 months, and appears each inch a Pep Guardiola participant.Nwaneri has come on yearly and, with accidents to Arsenal's frontline final 12 months, most likely noticed his growth accelerated. His team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly will get plenty of consideration, and rightly so, however Nwaneri's potential to affect massive moments in video games is one thing to regulate.
Felix Keith: Liverpool have recruited brilliantly up to now this summer season and look – at paper no less than – stronger than final 12 months. I’m backing Mohamed Salah to shine once more, partly as a result of he was my solely correct prediction final season. Milos Kerkez was superior for Bournemouth final season and is a significant improve on Andy Robertson, who was shaky at occasions in 2024/25.
This time final 12 months I attempted to be intelligent and regarded past simply predicting the promoted groups to go straight down and I gained’t make that mistake once more.
Newcastle look a multitude this summer season and, in the event that they lose Alexander Isak it can turn into even worse. Kevin Schade goes to step up and bang at Brentford after Bryan Mbeumo left.
Dan Marsh: It's onerous to look previous Liverpool once more, isn't it? They have been lightyears forward of the remainder final 12 months. And the very fact they've added three high-quality gamers with Alexander Isak nonetheless of their sights means it might take a really courageous (or silly) particular person to not again them for successive titles.
Manchester Metropolis will get well from their 2024-25 malaise to problem them, whereas I fancy Chelsea to stay round longer this 12 months. Possibly I've acquired all of it improper, however I see them each ending forward of Arsenal, who will take the final Champions League spot.
On the different finish of the desk, I feel Burnley and Leeds will succumb to the present development of newly promoted groups plummeting straight again down. I fear for Brentford, too: dropping your star man (Bryan Mbeumo), captain (Christian Norgaard) and Thomas Frank in a single summer season is completely rotten luck. Keith Andrews may go on to be a tremendous head coach however he's acquired a frightening activity forward of him this season.
I fancy Everton to emerge because the season's shock bundle. David Moyes did a tremendous job after returning final season and I just like the signings of Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor. However, I feel Viktor Gyokeres will battle to duplicate the magnificent goalscoring feats that made him such scorching property at Sporting Lisbon. I'm backing Florian Wirtz to determine himself because the summer season's shrewdest acquisition, even with that £116million switch price.
Erling Haaland will reign supreme within the battle for the golden boot (not precisely breaking information however y'know) whereas Cole Palmer would be the main gentle for Chelsea, who I feel are in retailer for a powerful season. Willian Estevao, the thrilling younger attacker who shone on the Membership World Cup, is my outsider choose for Younger Participant of the 12 months (everybody else had Lewis-Skelley or Nwaneri!).
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