Premier League 2025/26 Outright Winners Preview
Liverpool absolutely monstered the competition last season to stroll to a 20th English title with four games to spare, thanks to their free-flowing, attractive, style of football that yielded 86 goals throughout the campaign.
Will it be more of the same? Or can Arsenal, now resplendent with a striker, finally end more than 20 years of hurt? Will Manchester City get back to their metronomic best? Or is there going to be a surprise challenger to emerge from the chasing pack?
The managerial merry-go-round has been at a snail’s pace in the summer, with just Thomas Frank making the switch across London from Brentford to Tottenham and coach Keith Andrews taking over the reigns at the GTech. The transfer window has been much busier, though.
In our preview below, we analyse the teams and the odds and pick our winners ahead of what should be a mouth-watering campaign.
The Main Contenders
Liverpool: 7/4
It’s difficult to argue against favouritism for the Reds. After a stunning first campaign under Arne Slot, they have strengthened intelligently and quickly with the additions of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz. There could be more to come, with rumours swirling around the future of Alexander Isak. Might he join the frontline? The tragic and devastating passing of Diogo Jota and the sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis DIaz to Al-Hilal and Bayern Munich respectively means some reinforcements could be required.
Mohamed Salah is the stalwart of Liverpool’s frontline, though, and if he gets anywhere close to last year’s output, the Reds will be in fine fettle.
You can bet on the Egyptian to be top scorer again at odds of 9/2.
Despite the positivity of last year, there were some warning signs that this season might not be as easy. They went winless in their last four league games, conceding seven in that run. There are concerns surrounding centre-back, with Virgil Van Dijk another year older and Ibrahima Konaté struggling with injuries at times. Joe Gomez is a decent back up, but they feel light at the back.
Was Slot standing on the shoulders of a giant in his first season? This year is much more his team and although they are the frontrunners, we can see them struggling to go back-to-back.
Prediction: 2nd
Arsenal: 9/4
You know what could really benefit Arsenal? A striker. Enter Viktor Gyökeres. The signing from Sporting Lisbon has unleashed a level of excitement at the Emirates as they aim to end a 22 year hiatus from title glory.
In the last couple of seasons, the consensus has been that the lack of a prolific forward has hamstrung the Gunners. Not one player scored double digits in the league last year (Kai Havertz top-scored with nine goals). That must change if they are to sustain a realistic title challenge.
Gyökeres bagged 54 goals in just 52 appearances for Sporting Lisbon last season. Many may question the quality of the Portuguese Primeira Liga but it’s hard to argue returns of that prolific nature.
The additions of Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke will improve the squad depth markedly but the outcome of their season is likely to depend on the health and fitness of Hale End product and superstar Bukayo Saka. The England international was out for three months last year, and Arsenal felt his absence keenly. Despite his injury, only Mohamed Salah (27) had more Goal Creating Actions (GCA) than Saka (23).
Direct, ruthless, and with a highly intelligent footballing IQ, Saka is one of the best players in the division. If he stays fit and forms a lethal combination with Gyökeres, his club has a chance.
On paper, this could be the season Arsenal finally end the wait. Bet on Arsenal to win the league here.
Prediction: 1st
Manchester City: 33/10
It was a turgid, trophyless campaign for Pep Guardiola and his charges. They lost an unthinkable nine league matches across a campaign that saw the Cityzens completely outplayed in Europe, suffer an embarrassing FA Cup final defeat, and take just one point from bitter rivals Manchester United, a team that finished 15th.
But here’s the good news for supporters, 2024 Ballon D’or winner and crucial midfield lynchpin Rodri is back to full fitness. They missed his calmness in the centre of the park, his reading of the game, and his propensity for popping up with crucial goals.
His treble-sealing strike against Inter Milan two years ago remains top of mind for many fans. He’s also a midfield metronome. During his treble-winning season, he topped the list for completed passes (3,365), 388 more than Lewis Dunk (2977), who was second for the metric.
His return, coupled with the signings of goalkeeper James Trafford, left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and midfielders Sverre Nypan, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, means the squad has a totally different dimension to it. Cherki, in particular, looks set to light up the Etihad.
A mercurial talent, he can make things happen out of thin air and his partnership with the robot-like talents of Haaland could propel them to a much better finish.
However, concerns persist in the right-back position. At the time of writing, the only options are relative rookie Rico Lewis, midfielder-turned-full-back Matheus Nunes, and central defender Abdukodir Khusanov. They conceded 44 league goals in the 2024/25 campaign, the most of any club that finished in the top four, and there was a general imbalance to their play.
We can’t rule out Guardiola, because it’s Guardiola. But our instinct is another season of frustration for a team that’s not used to not winning.
Prediction: 4th
Chelsea: 9/1
The Club World Cup champions raised some eyebrows with a 3-0 decimation of PSG in the final over the summer. Much of that success was down to a virtuoso performance from Cole Palmer, who scored twice and created another for new signing Joao Pedro.
It’s what we have come to expect from the graceful England international, who topped the Goal + Assist ranking in 2023/24 (33), before following that up with 23 goal contributions last year.
The signing of Pedro could be transformative, but a lot of the excitement is being reserved for Brazilian talent Estêvão. The 18-year-old was signed from Palmeiras for £52million back in May 2024 but was allowed to play at his hometown club for a further year before making the move to London this summer. The Blues beat off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich to seal his signature, and he gave a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come with a goal for his old side against Chelsea in the Club World Cup.
However, the injury to centre-back Levi Colwill, which is reportedly keeping him out for the season, deals a critical blow to their defence. They have also struggled in finding a consistent and reliable goalkeeper. It’s for these reasons we think they may struggle to mount a sustained title challenge.
Prediction: 3rd
Other Outsiders…
Manchester United: 25/1
A club drenched in embarrassment they may be, but there is an air of positivity around Old Trafford for the first time in years. Much of that has to do with their work in the summer transfer window. The incomings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško provide a much-needed boost to the Red Devils’ firepower, which only registered a meagre 44 goals last season - a record-low in the Premier League era.
Pre-season has been promising, with a Premier League Series winners medal providing Ruben Amorim his first taste of (meaningless) trophyware.
However, the gap from 15th to Premier League champions feels much too big to make up. A top six finish will be the aim.
Perhaps they are a better bet to finish in the top six at odds of 4/5.
Prediction: 6th
Newcastle: 33/1
Anxiety is abound in the Northeast after a disappointing transfer window. Star striker Alexander Isak is being forced to train alone after exploring options for a move away from Tyneside, while reported targets, including Cunha, Mbeumo, Šeško, Pedro, and Trafford, have all opted to move elsewhere.
This is the same team that was in with a shout of finishing second in the closing stages of the season, but the optimism of their league position, their historical Carabao Cup win, and the tantalising prospect of Champions League football have all faded into a fuzz of frustration.
Links with the likes of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson persist, but if Isak does seal his move to the champions, it’s difficult to see how the Magpies repeat the successes of last season.
Prediction: 8th
Tottenham: 50/1
It was a season of extremes for the Lilywhites of North London. After finishing a lowly 17th, they still managed to win a European title for the first time since 1972, qualifying for the Champions League in the process.
Despite delivering a trophy, as he promised he would, Ange Postecoglou was sent packing and his replacement, Thomas Frank, is extremely highly rated by his peers.
But much like Newcastle, fans have been frustrated with their club’s progress in the transfer window. At the time of writing, only Mohammed Kudus and João Palhinha represent major new incomings to the squad, with Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel signing permanently after loan spells last season.
Long term injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski has upped the urgency in the window for Frank. But any business they do is unlikely to be enough to get them in any position to challenge.
Prediction: 10th
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
