The English Premier League is back
The English Premier League is back. All 20 teams have played their first matches, leaving a further 37 games for each team to accumulate as many points as they can. Four teams will compete for the honour and money to play in next season’s Champions League. Three teams will be relegated to the Championship; and one successful team will be lifting the Premier League trophy next May.
Last season Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea finished in the coveted Top four; and it will be the same four in the 2025/26 season.
Top 4 Predictions
Arsenal have finished second for the past three seasons; and though they have improved massively since Mikel Arteta became Arsenal manager in 2019, there appears to be more voices demanding silverware for the north London club, this season.
Following their victory last May, when they beat Real Betis 4-1 to win Europa Conference League, Enzo Maresca lifted his second trophy as Chelsea manager beating Paris Saint Germain (PSG) 3-0 to win the Fifa Club World Cup.
Chelsea have made some great signings, especially strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, but at times they still look like an accident waiting to happen in defence. With some excellent goalkeepers available this summer, I’m really surprised that Robert Sanchez remains their number one. And with Levi Colwell injured for the best part of the season, Chelsea will look light at the back, even with a fit again Wesley Fofana.
Manchester City head into yet another new season with over 100 financial charges still unresolved. Last season saw Pep Guardiola and Manchester City fall from grace. Teams appeared to have worked out how to play them. They were no longer unplayable or unbeatable.
They have had a busy summer both off and on the pitch. They partook in the Fifa Club World Cup in the United States but suffered a shock last-16 exit from the Fifa Club World Cup at the hands of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. The sky blues have already signed James Trafford, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Sverre Nypan this summer.
Last season Pep looked tired and devoid of energy and ideas. But barring too many key player injuries, I think whoever finishes above them this season, will be crowned champions.
Liverpool has a stronger squad this season, with the pre-season signings of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. With an already formidable looking attack, they are still keen to sign Newcastle’s top Sweden striker, Alexander Isak.
Who will be relegated?
The newly promoted teams made positive impressions in their opening matches, showing their ambition and signalling their intent to buck the recent trend of all three promoted teams suffering immediate relegation back to the second tier over the past seasons.
Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland all make a return to the top-flight after absences of two, one, and eight years, respectively.
While Leeds deserved the win against Everton, it took a very late soft penalty decision for them to bag all three points.
Burnley conceded just 16 goals in 46 matches last season – an average of 0.35 per game -setting the best defensive record in English league history. But the golf in the Championship and Premier League was clear for all to see on Saturday, as Scott Parker’s well drilled side were thrashed by Tottenham Hotspur.
Sunderland beat West Ham by the same 3-0 scoreline. Three second-half goals must have surprised the Hammers manager Graham Potter, as much as they did me and all the fans that made the long trip from east London to the north-east.
Relegation Predictions
Last season, all three promoted sides were relegated back to the EFL Championship. And this season Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all favourites to be promoted back to the top table of English football.
Before a ball was kicked, Brentford lost several of their best players and influential and very likeable manager, Thomas Frank. Brentford were promoted into the Premier League in 2021 and have fared well, finishing 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th. But I think they will struggle to survive, this season.
Of the three promoted teams, I think both Burnley and Sunderland will find points hard to get; and because I can’t see any other teams struggling more, I predict them to go straight back down with Brentford.
Who will be crowned Premier League Champions?
With or without Isak, it’s pretty difficult to see past Arne Slot and Liverpool retaining the title. Even though, as a Chelsea fan, I do say so, through gritted teeth.
You can watch every single match of the English Premier League with an IPTV subscription.
