Time To Follow The Sheep

In other words, it is time for my predictions for the Premier League 25-26 season. Are you ready for a season that promises to be full of surprises and unpredictability? Before 24-25, the self-proclaimed “best league in the world” lacked jeopardy. The champions every season had become predictable. Then, surprisingly, the favored slumped. There was a new, unexpected champion. Newcastle and Crystal Palace ended trophy droughts, and the feeling recalled football from the pre-Premier League era. This upcoming season, can we expect more of these unexpected twists and turns?

Entering the new campaign, the jeopardy has widened from one to four potential champions. The situation is underlined by the four: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea, spending big to bring in the kind of players that those further down the table can only dream about. As a fan of the game, I would love to see rules that move towards great parity financially. The Premier League does have greater depth than any other league. It can only be enhanced if more teams have a chance of winning the title, having a legitimate chance of chasing a place in European competition, and, though last season might prove to be an exception, bringing home silverware. Financial parity in football brings with it the promise of a more competitive and exciting league. One can but dream.

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Some broad forecasts for 25-26:

• The top eight in the upcoming season is likely to be dominated by ‘The Rich Six’, along with Newcastle and Villa. 
• Manchester United and Tottenham will be vastly improved, putting them in contention for a higher place in the table. 
• Keep an eye on Everton, a team that could surprise everyone and challenge for the top 8. With nearly half of the division dealing with European football, this could be their chance to rise up the league while nobody is looking.
• Could this be the transitional season for Liverpool the way 24-25 was supposed to be?
• Further, could this be Mo Salah’s final campaign at Anfield? 

1. The Relegation Dogfight

The relegation battle has been less of a nail-biting affair of late, and 25-26 is shaping up to be no different. Burnley, Leeds, Sunderland, and Brentford will likely contest the bottom three places. The recent trend has been three up, three down. The uncertainty of the relegation battle is sure to keep us all on the edge of our seats. Well, maybe the fans of the aforementioned clubs.

BURNLEY. Under Scott Parker, they are pragmatic. Will that give them a better chance than their previous ill-fated EPL “we will play football” campaign under Vincent Kompany? Can the kings of the nil, nil (zero, zero in American) do it in the EPL?

LEEDS In theory, they should have the best chance. They have history, tradition and a passionate fanbase. Manager Daniel Farke has struggled in previous attempts with Norwich to maintain an EPL place due to his favored style of play. Time to compromise and play more conservatively this time around?

SUNDERLAND A young squad has brought in a lot of new players. Several “experts” rate their chances. For me, they are an unknown quantity. Who am I to argue?

BRENTFORD They lost a brilliant manager and some key performers. New gaffer Keith Andrews is untested. Expecting the Bees to slump is logical. Logic is not always a factor in ‘The Beautiful Game’. Brentford has defied the odds in the Premier League in the past. Can they do it again?

2. The Midtable Morass

So much to choose from! And each team has an excellent manager! They can’t all win.

BOURNEMOUTH. The Cherries will need a total rebuild in defence, with 4 of last season’s defensive 5 having left. On the plus side, they have a great manager in Andoni Iraola and some excellent options in attack.

BRIGHTON The Seagulls are a team that can beat anyone on their day, yet are also capable of losing 7-0. Ask Nottingham Forest. Good squad, good manager, but they are too inconsistent to crack the top eight.

CRYSTAL PALACE They win trophies!! The Roy Hodgson era is way back in the rearview mirror. They are about to lose key players. Can Oliver Glasner keep the run going under these circumstances?

Bournemouth, Brighton and Palace all to consolidate. And then there’s a blast from a past, a sixties/seventies revival …

EVERTON After many years of gloom and doom, the Toffees have reasons to be positive. A beautiful new stadium, an experienced and savvy manager, the excitement of Jack Grealish and owners who might actually be stable. If they can stay injury-free, the squad, despite being limited in numbers, might challenge for the Top 8. The Blues boast fiercely passionate fans who can get behind the team to good effect. Alternatively, they could be equally problematic if things aren’t meeting their expectations.

FULHAM. There has been little at Craven Cottage in terms of ins and outs to the squad. A good team on their day, but not enough to suggest they can mount a serious bid for a European place.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST Last season’s surprise package. Add the Europa League to their season, and it’s hard to see them threatening the top four again.

WOLVES A side that is the pick of many to go down. They have a good squad, though short on numbers. Vitor Pereira impressed after taking over the team. Can his passion drive them on again in 25-26? Keep an eye on new boy Jhon Arias, who was outstanding in the Club World Cup.

3. The Top Eight

It’s refreshing to go into a season feeling that Manchester City winning the title is inevitable. Unfortunately, this is still the era of the moneyed club. With one exception, the top clubs reflect this via the amount of $$$ spent this summer. I list them in reverse order of how they might finish:

ASTON VILLA Villa has spent the least of this group, appearing to be mindful of PSR. On the plus side, Unai Emery is a shrewd and resourceful manager. On the reverse, the squad isn’t deep enough to challenge on multiple fronts. Could they be looking over their shoulders at the midtable morass?

TOTTENHAM They acquired a brilliant, adaptable manager in Thomas Frank. Frank has a good squad. Spurs should rise up the table and be in contention for European places for 26-27. Many disagree, but I have great faith in Thomas.

NEWCASTLE While the Alexander Isak situation overshadows the club coming into the season, the Geordies still have much to be optimistic about. No more Mike Ashley! With passionate fans and a first trophy since 1969, Newcastle will again be in the top group of clubs. Can they handle the Champions League as well as the EPL? They do have experience from two years ago to fall back upon.

MAN UNITED My gut feeling is they finally have the right man at the helm. For once, there also appears to be a transfer plan, and no European distractions. Could the evil empire even challenge for the top four, or do I misread the possibilities?

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The top four, as forecast by everyone and their dog …

CHELSEA They were impressive defeating PSG in the CWC Final. However, they have added several potential starters since then. Might this unbalance the team? Do the owners even think of that? Additionally, Chelsea’s modus operandi feels different to everyone else. If they have a bad run, then the manager will be gone. It’s a club where the manager has little say in assembling an ever-revolving squad of players.

LIVERPOOL. I hope I’m wrong, but the Reds won’t repeat. There are too many changes to the squad. Add in over-the-top expectations. The team is built on an attack-first mentality. That’s exciting, but champion teams are also solid at the back. I expect the Reds to be in contention, but this time around we will see how Arne Slot performs with a squad that is his and not that of his predecessor.

MAN CITY. The rebuild started in January, and many are overlooking that unless Liverpool buys Isak, City is the biggest spender, as so often they have been this past decade. I see the ingredients, and the 115 charges have as much chance of resolution as the leader of the free world making sense. They are now in the situation Liverpool was in 12 months ago. Not as many expect from them. This could help Pep’s cause. I hope not. I hold the Etihad responsible for the Premier League’s current financial mess.

ARSENAL. The Gunners have added quality like-for-like depth to their squad. Finally, they have signed an out-and-out striker. This has to be their season. If not, and there’s no silverware for the trophy room, Mikel Arteta will be collecting his P45.

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32 “experts” gave their verdict for the season on the BBC website. Every one of them picked the same top four as me, albeit not in the same order. I am truly one of the sheep. If anyone can break up this top four, it’s Manchester United. Another boringly predictable forecast. I don’t see another challenge like the one Nottingham Forest provided last season. The most likely contender in this department might be Everton. That would be great for football on Merseyside. Just as long as they stay at number two in the city! 

Roll on EPL 25-26. As always, there is excitement and optimism for a new season. 

May the best team win! Or, in 2025, the one who has put the big bucks spent to the most effective use.

YNWA

PS. Salah’s last season? Slot’s new system may mean he’s no longer the main man; he doesn’t respond well to being subbed, the African Cup of Nations, and the annual late-season slump. Or, will we have to endure another season of wondering if he’ll sign again?