The 2025/26 Premier League campaign is approaching kick-off as the division’s 20 clubs continue to retool ahead of the new campaign amid talk of fresh starts and clean slates.
Last term, Arne Slot’s dominant Liverpool side cantered to top spot with little drama, though Arsenal, Manchester City and recently crowned FIFA World Club Cup champions Chelsea could show more staying power in this season’s title race.
As for the rest, a mix of continental qualification and survival will be motivating factors during what already promises to be another fascinating season of Premier League football.
Ahead of the action, we’ve put some Premier League predictions together based on the latest outright markets.
Arsenal
Position last season: 2nd (74 points)
Signings: Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga
Departures: Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Arsenal have finished as runners-up for three successive seasons now, though their 74-point haul last term was a significant drop-off from each of the last two campaigns (89, 84).
They did have the Premier League’s best defensive record in 2024/25 however, conceding just 34 times, though their tally of 69 at the other end was a concern.
To address that, the Gunners spent big on prolific Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and if the Swede can live up to his billing, Mikel Arteta’s side should mount a serious title bid.
Prediction and betting tip: Arsenal to finish in the top 2 – 10/11
Aston Villa
Position last season: 6th (66 points)
Signings: Yasin Ozcan, Marco Bizot, Evann Guessand
Departures: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Philippe Coutinho, Robin Olsen
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Aston Villa gambled on securing Champions League football last season but fell short, leaving the club in something of a financial bind this summer.
All of the teams that finished around Villa last term have strengthened and fears over stagnation – or even regression – in 2025/26 are starting to grow.
Unai Emery has managed to keep hold of his current stars like Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins so far however, so Villa won’t be pushovers.
Prediction and betting tip: Ollie Watkins to be Aston Villa’s top scorer – 1/3
Bournemouth
Position last season: 9th (56 points)
Signings: Djordje Petrovic, Adrien Truffert
Departures: Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Illya Zabarnyi, Jaidon Anthony, Mark Travers
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Bournemouth’s backline has been picked apart by predators across the continent this summer with key defenders Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Ilya Zabarnyi all leaving the Cherries.
Head Coach Andoni Iraola is a tactical genius, but the Spaniard might have his work cut out to replicate last season’s top-half finish without three of his best defenders.
Prediction and betting tip: Bournemouth to finish in the bottom half – 8/15
Brentford
Position last season: 10th (56 points)
Signings: Antoni Milambo, Michael Kayode, Caoimhin Kelleher, Romelle Donovan, Jordan Henderson
Departures: Bryan Mbuemo, Christian Norgaard, Mark Flekken, Yoane Wissa (possibly)
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Brentford’s summer has been far from ideal with long-serving coach Thomas Frank leaving for Tottenham, top-scorer Bryan Mbuemo joining Manchester United and skipper Christian Nørgaard moving to Arsenal.
The Bees have put a huge amount of trust in new but untried manager Keith Andrews, while Yoane Wissa is expected to force a move away before the end of the transfer window.
Mbuemo and Wissa scored 39 Premier League goals between them for Brentford last term and without their sting, the Bees could toil.
Prediction and betting tip: Kevin Schade to be Brentford’s top scorer – 2/1
Brighton
Position last season: 8th (61 points)
Signings: Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim De Cuyper, Tom Watson, Diego Coppola, Do-young Yoon, Olivier Boscagli
Departures: Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra, Pervis Estupinan, Valentin Barco, Evan Ferguson (loan)
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Brighton enjoyed their second-highest finish and second-highest points total last term in promising manager Fabian Hürzeler’s first year at the club and a fourth top-ten placing in four seasons should be the target in 2025/26
Striker Joao Pedro was sold to Chelsea, though the Brazilian only scored five Premier League goals from open play last season and shouldn’t be too difficult to replace.
As usual, the Seagulls have been busy unearthing gems in the summer market, so expect them to be competitive again.
Prediction and betting tip: Brighton to finish in the top half – 4/5
Burnley
Position last season: Promoted from the Championship (2nd)
Signings: Lesley Ugochukwu, Loum Tchaouna, Bashir Humphreys, Marcus Edwards, Jaidon Anthony, Quilindschy Hartman, Zian Flemming, Max Weiß, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Axel Tuanzebe, Martin Dubravka, Kyle Walker
Departures: James Trafford, Han-Noah Massengo, Dara Costelloe, CJ Egan-Riley, Josh Brownhill, Jonjo Shelvey, Nathan Redmond
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Burnley collected 100 points and conceded just 16 goals in 46 fixtures en-route to finishing in second place in the Championship last term under Scott Parker.
However, double-figure signings, which included the acquisition of Kyle Walker, will make them something of an unknown quantity. Recent history hasn’t been kind to promoted clubs and the Clarets will have their work cut out to beat the drop.
Prediction and betting tip: Burnley to be relegated – 1/3
Chelsea
Position last season: 4th (69 points)
Signings: Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Kendry Paez
Departures: Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Djordje Petrovic, Lesley Ugochukwu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Mathis Amougou, Bashir Humphreys, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Chelsea won the Club World Cup in impressive style, comfortably beating European champions PSG in the final, though it remains to be seen whether their summer adventure will take a toll once the domestic campaign starts.
The Blues have been busy again in the transfer market and while the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Jorrel Hato have potential, they might not move the needle enough for Chelsea to push for the title. Another top-four finish is likelier and that’s the route punters should take on Premier League betting sites.
Prediction and betting tip: Chelsea to finish in the top four – 4/7
Crystal Palace
Position last season: 12th (53 points)
Signings: Borna Sosa, Walter Benitez
Departures: Malcolm Ebiowei, Rob Holding, Jeffrey Schlupp, Joel Ward
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Crystal Palace finished the previous season on a massive high with their unexpected FA Cup Final triumph over Manchester City and having kept hold of their star players over the summer, Oliver Glasner’s impressive Eagles should be ready to bloody more noses in 2025/26.
Palace were unfairly demoted from the Europa to the Conference League, though they should have a real shot at winning the latter. Juggling domestic and continental responsibilities might make it difficult for Palace to improve upon last season’s 12th-place Premier League finish, however.
Prediction and betting tip: Crystal Palace to finish in the bottom half – 4/9
Everton
Position last season: 13th (48 points)
Signings: Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carlos Alcaraz, Adam Aznou, Mark Travers
Departures: Neal Maupay, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, Joao Virginia, Mason Holgate, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Everton will play at their stunning new home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season, waving goodbye to Goodison Park, so it will be interesting to see how they adapt to their new surroundings.
The Toffees lost just five times in 20 matches following David Moyes’s return to the club in January and the Scot will have them organised and motivated again this term.
Everton scored just 42 goals in the Premier League last term however, and a lack of firepower could keep them in the bottom half again in 2025/26.
Prediction and betting tip: Everton to finish in the bottom half – 4/11
Fulham
Position last season: 11th (54 points)
Signings: Benjamin Lecomte
Departures: Carlos Vinicius, Willian
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Marco Silva’s Fulham had threatened to push for European qualification last season, though a return of five defeats in their last seven games dismantled their hopes.
Fulham have done very little business over the summer, so it should be as you were for the Cottagers for the most part. Another year in mid-table limbo beckons for the Londoners.
Prediction and betting tip: Fulham to finish ahead of West Ham – 8/11
Leeds
Position last season: Promoted as Championship winners
Signings: Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Lukas Nmecha
Departures: Rasmus Kristensen, Junior Firpo, Maximilian Wober, Joshua Guilavogui
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Leeds have returned to the Premier League as second-tier champions and securing survival will undoubtedly be the Yorkshiremen’s primary target for 2025/26.
With Red Bull’s scouting network central, Leeds have done a lot of shopping on the continent over the summer, though the signing of Sean Longstaff from Newcastle could be their best bit of business.
Manager Daniel Farke had a torrid time with Norwich when he last coached in the Premier League and even lost a record-breaking 15 successive matches with the Canaries in 2021. Expect Leeds to be up against it.
Prediction and betting tip: Leeds to be relegated – 23/20
Liverpool
Position last season: 1st (84 points)
Signings: Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong
Departures: Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Tyler Morton, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nat Phillips
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Liverpool won the Premier League title relatively unchallenged last season and subsequently embarked on an unprecedented summer spending spree, acquiring exciting names like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong for close to £300m combined.
As a result, Arne Slot’s Reds are clear favourites to retain their crown and anything other than another Premier League title and a deep run in the Champions League would be seen as a major failure following their incredible outlay.
Liverpool are still working hard to sign Newcastle star Alexander Isak and if they get a deal over the line there, they will be difficult to stop both domestically and in Europe.
Prediction and betting tip: Liverpool to win the Premier League – 7/4
Manchester City
Position last season: 3rd (71 points)
Signings: Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli
Departures: Yan Couto, Maximo Perrone, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Manchester City finished with the lowest points total of Pep Guardiola’s entire tenure with the club last season and though they have spent relatively heavily again this summer, none of their arrivals so far look like major difference makers.
Beaten in the FA Cup Final by Palace and in the Club World Cup Round of 16 by Al Hilal, City haven’t looked like themselves for quite a while. A fully fit Rodri will help to make them tick, though this still looks like a team in transition and a similarly patchy campaign could be in the pipeline.
Prediction and betting tip: Man City to NOT finish in the top 4 – TBC
Manchester United
Position last season: 15th (42 points)
Signings: Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Benjamin Sesko
Departures: Marcus Rashford, Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
The 2024/25 campaign was an unmitigated disaster for United, who plunged to new depths domestically before losing the Europa League Final to Tottenham.
Significant improvement over the summer was needed and in Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, United have done some exciting things in attack on paper.
Issues remain in the goalkeeper and midfield positions however, while Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation has yet to bear fruit. With so many questions to answer, bettors might be best to avoid backing United in any capacity in the markets.
Prediction and betting tip: Steer clear
Newcastle
Position last season: 5th (66 points)
Signings: Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale, Antonito Cordero
Departures: Lloyd Kelly, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Martin Dubravka
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Newcastle have had a sobering summer and a harsh reminder of where they sit on the food chain in England. The Magpies have tried, tried and tried again to make major moves in the market, though the list of players that have rejected their advances now stands at close to double figures.
With talisman Alexander Isak also pushing for a move to Liverpool, the mood around St. James’ Park will be grim by the time the new season starts.
Just five points separated Newcastle (5th) from Brighton in 8th last term and if the super Swede departs, the Magpies could wilt towards mid-table.
Prediction and betting tip: Newcastle to collect under 64 points – 17/20
Nottingham Forest
Position last season: 7th (65 points)
Signings: Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, Angus Gunn
Departures: Anthony Elanga, Danilo, Ramon Sosa, Andrew Omobamidele, Matt Turner, Lewis O’Brien, Harry Toffolo, Jonathan Panzo, Wayne Hennessey
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Nottingham Forest punched above their weight last season and overperformed their expected points by a league high +15.
They managed to keep hold of captain Morgan Gibbs-White when it looked like the midfielder was Tottenham bound, though incomings have been modest elsewhere.
Anthony Elanga’s pace has been lost, while Forest fans would be unwise to expect another 20-goal season from veteran Chris Wood. Nottingham Forest could slide this year.
Prediction and betting tip: Nottingham Forest to finish in the bottom half – 4/7
Sunderland
Position last season: Promoted as Championship Play-Off winners
Signings: Habib Diarra, Simon Andingra, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Reinildo, Marc Guiu
Departures: Jobe Bellingham, Tom Watson
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Sunderland have already shelled out more than £120m on new players this summer, but apart from a couple of familiar names, their list of recruits reads like a who’s-who of who’s he’s?
Six of the last ten Championship playoff-winning teams have been relegated and it’s difficult to see how the Black Cats can escape the same fate.
Prediction and betting tip: Sunderland to finish bottom – 7/4
Tottenham Hotspur
Position last season: 17th (38 points)
Signings: Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Kuka Vuskovic, Joao Palhinha
Departures: Heung-min Son, Sergio Reguilon, Fraser Forster
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
Tottenham landed a major trophy and a bonus prize of Champions League qualification with their Europa League triumph in May and they look decently equipped to improve upon last season’s 17th-place Premier League finish.
New manager Thomas Frank’s tactical acumen should have Spurs well-drilled, though the departure of club legend Heung-min Son and James Maddison’s long-term injury could blunt Tottenham’s attack.
Spurs need a 20-point swing to finish in the top half and that might be too much of an ask.
Prediction and betting tip: Tottenham to finish in the bottom half – 3/1
West Ham
Position last season: 14th (43 points)
Signings: El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters, Callum Wilson
Departures: Mohammed Kudus, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Kurt Zouma, Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, Lukasz Fabianski
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
West Ham fans were far from impressed by Graham Potter’s impact in the second half of last season after the January appointment masterminded only five wins from 19 matches.
The Irons have done little of note in terms of transfer business this summer, while the exits of Mohammed Kudus, Vladimir Coufal and Michail Antonio in particular could be significant.
If West Ham start slowly in August, Potter could be on the chopping block and it could be worth backing the 50-year-old to be sacked first, having been given little backing by the Hammers board.
Prediction and betting tip: Graham Potter next Premier League manager sacked – 12/1
Wolves
Position last season: 16th (42 points)
Signings: Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias, David Moller Wolfe
Departures: Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Goncalo Guedes, Nelson Semedo, Pablo Sarabia, Chiquinho
Prospects for the 2025/26 campaign
The decision to appoint Vitor Pereira last December was an inspired one as Wolves finished the 2024/25 season in impressive style.
However, the loss of players like Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo was a blow and leaves Wanderers’ squad looking a little light on quality.
There are big hopes for Jhon Arias, who shone at the Club World Cup with Fluminense, however, another bottom-half finish feels like the likeliest outcome.
Prediction and betting tip: Wolves to finish higher than Sunderland – 4/9
