PL Preview 25/26 Part 3: Who’s winning it?
We’re less than a week away from the 2025/26 season, and it’s time to take a look at the teams we think will hover around the mid-table section of the standings. Keep an eye on our blog for the 3rd and final part soon, which covers the teams fighting for the title and the top spots, but first, let’s focus on the mid-table!
Read Part 1 of our PL Prediction here.
Read Part 2 of our PL Prediction here.
7) Aston Villa
Key Players: Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn
Transfer Window Summary:
Aston Villa have snapped up a few players, most notably Evann Guessand and Yasin Özcan, albeit the latter has already left on loan to Anderlecht. No important players have left the club at this stage, so Aston Villa will be looking fairly similar this season, which isn’t a bad thing after their impressive 24/25 season.
Last Season: 6th
Winner: 80.00
Top 4: 5.00
Prediction:
Aston Villa will be trying to improve on their league finish last year, when they ended in 6th place, while also aiming for a good run in the EL. As mentioned, not much has happened with the squad since last season, for better or good, and you would expect the Villains to finish in a similar position this year. We have them in 7th, but they could certainly take advantage of the situation if teams like Newcastle or Chelsea fail to hit the ground running.
The attacking trio consisting of Malen, Watkins and Rogers is an exciting one, and a difficult one to defend for any team, and Tielemans, Kamara and McGinn should keep things in check in midfield. Marco Bizot, their new goalkeeper signed from Brest, will probably guard the goal, with Martinez rumoured to be on his way out. In front of him, Konsa and Pau Torres are expected to start, with Cash and Maatsen on the full-backs.
Aston Villa’s opener is against the team we have on 6th place in our prediction, Newcastle, and the Birmingham club will be hoping to get off to a winning start to get the momentum going. We think Aston Villa will have a decent season, but ultimately drop down one spot from last season’s finishing position.
6) Newcastle
Key Players: Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tonali
Transfer Window Summary:
The biggest transfer story of the summer in Newcastle is the ongoing Isak saga, with the striker allegedly determined to leave and unwilling to play if he is to stay. Longstaff and Callum Wilson are amongst the players that have left the club, while Elanga have arrived from Nottingham Forest and Aaron Ramsdale has signed from Southampton.
Last Season: 5th
Winner: 50.00
Top 4: 3.50
Prediction:
Despite the chaos that Newcastle find themselves in the middle of in regards to the transfer market, the squad is still solid, with plenty of quality across the pitch. Ramsdale vs. Pope is an interesting setup, and defensively, whichever keeper is guarding the goal will be supported by players like Schär, Livramento, Burn and Trippier.
The home supporters will be hoping for a proper replacement if Isak should be sold to Liverpool, as seems to be a likely outcome, but even without a replacement, Elanga, Gordon and Barnes is not a bad attacking trip initially. Their midfield is amongst the strongest in the league, with Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton ready to put in the work for the Magpies.
A lot will depend on what happens with Isak and how they spend the money if he is sold, but we think Newcastle will grab the 6th spot this season.
5) Chelsea
Key Players: Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Cucurella
Transfer Window Summary:
Liam Delap, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Mamadou Sarr, and Joao Pedro have arrived at Chelsea, with especially Pedro, Gittens and Delap expected to make an immediate impact. Madueke has left for Arsenal, while Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Armando Broja are amongst the players that have left the club.
Last Season: 4th
Winner: 9.00
Top 4: 1.58
Prediction:
Chelsea seems to have gained some momentum late, winning the CWC as well after a masterful performance against PSG in the final. The injury to Colwill, who suffered an ACL injury recently, is a tough blow for Chelsea, and we think this might be what pushes them out of the top 4.
Sanchez is still the first goalkeeper, and despite his heroics in the CWC final Chelsea are apparently looking at options, with Donnarumma one of the names mentioned.
Palmer is the obvious star player, but newcomer Joao Pedro have looked extremely lively after his arrival from Brighton. Enzo and Caicedo will run the midfield, with Neto and Gittens likely to start on the wings. After their big triumph in the CWC, the Chelsea fans will be hoping to see their team carry that momentum into the new season, but we don’t think they’re quite solid enough to compete with the top clubs quite yet.
It’s important to replace Colwill, who is such an important defensive presences at Chelsea, and if they do that, we might see them push for a top 3.
4) Man City
Key Players: Bernardo Silva, Cherki, Gvardiol
Transfer Window Summary:
Rayan Ait-Nouri, Cherki, Reijnders and James Trafford are the main signings for the Chelsea this summer, while Kevin de Bruyne has left on a free transfer to Napoli. Kyle Walker, who was on loan last season, has also left the club, as has Scott Carson and Yan Couto and Jack Grealish (loan to Everton).
Last Season: 3rd
Winner: 4.40
Top 4: 1.24
Prediction:
Is this the season where the Red Devils overtake their city rivals in the standings? Man City have made plenty of changes to their team, and one feels that the depth in strength they were famous for previously has waned quite a bit.
Up front, their star striker will continue scoring, with Marmoush also expected to chime in with goal contributions. There are questions around whether or not Savinho rumoured to be on his way out, possibly to Tottenham. Bernardo Silva and Reijnders is an exciting midfield pairing, with new signing Ait-Nouri possibly pushing Gvardiol into a CB position. Defensively, there were a few question marks regarding the City team last season, and we suspect there will still be a few gaps to find here for the opposing teams, including Wolves in the league opener.
Man City are clearly good enough to go all the way, but they simply don’t look as strong as some of the other title challengers, especially Liverpool. We thing Man City are in for another disappointing season and will end up in 4th.
3) Man Utd
Key Players: Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Leny Yoro
Transfer Window Summary:
It’s been a very exciting summer transfer window for the Man Utd fans, even though they did have to wait a while until some of the deals actually materialized. Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have arrived, while no important players have left the Old Trafford gates.
Last Season: 15th
Winner: 25.00
Top 4: 4.10
Prediction:
It’s become a cliché of course, but maybe this is Man Utd’s year? They won’t be strong enough to challenge for the title quite yet, but they are certainly looking like a stronger and more confident team heading into the 25/26 season.
The arrival of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko have sparked a lot of optimism with the Red Devils supporters, with Cunha’s ability to run with the ball something the team has been missing. Mbeumo’s pace, ball control and attacking threat should be just what the doctor ordered, and Sesko is looking fit for action after his transfer from RB Leipzig.
Defensively, much has been said about Onana, but he looks like he’ll get another chance this season, with Leny Yoro an important part of the defense ahead of him. Maguire is still around and might join the young CB in defense in the opening match, with Shaw a possible 3rd CB if Amorim goes for that tactical solution.
Zirkzee also has a lot to offer, and he could be a player benefitting from Cunha and Mbeumo’s skills, and we think Man Utd will cause a bit of an upset this season finishing 3rd!
2) Liverpool
Key Players: Virgil Van Dijk, M. Salah, Florian Wirtz
Transfer Window Summary:
What a transfer window Liverpool have had, with Ekitike, Mamardashvili, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez joining. The loss of TAA will be felt, while Nunez (Al-Hilal), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford), and Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen) also having left the club.
Last Season: 1st
Winner: 2.75
Top 4: 1.11
Prediction:
Can Liverpool lift the trophy again? They are odds favourites, but we think they might suffer a little hangover after last year’s fantastic run in the PL. Should they manage to sign Isak from Newcastle, which the rumours are suggesting, it could tip things their way, however.
Liverpool are huge favourites in their opener against Bournemouth at home, and it could be the perfect match to build confidence and momentum in before visiting Newcastle in game round 2.
There have been a few changes in the squad, with Luis Diaz, Nunez and TAA out, but Ekitike and Wirtz have been looking extremely dangerous together in pre-season. Alisson will keep doing Alisson things between the sticks, while Konate and Virgil Van Dijk forms one of the best CB pairings in world football.
Salah will be hoping to continue where he left off, while Szoboszlai and Mac Allister will control things from the midfield. Liverpool can definitely go all the way again, but we will place them 2nd in our prediction, as we think there might be a bit of a surprise at the top.
1) Arsenal
Key Players: Saliba, Rice, Saka
Transfer Window Summary:
Arsenal have made some very good signings this summer, including Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Madueka and Mosquera. It is the signing of Viktor Gyokeres that have grabbed most of the headlines however, with the Arsenal fans hoping the club has finally found a great striker again. Tierney, Jorginho, Nuno Tavares, and Tomiyasu are amongst the players that have left the club this summer.
Last Season: 2nd
Winner: 3.25
Top 4: 1.17
Prediction:
Can the team famous for ending in 2nd place finally grab the top spot? Liverpool are favourites, but we think Gyokeres, Madueke and Zubimendi seem like signings that could help Arteta reach the promised land and finally win the PL title. Is it going to be easy? Definitely not, and with football being a game of margins, there are plenty of things that could go wrong.
Arsenal have a very tough start to the season, playing Man Utd away, but a win there will give them the confidence ahead of their next matches, at home to Leeds and away at Liverpool. A lot will depend on how the new players settle in at the club, but considering how much Saka’s absence was felt last season when he was out, Madueke seems like a smart signing.
Saliba and Gabriel is one of the best defensive pairings in the world, and Arteta will be hoping to see them stay fit for fight and avoid important injuries during the upcoming season. Lewis-Skelly had a breakout season last year, and will probably continue on the left back, with White on the right back.
Rice and Zubimendi will support the skipper in the middle of the park, with Saka, Gyokeres and Martinelli looking to provide the goals. Will this finally be their year? The PL is a notoriously difficult league to win, and they’ll have to be perfect more or less throughout the season, but we think they just might do it this year!
That’s it for our 3-part PL 25/26 Preview – now the countdown is on until kick-off this Friday. Enjoy the upcoming season!
Last updated: 11.08.25
Odds might have changed since the writing and/or publication of this article.
