The wait is almost over. The 2025/26 Premier League campaign kicks off when Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield on August 15th, ushering in another nine months of twists, turns, and drama.
The summer transfer market has been in overdrive, with clubs strengthening in preparation for another gruelling season. From August to May, fans can expect a feast of footballing spectacle.
Previews are always a tricky business – a year ago, who predicted that Liverpool would lift the trophy, Manchester City would falter, and Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur would finish 15th and 17th respectively? Yet, with the transfer window open until September 1, FLOS casts its eye over the contenders, predictions, and narratives set to shape the new season.
Top Four Contenders
Liverpool – Champions
Fresh from a £300 million summer splurge, Liverpool enter the new season as favourites to defend their title. The arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong add quality and depth, though moulding this new-look squad into a cohesive unit will be the first challenge.
The tragic loss of Diogo Jota has left a deep mark on the club. Beyond his contribution on the pitch, his influence within the squad and his bond with the supporters were immense. Honouring his memory will be a powerful motivation.
Key to Liverpool’s campaign will be how quickly the new signings adapt. Veterans Alisson, Van Dijk, Salah, and Mac Allister will remain the heartbeat of the team, while 16-year-old wonderkid Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni look set for breakthrough moments. Defensive reinforcements remain a priority, with Marc Guehi and teenage Parma defender Giovanni Leoni both on the radar. A proven striker like Alexander Isak could also be the final piece of the puzzle in what looks to be the most thrilling transfer saga of the window.
Arsenal – Runners-up
After three successive second-place finishes, Arsenal have a real shot at going one better. Boasting the best defence in the league last season, they bolstered their attack with Viktor Gyökeres – who scored 45 goals for Sporting CP – and Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
The Gunners’ success hinges on the fitness of Gabriel, Rice, and Saka. Questions remain over whether Ødegaard can reassert himself as the creative hub or if teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri will seize the moment. New signing Martín Zubimendi could form a formidable midfield duo with Rice, while Martinelli, Trossard, and Madueke will need to ease the goalscoring burden on Saka and Gyökeres. Watch out, too, for 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman.
The Gunners could even go a step better than they have over the last three seasons if they get over the line in a deal to sign either Eberechi Eze or Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes — both players have been linked with a move to the Emirates for the better part of the summer transfer window
Manchester City – 3rd
Last season’s stumble has only fuelled Manchester City’s determination to reclaim their crown. New arrivals Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki have strengthened key areas, and the return of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is a massive boost, although his latest injury setback will see the midfielder miss the opening fixtures of the campaign.
City are being underestimated- a rare situation for Guardiola’s side. They’ve addressed their squad depth issues, particularly at left-back and in midfield, and will aim for both a title challenge and a deep Champions League run. Rodri’s fitness will be critical, while Erling Haaland is expected to elevate both his performances and output. A rejuvenated Phil Foden and fit-again Oscar Bobb and could also make the impact injury denied him last season.
Chelsea – 4th
Chelsea are riding high after their Club World Cup triumph. With Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo leading the charge, and promising additions like João Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Jorrel Hato, the Blues are quietly confident of a strong season.
Enzo Maresca will look to build on last year’s progress, aiming for exciting, attacking football. A top-four finish and a Champions League run are the targets. James, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, and Palmer will be the core, while Estêvão is the pick of the young talents. Up front, Pedro and Delap may not be 30-goal strikers, but they could prove dynamic contributors. The main question mark remains in the defensive line and the goalkeeping position – despite a strong finish last term, Robert Sánchez has yet to fully convince. The Blues’ plight in defence was also not helped by the recent ACL injury suffered by defender Levi Colwill. Whether the Club World Cup champions delve into the market to further shore up these positions will be a storyline to keep a close watch on in the final weeks of the summer window.
Biggest Surprise Package – Sunderland
Back in the Premier League after a dramatic play-off triumph, Sunderland looks determined to be more than just relegation fodder. Their summer recruitment suggests they could surprise even the most sceptical observers.
The marquee signing of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen adds not only quality but also invaluable leadership to one of the league’s youngest squads. Winger Simon Adingra and Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra provide further attacking options, while manager Regis Le Bris appears to be building with purpose and stability. History may be against them – six of the last 10 Championship play-off winners have been relegated immediately – but Sunderland seem intent on breaking the cycle.
Chris Rigg is the standout talent to watch. The youngest league goalscorer in the club’s history has made rapid progress since breaking into the first team and could thrive on the top-flight stage. Xhaka’s influence, both on the pitch and in the dressing room, will be crucial in guiding a youthful side through the season. The main vulnerability lies in defence, with a replacement still needed for Chris Mepham and additional cover required to mitigate injury risks. Late loan moves are likely once other clubs finalise their squads.
Biggest Underperformers – Newcastle United
Newcastle enter the new campaign facing an unexpectedly turbulent summer. The uncertainty over Alexander Isak’s future, coupled with failed pursuits of Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro and James Trafford, has disrupted pre-season plans. Anthony Elanga’s arrival adds pace, but the squad lacks depth in key areas ahead of a season that includes Champions League football.
A lack of stability in the club’s transfer strategy has been evident, with major targets slipping away and structural changes in the hierarchy slowing progress. The failure to address critical positions leaves Newcastle vulnerable at a time when competition on multiple fronts demands a deep and balanced squad.
In midfield, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sandro Tonali form a trio capable of competing with the best in Europe, while full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall offer energy and attacking threat. Youngster Lewis Miley remains an exciting prospect. However, central defence is a concern, with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar slowing down and Sven Botman yet to fully recover from injury setbacks.
The priorities are clear: resolve the Isak situation imminently, a long-term successor to Callum Wilson for a backup striker, a young and pacey centre-back such as Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke, and a midfield replacement for Sean Longstaff. While Conor Gallagher would be an ideal fit, PSR restrictions make that move improbable.
Relegation Candidates
Leeds United
Fresh from winning the Championship title on goal difference, Leeds have reinforced their squad with proven top-flight experience – but they’ll know the fight for survival starts from day one. Sean Longstaff’s Premier League know-how adds stability to midfield, Serie A defender Jaka Bijol brings grit to the backline, and Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri arrives to challenge for the No. 1 spot. Manager Daniel Farke, wiser from his previous stint with Norwich, must now mould a side capable of withstanding the relentless pressure of a relegation battle while still carrying a threat going forward.
Leeds’ history offers both encouragement and expectation – their last three promotions to the top flight ended with finishes of 2nd, 4th, and 9th. At Elland Road, simply surviving rarely satisfies, yet the reality is that the teams above them will also be fighting tooth and nail to steer clear of the drop.
Attacking responsibility will fall heavily on last season’s top scorer Joel Piroe and the searing pace of Daniel James, while 21-year-old Wilfried Gnonto remains an unpredictable wildcard on the wing. The summer signings fit a clear mould – physically strong players in their mid-20s – but questions linger over the back line. Perri will need to cement his place quickly, and teenage striker Harry Gray, the latest from the club’s famous footballing family, could emerge as a rare spark before bigger sides inevitably circle.
Leeds have given themselves a fighting chance, but in a season where even mid-table sides can be dragged into trouble, staying above the waterline will take every ounce of resilience they can muster.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Vítor Pereira’s side ended last season strongly, but the summer has brought significant change. Nine senior players have departed, including key figures Matheus Cunha, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Nelson Semedo, leaving noticeable gaps in quality and depth. Incoming transfers have been modest, with attacking midfielder Fer López, wing-back David Moller Wolfe, and forward Jhon Arias tasked with making an impact.
Survival remains the priority in Wolves’ eighth consecutive Premier League season, though the squad’s current state offers little margin for error. Defensive organisation will be vital, with Emmanuel Agbadou, Toti Gomes, Joao Gomes, and André central to keeping the team compact. Jørgen Strand Larsen must lead the line effectively, while Arias will be expected to compensate for Cunha’s creativity.
Teenage winger Mateus Mane, who impressed in a brief debut last season, could see more minutes, particularly if the club fails to reinforce its wide attacking options before the window closes.
Brentford
The Bees have endured a turbulent summer. Manager Thomas Frank has departed for Europa League champions, Tottenham, while leading scorer Bryan Mbeumo has joined Manchester United, and midfield lynchpin Christian Norgaard has left for Arsenal. To compound matters, Yoane Wissa – who struck 19 goals last season – could follow them out of the door.
New head coach Keith Andrews faces a baptism of fire in his first Premier League role, but his familiarity with the club’s methods may aid the transition. The focus will be on reshaping the attack, with Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago under pressure to deliver consistently. Fabio Carvalho and Keane Lewis-Potter will need to provide creativity from wide areas, while exciting new signing Antoni Milambo offers flair and unpredictability.
