The Premier League season kicks off this weekend as defending champions Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield. The weekend ends with a blockbuster finale as heavyweights Arsenal take on Manchester United.
Fans are on the edge of their seats waiting for the return of their beloved Premier League. How will the teams fare this season, and who will be crowned as Premier League 25/26 Champions?
Who are most likely to win the Premier League this season?
Liverpool
- Last Season’s Position: 1st
- Manager: Arne Slot
- Signings Made So Far: Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Mamardashvili
The Reds will want to retain their status as Premier League champions and are favourites to do so. Arne Slot has added lots of firepower to an already strong Liverpool squad. It remains to be seen if Salah can achieve similar highs to those of last season and how Liverpool will cope with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
Manchester City
- Last Season’s Position: 3rd
- Manager: Pep Guardiola
- Signings Made So Far: James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri
Last season, the side almost seemed too passive and in need of an X-factor. Pep Guardiola has brought in some exciting young players to bring new life into this Manchester City squad. Rodri’s return after a season-long injury also provides a strong defensive base.
Arsenal
- Last Season’s Position: 2nd
- Manager: Mikel Arteta
- Signings Made So Far: Viktor Gyokeres, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal have finished as runners-up for three seasons in a row. With pressure building over Mikel Arteta’s tenure, it is time for him to bring silverware home to the Emirates. The side has desperately needed a striker in recent years; if Gyokeres can enjoy even half the success he did in Portugal, Arsenal may find themselves at the top of the pack by the end of the season.
Top Four Favourites
Apart from the title contenders, the race for the remaining fourth spot needed for Champions League qualification is extremely competitive. The 24/25 campaign saw many “mid-table” teams, such as Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth, push for European positions.
Chelsea can be considered as favourites for a top 4 finish next season. Enzo Maresca’s side has shown plenty of promise early on in the campaign, having already picked up the Club World Cup. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are highly unlikely to suffer similar woes as last season, and after strong performances in the transfer window, they will be eyeing Champions League qualification as well.
Golden Boot Winner Contenders
Mohamed Salah
- Club: Liverpool
- 2024/25 Premier League Goals: 29
The Egyptian King shares the record for the most goal involvements in a Premier League season, with 47 involvements during his 2024/25 campaign. He is set to receive a lot more support in attack from new signings Wirtz and Frimpong.
Erling Haaland
- Club: Manchester City
- 2024/25 Premier League Goals: 22
Erling Haaland has scored an astonishing 85 Premier League goals since his arrival three seasons ago. If the striker can enjoy an injury-free season, he should be the frontrunner in the race for the Golden Boot.
Viktor Gyokeres
- Club: Arsenal
- 2024/25 Liga Portugal Goals: 39
Viktor Gyokeres missed out on winning the European Golden Shoe, only falling short of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. The Swedish international is slotting into an Arsenal side gunning for their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
Who has been the Best Signing So Far?
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)
- Club Signed From: Sporting Lisbon
- Position: Striker
- Transfer Fee: £63.5 million
The 54 goals he scored in one season in Portugal speaks for itself. Mikel Arteta will be looking to transfer similar levels of success to the Premier League as Gyokeres is set to be the final piece in Arteta’s jigsaw puzzle.
Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- Club Signed From: Olympique Lyonnais
- Position: Right Winger, Attacking Midfielder
- Transfer Fee: £30.9 million
The Algerian stands as one of the most promising under-21 players in world football right now. He possesses an abundance of skill and creativity. Following De Bruyne’s departure, Cherki could provide Pep Guardiola with exactly what his side needs.
Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
- Club Signed From: Bayer Leverkusen
- Position: Central Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder
- Transfer Fee: £ 17.3 million
The former Arsenal captain has returned to the Premier League after winning the Bundesliga title as Invincibles just two seasons ago. The 2024 Ballon d’Or saw Xhaka rank as 16th, and now newly promoted Sunderland have availed his services. If Sunderland manages to survive in the Premier League this season, Xhaka should go down as one of the best purchases.
Conclusion
The 2025/26 season could be one of the most exciting campaigns in the tournament’s history. Almost every squad has strengthened in the summer window. The battle for the top spot between Arne Slot, Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola will be interesting as it unfolds with every passing gameweek.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will let bygones be bygones as they aim to resurrect themselves to the top positions once again.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
