Club Predictions (Part 2)
This summer will be one of the biggest in Premier League history, as managers of 10+ teams could be changed, and some huge arrivals and departures could shift the league dynamics to a new phase of the competition. I believe a changing of the guard could begin with the ‘big 6’ becoming more like the ‘big 10’ with teams now regularly in Europe and contention for European places, and teams/players looking at these long-term projects as the target not the stepping stone.
As a result of this, we’ve gone through all 20 (current) Premier League teams to give one brief prediction for their summer or next season. With huge changes coming for many, these predictions are based purely on gut feeling and are written before the end of the current campaign meaning some predictions are based on how this season could end.
As always, if you have any predictions or thoughts yourself, leave a comment on this post or head over to our social channels to let us know your thoughts ahead of a busy and crucial summer.
Leeds United
Leeds United have survived this season comfortably as the season concludes, and despite the board looking near-certain to replace Daniel Farke this season on a few occasions, they persisted and picked up results.
Despite the club surviving and Farke doing a brilliant job with the team, I believe next season could result in the club becoming quite trigger-happy as we know there has been the talk previously over replacing Farke. With Leeds possibly in for another scrap near the bottom of the table, I could see a slow start possibly resulting in a managerial change, and could we possibly see a post World Cup return of Marcelo Bielsa to the club? Maybe that’s wishful thinking but it’s also not impossible the club look for a shock factor in trying to survive again next season.
Liverpool
Liverpool have a huge summer ahead, with a big decision firstly to come over the future of Arne Slot. It’s hard to fully predict given this major unknown sits over the club, while there are guarantees over the futures of Mo Salah who departs this summer (arguably a year too late).
I think this summer will be packaged as an overhaul for Liverpool, but will result in a drop-off for next season, as they will struggle to replace the iconic leaders in their side, and could even see further departures. If they continue to stick with Slot, I can see this blowing up early into next season where they have to make an early change after falling behind.
Ultimately, I think battling for Champions League/Europa League will remain the target, but Liverpool will be in the group hovering around 5th-8th unless they can really produce a big summer.
Manchester City
Manchester City have a lot of unknowns for next season, and after having relative comfort at the top of the table for the last 10 years, they will be looking ahead at another overhaul of their experienced players in Stones, Bernardo Silva and surely a few others, while the major factor will be life post-Guardiola.
At time of writing, the managerial future of Pep hasn’t been confirmed either way, but it certainly seems like he’s closer to leaving than staying. If he does depart this summer, a power imbalance to the league will take place, with City certainly expecting to see a drop-off for next season. Although Liverpool dealt with life post-Klopp by winning the title, I think City losing Pep would probably open the league title to a much wider set of clubs, with Arsenal on a potential comedown following their successes this season, it could open the door to United or even Chelsea or Aston Villa.
The prediction isn’t perhaps a huge drop for City post-Pep, but certainly a year of transition which sees them comfortably making the Champions League, likely winning some silverware but ultimately having to adjust to whoever comes in to try and take the reigns.
Manchester United
On the red side of Manchester, the club’s future seems much clearer, with Michael Carrick all-but confirmed in a permanent role for the next few years. This seems to be a sensible call for United, with most major options elsewhere remaining unavailable due to the World Cup or being secure in their current roles, and any speculation of Glasner or Iraola doesn’t necessarily feel like such a huge upgrade from the current setup that it becomes a risk not worth taking. I think Carrick’s permanent role makes sense, as next season could either maintain his current run in which he stays on further and takes a similar role to Arteta when he arrived at Arsenal, or he underperforms and United go back to market which may open up other options next summer.
Personally I’ve been really impressed by Carrick so far, as his calmness brings a positive atmosphere out of the club and also inside the camp. Players seem happy, the structure works well together and unlike the Ten Hag/Amorim years, there’s no fear of a huge blow-up in the media which calms any potential storms. Suddenly United look to be a force.
With all that said, if United can have a near-perfect summer in terms of incomings following their move on from Casemiro and a few other expected to depart, they could compete for silverware across the board next season. A busier season is expected, but if they maintain their league showing under Carrick, they could certainly begin to close the gap further, with City expecting at least a small drop-off and Arsenal likely to be hit by the post-success season.
Newcastle United
Newcastle have basically had successive on/off seasons in which they reach Champions League qualification, then drop-off when balancing their squad across the competitions. This year has been a fallow year to say the least, and consequently the future of Eddie Howe looks uncertain.
While Newcastle might not want to pull the trigger too early on Howe who has done plenty right in his time at the club, but it’s clear that his ceiling might be the occasional Champions League qualification, while the club want to be up there each and every season. When compared to the likes of Aston Villa and Unai Emery, they’ve held onto their position in the table even while battling on several fronts, and the hierarchy at the club could well be on the hunt for a change.
My prediction is that Newcastle will be in for a huge overhaul this summer and into next season, with Eddie Howe possibly taking an opportunity to move on from the club on his own terms, while their midfield and a few other key players could be snatched away this summer, leaving the club uncertain as they will struggle to find instant impact replacements for their manager/squad, but an appointment for someone like Iraola could be the most sensible choice if they are also adjusting to losing key players. Whatever happens to the club this summer, I can only see them in a mid-place position next season if things remain the same, while it’ll be a longer project for any managerial change which won’t see success for at least another few years.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have been one of the basket-case clubs in the Premier League over recent years, with European qualification being followed by a relegation battle. However, this season I expect they will lose their 2 talismanic players in Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson. I think Gibbs-White could be destined for possibly a move to the likes of Chelsea as a key Premier League proven signing for Alonso or whoever takes the reigns there, while Anderson will be the marquee signing for the new Manchester City manager.
Losing these players will be a saga that drags on all summer, with Forest wanting to hold on to both, but ultimately settling for £75million+ moves on both. The result of this will see Forest certainly in a scrap at the bottom of the table again, possibly only being saved by the poor showings of the clubs making their way up from the Championship. Even if they do survive, expect it to be a scrap, and certainly some upheaval as they continue to be a club based around quick and major instant decisions from above.
Sunderland
Sunderland have proven themselves to be the strongest of the sides who arrived from the Championship last season, and although they spent heavily to maintain their standing, they’ve even pushed on for potentially European football heading into the closing stages. This near-perfect return to the top flight will give fans optimism and hope, and given the sounds coming from the club, they expect to be in the European battle in future seasons.
For their prediction, I believe Sunderland will join the likes of Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth in becoming regular mid-table sides with a potential to push on for European places in the coming years. I think the Conference League offers up a chance for the teams between 12th-8th to push for Europe, and I think Sunderland could certainly target this if they can build on their latest season.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have had a disastrous season, and although they look like they could avoid the drop with West Ham sitting below them heading into the final weeks, I think the De Zerbi appointment will blow up quickly, as he will surely become frustrated if the club don’t fully back him to make wholesale changes to the squad this summer, which they probably won’t given the lack of European football for next season.
My prediction for Tottenham is that they will stay in the Premier League this season and move away from the drop zone in the future, but will become more of a mid-table side rather than the elite, with their status of a ‘big 6 club’ disappearing as they sit in the mid-table pack, while De Zerbi doesn’t last a full season at the club.
West Ham United
With my prediction that Tottenham will survive, unfortunately this means West Ham will be likely facing the drop. However my prediction here is that they have a big summer of departures, but manage to keep enough of their squad together that they hire Scott Parker and return quickly to the top flight with a new look and a fresh start. I believe the likes of Bowen, Paqueta and a few other big names will leave for decent sums, but they will invest smartly to ensure they return quickly to the top-flight and this will offer almost a whole club reset as they start to re-evaluate the club expectations.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Finally, Wolves confirmed their return to the second tier early this season as they struggled despite a potential flicker of optimism at the start of 2026. With Rob Edwards at the helm, it’s like the club have planned for this for some time, and although they seem to be in a disaster with fan protests towards the board, they are arguably already seeming like a side in the Championship.
My prediction and worry for Wolves is that we could see a similar drop to the likes of Leicester, and although their situation is a worst-case scenario, I think the board at Wolves seem so unclear and fans seem so un-inspired that losing their key squad members this summer will leave them as no more than a mid-table Championship side, with Rob Edwards likely to be moved on early next season if he doesn’t start the season well which I think will be difficult.
Don’t forget if you have any predictions or thoughts yourself, leave a comment on this post or head over to our social channels to let us know your thoughts ahead of a busy and crucial summer.