Premier League Preview
The new Premier League season is almost upon us. And with 20 teams all having their own targets and goals for what lies ahead, it’s a season that could offer much more intrigue and competition across the entire campaign than in recent years. A possible title battle that could see around 4 clubs competing throughout, a European battle which could involve 75% of the league, and a relegation battle that could see an end to the trend of promoted teams going straight back down.
In our preview of the season, we’re looking at all 20 teams competing in the league this year, to discuss how they got on last time round, how their summer has shaped up, and what to look out for and expect for the upcoming campaign. While we’re still a few days away from kick-off at time of writing, and things could certainly chance as the first game comes around, this is shaping up to be a very exciting season ahead.
As always, if you have any thoughts on the new season, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).
Arsenal
Last season Arsenal finished runners-up in the league, ending on 74 points, behind Liverpool and again narrowly missing the title after two successive near-championship campaigns. The narrative now shifts into full-throttle expectation mode as this summer, Arsenal have significantly bolstered their ranks with a flurry of high-profile signings. Among the arrivals are Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, and veteran goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. The club’s sporting director Andrea Berta has overseen nearly £200 million in investment aimed at deepening squad strength, an evident signal that Mikel Arteta’s side are aiming to break their 21-year wait for a top-flight title.
Expectations now are crystal-clear for them to push on from last season and go one better. Arsenal look more balanced and better-rounded, with more attacking options and squad rotation depth. Keep an eye also on emerging youth, academy talents such as Max Dowman continue to draw attention. The combination of tactical refinement, squad reinforcement, and lingering hunger gives their title bid an extra edge going into this season.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa concluded the 2024/25 campaign in 6th place with 66 points, securing Europa League qualification and underlining their steady upward trajectory under Unai Emery. This summer’s transfer window has seen Villa move wisely in key positions. Among confirmed deals, they have snapped up forward Evann Guessand from Nice on a long-term contract as well as additional depth arriving from Feyenoord and Brest.
This season, Villa will look to translate their continental qualification into sustained challenge domestically, and perhaps threaten for Champions League once again. Emery’s pragmatic yet progressive management style remains central to their momentum. The transfer activity shows intent, selective, shrewd, and across key areas, so expect a team looking to tighten up the backline, sharpen attacking options, and make a Champions League push.
Bournemouth
Finishing 9th in 2024/25 with 56 points, Bournemouth produced a solid mid-table showing under Andoni Iraola. This summer has seen the Cherries profit considerably in the market as they’re among the biggest net sellers in the Premier League amid high-profile exits such as Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez to Liverpool. However, they have reinvested wisely, bringing in Adrien Truffert from Rennes and goalkeeper Petrović from Chelsea.
Bournemouth enter 2025/26 with the dual task of replacing sold talent and maintaining momentum. Their summer dealings suggest a carefully balanced strategy with financial prudence alongside tactical necessity. If their recruitment gels quickly, they’re well positioned to push for European qualification and defy expectations again.
Brentford
Brentford ended the previous campaign in 10th, just behind Bournemouth, with a respectable 56 points. They’ve seen considerable turnover this summer. Notable developments include substantial sales, Christian Nørgaard to Arsenal, Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United as well as goalkeeper Mark Flekken’s exit. In response, Brentford have brought in reinforcements across the pitch: Michael Kayode, Caoimhín Kelleher, Romelle Donovan, Antoni Milambo, and veteran Jordan Henderson among others. Of course losing talismanic manager Thomas Frank does raise some serious questions over the clubs future, but they are a sensible team off-field which should make the major changes feel smoother.
Given Brentford’s well-oiled recruitment model mixing youth, experience, and value, the squad turnover is impressive rather than destabilising. New manager in the dugout Keith Andrews will look to blend the new faces with a resilient core and sustain their trademark high-energy football. If the integration is smooth, Brentford could well reclaim or even improve upon last season’s solid positioning.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton secured 8th place last term with 61 points, continuing their reputation as one of the Premier League’s smartest operators. Their summer strategy reflects that ethos, they sold Joao Pedro to Chelsea but reinvested in a raft of promising talent: Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos, Maxim De Cuyper, Tom Watson, Do-young Yun, Diogo Coppola, and Oliver Boscagli.
Brighton enter 2025/26 with a clear vision to remain a model of sustainable progression. Their recruitment is thoughtful, fusing youth potential with squad utility, all without losing financial balance. Expect them to build on last season’s momentum with a focus on Europe as a genuine ambition and a team style that continues to attract plaudits.
Burnley
After suffering relegation, Burnley produced a masterclass in resilience by clinching automatic promotion from the Championship as runners-up, amassing a staggering 100 points and powering through a 33-match unbeaten streak, including a club-record 31 straight games without defeat.
Burnley’s incoming transfer activity has been measured, but not insignificant. They’ve sold goalkeeper James Trafford to Manchester City for around £31 million, a club record and a notable departure given his clean-sheet prowess. Additionally, Han-Noah Massengo left for Augsburg for approximately £2.6 million. While there’s been recruitment (e.g. Broja and Ugochukwu incoming from Chelsea, Kyle Walker from Manchester City), the emphasis appears balanced to rein in sales and refresh wisely.
Back in the top flight, Burnley must avoid a repeat of previous season’s struggles, a familiar challenge for promoted sides. Their transfer strategy suggests caution, leveraging sales to stabilize finances, while shoring depth. Fans and analysts will be watching whether manager Scott Parker can translate Championship momentum into Premier League stability, perhaps anchoring mid-table safety with a strong work ethic staple.
Chelsea
Chelsea secured a top-four finish in 2024/25, earning Champions League qualification and lifting the Club World Cup following a big win over PSG, momentum they are keen to sustain.
This has been a frenetic window for the Blues. They’ve invested heavily in youthful talent such as João Pedro, Liam Delap and Jorrel Hato, while also offloading big names: Kepa, Noni Madueke, João Félix, and numerous others, generating around £200 million in departures. Chelsea are still managing squad size, with more expected to leave. Nicolas Jackson looks to be on the way out amid limited opportunities. Meanwhile, defender Levi Colwill’s injury has thrown Chelsea’s defensive depth into question and while manager Enzo Maresca is exploring internal options, some late activity could come about while they also bolster their attacking options with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.
With a prized haul of trophies and a bustling transfer window behind them, the narrative centers on whether tactical cohesion can follow the spending frenzy. Balancing tight rotation for core stars like Caicedo, Fernández, Cucurella, and Palmer will be key amid injury concerns. If Maresca can harness this young squad and keep all talents satisfied with their opportunities, Chelsea could remain top-four threats and even compete in a potential title push.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace enjoyed a breakthrough year,12th-place in the Premier League, matching their highest point tally ever (53), and remarkably, won their first major trophy, lifting the FA Cup with a win over Manchester City.
Transfer window chatter has centered on potential exits, specifically Marc Guéhi, whose future remains uncertain amid Liverpool interest. Eberechi Eze also currently looks closer to departing than staying as things remain uncertain at this point.
Palace head into 2025/26 with momentum from their FA Cup triumph and their Community Shield clash with Liverpool, however the demotion from the Europa League to Conference League feels a bit disappointing, but could actually provide another genuine chance of silverware while a more unique European competition experience. The biggest challenge will be navigating extra fixtures without diluting their strong domestic form. The season’s storyline will be whether Glasner can build on last season’s fearless squad spirit and manage the demands of continental competition, especially if leaders like Guéhi depart.
Everton
A tumultuous 2024/25 saw Everton switch managers, from Dyche to Moyes, amid relegation flirtation but ultimately finished 13th with a steady second half under Moyes and bid a poignant farewell to Goodison Park.
Squad turnover is underway. Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou, and Carlos Alcaraz (permanent) arrived for a combined £78.8 million. while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall signed from Chelsea for about £25 million. Departures include several veterans (Young, Begović, Doucouré, Calvert-Lewin among others).
Everton embark on life in their new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, carrying cautious hope. Moyes’s mid-season resurgence provides a foundation scenario equivalent to an 8th-place campaign if extended across a full season. Yet squad restructuring remains delicate, balancing experience with fresh blood. If Moyes can integrate signings quickly and retain cohesion amid change, Everton could flirt with a top-half push. If not, mid-table safety remains a realistic objective.
Fulham
Fulham produced a respectable 11th-place finish in 2024/25, with Raúl Jiménez their top scorer and a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals bolstering a solid mid-table campaign.
Thus far, Fulham’s summer activity has been muted. After a heavy outlay in 2024, there are no big-ticket signings or departures yet flagged.
Silva’s side will aim for consolidation and incremental progress. With limited summer movement, continuity is the watchword, possibly focusing on refining cohesion rather than overhaul. While predictive models (Opta) assign a relegation risk (~14.8%), a stable core and mid-table comfort sets a platform for quieter upper mid-table aspirations. Whether they can become a surprise dark horse depends on smart loan or late additions.
Leeds United
Leeds United return to the Premier League, having clinched the Championship title under Daniel Farke. It was a campaign defined by strong front-footed football, shrewd game management and a clear tactical identity, hallmarks of Farke’s promotion-winning sides. Now, with survival the sole priority, Leeds are tipped by many to be locked in a relegation battle, with a predicted finish of around 17th. The challenge is clear: adapt quickly to the pace and technical quality of the top flight.
The summer transfer window has been busy at Elland Road, with eight signings designed to bolster depth and physicality. Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Louis Enahoro-Marcus, Jayden Lienou, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lucas Perri have all arrived. While these additions bring experience and height to the squad, questions remain over whether the attack has enough cutting edge to trouble Premier League defences. Attacking talents like Wilfried Gnonto could be vital to any survival push, and the fan base will hope the Elland Road roar can make up for any gap in quality.
Liverpool
Arne Slot’s first season in charge of Liverpool could hardly have gone better, his side stormed to the Premier League title, matching Manchester United’s historic tally of 20 top-flight championships. With a new tactical identity blending pressing aggression with controlled possession, Slot established himself as another Anfield managerial success story. The coming campaign, however, brings a new kind of pressure: defending a title in a league where Manchester City are desperate to bounce back and rivals are strengthening.
Liverpool have moved decisively in the transfer market, adding significant quality and depth. Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong headline the incoming group, all of whom bring versatility and athleticism. Slot’s main task will be integrating these recruits without disrupting the chemistry that won them the league. Depth will be crucial, especially with the demands of European competition, and much will rest on whether Mohamed Salah can once again deliver a golden-boot calibre season while younger stars take on more responsibility.
Manchester City
By Pep Guardiola’s lofty standards, the 2024/25 season was a failure. Manchester City finished third, endured early exits in domestic cups and came away without a trophy, something almost unthinkable in the Guardiola era. The long-term injury to midfield metronome Rodri was a key factor, exposing the side’s dependence on his control and defensive positioning. With rivals smelling blood, the pressure is on Pep to reinject intensity and refresh the squad’s hunger.
The transfer window has brought in a few potential stars and reinforcements, with latest rumours seeing several players departing such as Grealish, Savinho, McAtee they could go big before the window closes with adding Rodrygo from Real Madrid. City’s squad remains stacked with world-class talent despite the exits, but the challenge lies in evolving rather than stagnating. If Erling Haaland and Rodri can stay fit, City will be formidable once more, and statistical models have them as definite title contenders. Guardiola has spoken about “rebooting” the squad and if that translates to sharper pressing and renewed creativity, a title return is on the cards.
Manchester United
Manchester United’s 2024/25 campaign was nothing short of a disaster. A 15th-place finish marked their worst league performance since 1974, leaving them far adrift of European football and sparking existential questions about the direction of the club. The disconnect between the squad’s talent and its performances was glaring, with defensive instability and a lack of midfield control undermining the season from the start. Now, the priority is a full-scale rebuild to restore competitiveness, though expectations are tempered.
The summer transfer market has seen United linked with a host of names, some realistic, some more speculative. A bid for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba remains possible, while interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could add depth to the big names brought in to revamp the forward line. The new-look front 3 combines a fresh potential in the young forward Sesko, while the supporting forwards have proven Premier League experience in the form of Cunha and Mbeumo. Coming in to support Fernandes in the scoring ranks, this front-3 if it can gel quickly could see United up in a European charge. With United starting their rebuild from the top-down, it still has some major flaws, but the optimism feels higher and the expectations lower for the upcoming season, but any European qualification would be seen as a success.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United enter the 2025/26 season buoyed by their best campaign in decades. Eddie Howe’s side finished fifth in the league and, more significantly, lifted the League Cup, ending a 70-year wait for silverware. That triumph has added to the sense of momentum around St James’ Park, with Champions League football offering another milestone in the club’s resurgence under their ambitious ownership.
Recruitment has been questionable thus far however. Anthony Elanga joined for £55 million from Nottingham Forest, while Antonio Cordero, Park Seung-soo, Oliver Goodbrand, and promising academy prospects Isaac Moran and Vakhtang Salia have also been added which is a little underwhelming considering the names they’ve been linked with in the summer. Having missed out on many key targets, the squad needs late additions in the window as the extra games to add to a busy schedule will put Eddie Howe’s side under major pressure if they face any injury or fitness concerns.
Of course they also have a huge task in deciding what to do with talismanic striker Alexander Isak. With the player reportedly refusing to play again for the club unless a move to Liverpool is completely taken away, it again brings back the issue of who Newcastle could bring in. With links to Jackson of Chelsea, Wissa of Brentford and a few others, they could do with some other names through the door while also not being taken advantage of given the huge incoming fee that would arrive for Isak this summer.
Nottingham Forest
Last season under Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest enjoyed a remarkable campaign, finishing 7th in the Premier League, securing European qualification for the first time in nearly three decades. Highlights included a six-game winning streak, the best run since 1967, and a semi-final run in the FA Cup.
Ambitions are high for 2025/26 but the club now faces the challenge of balancing domestic consolidation with a European adventure. Nuno’s new contract until 2028 underlines confidence in continuity.
Forest have been active in the summer transfer window: key signings include Igor Jesus (£16.5m) and Jair Cunha (~£10.5m) from Botafogo, plus prolific winger Dan Ndoye (£34m), and experienced keeper Angus Gunn on a free transfer. They’ve also generated revenue by selling Anthony Elanga (£55m), Danilo (£20m), and others, showing a clear profit‐driven approach while reinvesting smartly.
Expect Forest to push for top-half security domestically, but the real intrigue lies in how they manage European demands. If new arrivals gel quickly, this could be a season of continued progress.
Sunderland
Returning to the top flight after an eight-year absence, Sunderland clinched promotion via the play-offs, finishing 4th in the Championship and triumphing in the final against Sheffield United. Their season yielded 76 points, with solid underlying metrics suggesting a well-balanced side.
However, analysts warn of the perilous path awaiting newly promoted sides, with recent predecessors like Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton succumbing early. Sunderland reportedly spent over £110 million strengthening their squad ahead of the Premier League return, demonstrating serious intent.
The Black Cats must focus on tight defensive organisation and selective attacking firepower while preserving the collective spirit that saw them through the Championship. If momentum continues, survival in the top flight is distinctly possible.
Tottenham Hotspur
After ending a 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League but suffering a miserable 17th-place finish in the Premier League, Spurs enter 2025/26 in a state of transition. New manager Thomas Frank brings pragmatism and structure, seeking to curb defensive frailties and the club’s tendency to squander leads.
Transfer activity has been aggressive: João Palhinha has arrived on loan from Bayern Munich with a €30m option to buy. Other high-profile acquisitions include Mohammed Kudus (£55m), Mathys Tel (£30m), Kevin Danso (£21m), Luka Vušković, and Kōta Takai, bringing total spend north of £120m. Meanwhile, Spurs have moved on Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (£17m) and are exploring replacements for James Maddison who is out long-term with an ACL injury, while they also have to contend with losing the experience, leadership and attacking threat of Son who moved to MLS this summer.
The narrative this season is rebuilding and stabilisation. Frank’s first job is to shore up the spine of the team. A 7th-place finish is the optimistic baseline, but avoiding regression in league form will be the real success. The Champions League group stage remains a bonus, and Spurs would hope to put in a strong enough showing to get into the knockout rounds.
West Ham United
West Ham have reinforced but possibly underwhelmed in the summer window, spending around £71.8 million this summer. Key signings include Jean-Clair Todibo (£32.8m) to bolster central defence, young attacker El Hadji Malick Diouf (≈£19m), free transfers Daniel Cummings, Kyle Walker-Peters, and the striking addition of Callum Wilson from Newcastle, plus goalkeeper Mads Hermansen (£20m). While this doesn’t perhaps do enough to satisfy their expectant fan-base and convince everyone of their quality and depth for the new season, a full season for Graham Potter could go either way with the manager and clubs future largely dependent on early form.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves narrowly avoided relegation despite a torrid start to the season, no wins in their first ten league games, but the mid-season arrival of Vítor Pereira changed their trajectory, culminating in safety courtesy of an unprecedented six-game winning streak.
However, summer has brought major departures: Matheus Cunha (£62.5m) to Manchester United and full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City. The squad has been reshaped with permanent signings: Jørgen Strand Larsen (now signed permanently for £23m), Fer Lopez (£21.3m), and Jhon Arias (~£19m).
The task remains clear to reconcile creativity and cohesion while keeping the momentum from Pereira’s turnaround going. With the improvements made elsewhere in the league, Wolves will need a similar period to their winning run last year in order to limit any threat of a relegation battle.
Don’t forget, if you have any thoughts on the new season, you can get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Bluesky (@NextGoalWinner) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).