The countdown is officially on for the 2025/26 Premier League season, which can mean only one thing.
It’s time for pre-season predictions, which is never an easy job.
Few would have tipped Arne Slot to deliver a league title to Liverpool in his first season at Anfield, especially since he succeeded the enigmatic Jurgen Klopp.
But he did so in emphatic fashion, finishing ten points ahead of Arsenal who came second for a third-straight season.
The other end of the table was far more predictable as Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton all could not handle the step up from the Championship and were instantly sent straight back down.
That’s not to say the bottom half wasn’t filled with surprises, as Tottenham finished one place above the relegation zone and Manchester United came an abysmal 15th.
talkSPORT host Rory Jennings has shared his verdicts on who he believes will be champions, who will make the top four, who will be relegated and a whole lot more, with plenty of polarising picks along the way.
Who will be Premier League champions?
It was so nice, Jennings believes they will do it twice.
Jennings has tipped Liverpool to go back-to-back, a feat they have not accomplished since 1984.
“I can’t see anyone getting close to them,” Jennings said.
He added: “It really would be a huge statement to win the league last year and retain it this year. I can’t see how anyone is going to come close to them. They were the best team in the league last year.
“They have been very wise, they’ve adopted that Steven Gerrard mantra of fixing the roof when the sun is shining.
Slot is hoping to guide Liverpool to a 42-year firstGetty“The fact they are strengthening when they are already incredibly strong means Liverpool will be champions next year.”
Who will finish in the top five?
With Liverpool tipped to finish first, there’s plenty of intrigue to see how the rest of the top five will shape up.
Jennings predicted Manchester City to finish second, with Pep Guardiola to act on his learnings from the 2024/25 campaign.
“He will reignite his war with Liverpool, he will go for the jugular and do his best to win the league, but ultimately this Manchester City team will fall short and finish second,” Jennings said.
According to Jennings, his beloved Chelsea will finish third but thinks they could be in with a shout for the title.
“I think we’re going to launch a serious and sustained bid for the league title,” Jennings said.
Guardiola must rebuild City after their lowest finish in eight seasonsGetty“We have a young, interesting and good squad. If Maresca can find a rhythm and a formula, there is no reason why Chelsea can’t compete for the league.”
With City and Chelsea to round out the top three, it means a slide down the table for Arsenal, as Jennings tipped them to finish fourth.
“Whilst the team have been very good, what they don’t have is that defining moment,” Jennings said.
“They need silverware. I think the pressure of needing silverware, needing a title this year, is going to be too much for them.”
Jennings added: “It’s going to be a coming-of-age moment for them and a bit of a shock to the system.”
To round out the top five, Jennings predicted Newcastle would take up fifth even though they have a Champions League campaign to contend with.
The clock is ticking on Arteta to land a second piece of silverware at ArsenalGettyWho will finish 6th and 7th?
Jennings has backed Aston Villa to finish sixth for two seasons on the bounce, but it’s his prediction for 7th that will turn heads.
“This is going to sound wild, but there is an unpredictable quality to this Everton team going into the new season,” Jennings said.
“Nobody knows what they’re going to be like in this new ground.
“If they can use and galvanise the new stadium to the best of their ability, there is a chance that Everton are going to finish in 7th spot.”
Dark horses for Europe?
The club in question already has a spot in a European competition for the upcoming season, albeit it was not through their league placement.
Instead, it came via the end of a 17-year trophy drought.
Tottenham enjoyed a taste of European success thanks to Brennan Johnson’s goalGettyAlthough Jennings predicted Tottenham to ‘struggle’ in the Champions League, he thinks their domestic campaign will bring some joy.
“Domestically, I think Thomas Frank is a good manager and I actually think Tottenham have finally got it right,” Jennings said.
Who will be relegated?
For two consecutive seasons, the three promoted teams were instantly sent straight back to the Championship.
Does Jennings believe that will be the case for a third-straight campaign?
Well, not exactly.
In fact, he made the sensational claim West Ham United will finish in the bottom three as he has little faith in Graham Potter to deliver results.
The Hammers have not been in the Championship since the 2011/12 seasonGetty“I’ve never known a manager who is so not befitting the club,” Jennings said.
“West Ham United are a proud club with a rich history, with a chip on their shoulder and a very passionate and vocal fanbase. None of that chimes with the man that Graham Potter is.
“Nothing about West Ham United sits comfortably with Graham Potter at the helm.
“Whilst he is there, I think they are genuine relegation candidates.”
Sadly for Sunderland fans, Jennings has tipped an unfortunate fate for the Black Cats in their return to the top flight after eight years away.
“I think the Premier League is a better place with big, prestigious clubs like Sunderland in the top flight,” Jennings said.
Sunderland will look to defy the odds and avoid relegation in their Premier League returnGetty“But I think they’ve got their work cut out. On some level, I feel like they’ve been promoted a touch too early.”
Jennings added Burnley were the third team who won’t survive the drop.
Who is the best signing?
Even though the transfer window has plenty of time remaining, Jennings believed the contest for the best signing can be waved off.
“There is no way that a better player will move anywhere in this window than Florian Wirtz,” Jennings said.
“Liverpool have won the window, it’s already over. It’s a statement signing, it’s the marquee signing that they’ve been waiting for.”
Wirtz to Liverpool is about to be the new British-record transferGettyWho will be the top goalscorer?
Given Mohamed Salah slammed home a staggering 29 league goals last term, Jennings acknowledged the Liverpool ace is an easy pick.
However, Jennings pointed out that Salah will miss a period of time in the 2025/26 campaign due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place from late December through to the middle of January.
It’s why Jennings went ‘a little bit crafty’ with his pick for the top scorer.
“Newcastle’s Alexander Isak will win the Golden Boot,” Jennings said.
“Elite player, brilliant footballer, a true icon in the making.”
Isak is coming off his best goalscoring season to date, scoring 23 goals in 34 league gamesGettyWho will be the biggest underachievers?
Last season, you could take your pick for the biggest underachiever.
Whether it was Manchester United and Tottenham languishing down towards the relegation zone or Manchester City’s drop-off, even though they came third, there were multiple candidates.
But who will take the mantle for the upcoming season?
It’s an easy pick, according to Jennings.
“The biggest underachievers will obviously be Manchester United,” Jennings said.
Jennings described United as a ‘club in total disarray’ and ‘rudderless’ in a scathing verdict.
He even predicted the club would struggle to finish in the top ten.
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