The Premier League season begins on Friday with Arsenal facing Coventry City, so now is the time to reveal the top half of our predicted table. After already breaking down our picks for 20th through 11th, we now turn our attention to the teams we expect to finish in the top 10.
10th – Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton head into the new season having lost two of their key players from the last campaign. Both Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke have departed the club this summer. They have brought in new centre-backs, including highly rated wonderkid Luka Vuskovic, from Tottenham Hotspur, in a deal that cost them £46 million. Undoubtedly very talented, but will he come in and make an immediate impact? The other problem will be replacing the goals that Welbeck consistently delivered. A slight drop-off from the Seagulls would not be surprising, but they should easily finish in and around mid-table.
9th – Newcastle United
Newcastle have been torn limb from limb in this summer transfer window. The Magpies have lost arguably their three best players in Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, and Anthony Gordon. This is without mentioning that they head into a new season without the familiar face of Eddie Howe in charge. However, it’s the start of an exciting project under new manager Matthias Jaissle. Newcastle received a whopping £244 million for the three players they sold this summer, and have invested the funds into promising youngsters from around Europe. It appears to be smart recruitment considering Jaissle, who is a former Salzburg manager, is used to nurturing young talent. There is likely to be a lot less expectation on this young Newcastle side this season, potentially making them a surprise package.
8th – Brentford
Brentford were unfortunate to narrowly miss out on a European spot last season. It all seemed to fall apart in the final run-in. However, it was a campaign where they were tipped for relegation before a ball was kicked, so a European charge was always exceeding expectations. No European football is likely to be a blessing in disguise heading into the new season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they go one step further and clinch that elusive European spot.
7th – Aston Villa
Villa will once again play Champions League football with Unai Emery at the helm. It’s been a busy transfer window for the Villains so far, and a painful one in terms of outgoings. They have bid farewell to key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, who have both joined Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. They have brought in two like-for-like replacements in the form of João Gomes and Johan Manzambi. Manzambi in particular has the potential to be a top Premier League player, but for now, it’s hard to argue against it being a slight downgrade. However, under Emery, it’s hard to see any danger of Villa dropping out of those European spots.
6th – Manchester United
United haven’t looked back since appointing Michael Carrick halfway through last season. Carrick led the Red Devils to a third-place finish last campaign, and in doing so has brought Champions League football back to Old Trafford. The question is, can they kick on and go on a title charge? The signings they have made so far during this transfer window suggest that they probably will truly challenge at the top. The incomings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos were much needed after the departure of Casemiro. However, it’s hard not to feel they are missing a big marquee signing in the attacking areas. It is Manchester United we are talking about, so while the window remains open, you can’t rule a big-money signing coming in. The major factor in a possible drop-off will be the extra games, but they will be happy to be back in the Champions League.
5th – Manchester City
Manchester City to finish in fifth. It sounds ridiculous. The Citizens have been winning and competing for titles every season for the last decade since Pep Guardiola joined the club. That’s the Pep effect. Now, for the first time in a decade, the blue side of Manchester head into a new Premier League season without the Spanish genius in charge. A decline is inevitable, and although it’s just the Community Shield, the gap in quality between City and Arsenal last Sunday was alarming. It’s likely to be a difficult transition period for Maresca and his City side.
4th – Tottenham
On the evidence from the last two seasons, this looks like an utterly delusional prediction. However, this is a revamped Tottenham, with changes from the boardroom to the manager. Roberto De Zerbi came in last season, and kept Spurs up by the skin of their teeth, making it back-to-back 17th place finishes. It’s clear that this spooked the board, and they don’t want to risk this happening again. So far this window, Spurs have built almost an entirely new defence and midfield, breaking their transfer record twice in the process, spending £85 million on Fernandes, and then £100 million on Sandro Tonali. However, they still haven’t addressed the main issue, which is the lack of goals upfront. Attacking signings are likely coming, but if they don’t, this prediction is wildly wrong, and Spurs will finish in the bottom half of the table.
3rd – Liverpool
As with the majority of teams in the league next season, Liverpool head into the new campaign with a new manager, with Andoni Iraola as the new man in charge at Anfield. Last season was a difficult one for Liverpool, who were unable to defend the Premier League title, eventually leading to Arne Slot’s dismissal at the conclusion of the campaign. This summer has also seen the Reds wave goodbye to club legend, Mohamed Salah. Not an easy man to replace. Liverpool are heavily linked with PSG duo Ibrahim Mbaye and Bradley Barcola, who both can help bolster their attack. Not only this, but Alexander Isak, who suffered an injury-plagued first season, is back ready for the start of the new season. So, a new project, with an exciting young manager in charge, is good reason for Liverpool fans to get excited.
2nd – Chelsea
It’s the start of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge. The arrival of the Spaniard will also see a noticeable formation change, with Alonso known for his three-at-the-back preference. This summer, the Blues have signed Morgan Rogers in a big-money move from Aston Villa. A proper statement signing. Rogers will link up with former academy teammate Cole Palmer, a deadly duo that will provide support for João Pedro. To accommodate Alonso’s style of play, they have signed two new wing-backs, Pep Chavarría and Marco Palestra. It’s been a great window for the Blues so far, and a title charge should be expected.
1st – Arsenal
The 2025/26 campaign saw Arsenal finally secure that elusive Premier League title, which they have been so close to under Arteta numerous times. This brings an end to chants of, “Second again, ole, ole.” The season did end disappointingly for the Gunners, losing on penalties to PSG in the Champions League final, thanks to misses from Gabriel and Eze. However, as we head into the new season, Arsenal are clear favourites. Manchester City without Pep will likely need time to adjust, while Chelsea and Liverpool also head into the new campaign under new management. It looks like it’s Arsenal’s to lose, but can they win back-to-back league titles for the first time in their history?
