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The 2025/26 Premier League season has the potential to be the most exciting season in recent memory. Arsenal have finally plugged the gap at striker, Liverpool have improved their already impressive title winning squad and Manchester City have made some huge signings to reclaim their spot as England’s elite. Not to mention the current World Champions in Chelsea.

That’s just at the top of the table, the battle for Europe and the battle to avoid relegation looks tighter than it has been in at least five years. In this article, we’ll jump into each Premier League team, let you know one player we think will be their prized asset, their top signing and let you know our predictions for where they’ll finish this season.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta's Gunners were second-best in the Premier League for the third season running last time but they were 10 points and light years behind Liverpool in a title race that never really materialised. Given that Manchester City capitulated, it was underwhelming from an Arsenal perspective.

Only Everton had more draws than Arsenal's 14 last term and Arteta has splashed out on Viktor Gyökeres as his squad had no goalscorer in double figures last season in the league.

Bukayo Saka's injury woes were a major problem and his fitness - or lack of it - is going to be crucial again.

Their signings have been fantastic and while the signing of Viktor Gyokeres finally plugs their hole at striker, the signing of Martin Zubimendi has gone under the radar.

Arteta will be six years in charge come December and his impact has been transformational, but one FA Cup is not enough on his CV.

The Gunners need to take care of business against 'lesser' opposition, as a record of 22 Premier League games without a loss against Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United shows they can deal with big occasions.

  • Top Player: Bukayo Saka
  • Best Signing: Martin Zubimendi
  • Our Prediction: 2nd

Aston Villa

Unai Emery and his Villans were distraught to miss out on Champions League football following a bitter final day of the season. They have lost some key contributors in terms of loanees and are battling to retain the services of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and England forward Ollie Watkins this summer.

At home, Villa were superb last season, with only Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea bettering their tally of 40 points. Their Villa Park displays will no doubt be key again this season. Villa’s transfer window hasn’t quite gone as planned but keeping their key players would have certainly been a priority for Emery.

They are in the Europa League – a competition Emery has won four times as a manager – and a balancing act between their continental commitments and domestic desires must be struck if the Midlanders are to maintain their recent high standards.

  • Top Player: Morgan Rogers
  • Best Signing: Evann Guessand
  • Our Prediction: 7th.

Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola heads into a third season as Bournemouth manager and the challenge for the Cherries boss is to match the superb stats of his second term.

That year they finished ninth, a personal best, and won 15 Premier League games in a season for the first time, but the supporters of the south coast side will be wary going into the new campaign that they have won just three of their last 13 games.

Illia Zabarnyi is the latest to leave the club, heading to Paris St-Germain on the eve of the season, following fellow defenders Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) and Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) out the door.

It means the Cherries will have brought in £147m in backline sales but at what cost to their defensive solidity?

Even if Bournemouth have an incredible end to the window, losing three of their four top defensive talents will take its toll, a lot will rely on whether Marcos Senesi can recapture his form of 2023/24.

Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert and Evanilson are the trio of attacking threats that Iraola will hope can at least help maintain their excellence up front.

  • Top Player: Antoine Semenyo
  • Best Signing: Adrien Truffert
  • Our Prediction: 14th.

Brentford

Brentford have been stung in the off-season as manager Thomas Frank crossed London to take charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

Keith Andrews has been installed as his successor and the Irishman is something of a gamble for the Bees.

Skipper Christian Norgaard has also swapped west London for the north, joining Arsenal, while creative spark Bryan Mbeumo has moved to Manchester United at a big price.

It looks like Yoane Wissa will be added to that list with Newcastle circling the striker as a replacement for Callum Wilson.

Andrews was their set-piece man last year, with 13 league goals scored against just two conceded from dead balls.

The arrival of Caoimhin Kelleher could be a big plus, and the Irish shot-stopper is likely to be a busy man.

While uncertainty lingers at Brentford, their defensive acumen could still be enough to ensure their survival in 2025/26 but signings are desperately required in attacking areas, otherwise the Bees are in trouble and time is running out.

  • Top Player: Nathan Collins
  • Best Signing: Caoimhin Kelleher.
  • Our Prediction: 18th.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Fabian Hurzeler enjoyed a good first season at Brighton and can aim to build on that this time around.

They were the fifth-highest scorers last season and will hope that Matt O'Riley can push on this season, his arrival from Celtic last summer blunted by an immediate injury.

More has been expected of Brighton during this Summer window after the sales of Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra and Pervis Estupinan but Brighton haven’t followed-up on their heavy spending last campaign.

They enjoyed league wins against Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea last term and Brighton are a match for any side on their day but questions remain on whether they’ve improved on last year. Losing Joao Pedro to Chelsea this summer could be a huge blow, but the Seagulls will still aim to fly high thanks to the signings.

  • Top Player: Kaoru Mitoma
  • Best Signing: Maxim De Cuyper
  • Our Prediction: 10th.

Burnley

Burnley are back in the big time under Scott Parker after finishing second in the Championship last season. The Clarets conceded only 16 goals in 46 games, an incredible feat, racking up a record-breaking run of clean sheets.

They have added Loum Tchaouna from Lazio and Bashir Humphreys from Chelsea to their ranks, amongst others, but last season's top-scorer Josh Brownhill announced in late July he was leaving the club after his contract expired.

Parker was relegated as Fulham boss in the Premier League and only lasted four games with Bournemouth.

He'll hope his safety-first style at Turf Moor means he lasts a little longer this time.

  • Top Player: Marcus Edwards
  • Best Signing: Kyle Walker
  • Our Prediction: 19th

Chelsea

The Blues had a productive summer, stinging Champions League winners Paris-Saint Germain 3-0 to win the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Enzo Maresca is in a strong position but could those summer exploits come back to haunt the Stamford Bridge side down the tracks?

Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have come in to bolster the goalscoring options, while the Club World Cup also saw Cole Palmer amongst the goals after a disappointing run of just three in 26 games for the outstanding English playmaker in the second half of last term.

Chelsea ended last season on a high, winning five of their last six games to seal fourth spot, and, after their stunning US success, Maresca will hope there is yet more to come from a team that looks to be firmly on the up again.

  • Top Player: Cole Palmer
  • Best Signing: Joao Pedro
  • Our Prediction: 4th

Crystal Palace

Surprise FA Cup winners in May, Crystal Palace showed they remain a force to be reckoned with as they landed the Community Shield (on pens) against Liverpool at Wembley. Oliver Glasner's Eagles are flying high. They haven't had a busy summer with Borna Sosa and Walter Benitez joining from the Eredivisie and no major departures so far, so continuity could be key at Selhurst Park.

It's all a far cry from last autumn, when Palace were winless in October after star man Michael Olise left for Bayern Munich. With a European campaign to come - albeit in the Conference League after their controversial demotion - another mid-table finish would be pleasing.

  • Top Player: Eberechi Eze
  • Best Signing: Borna Sosa
  • Our Prediction: 12th (Again Ole Ole Ole)

Everton

A new home awaits the Toffees as Everton make the big move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium by the Merseyside docks.

There is a real sense of optimism around David Moyes' team, with the loan signing of Jack Grealish only serving to help.

Much may depend on £27m recruit Thierno Barry, too, following his capture from Villarreal. Barry hit double figures in La Liga last season and Toffees fans will be hoping the 22-year-old is the frontman they crave.

There was a solid resurgence when Moyes returned to the club in the middle of last season and, in their sparkling new home, Everton should be keen to build on that now.

  • Top Player: Jordan Pickford
  • Best Signing: Jack Grealish
  • Our Prediction: 11th

Fulham

Marco Silva steered Fulham to 11th last season, with 15 wins and 14 losses and 54 goals scored. With a fairly reliable defence, the Cottagers were the archetypal mid-table outfit.

Back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte is their only summer recruit so far and that must rate as a worry, as standing still in the Premier League is as good as going backwards.

Silva's squad is of the dependable variety rather than spectacular, with the likes of Calvin Bassey, Joachim Andersen, Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi all influential and Raul Jimenez still a potent force up top. They may not be fit for much better than last year's finish, but it will also be a surprise if the Thames dwellers are reaching for a life-ring come next spring.

  • Top Player: Antonee Robinson
  • Best Signing: Benjamin Lecomte
  • Our Prediction: 13th

Leeds United

Winners of the Championship last season, there was still some debate over manager Daniel Farke’s future at Elland Road ahead of life back in the Premier League for Leeds United.

The 49ers Enterprises have decided to stick with the German tactician, and Leeds have shown some early signs of promise, having gone their entire pre-season schedule without defeat.

Drawing with the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan showed defensive resilience, but Farke has made it clear he needs more signings in the final third of the field.

Manor Solomon’s loan came to an end over the summer, while forwards Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph are not part of Farke’s plans this season.

Meanwhile, in midfield, the signings of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach look like extremely positive signings.

Expect Leeds to do some business before the window closes in a bid to make sure they have the firepower in the final third that they hope will see the West Yorkshire outfit retain their top-flight status.

  • Top Player: Anton Stach
  • Best Signing: Anton Stach
  • Our Prediction: 17th

Liverpool

Winning the 2024/25 Premier League title in his first season in charge, Arne Slot’s job is now to keep Liverpool ahead of the chasing pack.

The contract extensions for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at the end of last season were a double boost, while the Reds have been very active in the summer market.

Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike will add firepower to the Liverpool attack, while fellow new arrivals Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong can be expected to do plenty of running from the wing-back positions.

Meanwhile, longstanding rumours of Alexander Isak joining the club from Newcastle United aren’t going away, if completed, that feels like a title solidifying signing if there ever was one.

It’s been an emotional summer following the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother in a car accident, and Liverpool will be doing all they can to retain the English crown in tribute to their beloved team-mate.

  • Top Player: Mohamed Salah
  • Best Signing: Florian Wirtz
  • Our Prediction: 1st.

Manchester City

The 2024/25 season was one to forget for Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola and his team are working on getting the Cityzens back to the top.

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was sorely missed in the heart of midfield last season, and the Spain international is set to miss the first weeks of this campaign due to an injury setback.

City begin life without the iconic Kevin De Bruyne following his move to Napoli, but they have added AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders into the centre of midfield over the summer.

A team brimming with talent and full of Premier League winners, City should be in the mix for the Premier League title once again.

  • Top Player: Erling Haaland
  • Best Signing: Tijjani Reijnders
  • Our Prediction: 3rd

Manchester United

Winning just 11 of their 38 Premier League games last season and finishing down in 15th place in the standings, there’s clearly plenty of work to be done at Manchester United following an awful campaign in 2024-25.

Boss Ruben Amorim has had the summer to bring in fresh faces and a full pre-season to get the squad up to speed with his 3-4-3 system.

A lack of goals was a real issue for the Red Devils last term as they scored just 44 throughout the league season.

United are hoping the big-money arrival of forwards Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can help them challenge for at least the European places again, and possibly even some silverware this season.

  • Top Player: Bruno Fernandes
  • Best Signing: Matheus Cunha
  • Our Prediction: 5th

Newcastle United

It’s been a summer of turmoil at St James’ Park, with one man at the centre of the storm.

Last season’s top goalscorer, Alexander Isak, has made it clear he wants out of Newcastle United and is determined to secure a move to current champions Liverpool.

Manager Eddie Howe and the club have been put in a very difficult position, but Newcastle are determined to show that no man is bigger than the north-east outfit as they hold out for their asking price, believed to be £150million, for the Swedish star.

While the summer began quiet, it appears Newcastle are prepared to whip up a storm at St James’ Park with the club bringing in Malik Thiaw to join Anthony Elanga alongside the confirmation from many journalists that a deal for Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa are close to being completed.

This late in the window, we’re expecting a flurry of incomings at St James’ Park but the Alexander Isak saga feels like it will drag on into 2026. A huge three weeks await Newcastle if they wish to challenge at the top end of the table once again.

There might well be a flurry of incomings and outgoings at St James’ Park in the coming weeks, but the Isak debacle needs fixing so Newcastle can focus on challenging at the top end of the table once again.

  • Top Player: Sandro Tonali
  • Best Signing: Malik Thiaw
  • Our Prediction: 6th

Nottingham Forest

After only just missing out on securing Champions League football last season, Nottingham Forest will be hoping it was not just a one-season wonder for the Tricky Trees.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side will have to juggle domestic commitments with Europa League games this time around - and that has been the downfall of plenty of clubs previously.

Managing to retain the services of Morgan Gibbs-White, despite Tottenham Hotspur's best efforts, was a significant boost for Forest going into this season.

While Anthony Elanga departed for Newcastle, the signing of Dan Ndoye from Bologna gives Forest fans plenty of hope in another strong season.

One goal in seven pre-season games highlights the issue Nuno Espirito Santo faces this season, they are a well-organised side, who are very solid defensively but are usually dangerous on the counter-attack, Forest will be eyeing a top-half-of-the-table finish again this term.

  • Top Player: Nicola Milenkovic
  • Best Signing: Dan Ndoye
  • Our Prediction: 9th

Sunderland

The biggest spenders of the three teams promoted from the Championship, Sunderland’s bosses can’t be criticised for a lack of ambition.

With 24 points worth of ground to make up on the likes of Leeds and Burnley, who finished in the two automatic promotion places, Sunderland have brought in 10 fresh faces at the time of writing.

The loss of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund over the summer was a blow, but that money has been reinvested to bring in the likes of the vastly-experienced Granit Xhaka and Noah Saiki.

The odds are against Régis Le Bris and his side surviving this season but, with a passionate home support and fresh investment in the squad, the Black Cats are doing all they can to prove their doubters wrong.

  • Top Player: Granit Xhaka
  • Best Signing: Granit Xhaka
  • Our Prediction: 20th

Tottenham Hotspur

Despite winning the Europa League last season, Tottenham Hotspur’s hierarchy decided to move on from manager Ange Postecoglou and bring Brentford’s Thomas Frank to the club.

Finishing down in 17th place in the Premier League standings last term, Spurs endured a woeful domestic campaign, and Frank has been challenged to try and get the Lilywhites back challenging in the top six.

While also juggling Champions League commitments, Spurs have looked to strengthen the squad, with Mohammed Kudus and Kevin Danso being brought in over the summer so far.

Daniel Levy stating that Thomas Frank didn’t need to win the Premier League this season but needed to deliver soon perhaps should have been backed with more spending power, given their finish last season.

James Maddison’s serious pre-season injury is a blow but Frank has proven himself to be a quality Premier League manager in his time with the Bees, and now it will be interesting to see how the Dane copes with the step up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

  • Top Player: Christian Romero
  • Best Signing: Mohammed Kudus
  • Our Prediction: 8th

West Ham United

Finishing on 43 points last season, there is plenty of room for improvement when it comes to West Ham United.

The Hammers’ campaign was disrupted by a managerial change, with the club deciding to part ways with Julen Lopetegui before bringing in former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter.

It has been a relatively quiet summer window for West Ham, and there might be some concerns amongst the Hammers faithful that a replacement for Kudus has not yet been secured.

With a full pre-season under Potter, there’s hope that West Ham should find themselves clear of trouble this term, but a poor start could see him in hot water by autumn.

  • Top Player: Jarrod Bowen
  • Best Signing: El Hadji Malick Diouf
  • Our Prediction: 15th

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Losing the likes of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri over the summer window, there might well be growing concern for the fans at Molineux about what the new season will bring for Wolves.

Finishing 16th last term, Wolves have now lost two of their standout players ahead of the new campaign.

Much will rest on the shoulders of highly-rated Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen following his permanent move from Celta Vigo.

The former Sarpsborg forward impressed on loan at Wolves last season, and the hope is the 25-year-old can provide the goals to make sure the West Midlands outfit are not in the bottom three come the conclusion of the Premier League campaign.

  • Top Player: Joao Gomes
  • Best Signing: Jhon Arias
  • Our Prediction: 16th

LeoVegas’ Full Premier League Prediction

RankClubTop PlayerBest Signing
1LiverpoolMohamed SalahFlorian Wirtz
2ArsenalBukayo SakaMartin Zubimendi
3Manchester CityErling HaalandTijjani Reijnders
4ChelseaCole PalmerJoao Pedro
5Manchester UnitedBruno FernandesMatheus Cunha
6Newcastle UnitedSandro TonaliMalik Thiaw
7Aston VillaMorgan RogersEvann Guessand
8Tottenham HotspurChristian RomeroMohammed Kudus
9Nottingham ForestNicola MilenkovicDan Ndoye
10Brighton And Hove AlbionKaoru MitomaMaxim De Cuyper
11EvertonJordan PickfordJack Grealish
12Crystal PalaceEberechi EzeBorna Sosa
13FulhamAntonee RobinsonBenjamin Lecomte
14BournemouthAntoine SemenyoAdrien Truffert
15West Ham UnitedJarrod BowenEl Hadji Malick Diouf
16Wolverhampton WanderersJoao GomesJhon Arias
17Leeds UnitedAnton StachAnton Stach
18BrentfordNathan CollinsCaoimhin Kelleher
19BurnleyMarcus EdwardsKyle Walker
20SunderlandGranit XhakaGranit Xhaka