Premier League Preview

Here we are again. Another Premier League season rolls around bringing the same excitement, importance, drama and most importantly… hope.

Fans up and down the country are preparing themselves to be once again sucked into the dream of a title, a cup win or even just survival. Around the corner are early October title deciders, 6 pointers and memorable derby days.

So, let’s take a look at the season ahead, who’s going to win it, who’s the new kids on the block and where are the stories?

The Chasing Pack

Of all the other teams in the traditional “big six”, Manchester United’s Michael Carrick is now the longest serving manager…he started in January.

The number of unknowns in the Premier League as a whole is intriguing with 8 clubs starting this season with a new manager. The interesting part is how many of those are clubs with ambitions to compete at the top end of the league, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all hiring new managers plus Manchester United and Spurs whose manager will be taking preseason for the first time at the club.

Manchester City were the closest contenders to Arsenal last season, before a result away at Everton derailed their title hopes. They did however clean up elsewhere in the country, winning both the FA and Carabao cup. The obvious talking point is how Enzo Maresca will fit into the huge shoes of the departing Pep Guardiola. He does have a lot going for him having spent a season as Guardiola’s assistant only 3 seasons ago in which City won the treble! Since then Maresca has had an interesting time at Leicester and Chelsea in which it’s quite difficult to determine if he has done well or not? He’s a Championship, Europa Conference League and Club World Cup winner and every player who has worked with him speaks of him glowingly, yet if you ask fans of Leicester and Chelsea you wouldn’t say he connected with those fan bases in his time at the clubs.

On the other side of Manchester there’s a feeling of momentum. In early January the club hit a new low with the sacking of Amorim and the exit of the FA cup, yet what emerged from the disaster of 2025 was the start of an upward trajectory. At the forefront of this is Michael Carrick. The question that needs to be answered this season is how much of United’s run of form is down to his coaching and management of the squad and how much is down to the pressure free, one game a week circumstance he found himself in? The summer window is always important, and United fans expect best in class. United’s transfer strategy has definitely shifted since the summer of 2025, with Premier League proven players at the forefront of recruitment. The aim will be to replicate the success of Mbuemo and Cunha with the purchase of Tielemans and Andrey Santos. The squad looks to have depth, but does it have enough to compete across 4 competitions?

Chelsea and Liverpool are in interesting situations. If someone said to you at the start of the year these teams would have Alonso and Iraola as managers, you’d be forgiven for thinking Alonso was Liverpool and Iraola was Chelsea. Alonso has seemingly managed to convince the Chelsea hierarchy to switch tactics, to by more proven and experienced players including former Liverpool captain Henderson. From experience it’s clear to see that Alonso needs time to be able to develop his team’s philosophy and style of play, time he was given at Bayer Leverkusen but didn’t get at Real Madrid.

Liverpool have been noticeably quiet in the transfer market so far, perhaps due to the incomings last year, or maybe they’re just patient in their approach. With Salah out the door there’s a visible hole on the right side of their team, one that could be filled by Rio Ngumoha, although he prefers to play off the left. Salah leaving does create a headache on the pitch for Iraola, but removes a headache off the pitch, as seen last season in which is public spat with Arne Slot caused huge disruptions.

Friend or FOE

There have been some interesting movements within the transfer market this summer so far with I’m sure plenty more to come. Off the back of a World Cup, it’s typical to see clubs react to those who had a strong tournament and pay big fees!

One team that has surprised everyone with their business has been Spurs, a team coming off the back of consecutive 17th placed finishes but now with a manager that can steer this ship back on course. Fernandes, Senesi, Van Hecke and Tonali all represent a clear direction of Premier League proven leaders.

Spurs will be aiming to not only improve on their last 2 seasons but to improve dramatically! With no European football to contend with, De Zerbi will have his eyes firmly fixed on putting Spurs back into the top 6. Another target that all the fans will have their eye on is to end a 4 year wait for a win in the north London derby, which is easier said than done considering Arsenal are right now the countries best team.

Interestingly, there will be a subplot to the derby this year with old friends Tonali and Guimarães lining up on opposing sides having spent the last 3 seasons together at Newcastle. Both are highly combative, aggressive and dominant midfielders who will look to impose themselves on this already highly charged fixture. It’s easy to see where this is heading…

Rivalry is essential in sports, it creates the best stories, most memorable moments and the most intrigue and debate amongst fans, and you can’t get much better than a bit of needle on the benches. Think of Mourinho v Benitez or Pep or Wenger, Ferguson v Wenger or Mancini, Tuchel v Conte, Klopp v Lampard. This season promises to be one of the best for touchline drama. With younger managers all looking to prove themselves, plus some old wounds that may not have healed.

Lampard and Alonso were fierce competitors on the pitch and the 2 of them encapsulated the rivalry at the time between Liverpool and Chelsea, let’s not forget that Lampard broke Alonso’s leg in a challenge at Anfield. I’m sure time has passed and all will be forgiven but given the high stakes of Premier League management and the added layer that Alonso now manages Lampard’s beloved Chelsea, the game between the Chelsea and Coventry will be one you can’t miss this season.

Alonso also will be reunited with a familiar face on the opening weekend of the season as Chelsea face Fulham at Craven Cottage. Fulham’s new manager is of course Alvaro Arbeloa, a former teammate of Alonso’s at Real Madrid and Spain but more recently the man who took over from him last season after his sacking as Real’s manager.

Chelsea are clearly at the centre of all the touchline drama this season, as they will also welcome back Enzo Maresca the now Manchester City manager a season after his spell in charge fell apart. Chelsea put his failings last year down to him being distracted and heaving his head turned prematurely by City. In a statement following Maresca’s appointment for the citizen’s, Chelsea insinuated that their collapse of form and disastrous end to the season was down to the disruption caused by Maresca and City. I can’t see the Shed End giving him a warm reception on his return.

A bit further down the table an interesting rivalry is forming between 2 unlikely teams in Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Last season Forest led the charge in appealing Crystal Palace’s inclusion in the Europa League due to John Textor having held shares in Palace and Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. This pushed Forest into the Europa League and demoted Palace to the Conference League. Crystal Palace have had the last laugh after winning that competition, securing their 3rd trophy in 2 years and in turn will be finally playing Europa League football this season. However, Forest have responded by hiring the man that achieved it all with Palace, Oliver Glasner. Palace fans would have expected and probably accepted if Glasner would have moved onto a top 6 club in England, or a European giant, and as much as Forest is a big and ambitious club it has taken Palace fans by surprise.

Beware Europe

9 teams are competing in European competitions this season, which is actually 1 less than last year. However, the impact on the table this season could arguably be higher due to which teams have made the cut.

In relation to the top end of the table, keep an eye on Chelsea and Tottenham’s performances during the busy October-December period. Whilst all their other rivals will be balancing work loads, travel and injuries, these 2 will be able to keep fresher and potentially more consistent. Of course, the counter argument is winning, and rhythm play a part and a team’s European form can translate into the domestic league. Also, teams at the top with higher budgets tend to have a squad capable of coping.

When sorting out the rest of the league table, it would be easy to put the 3 promoted teams as favourite to go down. There’s a general acceptance that Hull, Ipswich and Coventry have a lot to do to stay up this season. Coventry have the Lampard factor and a positive momentum that can be powerful in the early months of the season, they need to pick points up early. Ipswich are investing and have the most recent Premier League experience, but a change in manager can be very disruptive for a promoted team, even if Gary O’Neil is highly regarded. Hull have the hardest task having come up via the play offs, nobody expected them to be here this season but, the same was said of Sunderland last year…

For Sunderland, Bournemouth and Brighton the lack of recent experience balancing European campaigns with the league season could have a huge impact. Those early European nights will hold a lot of emotional weight which takes mental and physical energy. There’s a belief those teams playing them on the Sunday after a European game will enjoy themselves. Crystal Palace not only have European experience from last season but a trophy to go alongside it. Under Pierre Sage don’t be surprised if they take the league by surprise once again, if anyone has seen the work he has done especially with Lens, they’ll tell you how well coached his teams are.

Ones To Watch

Max Dowman (Arsenal)- The youngster will be expecting more minutes and more opportunities to show his undeniable talent.

Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)- Like Dowman, Ngumoha is ready for a more senior role in the first team and may get his chance with Salah out of the picture.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)- After a tough season with form and injury and an omission from the England squad, Palmer will be keen to remind everyone just how good he is. Can his close friend Rogers help unlock his best form?

Elliot Anderson (Man City)- £116 million is a hell of fee, but he is a hell of a player. With City’s legends in midfield departing, Anderson will need to be at his best from the get-go to fill that gap.

Benjamin Sesko (Man Utd)- The towering striker got better and better last season under Carrick. The question will be, can he carry on that form under more pressure and a more relenting schedule?

Johan Manzambi (Aston Villa)- With Morgan Rogers leaving for Chelsea, Watkins is looking for a new partner in crime, Manzambi has the talent to be that and more for Villa.

Rayan (Bournemouth)- His rise into the Premier League and then Brazil’s starting 11 at a World Cup was extraordinary. It will be exciting to see that continue this season.

Van Hecke (Spurs)- With Romero leaving it’s up to Van Hecke to step into his shoes and add a level of leadership to a new look Spurs. Plus, under De Zerbi the centre back position is crucial to their style of play.

Aladji Bamba (Newcastle)- An unknown entity to most Premier League fans. A very promising young player who has now been thrust into a lot of responsibility in the Northeast.

Gonzalo Garcia (Fulham)- Arbeloa’s Real Madrid connections has paid off here. Garcia is well regarded as one of Spain’s top young talents and with Jimenez leaving, he’ll be given the chance to enhance his reputation in London.

It’s always hard to predict what’s around the corner in Football but here are our early predictions for the season ahead.

Champions- Arsenal

Champions League- Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United

Relegated- Coventry, Ipswich, Hull City

Golden Boot- Erling Haaland

Surprise Package- Nottingham Forest

Player Of The Season- Bruno Guimarães

Young Player Of The Season- Rio Ngumoha