Premier League Returns With a Bang For Must-See 2025/26 Season

The title race: three teams expected to duke it out

One of the closest title races in recent years is expected to unfold in the 2025-26 Premier League season. There are three teams with legitimate title aspirations in Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, while Chelsea are seen by some to be dark horse contenders as well.

All four teams spent heavily in the summer transfer window, in part because they all recognise that this year’s championship is seemingly there for the taking.

Top contenders’ marquee summer transfer signings

Race for Europe: only so many spots to go around

Assuming the above-mentioned teams make the top four, that would leave only one Champions League spot remaining and at least four additional teams that will be battling for it.

After spending big in the summer to bring in attacking reinforcements and with manager Ruben Amorim now entering his first full season with the club, expectations have been rising for Manchester United. They’re now the fifth favourites to win the league and will be expected to challenge for Champions League football. Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham are all pretty close in the bookmakers estimation of their chances at Europe in what is sure to be a close race all season between the three.

A reminder for the current European qualification in the Premier League:

• Top 5 teams automatically qualify for the league stage of the UEFA Champions League
• FA Cup winner qualifies for Europa League
• If FA Cup winner finishes in the top 5, the 6th-place finishing team qualifies for Europa League
• EFL Cup winner qualifies for the Conference League
• If EFL Cup and FA Cup winners finish top 6, the 7th-place team qualifies for the Conference League.

More on the Premier League

Relegation battle: will the three promoted sides go down once again?

Last season saw all three promoted teams get relegated for the second straight season. Understandly, those three teams enter the season as the top candidates to go down, but it might not be that straightforward.

Looking to buck the trend this year are Burnley, Sunderland and Leeds. After losing key players as well as an influential manager, both Wolves and Brentford could find themselves in a relegation scrap this season.                                   

Leeds still have a good amount of Premier League quality in their squad, while Burnley set records for their defensive numbers last season, a style of play that historically translates well to grinding out those precious points needed to survive the drop. If Brentford get off to a bad start, things could go south very quickly. The oddsmakers seem to agree, as they currently have Bees’ manager Keith Andrews as the favourite to get sacked first.

Matchday 1 top fixtures

Aston Villa vs Newcastle

• Venue: Villa Park
• Date and time: 16 August, 12:30 BST
• Referee: Craig Pawson

Aston Villa and Newcastle face off at Villa Park for an opening round fixture that could be hugely important come the end of the season. Our experts are predicting a home win, see the full analysis in our Aston Villa vs Newcastle prediction. These two teams are projected to be neck and neck this year, making this a potential six-pointer when it comes to either Champions League or Europa League qualification.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

• Venue: Stamford Bridge
• Date and time: 17 August, 14:00 BST
• Referee: Darren England 

The first London derby of the season pits Chelsea against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. This represents an important season for both clubs. Chelsea are seen by some as dark horses to win the Premier League title and will be competing in the Champions League after finishing fourth last season. Crystal Palace will hope to build off of last season’s FA Cup success and will have to balance a grueling Premier League schedule with their debut in the Conference League (after being demoted from the Europa League). Check out our Chelsea vs Crystal Palace prediction.

Manchester United vs Arsenal

• Venue: Old Trafford
• Date and time: 17 August, 16:30 BST
• Referee: Simon Hooper

Undoubtedly the biggest match of the opening round of fixtures sees a classic English Premier League rivalry as Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford. There is excitement and big expectations on both teams; the Gunners’ faithful will be demanding the league title while the Red Devils fans will hope their team can push for a top five finish. With so much on the line early on, expect this one to be a tense affair.

Check out our Manchester United vs Arsenal prediction