Countless emails, unanswered messages and increasingly desperate pleas later, I gathered the thoughts of fans, writers and content creators from across the Premier League to find out exactly how they see the 2026/27 season unfolding. Twenty clubs, twenty different perspectives, nine questions each, and more than enough optimism, pessimism and questionable predictions to come back and haunt us in May.
It’s almost time! After a welcome break, followed by boredom, late nights watching World Cup fixtures on the other side of the world, pre-season friendlies in the same place, and weeks spent stressing over transfers, the Premier League season is finally upon us. And thankfully, that gives me the perfect excuse to cancel plans every weekend.
In all honesty, what do people who don’t watch football do in their spare time?
The 2025/26 season felt like the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. Pep Guardiola’s departure from the Premier League brought about what felt like the end of an era. But Manchester City won’t be the only club starting again under new management, with eight other sides set to have a different face in the dugout on the opening weekend. With so much change across the league, it will be fascinating to see which clubs hit the ground running and which take a little longer to find their feet.
This could genuinely be one of the most fascinating Premier League seasons we’ve had in some time because of the aforementioned change everywhere you look. There’s plenty of uncertainty around some of the usual contenders, lots of new clubs heading on European adventures, and a number of clubs heading into the campaign with genuine reasons for optimism. With so many unknowns, trying to predict how the table will look come May feels even more difficult than usual.
Can Arsenal do something they’ve never done before and retain the Premier League title? How will those with smaller squads cope with the added demands of European football? Will so many managerial changes open the door for clubs with a little more stability? Can any of the promoted sides follow Leeds United and Sunderland in beating the drop? And, perhaps most importantly, will Hull actually win a game?
Putting this together has been a “labour of love”. Or, in more general terms, an absolute bastard. But we got there in the end.
So, after weeks of messages, emails, chasing people up and waiting for replies, it’s finally time to get into it. Twenty clubs. Twenty sets of predictions. And, almost certainly, plenty that will look absolutely ridiculous by May.
The 2026/27 Premier League predictions: here’s how the Premier League is going to finish. Probably.
Arsenal
Contributor: Tom Canton (The Mirror & Football LDN)
Socials: @TomCantonMedia (Twitter/X), @TomCantonMedia (Instagram), @TheGoonerTalkTv (Twitter/X), @TheGoonerTalk (linktr.ee)
1. Where do you think Arsenal will finish this season?
I think Arsenal will hopefully retain the title. They have added some top players and could still add more, while there has been significant changes elsewhere, particularly managerially which hands the Gunners a stability advantage.
Furthermore, key players have left the club’s main rivals such as Rodri, Andrew Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Bernardo Silva etc. This lesser-touched-on element is not reflected in North London beyond Leandro Trossard who has been appropriately and effectively replaced, perhaps even upgraded.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Successful has to be silverware. I struggle ever to lean toward a team ‘should’ win the league, especially when, like Arsenal, they are so inferior financially to teams like Man City and Chelsea, particularly City regarding their wages. For example, in the last 10 years, City have spent £880million more just on player wages compared to the Gunners.
But, with the stability they have, and also the changes elsewhere, the expectation has to be to challenge for the title effectively again, and win silverware.
3. Who do you think will be Arsenal’s most important player?
William Saliba is missing for the start of the season, and his absence will be felt massively. Arsenal’s win rate with and without the Frenchman is significant and the sooner he returns the better, despite having depth in Cristhian Mosquera to provide cover.
4. Who is one Arsenal player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Christos Tzolis comes in as a left-field signing but has already made a big impact. 22 goals and 29 assists for Club Brugge last season and in his six pre-season games he managed to get one goal and five assists – two against Man City in the Community Shield win.
He will be relatively unknown but everyone will become familiar with him as the season gets underway.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
As mentioned, Saliba’s absence is massive and making sure the team deal with that effectively is the number one worry. Secondly, I would say how the players recover from the World Cup with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka still having some hangover from the tournament to worry about.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Bruno Guimaraes is a player I have wanted at Arsenal for around six years, from when he was playing in Brazil. I have had to wait more than half a decade for his arrival and now I can see it with my own eyes, the early signs have been so encouraging.
A progressive passer, dedicated warrior and midfield goalscorer. He ticks so many boxes this already brilliant Arsenal midfield needed.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
I think Manchester United could surprise people for the wrong reasons. After their fine performances under Michael Carrick last season, they earned Champions League football.
But I have this feeling that they’re going to struggle with the extra demands and so far, besides Youri Tielemans their transfer business has not been good enough. If they make some more big deals, I might change my mind, but I think they will be surprisingly underwhelming.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Spurs
5. Liverpool
18. Coventry City
19. Ipswich Town
20. Hull City
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
I think Leeds will be okay. They’ve done some good business and maybe could do some more. I really like Daniel Farke but the reality is there are so many good teams in the Premier League that progressing into mid-table is so challenging.
I’ll say a 14th place finish but certainly with some big scalps along the way.
Aston Villa
Contributor: Justin Talks Villa
Socials: @Justin_AVFC_ (Twitter/X), @Justin_Talks_Villa (Instagram) & @Justin_Talks_Villa (YouTube)
1. Where do you think Aston Villa will finish this season?
5th. I think we’ll be right in the mix for the European places again, and fifth feels like a realistic target.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
A successful season would see us competing in the top seven and securing European football again for next season. Champions League qualification will obviously be very difficult, especially with the amount of money some of the clubs around us are spending, but I still believe we can be very competitive this season.
We’ve established ourselves as a club that expects to challenge towards the top end of the Premier League now, and maintaining that position would represent another successful season.
3. Who do you think will be Villa’s most important player?
I’d probably have to say Boubacar Kamara. He missed a big chunk of last season, but he’s such an important part of this team and makes everything click when he’s fit. I think he’s still very underrated within the wider Premier League picture.
I also think João Gomes could be a huge player for us this season, but as with all Unai Emery teams, everybody has an important role to play.
4. Who is one Villa player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
I’m really hoping that this season it will be Alejandro Garnacho. He’s come to Villa with a big point to prove and with plenty of questions surrounding him after his previous two clubs.
However, I genuinely believe he’s now at the right club, with the right manager, to get the best out of him. If Unai Emery can unlock his potential, I think we could see a very exciting player this season.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
My biggest concern is obviously the size of the squad overhaul we’ve had this summer. There have been a lot of changes, so the big question is how quickly everything gels.
We’ve made huge progress over the last few seasons under Unai Emery, and we need to make sure that all these changes don’t disrupt that momentum. If the new players settle quickly and Emery can bring everything together, then I think we’ll be in a very good place.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
I’m looking forward to seeing all of the new signings, with Manzambi being one I’m particularly excited about. However, the player I’m really looking forward to seeing this season is actually somebody we signed last year: Brian Madjo.
Villa paid around £10 million for him when he was just 16, and he’s had a brilliant pre-season. He’s now 17 and, following the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, he can become part of our squad.
I think it’s going to be fascinating to see how much football he gets and how quickly he develops. He’s definitely one to watch this season.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season positively or negatively?
Positively, I actually think Leeds United could surprise a few people. I think they’ve recruited really well this summer and could have a very decent season.
At the other end of the spectrum, a club I think could struggle is Brentford. They’re definitely one I’ll be keeping an eye on.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
At the moment, it’s very difficult to look past Arsenal for the title again. They’ve finally got over the line, they’ve recruited really well, and some of the teams around them have gone through managerial changes which could have an impact.
I think Arsenal have reached the top at exactly the right time, and they’re going to be extremely difficult to catch.
The rest of the top four is much harder to predict. I think we could have a really open season, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Villa and potentially Spurs, if everything gels for them, all fighting for those Champions League places.
As for the bottom three, unfortunately, I think there’s a real possibility that all three promoted clubs could go straight back down.
9. Where do you think Leeds United will finish?
As I said earlier, I think Leeds have recruited really well. If Daniel Farke can have another solid crack at the Premier League and get this squad performing, I genuinely think a top-10 finish could be on the cards.
I don’t think they should be looking at this season purely as a battle for survival. I think they’ve got the potential to surprise a few people.
Bournemouth
Contributor: Kate
Socials: @AFCBKate (Twitter/X) & KekwMaw (Reddit)
1. Where do you think Bournemouth will finish this season?
I think we’ll finish somewhere between 12th and 14th. I think we’ll struggle to adapt to a much busier schedule and a new manager’s tactics. I imagine it could look a lot like Nottingham Forest last season, but hopefully without the managerial uncertainty. I don’t think we have enough continuity or depth to push for a high league position like we did last season, but I also think the individual quality of our squad is simply too high for us to be involved in a relegation battle.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Honestly, and I think the sentiment is shared amongst most of the fanbase, as long as we aren’t relegated, a successful season won’t be determined in the league. We are in Europe for the first time, which is a huge milestone for the club. As long as we play attractive football, most fans will be preoccupied with the novelty of an away day in Italy than worry about our inevitable loss to Brentford. I would be happy if we were able to finish in the upper mid table, like we have the last few seasons.
3. Who do you think will be Bournemouth’s most important player?
This is a tough one, Semenyo gone, Kroupi injured, Rayan still adjusting, truthfully the spot for most important player is up for grabs. I think it will ultimately be James Hill who will take this spot, however. James Hill, in my opinion, was our most important player last season. Over both Semenyo and Kroupi. We lost only 2 games out of the over 25(?) that he started, and went from a team criticised for conceding too many goals to a team criticised for having too many 0-0 draws. That’s the impact that James Hill had on our defence last season. One player who had not been able to find a spot in the starting 11 finds his form and completely stabilises our defence and allows us to reach 6th place and Europe. Now he has the job of being the continuity in a once again changing back line. Over the last 2 seasons we have lost 5 starting defenders (and one more that we will not speak about) to the transfer window. Once again, we will have a lot of work to do defensively. With Senesi gone, our right back exiled, and Diakite struggling to find his form after a poor first season, James Hill will need to be flawless as new signing Antonio Silva settles into his place.
4. Who is one Bournemouth player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Just rambled about James Hill for too long, and while he’s probably also my pick for this position, I’ll give another answer for this one. Marcus Tavernier has been the largely unsung hero for the club this last season. His ability to play well consistently regardless of what position he is in allowed us to be incredibly flexible offensively in our formation last season. If any other Bournemouth player had his output, they’d be featured in Fabrizio Romano’s transfer blogs weekly. Yet due to the spotlight consistently falling elsewhere, most outlets won’t acknowledge his role in our team. Due to his positional flexibility, I don’t think that there is a club in the world that Tav could end up at and not be at the very least an essential depth piece. It is a blessing that he continues to be as essential as he has been, without any noise from the market.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Two things. New manager, New (again) defence. Rose, while similar to Iraola style-wise, is still a new manager. We will have to change how we play, and hopefully in a way that brings the best out of what Iraola already built. Pre-season has been largely positive, but we’ll have to wait until the season starts to make any judgements.
Once again our defence is also going to be a concern. Losing Senesi and He Who Must Not Be Named brings us once again back to where we were last season. Signings going straight into the starting 11 defensively with no promise that they will adapt to the Premier League. If our new signings do not land, quite frankly, we don’t have options. Hopefully Truffert and Hill will be able to provide the constancy that we so dearly need.Another thing I’ll note in this “fears” section is the international perception of our signings and manager. Both Rose and Antonio Silva, our centre-back, have very different reputations at their previous clubs compared to how most Premier League fans view them. Benfica fans are surprisingly happy to lose their 22-year-old captain, while similarly I have been warned by Dortmund fans of Marco Rose’s time at their club. Food for thought.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
The signing of Antonio Silva represents where Bournemouth stand as a club right now. We have signed Benfica’s captain. We have signed a player with dozens of senior Portuguese caps. This is the sort of signing that would have been almost unthinkable for us a few years ago. We are now able to attract players from some of Europe’s biggest clubs and convince them that Bournemouth is the right place for the next stage of their career. While, as mentioned before, his last season at Benfica wasn’t perfect, I am still incredibly optimistic about this signing and cannot wait to see him play this season.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season positively or negatively?
I fear for Newcastle. Losing Eddie hurts, we’ve been there ourselves. Not only that, but I worry about a number of their departures and how they’ll cope with them. To balance it out, though, I’d also argue that however underprepared Bournemouth may be for Europe, Sunderland are in a far worse position. I don’t know how a side that were only promoted last season will cope with the reality of Europa League football midweek. I just can’t see them being able to manage it all. Maybe both sides will prove me wrong, We’ll have to see.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
I think Arsenal will win the league again. They are practically the only side in England with any semblance of continuity from last season. Everyone else has either had managerial changes or massive squad turnover.
I think that City, Chelsea, and Liverpool will take the rest of the positions. I think that City will continue to be strong, Chelsea will benefit from a lack of Europe, and despite a slow start, Iraola will find his footing in Liverpool. I have Hull, Ipswich, and Fulham going down. I have a soft spot for Coventry, and I wanted to include at least one controversial pick. I think that Fulham’s position could be replaced with any one of Sunderland, Everton, or Palace. I think that those 4 clubs are largely at risk in some form, and haven’t shown enough ambition in the window to illicit any confidence moving into the start of the season.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
In my predictions from a week ago, I have Leeds in 8th. I think the signings you have made have been brilliant, with Muharemovic being my personal choice, before summer, for a replacement for Senesi. A weird, tumultuous season with large overhauls for many of the League’s largest and most competitive squads will leave a majority of the table up for grabs. Additionally, with clubs like us, Sunderland, Palace, and Brighton all in Europe, Leeds have the opportunity to benefit from a more condensed schedule.
Brentford
Contributor: Daniel – The Ealing Road Podcast, & Adrian (Reddit fan)
Socials: @TheEalingRoad (Twitter/X), linktr.ee/TheEalingRoad (Podcast), @TheEalingRoadPodcast (YouTube)
1. Where do you think Brentford will finish this season?
Daniel: 8th
Adrian: 9th. As much as it pains me to say it, another season in which Brentford narrowly miss out on European football may be on the cards. We’ve strengthened in several crucial positions and haven’t lost any key players (so far). However, whether talisman Igor Thiago can maintain his electric form over several seasons is up in the air, and with teams like Tottenham and Chelsea sure to be in the mix for Europe this season, an 8th place finish might just be a step too far.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Daniel: We’re now an established Premier League side and have narrowly missed out on Europe a couple of times in recent years so that has to be the aim. After a summer of continuity and stability unlike last year the hope is we can push to the next level now. I’d love a trip to Wembley in a cup competition too.
Adrian: A European spot would definitely be a successful season for the club. To be able to play in a European competition would be fantastic when you consider where the club was just a few years ago.
3. Who do you think will be Brentford’s most important player?
Daniel: Igor Thiago brought the goals last season, and we will be hoping he does the same this time round. As a focal point he can also be difficult for defenders to handle, and he works very hard.
Adrian: Mikkel Damsgaard. The other obvious candidate, Igor Thiago, has an experienced understudy in Callum Wilson to keep the goals coming if the Brazilian suffers a loss in form, but if Brentford are to sustain their run of top half finishes, Damsgaard will need to be on his best form. After a magical 2024/25 season, his performances dipped slightly last season, but Brentford fans will be hoping that his excellent passing ability will help us get results in the big games in the latter stages of the season – something we struggled with last time out.
4. Who is one Brentford player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Daniel: Mikkel Damsgaard dropped off slightly last season but has now had a season to build relationships with our new front line and on his day can be a creative force. I expect our player of the season from two years ago to step up once again and provide lots of assists.
Adrian: Keane Lewis-Potter. As his surname implies, the ex-Hull player is quite the wizard, but never seems to get the attention that he perhaps deserves. While he isn’t a worldbeater and can be easy to push off the ball at times, Lewis-Potter consistently puts up solid performances from either the wing or left back week in, week out. His proficiency with his stronger right foot made him a menace cutting in from left back last campaign – we saw at the World Cup how effective a right-footed left-back can be in Djed Spence – and I expect ‘Keano’ to stir fans from the wing this season.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Daniel: There are a lot less uncertainties this time round with largely the same squad and a few new additions. An injury to Igor Thiago would be a bit of a worry as I’m not sure we can be relying on Callum Wilson to play 90 minutes week-in-week-out.
Adrian: A lack of quality depth at centre back. Sepp Van den Berg, who started many games last season, is out for quite a substantial period of time, leaving only Collins and Ajer who are dependable ‘prem-proven’ centre backs. Ethan Pinnock has been a fantastic servant for the club but is getting on in years, while the club has signed promising but inexperienced Jannick Schuster from RB Salzburg. Another injury to a centre back would be a massive cause for concern.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Daniel: Mamadou Sangare has come with rave reviews from Lens and was linked with some of the bigger sides earlier in the summer. A bit of an all-rounder in midfield and someone who can break up play and dictate games. We’re hoping he’s our answer to the likes of Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton.
Adrian: Mamadou Sangaré. This was a no-brainer. The club’s record signing comes with a reputation to boot. A key player in RC Lens’ remarkable second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, he was even tentatively linked to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United; it is a testament to Brentford’s growth as a club that they can attract such talent. Sangaré seems to be an all-rounder – a fast, technically gifted midfielder with excellent tackling ability that can allow the more creative Damsgaard to thrive further up the pitch – and Brentford fans will be excited to see if the Malian midfielder can replicate last season’s form.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Daniel: Aside from Brentford, I think Forest will improve this season under Glasner and with no European football.
Newcastle, Fulham and Liverpool could all struggle. There has been a lot of change at those clubs with certain players yet to be replaced. Iraola could take time to implement his style like he did at Bournemouth, and Jaissle and Arbeloa are unknowns in the Premier League which I am not convinced by.
Adrian: Nottingham Forest. The controversial Marinakis has appointed an excellent gaffer in Oliver Glasner who will no doubt expand on his impressive managerial repertoire. Additionally, the signing of Diomande, a highly regarded centre back from Sporting, is a signal of intent following the devastating departure of Elliot Anderson. Keeping hold of Morgan Gibbs-White for another season will encourage Forest fans. I expect the Reds to be active in the tail end of the transfer window, further bolstering a solid squad who will challenge for Europe in my opinion.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Daniel: Champions: Man City, 2nd: Arsenal, 3rd: Man Utd, 4th: Chelsea
18th: Coventry, 19th: Ipswich, 20th: Hull
Arsenal are the favourites once again but retaining a title is not easy and they have a tricky start after their opening game. They may struggle to get going with Saliba’s injury and question marks might still remain over the fitness of Rice and Saka. City have been slightly underrated for me as their squad is still on par despite the managerial change.
I think last season was a weaker Championship with many of the stronger sides struggling in the early part of the season, and I’m not convinced by the transfer business of any of the promoted three.
Adrian: I believe that Arsenal will defend their Premier League title with the shrewd acquisitions of Bruno G. and Tzolis. Behind them in the top four will be Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham. Notice the absence of Manchester United, who will fall away under the pressure of multiple competitions. Unfortunately, I back all three of the promoted teams to go back down, although not without a fight. I think all three, especially Ipswich, have made some smart signings that give them a decent chance of survival, but the gulf in quality between them and the established Premier League sides will be insurmountable.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Daniel: I was going to include them in my ‘overachievers’, but I was saving it for this question. I’ve got them down for 9th and think like Brentford, they will benefit from stability and continuity and the likes of James Trafford and Harry Wilson are solid signings.
Adrian: 13th. I have been impressed by their signings of Harry Wilson and James Trafford who are Premier League-proven players, combined with the exciting Muharemovic who impressed last season. Question marks still remain over Daniel Farke’s capabilities as a long-term Premier League manager despite his admirable work with Leeds last season. He has been financially backed this summer so results must follow, and Calvert-Lewin must stay fit in order for Leeds to consolidate in the upcoming season and push on in the following years.
Brighton
Contributor: Josh (TogetherBHA)
Socials: @TogetherBHA (Twitter/X), @TogetherBHA (YouTube) & Together_BHA (Instagram)
1. Where do you think Brighton will finish this season?
This is SO hard to predict because I think the Premier League this year is possibly the weakest we’ve seen in quite a long time. A lot of teams feel like they have sold off strong assets and then not really replaced well, as well as teams going into Europe without good depth. For Brighton, I think if we beat Tromso and qualify for the Conference League we’ll be in around 12th or 11th. If we don’t, I can see us finishing 8th again for a third time because why not.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Winning the Conference League, 100%. The competition is far, far stronger this year than it has been in the last few years (seriously check the teams in there right now, Atalanta, Monaco, Benfica etc.), but I still crave that trophy really badly. So that is the easy answer.
3. Who do you think will be Brighton’s most important player?
Whoever ends up getting the striker role given the unexpected loss of Welbeck. So either Babis, Kostoulos, Georginio Rutter or Tzimas depending on his ACL recovery. We have not recruited to replace him and all of those are unproven at the #9 position, so they will have a huge responsibility to lead the line and get us goals.
4. Who is one Brighton player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Yasin Ayari. He had a breakout season last year and then had a superb World Cup. Swedish centre midfielder and I am incredibly smug about his rise because when other Albion fans wanted us to cut our losses with him, I was convinced there was a player there. Enter Fabian Hurzeler, who saw what I saw and look at him now. He is a classic box to box playmaking midfielder and can score some absolute bangers! He is really great.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Very much linked to 3, the lack of an out and out striker after losing Welbs. This is something that now has the entire fanbase at minimum concerned, others in absolute meltdown. We are hopefully entering a season with about 60 games, and our striking options are Georgi (not a 9), Kostoulos (19 and unproven) and Tzimas (21, returning from an ACL injury). Enough said really. Unless we make a signing in the coming weeks this is a big worry.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
With both Minteh and Mitoma hurt and missing early season, the new winger Zadok Yohanna, and returning from loan superstar winger for Bolton Amario Cozier-Duberry, and Ibrahim Osman who impressed at Birmingham last year, have all impressed in pre-season. FH has noted Amario and Osman are not leaving as he loved what he saw from them specifically this pre-season. So we’ve got some electric, tricky, pacey wingers all revving to go, which is always fun to watch!
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Man City. I absolutely do not rate Maresca, never have, I can see City finishing 7th with Enzo if he’s given the whole season. I really am not a fan. I think he’s overrated and honestly the new Roberto Martinez where you keep wondering how the bloke keeps failing upwards.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Cannot see past Arsenal for champions sadly, nobody has done enough to challenge IMO. Top 4 for me is Arsenal. Manchester United, Villa, Liverpool. Bottom 3 are Hull, Ipswich, Palace. I know its lazy to go for the promoted groups, but I do think those two are really weak sides.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
I rate Trafford and while I’ve not followed the dealings for you guys too much, I also rate Wilson, so I think you’ll do pretty good. If enough Euro teams struggle you might even flirt with a European place, but I will go conservative and have you finishing 11th.
Chelsea
Contributor: London Is Blue Podcast, & Rowan (Chelsea fan via Reddit)
Socials: @LondonBluePod (Twitter/X), @LondonBluePod (Facebook), @LondonBluePod (Instagram), @LondonBluePod (YouTube) & @TheSportSocial (Twitter/X)
1. Where do you think Chelsea will finish this season?
London Is Blue: Dan and Nick are split on this, but we think this could be a resurgent year for Chelsea with them finishing 1st or 2nd. The combination of the Xabi Alonso effect, an improved and more mature squad, and a weaker overall league factored into our thought process.
Rowan: I’m expecting top four. I’ll be surprised if we’re not at least in contention for Champions League qualification. So, if I’m being sensible, I would say anywhere from 3rd to 5th. That being said, if the players really take to Alonso’s tactics and confidence is high, I know we have the quality to mount a credible title challenge. It’s just the lack of experience that makes me lean towards the former.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
London Is Blue: Well, there’s a lot that needs to improve for Chelsea this season after a disastrous 2025-2026 campaign. Overall, we think that the squad’s finishing in-front of goal will improve which will make everyone happy. Additionally, the additions in defense will hopefully lead to fewer individual errors that result in goals. Finally, Chelsea must improve their discipline to have a successful season after a calamitous record over the last 3 seasons. There’s a lot that needs to improve.
Rowan: I think a return to the Champions League would satisfy most of us and put the club back on track. More than this, after last season’s abysmal campaign, a disciplined squad that you can tell really believes in the manager would be encouraging evidence that the club is moving in the right direction. Success, I think, in the long-term will depend on stability, so if Alonso is still being backed at the end of the season and looks up to the job then that’s almost more important than where we finish in the league. A few deep runs in the domestic cups wouldn’t hurt either, and I feel like winning either one of those would be huge for us this season, especially the FA Cup.
3. Who do you think will be Chelsea’s most important player?
London Is Blue: Losing Levi Colwill before the start of the 2025-2026 season threw Chelsea’s whole season into a tailspin. He’s back now, and if he stays healthy, Chelsea have a fighting chance. He’s an emerging leader, a fighter, and has the intensity to become a winner. Watch for some long range assists from LCB as well.
Rowan: Joao Pedro, without question. He’s the only consistent goal-scorer we have in the team. He’ll win more games for us than anyone else if he keeps scoring like he has been. Having said that, Cole Palmer coming back into form could be the difference between scraping UCL qualification and really competing further up the table.
4. Who is one Chelsea player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
London Is Blue: There are a lot of famous names at Chelsea, but one flying under the radar a bit is Marco Palestra. Last season’s Serie A Defender of the Season joined Chelsea and has started well during pre-season. He’s giving Chelsea fans flashbacks to 2016 Marco Alonso.
Rowan: Palestra. He’s been captivating in pre-season, but seems to be mostly flying under the radar. He has some defensive deficiencies but he’s going to pose a very real attacking threat, and the way he dances around opposition players is mesmerising. He’s tall and two footed and can play either side, and if he can work on his shooting he’s going to be very hard to defend against.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
London Is Blue: How quickly this team rallies around Xabi’s ideas and can get through adversity. We have been famously fragile over the last 4 years, and that will have to change to make a real fight of the league this season without European football. We need real leaders and the additions of Henderson, Welbeck, and Lacroix alongside Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Moises Caicedo should be able to guide this team through rough patches.
Rowan: Defence. I’m all too aware that a title winning team needs to have a strong defence above anything else, and we just haven’t seen that or anything close in recent times at Chelsea. I’m hoping a three at the back can change that, although from pre-season it looks like the formation will be fluid so it isn’t nailed on. Our stubborn refusal to concede under Tuchel in our 2020/21 Champions League campaign is my enduring memory of that incredible team. However, the loss of composure, stupid mistakes and lack of confidence we saw last season was painful to watch and still kind of stings. If these issues aren’t addressed, then we’re not going to get anywhere.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
London Is Blue: It’s hard not to be excited about the prospect of Morgan Rogers rounding out a Chelsea attack with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Estevao Willian. Rogers playing with his best friend will hopefully lead to nothing but positive vibes at the Bridge and beyond.
Rowan: I’m really excited to see how Morgan Rogers settles into the team and especially how his on-field relationship with Cole Palmer develops as time goes on. On paper they appear to compliment each other perfectly and obviously they know each other really well off the pitch. I’m hoping that friendship translates into scintillating attacking chemistry. Plus, having a strong, tall forward is new and refreshing. It’s wonderful that he picked us over Arsenal.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
London Is Blue: As of writing with two weeks left in the window, I have Newcastle going down. It’s hard to put into words how disastrous their offseason has been. I also have Coventry City staying up. Frank Lampard is a good coach and they are making a late push to add quality to their ranks which could help them become a surprise package like Sunderland were last season.
Rowan: Fulham have been moving in the transfer market with notable ambition, but I remain skeptical. I think Sunderland will continue to do well and Frank Lampard’s Coventry could cause some major upsets.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
London Is Blue:
1st – Chelsea
2nd – Arsenal
3rd – Liverpool
4th – Manchester United
5th – Manchester City
18. Newcastle
19. Ipswich Town
20. Hull City
Rowan: It’s really hard not to think that the three newly promoted teams will go back down, not least because all of the others now seem to be firmly established in the Premier League. That being said, anything can happen. I can see Newcastle struggling mentally after the exodus but they still have a decent team. And as much as I’d like Manchester City’s to finally be charged it seems unlikely to happen any time soon. So I’d have to say that the new arrivals will go back down, although I’ll gladly be proved wrong about that. As for top four I really, really don’t want them to win it but Arsenal seem like the only known quantity amongst the “Big Six”. The rule changes will obviously impact them, but you’d still have to think they’re one of, if not the strongest team. Out of pure spite though and because I’ve been exceptionally boring in my relegation picks, I’m going to say that Chelsea will win in Alonso’s first season like we did under Conte in 2016/17. Arsenal will finish 2nd, Liverpool 3rd and Tottenham in 4th place. Liverpool have a great squad and an exciting manager but it remains to be seen how he will adapt to a bigger club. Tottenham have made some great defensive signings and I think they will forge a new identity under Roberto De Zerbi.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
London Is Blue: 14th – a solid finish and a decent FA Cup run again.
Rowan: Leeds have also made some really smart additions to what I think is a fairly average Premier League squad. I think they finish in the top half of the table but not without a struggle.
Coventry
Contributor: Joey Crone (The Nii Lamptey Show)
Socials: @NiiLampteyShow (Twitter/X) & niilampteyshow (Instagram)
1. Where do you think Coventry City will finish this season?
17th. On the basis that I think we’ll be better than Hull and Ipswich. That just means one more team needs to implode. Could be one of the 500 teams in the Premier League somehow competing in Europe. Could be Man City finally getting a 100-point deduction. As long as someone else has a truly wretched season we might just scrape survival
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Anything better than the abject seasons that some of the clubs who’ve been promoted have had recently. If we could stave off relegation until April then we’ll have given a good account of ourselves in a league where promoted teams have to work miracles to stay up.
3. Who do you think will be Coventry’s most important player?
Hard to say at this point with our transfer business yet to be concluded. Last season’s player of the season Carl Rushworth has now signed permanently. A good keeper is absolutely essential. If he can be as good in the prem as he was for us last season in the Championship that will make a big difference. Aside from that, we’re soon to complete the signing of Caleb Yirenkyi. He looks unbelievably exciting. If he can mow through Premier opponents as ruthlessly as he seems to have in Denmark we could have an exceptional player on our hands. But that’s a big if. Milan Van Ewijk spent three years in the Championship looking like a Premier League quality right back. If he can prove that he’s good as we think he is, he too will be vitally important.
4. Who is one Coventry player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Jack Rudoni. Has struggled with injuries in the last year or so. But he’s another player that seems capable of stepping up a level to make a big difference in the prem and if he can, he won’t be with us for very long. Terrific in possession and with an eye for goal, he’s like a very budget Phil Foden.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Our current first choice left back is 5’3” Jay Da Silva. Very good last season, but the step up to the prem may be too much of a ‘tall order‘ (fnarr) for the wee man. Also, a lot hinges on Haji Wright being able to score in the prem in the same mystifying way he did in the Championship for three years. For a player that’s scored ~50 goals in the last three years, he’s a surprisingly unpopular enigma of a player. He could score 0 goals or 15 next season, I genuinely couldn’t predict which. But if it’s the former, it’s hard to see where our goals from.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Caleb Yirenkyi. I should be careful because he’s not been formally announced yet, but Fabrizio Romano said it’s done so that must be true. You should never give yourself to a player on highlights reels alone, but based on what I’ve seen, if I found him in bed with my wife, I’d bring him a blanket.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
I’m not just saying this because it’s you, but… you lot. No Europe will keep you fresh and help in the way that made such a difference to Man United last season. Harry Wilson and James Trafford could be transformative signings. If you can keep DCL fit, I think you could be looking at a Europe tilt yourselves. On the other side, I don’t think Eddie Howe got the recognition he deserves for the job he did. I can see Newcastle really struggling this season.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
I honestly don’t know. It’s a fools errand picking these things. If I absolutely have to then:
1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Liverpool
4. Villa *spits on floor*
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Let’s say 9th.
Crystal Palace
Contributor: Jack (Crystal Palace fan via Reddit), and Luke Richardson (Caterham Fencing)
Socials: @luke_0543 (Instagram), @caterhamfencing (Instagram), caterhamfencing.co.uk (Website)
1. Where do you think Palace will finish this season?
Jack: We always finish 12th so probably there again. It’s hard to tell with a new manager coming in to replace our most successful manager ever. We’ve added depth to the squad, but maybe not the first XI, and we have the Europa League to worry about. In all honesty, I could see us finishing anywhere between 8th and 15th. I’m a pessimist at heart when it comes to Palace, so it’ll have to be 15th.
Luke: “12th again, who gives a fuck, we’ve won the FA Cup”. Seriously though, I think with Europa League as well to deal with this season we’ll be around the 10th – 14th spaces. I think it’ll be challenging to keep up with all the games if we do manage to have a good run in the Europa League.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Jack: A run deep into the Europa League would be a success. There are some historic clubs in the competition this year so getting into the quarters or semis would be good, I think. League wise, I think anything above 10th would be a success given European football and a new manager.
Luke: I think a top 8 finish is more than achievable with our squad when you look at who finished in the top 8 last season. I think our squad is better than at least 2 of last year’s top 8. Or alternatively, I would see a quarter final or better in the Europa League, alongside a top 10 finish as a successful season for the club. Especially when you compare the club to where it was previously. Looking at us now, it seems mad to even say that would constitute a successful season when a successful season used to be “not getting relegated”!
3. Who do you think will be Crystal Palace’s most important player?
Jack: It’s hard to look past Ismaïla Sarr. He was our top scorer last season and did well in the World Cup for Senegal. He doesn’t look like his output is going to slow down.
Luke: I think Kamada. As a team we play a lot better with him on the pitch. What he does isn’t as obvious as the likes of Munoz, Sarr, or Wharton. But he manages to bring out the best in the other players, so I think he’s probably one of the most important for us in terms of the way we will play.
4. Who is one Palace player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Jack: Jaydee Canvot. He’s a young centre back who stepped into the back three after Guehi left last season and looked very comfortable there. He’s only going to get better, and I think there could be a few big clubs looking at him next summer.
Luke: Mitchell, he’s not like most of your modern day full backs where he’s comfortable at both ends of the pitch but he is the consistent player and it’s very rare that you see a winger get the better of him across 90 minutes. He doesn’t get enough credit.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Jack: Despite Canvot, we still need another, preferably fast and experienced, centre back to replace Lacroix. We’ve brought in Tomiyasu and Mingueza who can both play across the back, but a specialist CB would be good.
We also need another CM. Kamada and Wharton are a great pairing but there’s not loads of depth behind them in that position.
Luke: Whether or not we can maintain good Premier League form, whilst also competing in other cup competitions. There was a drop off in league form last season when the Conference League got to the later stages. No complaints though!
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Jack: We’ve finally announced our signing of Zavier Gozo, a 19 year old winger from Real Salt Lake. Our signing of young attacking players has been hit and miss over the past few years. Hopefully he’s more Eze/Olise than Esse/Ebiowei.
Luke: Probably Gozo. We’ve just bought him from Real Salt Lake and he looks like a lively winger who seems direct. I feel like this is something that seems to have slightly disappeared in the modern game, so hopefully he can continue to be like that in the Premier League.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Jack: Is Newcastle doing badly a surprise? Probably not.
I think there’s a lot of flux and unknowns in the Premier League this year, and Brentford could take advantage of that and be pushing top 4/5 this year.
If Brighton don’t win the Conference, that’s a colossal failure. (Had to get this in somewhere!)
Luke: Leeds fans won’t like this but I do think Man United will be up there this season.
Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Jack:
1st – Arsenal
2nd – Chelsea
3rd – Manchester United
4th – Brentford
18th – Sunderland
19th – Ipswich
20th – Hull (beating Derby’s record)
Luke:
Premier league champions – Arsenal
Top four – Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea
Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Jack: Somewhere between 13th-16th. Safe, but a bit dull.
Luke: 11th
Everton
Contributor: Giorgio Petruso and Colin Jones
Socials: @gio_petruso97 (Instagram), gio_p97 (TikTok) & colin.a.jones.1 (Instagram)
1. Where do you think Everton will finish this season?
Giorgio: If Everton can sign a capable right back and manage to bring Grealish back on loan, then we have the chance to finish 7th I would say. However, should we not manage to sign one or either, I think the squad lacks depth at full back and we will be significantly weaker than last season. It would certainly limit our attack to the brilliance of Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye (and possibly Grealish). If we fail to sign one of the two then I would predict we would finish 11th.
Colin: I’m a realist and I am fully aware that there are holes in our squad. So I’ll say we will finish 12th. However, if those holes our plugged before the Deadline we could push into the Top 10.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Giorgio: Last season was a significant improvement on the previous few seasons. We improved so much that, in a strange way, we became victims of our own success, narrowly missing out on European football. This has a lot of Blues feeling that that is where we should be – in and around Europe. As we got so near last season, a successful season would be qualifying for one of the European places or winning the FA Cup/League Cup.
Colin: A successful season is a European place after coming close last season to the point where the right results on the final day would have got us there. We have to improve and not completely lose form in the run-in.
3. Who do you think will be Everton’s most important player?
Giorgio: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He is without a doubt our best player. He links the midfield and the forwards so nicely. It is an absolute pleasure to watch him week in, week out. He is a game changer and has scored some important goals. 8 goals and 4 assists last season and I expect similar from him again this year.
Colin: James Garner – without even needing to think about it, he was our best player last season and I expect the same of him this season.
4. Who is one Everton player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Giorgio: Iliman Ndiaye. If he wants it, he can become a top player in a top Champions League team. He is the best dribbler I’ve seen play for Everton, and he reminds me of a proper 2000’s baller like Jay Jay Okocha or Ronaldinho. The types who play with no fear at running at players, backing their ability to beat them with street skills. In an era of system players, he is a breath of fresh air. Can change a game in an instant. He seemed to be a bit burnt out by the end of last season. This could be his year to break into double figures and earn his big move that his career deserves. 6 goals and 3 assists last year. I think he has the ability to double both of those.
Colin: Thierno Barry – I think a lot of fans wrote him off last season as a waste of money – our own included. But he has look right on it so far in pre-season and I think he will kick on and show his quality.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Giorgio: Right back! Coleman has been on the wrong side of 30 for God knows how long now. He’s left this summer, and we still haven’t signed anyone. Jake O’Brien will be a fantastic centre half, but he’s not got the ability at Premier League level to cross or overlap. He’s solid defensively but if we want to take it to that next level we need an upgrade at full back.
Arguably, Mykolenko at left back should be improved upon also. Aznou, our prospect, has looked good in pre-season so hopefully he continues to get some opportunities.
Colin: Not having a RB and having to play Jake O’Brien there all season again.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Giorgio: Hayden Hackney. He’s a centre mid who looks up and wants to play a forward pass. Hopefully he can adapt to the Premier League as a midfield of Hackney, Garner & Dewsbury-Hall would be fantastic.
Colin: Hayden Hackney – Championship player of the season last year, working his way back to fitness after a injury towards the end of last season, he’s looked confident in the couple of games he’s played so far.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Giorgio: I do think Newcastle will struggle and flirt with relegation. Too many changes in the squad to top players. I’ve not seen anyone come in who’s convinced me that they have adequately replaced who they’ve lost. Their manager doesn’t convince me either, it seems like a safe hire from their board from another club that they own. We saw how that went with Chelsea and Liam Rosenior last season.
Colin: I think Newcastle are going to struggle massively and I haven’t really seen many people talk about it. They’ve lost their best players, and they’ve lost their manager. I think they could be in trouble.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Giorgio: 1st. Arsenal, 2nd. Man City, 3rd. Man United, 4th. Chelsea
18. Ipswich, 19. Coventry, 20. Hull
Colin: Arsenal (Champions), Man City (2nd), Man United (3rd), (Chelsea 4th).
Newcastle (18th), Ipswich (19th), Hull (20th)
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Giorgio: As a blue I know DCL well. He’s a brilliant player when on form but when we relied on him as our only striker, he was super unlucky with injuries. I hope that that period in his career is behind him, however I don’t see him not picking up one knock all season. With the amount of games we all play you need a striker to rotate.
You’ve signed Wilson and Trafford who are top players. You probably need a left back and a keeper back up and if you can get all of those in you have every chance of getting a European place. There’s 9 teams this season with new managers. Leeds have the advantage of having stability and they have built on their squad. If you sign who you need then I predict an 8th place finish. Should you fail to sign a competent DCL back up at least then I would say 11th.
Colin: I think Leeds surprised people last season, naturally not to the extent that Sunderland did, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin found form and proved to be a great signing and I’m pleased that it’s worked out for him. Harry Wilson and James Trafford improve the team also, so I see Leeds finishing comfortably mid table. My prediction is 13th.
Fulham
Contributor: Russ Goldman
Socials: @Russ_Goldman (Twitter/X), @CottageTalk (Twitter/X) & @CottageTalk (YouTube)
1. Where do you think Fulham will finish this season?
I am predicting 14th, but I think the second half of the season will show promise for the future as Fulham are changing the way they do business along with a change in style with a new head coach.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
If I see an identity that is attacking and sustainable, that is built for the long term, then I would be very satisfied.
3. Who do you think will be Fulham’s most important player?
It will be Oscar Bobb as I think he will be integral in scoring goals and assisting on several as well. He can take over the role of Harry Wilson and I believe do it better.
4. Who is one Fulham player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Cesar Palacios is a young player Fulham got from Real Madrid that has been described as a magician. Be on the lookout for him this season.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
I would say set pieces defending and attacking as Fulham have been poor overall dealing with these situations.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
I know I mentioned Cesar Palacios but the player I am most excited about is Gonzalo Garcia who is a striker Fulham signed from Real Madrid. He plays with a great deal of confidence, and I expect him to score 10 plus goals this season.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
I am going to put Fulham as a surprise positively because many think they will get relegated and I think that is a lazy take. I follow the club closely and I can see the changes being implemented that are going to the surprise many clubs. Negatively, I think Newcastle United are going to struggle.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Arsenal (Champions), Manchester City (2nd), Manchester United (3rd), Chelsea (4th),
Ipswich Town (18th), Coventry City (19th), Hull City (20th).
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
I think Leeds United will finish 16th.
Hull City
Contributor: Liam (Hull City fan via Reddit)
Socials: N/A
1. Where do you think Hull will finish this season?
Realistically, I’d be surprised if we didn’t go down, but our recruitment has been smart focusing on young talent like Lucas Herrington, who is coming off the back of a strong showing at the World Cup. His agent recently revealed that Barcelona had sent representatives out to meet him in Colorado before the World Cup which is a good sign that we have a real player. It’s important to note that we were written off by everyone in the Championship last season, hit with a transfer ban and only just surviving relegation the season before on goal difference. We’ve really leaned into the underdog mantle and will do so again this coming season.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
A successful season would be survival and finishing 17th, although you could argue finishing 18th and being credible competition would still be a good finish. The manager has repeated in pre-season we aren’t just here to make up the numbers.
3. Who do you think will be Hull’s most important player?
Our new goalkeeper, Konstantinos Tzolakis, I think will be key to a strong season. He’s looked the business in his pre-season games making a sublime double save against OGC Nice at the weekend to keep the scores level. Young, but already a serial winner at Olympiacos having played in Europe and winning domestic titles.
4. Who is one Hull City player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
At this stage of pre-season, our strongest area is in defence. The aforementioned Herrington looked good against Nice, as did his new centre-back partner of Nobel Mendy. That said, we already have what I think will be a future England international in the squad in Charlie Hughes who, if he can overcome the groin injury that plagued him most of last season, should be able to comfortably step up and make waves in the top flight. Hull took Harry Maguire to the top flight, and gave Jarrod Bowen his big break in senior football, and they’ve done alright. Hughes must surely be in contention. Further forward, Mohamed Belloumi is expected to show his class this season. Signed to much fanfare two years ago, he was cruelly struck with an ACL a few games into the season. He came back last season and was understandably rusty but showed some real moments of quality, typified with his goal against Millwall in the play off semi-final. Hopes are really high for both of these two.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
We only have one striker in Oli McBurnie. Top scorer last season, was challenged to score 15 goals by our manager and he scored 18. For a team at the bottom of the xG charts he was magnificent. However, it’s just him and he will be injured and probably suspended at least once next season, and we have no back up. That’s something the manager has said he wants addressed, but strikers are at a premium. Especially in the Premier League.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
There’s been so many already it’s hard to pick one out. Herrington looks good but he’s only 18 so might not be considered a starter. Elliot Stroud came in last week to give Liam Millar some competition on the left wing and looks tidy, and the aforementioned Tzolakis is a real classy keeper. I’d probably say I expect Stroud to be the most exciting signing so far.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
I think this season will be massively unpredictable, because there is so much change happening to the big teams. In many ways I think this is the best time to have been promoted, where there is so much adjusting to do for the established teams. I expect Man City and Liverpool will start off struggling before levelling out and climbing the table. Fulham losing a lot of the top flight experience might damage them. But I think Newcastle are in severe trouble. A manager plucked from Saudi, losing all their players, and not being able to throw their infinite wealth at the problem is going to hurt them.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Arsenal are the only team I can see winning. They have the consistency and Arteta’s project has come full circle. They’re easily the strongest side. Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City will make up the rest of the top four.
At the bottom, I suspect Coventry will struggle the most. They’re so used to dominating teams last season and they won’t get the time and space to do that in the top flight. They will have to change their entire gameplay. As much as I’d want to say Ipswich as well, O’Neil is a smart if unglamorous appointment who could probably save them. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if the likes of Newcastle, Fulham or Forest go for the tumble instead. Hull meanwhile are so used to playing without the ball on the counter so are primed to play exactly like a recently promoted team are supposed to. So I’ll say Coventry, Newcastle and Fulham for the drop.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Leeds will finish mid-table I think, if they start strong. Somewhere between 12th and 16th.
Ipswich Town
Contributor: The Suffolk Crunch
Socials: @TheCruncher76 (Twitter/X) & @TheCruncher76 (YouTube)
1. Where do you think Ipswich Town will finish this season?
The goal this season has to be staying in the Premier League. Two years ago, we were just happy to be here after 22 years away. This time everything has to be better, both on the pitch and with the recruitment, which as I write this, has been excellent with 8 already in and another 2 in Enciso and Outtara both from Gary O’Neils former club Strasbourg almost over the line.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
A successful season would simply be 17th place. As simple as that. Town fans would snap your hand off now if that was offered.
3. Who do you think will be Ipswich’s most important player?
Physicality last time out was one of the main things that we struggled with. We signed a lot of good footballers but ones that lacked the power and physical profile of what was needed. We seem to have addressed that this time round. Diop and Lukic both signed from Fulham and will be key players both on the pitch with their Premier League experience, but also off the pitch and in the dressing room. I’m also interested to see how Daizen Maeda takes to life at the highest level after having great success in Scotland with Celtic.
4. Who is one Ipswich player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Abdul Fatawu is an exciting signing from Leicester City for around £20 million, and played a part at the World Cup for Ghana. He already has some experience at Premier League level with the Foxes, but his season was cut short last time with an ACL injury. As a result, I’m sure he will be looking to make a mark this time out with Town.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
The biggest concern at time of writing this is where the goals are going to come from for Town. We have shelled out a club record £24 million on 22-year-old Brazilian striker Emersonn from Toulouse, who comes with just 8 goals in over 50 senior appearances. He fits the profile for Premier League football with his athleticism and pace, but will he be able to make the jump to football at the top table?
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
As I write this Julio Enciso is close to joining Town. This will be his second spell at Town after a 12-game loan spell in 24/25 from Brighton. He is capable of scoring from range – check out his goal at Goodison for us last time in the Premier League! An absolute screamer from 30 yards! We all hope he can sprinkle the stardust for Town this season and be a real difference maker with goals and assists.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
I’m interested to see how Newcastle perform this season after the loss of a lot of their star players, as well as Eddie Howe who has been absolutely brilliant for the Geordie nation. He has brought silverware and Champions League football to St James Park. Can new manager Matthias Jaissle hit the ground running after his appointment from Al-Ahli with his high intensity pressing, aggressive attacking football? If he struggles early on it could be a long season for the black and whites.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Champions – Arsenal, 2nd – Chelsea, 3rd – City, 4th – Liverpool
20th – Hull, 19th – Sunderland, 18th – Coventry
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Under Farke, I think Leeds will have a comfortable mid-table finish this season. Excellent recruitment with the free transfer signing of Harry Wilson, and I’ve always rated James Trafford, who, in my opinion, with a good season could push Jordan Pickford for the number 1 shirt for England. The one concern I would have is if you can keep DCL fit for a second season, as he was a real key player for you last season.
Leeds United
Contributor: Adam – World After The Bell
Socials: @AfterTheBell90 (Twitter/X), @afterthebell90 (Instagram), worldafterthebell.com (WordPress)
1. Where do you think Leeds United will finish this season?
Leeds are coming off a very solid first season back in the Premier League, breaking the recent trend of promoted clubs going straight back down. Recruitment under the current ownership has been nothing short of incredible, and last summer we targeted tall, physical players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Jaka Bijol who were capable of coping with the demands of the Premier League.Alongside them, the core of our Championship side stepped up brilliantly, with players like Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon making the transition to Premier League football look easy. This summer, we’ve built on those foundations with the additions of Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemović and James Trafford.
Leeds also head into the season as one of the more stable clubs in the league. We’ve retained our key players and, importantly, Daniel Farke. With what feels like half the league heading off on European adventures, nine new managers trying to get their ideas across and the three promoted sides looking weaker than usual, it could be the perfect storm for Leeds to consolidate our position and start looking up the table rather than over our shoulders. I’ll play it safe and say 11th.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
In today’s day and age everyone wants immediate success, but I think a successful season for Leeds is further consolidation. Another cup run would be nice, but survival has to remain the priority. If we can see a clear identity on the pitch, some exciting football, further consolidation in the Premier League and, of course, another win over Scum, I think that would represent a successful season. It would also give the ownership even more reason for optimism as the stadium redevelopment gathers pace.
3. Who do you think will be Leeds’ most important player?
Ethan Ampadu is the glue that holds everything together in midfield. He’s a proper leader and captain, and he’s never afraid to get involved when opposition players are trying to influence the referee. When he’s missing, we can look noticeably weaker in the middle of the park.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is just as important up front. Strikers will always be judged on goals, but his all-round game offers Leeds so much more than that. He holds the ball up, runs the channels, wins headers and brings others into play. In a Leeds shirt, he’s a defender’s nightmare. Keeping him fit for a second successive season will be so important.
4. Who is one Leeds player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Tarik Muharemović is a young centre-back who joined Leeds from Sassuolo for £34 million this summer. Perhaps best known for being trodden on by Balogun at this summer’s World Cup, he has looked like a Rolls-Royce throughout pre-season and could prove to be a huge addition.
Harry Wilson is another new arrival who should improve our attacking output. His ability to both create and finish chances gives Leeds another threat in the final third, and he could add the bit of quality we were sometimes missing last season.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
I’m going to flinch every time I see Calvert-Lewin stay down. Nmecha is a capable replacement and, quality finisher, but his all-round game doesn’t offer as much as Calvert-Lewin. Piroe should be moved on having not really featured in pre-season so a new striker is an absolute must.
I’m also worried about how light we are at the back. We could do with an extra centre-back as cover, and an extra left back with Gudmundsson suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season. We don’t want to leave ourselves light in positions.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
James Trafford has created an unnecessary amount of excitement for me. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a goalkeeper we can genuinely rely on, and Trafford has the potential to be a mainstay between the sticks for years. Either that, or we’ll eventually sell him for a ridiculous profit.
Muharemović looks like he could develop into a top-class centre-back, but I’m still hoping the signing I’m most excited about hasn’t actually happened yet. That left-wing position has me dreaming.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
It’s probably too easy to say us here, right? Clubs like Bournemouth, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Brighton have European football to look forward to, but I’m not convinced they all have the squad depth to cope with the Thursday/Sunday schedule. Add in three promoted sides who look weaker than usual, and whose business hasn’t particularly worried me, and there could be an opportunity for Leeds to push on this season.
But if I can’t say us, I’ll go with Forest and Spurs. Spurs have strengthened under De Zerbi and surely won’t find themselves anywhere near another relegation battle, although I still think they have work to do before the window closes.
I’d expect Forest to improve under Glasner as well. The squad is there. The bigger question is whether Mr Marinakis can resist getting trigger-happy again.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Champions: Arsenal, 2nd Manchester City, 3rd Manchester United, 4th Chelsea
20th: Hull, 19th: Ipswich, 18th: Sunderland
I’m reluctant to say that all three promoted teams will go straight back down. Coventry could carry some of their Championship momentum into this season, and that might be enough to pick up the points they need to survive. Sorry, Sunderland fans, but I think you could be in trouble. A lack of business this summer, the added demands of European football and some worrying underlying numbers from last season make me think that you could be in trouble.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Unfortunately, it’s still too early for HMS Piss The League to set sail again. I went for a conservative 11th place in my first answer, but I’ll be hoping we can crack the top 10. Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!
Liverpool
Contributor: Si (Liverpool Fan In Japan)
Socials: @TheMiyazakiMan (Twitter/X), liverpooljapan (YouTube) & liverpoolfaninjapan.com (website)
1. Where do you think Liverpool will finish this season?
I think Liverpool will finish 1st and I could go on for about an hour as to why. Long story short, with the attacking mindset Iraola brings, it is important to turn draws into wins. And 1 win and a loss is 3 points, and better than 2 draws which takes 2 games out of your season. Trossard was vital for Arsenal in breaking the deadlocks and I am unconvinced by their title defence because teams know how they play now and Saliba is out, as well as some questionable firepower.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
A successful season would be at least Champions League qualification and a trophy.
3. Who do you think will be Liverpool’s most important player?
Liverpool’s most important player will be Isak. All roads lead to the number 9 and we have signed him for 6 years, not just 1 for any rival fans clowning on his previous season. On merit, form and when fit, he gave Gabriel, Van Dijk, Saliba, Ruben Dias and Konate the most headaches.
4. Who is one Liverpool player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Munoz is underrated because of the price tag. He is a high calibre player that will start many games, can shoot off both feet, is technically brilliant and will be a nightmare for defences.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Biggest concern is the question marks around the fitness and durability of some important players like Bradley, Jacquet, Isak and Leoni. They should be fine, but they have come off bad injuries.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
The signing of the summer will be Munoz, even if Barcola comes in. But Jacquet offers significant ability to step alongside the 6.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
The Premier League Club that will surprise people is Brighton because they play outstanding progressive football and will dominate some teams
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Top 4 are Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Man United. The bottom 3 are the promoted teams.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Leeds will finish 15th in my opinion. Hope Ao Tanaka shines!
Manchester City
Contributor: Yatharth (Manchester City fan via Reddit)
Socials: Y4That (Reddit)
1. Where do you think Man City will finish this season?
Hopefully in the top 4. We have the squad for winning the league, but it’s best if we curb expectations for now. Enzo is our new manager and we’re losing a lot of important players.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Top 4 and at least one trophy (UCL, FA Cup, Carabao). Obviously if we win the league that is the best case scenario.
3. Who do you think will be City’s most important player?
I mean Erling Haaland is an obvious choice. He’s our best player and can single handedly win us games. Other important players will be Cherki, Doku and Semenyo.
4. Who is one City player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Matheus Nunes, I could say Nico O’Reilly as well but it seems like people already appreciate him. Nunes is genuinely underrated, and I think he is the best RB in the league. Excellent in possession, great crosser, fast and strong defensively. He used to have lapses in concentration but those seem to have gone out of his game. We are 33 games unbeaten when he starts in the league. Or something like that.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
In a word? Instability – new manager, too many new players, and the loss of experienced players in the dressing room. There is also concern that Enzo’s teams drops off around the mid point of the season.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Elliot Anderson would be obvious but also Ayyoub Bouaddi. He is young, has performed excellently for Lille since he was 16, and was class in the World Cup for Morocco. (We still haven’t signed him officially so hopefully not a jinx).
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season – positively or negatively?
Positively: I don’t want them to because they always beat us, but Spurs. They don’t have extra European games, RDZ is a good coach, and they probably won’t have as many injuries as last season. They are in talks for signing more players such as Savinho from us and have already strengthened their squad.
Negatively: I think Newcastle. They’ve lost Eddie Howe, who was probably not progressing the team further in terms of ideas but was still a stable piece. On top of that, they’ve lost Tonali, Bruno, Gordon, and everyone is rejecting them left, right and centre. Wouldn’t be surprised with a below 15 finish for them.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
I want to say us but I don’t have any idea how we will play. There is a lot of uncertainty this year,so I would go for an easy choice in Arsenal. Top 4 would be Arsenal, Man City, Villa and Liverpool. Bottom three would be the three promoted sides, Hull City, Coventry City and Ipswich.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog – where do you think Leeds United will finish
I think you guys are good. Farke is a good coach and it looks like every player likes to work with him. You guys have just signed Trafford from us which will be huge I think, and you have fun players such as Ampadu, Tanaka and Wilson. Can easily see a top half finish for Leeds.
Manchester United
Contributor: Ed – No Question About That Podcast
Socials: @nqatpod (Twitter/X), @nqatpod (Instagram), nqatpod (Facebook), nqatpod.bsky.social (Bluesky), @nqatpod (YouTube), & nqatpod.com (Website)
1. Where do you think Manchester United will finish this season?
Somewhere between second and fifth. I know that’s a wide range. It depends almost entirely on how a thin squad copes with a full Champions League campaign. That answer might shift a bit if United do some real business in the final fortnight of the window: the squad is still short of a left back and a proper ball-winner in central midfield, someone who can eat space and put a foot in. Those two signings need to happen.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
This is still Manchester United, coming out of a genuinely rough few years, so I’d set the bar at Champions League qualification again. On top of that: a quarter final, or at minimum a knockout round finish, in this year’s Champions League, plus a deep run in a domestic cup. Ideally one with a trophy at the end of it.
3. Who do you think will be United’s most important player?
That’s obviously Bruno Fernandes. He’s the best player at the club, the most consistent, and he’s captain. Nobody creates more than he does. That said, I think we’ll move to a more possession-based style this season, which should mean more goals coming from the system rather than just Bruno conjuring something out of nothing.
4. Who is one United player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Benjamin Šeško. If he can stay fit, and he wasn’t fit often enough in his first season, he’s going to be a serious threat to Premier League defences. He suits this league: a very good finisher off either foot and with his head. He just needs a consistent run of games.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
That United are left short because the club doesn’t do enough business in the transfer market. That injuries pile up as the fixtures stack up. That the squad’s too thin for a 55-game season when it’s really built for a 40-game one. Too many players with a poor injury record. And that Carrick ends up trying to play a style that doesn’t suit the players he’s actually got.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Youri Tielemans. He’s the kind of line-breaking passer United haven’t really had since Michael Carrick retired. He’s 29, so there’s real experience there: he’s been one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League for six or seven years. There’s no mystery to what he offers, and no surprise in the deal either, but he’s a very good addition at a very good price. I think he’ll add a lot to this squad.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season, positively or negatively?
There’s an unusual amount of change at the top of the league this year. City have a new manager, Liverpool have a new manager, Chelsea have a new manager, and United have sort of a new manager too. Maybe the team that keeps doing well, and maybe this shouldn’t even be a surprise anymore, is Aston Villa. They’ve lost Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, two genuinely important players, but Unai Emery knows how to get the best out of whoever’s on his teamsheet. It might be less a surprise than a correction: plenty of people expect them to fall away, and I don’t think they will.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Arsenal, probably, because they’ve built on an already good squad. No shame in that. It’s better that they win it than City or Liverpool, but their style of play is utter dogshit. I’m sick of the meat wall, the fouling, the dark arts, the gamesmanship, the diving. I’d love to see the Premier League adopt the World Cup playbook, which cut a lot of that out.
Top four: Arsenal, United, City, Liverpool, roughly in that order.
Relegation: not a particularly creative take, but I think it’s Hull, Ipswich and Coventry. There’s just not enough there with any of them.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog, where do you think Leeds United will finish?
I think Daniel Farke will have Leeds comfortably in the upper reaches of the bottom third, or the middle of the table. James Trafford is a really good signing: expensive, but a good shot stopper and genuinely excellent with his feet. A very solid keeper. There’s enough in that Leeds squad to stay up comfortably this season.
I know Leeds and United are big historical rivals, but I think the Premier League is better for rivalries like that. I used to love going to Elland Road in the early nineties, when Leeds were properly challenging for everything. Great time.
Newcastle United
Contributor: Michael Parker – Award-Winning Writer, Crossing The Tees
Socials: N/A
1. Where do you think Newcastle United will finish this season?
Optimistically, 8th after myriad virtuoso tactical displays from our young and thrusting manager. Realistically, I’d accept 14th and a good year’s experience for Osula, Steur, Toure, Hornicek.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Turning St James’ Park into a fortress and having survival guaranteed by late February. A top-half finish would be wonderful. A good cup run is the last thing we need with our pretty limited squad depth.
3. Who do you think will be Newcastle’s most important player?
Lewis Miley – future captain and should be the player we build our team around for the next decade. If he stays fit he’s player of the season.
4. Who is one Newcastle player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Mason Miley has looked every bit the talent his brother is during pre-season and Jaissle seems to really rate him. I think he’ll be vital backup should there be an injury to either full back or central midfielder. Like his brother, he seems to be able to play anywhere.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
I’ll need to stop this from becoming a thesis:
Defensively – frankly appalling performances from Sven Botman (£150k a week…), uncertainty over Hall and Livramento, two keepers new to the Premier League. I have a feeling we’ll have to outscore opposition rather than keep a clean sheet.
Which leads worryingly on to:
Goals – Wissa has looked sharp pre-season but he needs 20+ to repay last season’s debacle.
Chances – Elanga had a good World Cup and one good pre-season performance, but otherwise he was underwhelming again, particularly when trying to go past his man. Toure looks electric but didn’t manage a single accurate cross vs Strasbourg. A lot of pressure on Barnes.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Sean Steur looks like a genuine superstar in the making.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Palace might be doomed this season. Barely any players of quality in, more of their good players out, managerial switch to a European with no Premier League experience.
I did say Palace and not Newcastle, didn’t I?
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
1st – Arsenal
2nd – City
3rd – Man United
4th – Villa
18th – Palace
19th – Ipswich
20th – Hull (lowest ever points total)
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
A comfortable 11th with a decent FA Cup run into the semis.
Nottingham Forest
Contributor: Lee Clarke (Red Side of the Trent)
Socials: Clarkey_No1 (Twitter/X), @redsidetrentpod (Twitter/X), @redsideofthetrent (Instagram), AdamWiklo (Twitter/X), @Chris78901 (Twitter/X), ReissNFFC (Twitter/X)
1. Where do you think Nottingham Forest will finish this season?
Tough to say with the window still open but somewhere between 8th and 12th. It’s hard to say at this stage but I do think we can be the team that flirts with Europe this season with Glasner in charge as a head coach who sticks true to his principles and gets the best out of the players at his disposal.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Keeping one manager for the whole season would be a nice start. In fairness, we want to get back into Europe but if we just missed out, I don’t think that would be unsuccessful. Top half or top of the bottom half would be a successful season.
3. Who do you think will be Forest’s most important player?
Morgan Gibbs-White and do you know what, it’s not even close. If we keep him, we can be genuine European contenders this season, lose him and we would need some serious investment.
4. Who is one Forest player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
I’m going to go for Ibrahim Sangare. Some of our own supporters continue to wheel out boring data to try and downplay his influence on this team but the eye test shows that without him, we’re just not the same team without the ball. He missed four games through AFCON last season and guess what, we lost them all!
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
I don’t really have a ‘concern’ being totally honest. I’d still like a few new players but even then I think our squad is largely quite strong to cope with a few injuries and I’m sure Marinakis will re-address the squad before the window closes.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Ousmane Diomande. He’s been courted by some top clubs over the last 12 months and Forest have done brilliantly well to get him over the line for £37 million.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Negatively, I’m intrigued to see how Palace, Bournemouth and Sunderland cope with playing Sunday and Thursday. Positively I think Everton might do alright this season.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Champions: Arsenal
Top Four: Arsenal, City, Chelsea, United
Bottom Three: Hull, Ipswich, Coventry/Fulham
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
I actually like the Trafford signing – he could be a tremendous goalkeeper for you guys. Wilson has probably had a purple patch that prompted Leeds to sign him but again he should be an upgrade on what Leeds had last season. I think they’ll definitely improve but a lack of depth might be telling with an injury or two. I will say 11th.
Sunderland
Contributor: Stephen Goldsmith (Wise Men Say Podcast) & Taff (AltEnding)
Socials: @GoldyWMS (Twitter/X), @WiseMenSayPod (Twitter/X), @WiseMenSayPod (Instagram), wisemensay.co.uk (Website), @SAFChighlights (Twitter/X), altending.co.uk (Website) & patreon.com/SAFChighlights
1. Where do you think Sunderland will finish this season?
Stephen: Mid-table with a run in Europe would suit me just fine. I’ll say we’ll get out of the Europa group (without having seen it yet) and maybe 11th?
Taff: Anywhere from 8th to 12th.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
Stephen: As above, a good run in Europe to really give the fans something to remember. A run in the domestic cups would also be great but with the squad as it is, I’m not sure they’ll prioritise those. If we can do that and avoid pulled into any sort of relegation battle, I’d say that would be a success.
Taff: Getting to the quarters of the Europa League and a confident mid-table finish in the division. It would be great if we can qualify for Europe again.
3. Who do you think will be Sunderland’s most important player?
Stephen: Granit Xhaka feels like such an obvious answer to that question but that’s because it’s the correct one. We have lots of exciting young players who bring great energy but he’s the one who glues it all together.
Taff: Granit Xhaka for tempo, positioning and shape, but Enzo Le Fee for creativity.
4. Who is one Sunderland player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
Stephen: I’m hoping Chemsdine Talbi is going to kick on this year. He showed glimpses last season but was very inconsistent, but he then finished the season well, before having a great World Cup for Morocco.
Taff: Enzo Le Fee, tenacious, will slide all over the pitch trying to drag markers away and supremely skillful. I saw him nutmeg two players over 10 yards with one pass last season. Because he’s short and slight, he doesn’t get rated, but he’s probably the most skillful player I’ve seen at Sunderland in 35 years.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
Stephen: The squad depth. We have Europe to factor in and we need more bodies in to help us deal with it all.
Taff: An injury to a key player.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Stephen: Update: Move is now in doubt. At the time of writing, we’re about to sign a left back called Dayann Methalie who is being tipped to play for France, being linked with teams higher up than us in the food chain. Now our left back from last season, Reinildo was (and is) great, a real fan favourite. But he’s the wrong side of 30 and I guess they think this opportunity is too good to pass up.
Taff: Dayann Methalie (if it gets done…I think it does). We haven’t had many at the time of writing.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
Stephen: I do wonder if another promoted club might spring a surprise, Coventry appear to have a real feel-good factor and that can get you some momentum. I think Ipswich have made a couple of smart signings too.
Taff: I don’t think there will be too many surprises in final positions or performance. Leeds have recruited well, so have Ipswich for a promoted team. With half the division having new managers it’s really hard to know what will happen. Maybe Fulham, Palace or Everton struggle a bit?
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Stephen: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City
Hull, Ipswich, Fulham
Taff: Arsenal. Boring, but the other teams who could challenge are all in transition. Villa have lost key players and have injuries to some fresh ones. Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City all have new managers and still need something more in various areas of their team.
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
Stephen: I think you will kick on and challenge for Europe. How about 8th?
Taff: Anywhere from 8th – 12th. They could push for Europe or they could be mid-table a lot depends on keeping Calvert-Lewin fit. Excellent signings this season that really strengthen the team. The biggest concern is Daniel Farke, surely your squad is good enough to guarantee you challenging for Europe if you had a better manager. You’ve nearly fired him twice…will he last the season?
Tottenham Hotspur
Contributor: Kieran (Tottenham Hotspur fan via Reddit)
Socials: N/A
1. Where do you think Tottenham will finish this season?
5th-8th. I think Roberto De Zerbi had us playing much better at the end of last season and we’ve made some very good additions to the squad. Couple that with no European football and it should give him the time on the training ground to really get the team playing his way.
2. What would constitute a successful season for the club?
A successful season for the club would be qualifying for Europe next season, be that either through league position or a cup.
3. Who do you think will be Spurs’ most important player?
I think Kudus will be the star man this season.
4. Who is one Spurs player that opposition supporters should be paying more attention to?
I think Mathys Tel could be one to watch this season that might not be on the radar of opposition fans. Had a turbulent start to life in North London under Ange and then Frank, some consistency and regular minutes will do him well.
5. What is your biggest concern heading into the new season?
I think I speak for a lot of Spurs fans when I say that long term injuries are still our biggest concern. We’ve lost a lot of keys players to long term injuries over the past 2 seasons (Maddison, Kulusevski, Odobert, Xavi Simons). All eyes will be on how players are handled this coming season.
6. Which summer signing are you most excited about?
Most excited about Mateus Fernandes. He’s a progressive and forward thinking centre-midfielder who has the potential to change the course of a game by himself. We haven’t had a player like that in our CM for quite a while.
7. Which Premier League club do you think will surprise people this season — positively or negatively?
I think Bournemouth could surprise a few this season. They were fantastic last year but have lost Iraola, Semenyo & Senesi to other clubs, and Kroupi to injury. Coupled with Europe this season I think they could find themselves in a bit of a dog fight at the bottom of the league.
8. Who are your Premier League champions, top four and bottom three?
Champions will be between Man City & Arsenal. Villa and Arsenal are the only top 6 teams from last season with the same manager as this time last year and I expect them both to make top 4 again. At the bottom of the table its hard to look beyond the three promoted clubs, although I think if any of them can beat the drop it’s Coventry.
Top four:
1. Man City
2. Arsenal
3. Villa
4. Chelsea
Bottom 3:
18. Newcastle United
19. Ipswich
20. Hull
9. Finally, because After The Bell is ultimately a Leeds blog — where do you think Leeds United will finish?
I think Leeds will finish 11th this season. I like the additions you’ve made in Trafford and Harry Wilson and if you can keep DCL fit he will get you goals. Admittedly I haven’t watched a lot of Leeds games post Bielsa.
2026/27 Premier League Predictions: The Consensus Table
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Leeds shirts from years gone by.
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