The 2025-26 Premier League season gets underway on Friday night when champions Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield, but can they retain their title after a busy summer? Or will Manchester City and Arsenal have something to say about it? Further down the table, where will Manchester United finish this term? Can they improve on their 15th-placed finish last year? Express Sport predict how the campaign could pan out, including who will the league, who will get relegated and who the best and worst summer signings will be...

Charlie Gordon

Title winner - Liverpool

You can’t win the league by 10 points and strengthen considerably over the summer without going into the following campaign as overwhelming favourites.

Top four - Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea

Yes, this is the same order as last season but it’s also how I see it. Liverpool and Arsenal are comfortably clear of the chasing pack. City and Chelsea will be close for third and fourth.

Bottom three - Leeds, Burnley, Brentford

It takes a miracle to stay up these days and Sunderland are spending like their lives depend on it. I think the Black Cats survive with Brentford taking their place barring a miraculous end to the window.

Best signing - Granit Xhaka

What a person to have in the dressing room of a team that will be scrapping to stay up. It’s a big statement from Sunderland and I think it’ll pay off.

Signing who will flop - Jamie Gittens

Good player but risks getting swallowed up by the sheer number of talented forward players at Chelsea.

Harry Smith

Title winner - Liverpool

I’m not overthinking this one too much. The runaway winners from last year have added proven quality in Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and could still land Alexander Isak. A comfortable choice.

Top four - Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea

As stated, Liverpool should score back-to-back titles, and Arsenal are likely to be their nearest challengers after adding an elite striker in Viktor Gyokeres. Manchester City’s new signings should add some life to an ageing side, but perhaps not enough to challenge the top two. Chelsea are the obvious candidates to round out the top four after another ambitious summer in the transfer market.

Bottom three - Sunderland, Brentford, Burnley

It is hard not to be a touch concerned about Brentford’s prospects after losing Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Mark Flekken, and Keith Andrews is a relative unknown in the dugout. Burnley and Sunderland have both spent big, but that is now required to avoid a blowout as a newly promoted side in the Premier League.

Best signing (so far) - James Trafford

The best goalkeeper in England last year was always destined for a big move this summer. In Trafford, Manchester City have their new number one for the next decade and a half, and all for under £30million

Signing who will flop - Noni Madueke

When Bukayo Saka is fit, Madueke will be, at best, shifted out to the left wing where he has so far flattered to deceive. For a fee just south of £50m, this is a real head-scratcher.

Sam Smith

Title winner - Liverpool

Liverpool will surely face stronger competition for the title next season, but I still expect Slot’s side to be too strong. There are too many question marks over Arsenal, who have improved but are relying on Viktor Gyokeres to score the goals they lacked last season, and Man City. Aside from their lack of defensive depth, Liverpool are heading into next season with the best squad, even if Alexander Isak does not move to Anfield.

Top four - Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea

Arteta cannot afford another Arsenal season of near-misses. After all the patience afforded during a rebuild and a couple of seasons going close to trophies, there will be very fair questions asked if the Gunners are not in the title race for the entire campaign. City will be in the top three, while Chelsea are strong.

Bottom three - Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley

One of the promoted clubs will end a three-year cycle of all three teams being relegated in their first season after promotion. Leeds seem in the strongest position to do so, although Sunderland and Burnley will be better than some of the clubs who have played in the top-flight in recent seasons. Wolves have lingered above the drop zone for too long and do not seem to have improved.

Best signing (so far) - Florian Wirtz

There will be no better signing than Florian Wirtz this summer. A versatile creative genius who also scores goals and is not yet in his prime is a snip at £116m. He will need Hugo Ekitike to convert the chances he creates.

Signing who will flop - Matheus Cunha/Bryan Mbeumo

‘Flop’ may not be the right word - Cunha and Mbeumo will be reasonably okay players for Man Utd. But at a combined £130m, these are not the elite, ceiling-raising signings the Red Devils needed. Both have been signed off the back of good goalscoring seasons, but ones in which they significantly overperformed on their Expected Goals. Both could join the long list of players who have struggled to replicate their form with mid-table-to-lesser Premier League clubs when they join the Big Six.

Alex Turk

Title winner - Liverpool

The team that breezed the Premier League last season has enjoyed the most ambitious summer transfer window so far. Any other outcome would be a surprise, although Arne Slot wasn't burdened by any expectations 12 months ago. A title and millions of pounds in expenditure later, he is now.

Top four - Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea

I've never been so certain of a top four ahead of a season than this. Those hoping for a top-four race this term could be left disappointed. It should be a fun scrap for fifth, though.

Bottom three - Leeds, Wolves and Burnley

It'd be boring to predict all three clubs to go straight back down AGAIN, wouldn't it? Leeds have spent big so far, but Sunderland's dealings have moved me more. I fear for Burnley. The third club was a toss-up between Wolves, West Ham United and Brentford. Wolves ended last season woefully and don't have Matheus Cunha to save them anymore.

Best signing (so far) - Bryan Mbeumo

Manchester United scored 44 Premier League goals last season. Embarrassing, but how they have reacted is anything but. Ruben Amorim has added Mbeumo, whose tally of 20 was only inferior to Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak in 2024/25.

Signing who will flop - Hugo Ekitike

The £79million man doesn't exactly have that high a bar to beat when succeeding Darwin Nunez, but I struggle to see how he thrives if Alexander Isak follows him to Anfield, as expected. Ekitike was swallowed up by star power at his last heavyweight club in Paris Saint-Germain. History could repeat itself.

Fraser Watson

Title winner - Liverpool

Sometimes, the most obvious answer is the correct one. While Liverpool's title charge may have signified a surprise to some last season, they begin this campaign as firm favourites. Arne Slot has strengthened significantly this summer, and even if they fail to sign Alexander Isak, the Reds should retain their crown. If they do sign Isak, there'll be no 'should' about it.

Top four - Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea

It will be a familiar story for Arsenal fans. Good, but not quite good enough. They'll be behind City and joined in the top four by Chelsea and a somewhat rejuvenated Manchester City.

Bottom three - Brentford, Leeds, Sunderland

It's becoming a depressing trend, but the three promoted clubs will be right in the mix. While Sunderland and Leeds will go back down, I'll back Burnley's resolution to be enough to survive, just. At their expense, Brentford could well be bottom three, having had some key players and their manager taken from them. West Ham also face a dangerous season.

Best signing (so far) - Florian Wirtz

Can you ever justify a potential £116million fee? Perhaps not, but the early indications show Liverpool have struck solid gold with Florian Wirtz. The smart money should be on him to fly this season.

Signing who will flop - Benjamin Sesko

We've seen this script before, haven't we? A young striker, unproven in English football, signed by Manchester United amid expectations he'll he'll bring the glory days back to Old Trafford. Benjamin Sesko has potential, but unless Ruben Amorim can sort out the midfield issues behind him, he could endure the kind of frustrations that Rasmus Hojlund is already well accustomed to.

Archie Griggs

Title winner - Liverpool

Liverpool's summer business has been excellent in spite of their failure to sign Alexander Isak. Their squad last season was already the best in the league. Now, it is truly ridiculous and I can see no other outcome than the Reds winning it again.

Top four - Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea

Arsenal have also enjoyed a strong window and will be competing for the title, but I think they will fall short once again. City will have more than enough to stay in the top four while Chelsea should return with a new-look strike force to provide the goals.

Bottom three - Sunderland, Leeds United, Burnley

I know it's boring but I can see all three promoted teams heading down for the third season in a row. I hope that doesn't happen, though. Brentford have been widely tipped for relegation but I think they will have enough to stay up over the course of the campaign.

Best signing (so far) - Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal have been crying out for a prolific striker for too long, with Mikel Merino forced to deputise up front last season. They have finally got one in Gyokeres, who will be an incredible signing if he can get close to his goal record at Sporting.

Signing who will flop - Benjamin Sesko

I don't understand why players still want to join United, which has become a flop factory in recent years. For their sake, I hope Sesko can hit the ground running, but I think the pressure that comes with playing for the Red Devils will make it difficult.

Charlie Malam

Title winner - Man City

Hear me out. Liverpool are brilliant but I do feel like injuries could really hurt them in certain areas of their squad. Arsenal's tactics will let them down and Man City, fuelled by a 30-plus-goal Erling Haaland and a rejuvenated Phil Foden, may reclaim their throne.

Top four - Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea

Liverpool have too many attacking weapons not to get top four and Arsenal will be hard to beat again. Chelsea aren't perfect despite their spending over the last few years but their depth is comfortably superior to the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Bottom three - Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley

I'm not buying into the Sunderland hype, I don't think they've got enough goals even though they'll pick up some good results here and there at home. I think Wolves might, just, drop despite having Jorgen Strand Larsen and some other really talented players. Maybe it's a scenario where Leeds and Brentford survive on the final day. Everton should be clear of danger this time around.

Best signing (so far) - Florian Wirtz

Lots of options to pick from but Florian Wirtz could become an absolute superstar for Liverpool. He's got the class that Thiago Alcantara had with the ball except he's an even better dribbler and scores and creates goals too. Tijjani Reijnders will be brilliant for Man City.

Signing who will flop - Benjamin Sesko

It feels harsh but I think Man United may have massively overpaid for Benjamin Sesko. This could be a Darwin Nunez-like situation where Sesko still contributes to a good amount of goals, but just not enough to justify his price and United going for him over an Ollie Watkins or similar. This assessment is based solely on his first season, I must stress.

Jono Spencer

Title winner - Liverpool

Liverpool's new signings hit the ground running against Crystal Palace, and with more experience playing with one another, and the potential arrival of Alexander Isak, it's a scary prospect for their rivals. Their attack should prove the difference again.

Top four - Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City

Arsenal will be hoping new signing Viktor Gyokeres can produce the goods but they may just fall short again. Chelsea will only get better and have looked in strong form throughout the summer, with their arrivals bedding in quickly. Man City have made some exciting captures this summer, but I think it will take them a tad longer to gel and rediscover their incredible winning form.

Bottom three - Wolves, Leeds, Burnley

I have been impressed by Sunderland's transfer business, especially the arrival of Granit Xhaka, and I think they'll just about stay up. Wolves flirted with danger and it could be a long old season for them. Leeds as well haven't done enough this summer and I see Burnley making up the rest of the bottom three.

Best signing - Florian Wirtz

Wirtz looked like he had been playing for Liverpool for ages during the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. The frightening thing is he'll only get better and with Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo linking up with him, defences are going to be in for a very long 90 minutes.

Signing who will flop - Jamie Gittens

This is a very tough one as I'm actually excited about the majority of signings this season. And while Gittens could turn out to be a revelation at Stamford Bridge, I have my doubts solely because of the competition for places on the wing. Will he get enough game time to make an impact or be another expensive squad player?

Charlie Parker-Turner

Title winner - Man City

At some point, Pep Guardiola will find the answer. City have now built a team who can provide Erling Haaland with some service, and that may well be enough to win them the league. I’ve got reservations about Liverpool defensively and, until they sign a true No. 6, I fear they’re too unbalanced. They’ll be great to watch but may well be transitioning into a more vulnerable system.

Top four - Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal

As mentioned, City and Liverpool are my two leading title contenders. Chelsea can follow in third as their new frontline is simply frightening, but Levi Colwill's injury will be a big blow and I’d have had them battling for second if he stayed fit. Arsenal return to their days of finishing fourth.

Bottom three - Fulham, Sunderland, Leeds

It feels overdue that a promoted side stays up so I’ll take a punt on Burnley to fly that flag. Fulham going down will be my surprise of the season. It’s rogue but I can’t help but feel their squad still needs a lot of work and that they’re a handful of injuries away from a disastrous run of form.

Best signing (so far) - Joao Palhinha

Joao Pedro and Jeremie Frimpong would be safe bets but Joao Palhinha should steady the ship for Spurs, which is what they desperately needed this summer. Slot him into the ‘Christian Norgaard role’ in Thomas Frank’s system and he’ll keep Tottenham ticking.

Signing who will flop - Jamie Gittens

Mainly because I don’t see a world where he features that much, I’ll go with Chelsea’s Jamie Gittens. With Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho both likely to come in and Pedro capable of playing out wide too, the £51million signing looks like an expensive sub on paper.