General Premier League Thread 2025/2026 - See Post #1 for Mod Note

don't hate the player, hate the game

Hopefully Pep continues to rush him back.

Pep could be in his endgame here, Rodri is so pivotal to them, and without him they haven’t been anything like the team that win the four leagues in a row.

Fair play to Salah. I find it absolutely mental, that all these sport stars, movie stars, global pop stars etc...who thank god for everytime they pass wind, but are seemingly oblivious to real world horrors that go on around them.

I hope Liverpool don't runaway with it this year. I know it's not certain they'll be the same force as last year but the title was wrapped up by about Febuary so boring after that. City still look dodgy at the back and Rodri is injured again. Who knows what will happen with Arsenal. Can't see anyone else in the mix. Maybe Chelsea but I doubt they have the stamina.

I think Wirtz and Gykores are big changes for Liverpool and Arsenal, so bound to be some teething / bedding in. Key will be getting the wins even when they dont play well, and being patient if it’s not amazing immediately. Likewise, ManU have a brand new front 3, massive upgrade, but doesnt mean it clicks instantly.

Thoughts on the PL ahead of the kickoff

All things being equal (no injuries, loss of form etc..) I like the balance of the Arsenal team the most on paper.
They challenged twice and then had a drop off last year (losing Saka played a massive part in it as well).
I think if Arsenal can regroup and go again they are the best placed team to challenge Liverpool.

It doesn't feel too dissimilar to when Liverpool were knocking on the door a couple of seasons ago, eventually they will do it, I feel.

My main concern with Arsenal would be the striker position and mostly just that they have 2 very different profiles up there in Gyokeres and Havertz. I think Arsenal will have to tweak how they play slightly to get the most from Gyokeres but then when he is out they will have to tweak their style again slightly.

If Arteta can get that right and they hold their luck with injuries, then this could be their year at last. But I look at the rest of their team and on paper especially it looks very well balanced. The most balanced to me.

Liverpool have had a lot of new blood brought in this summer which should help keep the squad hungry but the success of their season will depend on the older heads once again I think. IF VVD and Salah keep their levels fairly similar, then they will be up there. They start the season as favourites being champions but with VVD at 34 and Salah at 33 they will eventually need the likes of Wirtz to lift some of the weight off them. Isak as well would be massive in doing that.

Chelsea will be best of the rest barring a meltdown (which you can never rule out with them). They should be comfortable enough in the top 4 but I think they will eventually fall off the pace of the other 3. Pedro should step up a gear getting better service now and their midfield is as good as anyones.

Man Utd, Villa and Spurs then to battle it out for the 5th spot and hope that pulls them in CL football. Utd playing 1 game a week could have an advantage in this race. It certinaly gives them the room to prepare. If Utd manage to bring in Baleba then I would expect them to be closer to Chelsea than Villa/Spurs. (Injuries permitting)

I think Newcastle are in for a drop-off. I think they will find both the CL and the PL very tough to work with their current squad. Unless they get quality in the door in the next couple of weeks they are in for a long season. Isak is gone IMO and Newcastle need to have a very good plan in place to cover his goals / quality.

I think Everton will thrive under Moyes once again and can see them getting top half. Their new stadium looks class and they have an upwards motion to them now I feel. Moyes will get the most out of those players each week.

At least 2 of the 3 pomoted sides will go back down. Brentford look the most likely of the established clubs to potentially fall into the relegation fight maybe Wolves. Of the pomoted clubs it looks like Leeds are the only 1 with a realistic shot of staying up. Sunderland did great to pick up Xhaka and I expect he'll have a very good season but what is around him won't be enough to keep them up.

Man City's case should hopefully have something released to the public by the end of the season. It's a shame that it hasn't happened ahead of the new season but we are all in the dark on it so who knows at this stage. Either it's taking a long time because the case is going to be watertight and the punishment coming is big or it's going to be swept under the rug. There is no in between.

TLDR Predictions :

Winner : Arsenal
Top Scorer : Haaland
Player of the Season : Saka
Surprise team good : Everton.
Surprise team bad : Newcastle.
Relegated : Burnley, Sunderland and Brentford.
Best new signing : Gyokeres.
Worst new signing : Delap.

Liverpool

Arsenal

City

In that order.

4th - 6th I can't predict until more transfers are made.

Top scorer : Salah.

Player of the year : Rice

Young player of the year : Wharton

Biggest improvement : Spurs

Biggest decline : Forest

Best new signing : Wirtz

Worst new signing : Broja

No one is really mentioning them, they are going under the radar, despite all the money they have spent including January ( more than both Liverpool & Arsenal), and all the titles they have won. Once they got over their blip, they were fairly consistent in the last few months and came close at one stage to overhauling Arsenal, also have Rodri to come back in.

They will be there or there abouts, and have the experience of getting over the line in a tight title race, no other team knows that feeling (Liverpool won both of their titles with games to spare). I Arsenal have a great chance too, but, will they be able to get over the line? I agree that there might be a little too much change at Liverpool, so might take time to all gel together.

Not sure where to ask this neutral question about the Shield game, what's the draw procedure? Extra time or straight to penalties?

city have a hard start to the season if I’m not mistaken: United, spurs and arsenal all in the first few weeks so you should know fairly early if your bet is on.

You can't come a complete stop, no.

Jasus and some lads were giving out about the standard of peno at the womens euros a few weeks back 🤣🤣🤣

My missus asking why a child was taking a peno for Palace 😂