The end of the 24/25 Premier League season felt like it was just yesterday. However, the fixtures for the new 25/26 season are out, and fans are eager to see who will be the favorites this season and which club will dominate. What may change compared to last season?
Liverpool
If there's one thing that didn't change from the previous season, it's Liverpool's status as the season's favorite. Due to this, old and new betting sites feature great odds for Liverpool, as the team remains strong as the top favorite. Liverpool has struggled to win the Premier League since its creation in 1992. Yet, Arne Slot's presence changed everything, bringing the team its second-ever winning title.
Fans expect to see Liverpool thrive in the upcoming season as well, as Slot is retaining his position as the manager. Slot has also been reported to begin taking in players of his own pick to renew the lineup he had inherited from Jurgen Klopp.
The names that Slot brought in include Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, which shows how determined Slot is to strengthen the team. Frimpong's attacking instinct is the solution to cover Trent Alexander-Arnold's absence.
In addition, the signing of Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen) is about to break Liverpool's transfer record. This is a message from Slot, who says he's building a powerful team for the long term so they can retain their spot at the top for multiple seasons.
Manchester City
Manchester City isn't exactly in the race to win the favorite title, but they're not far off. Following a trophyless season, City struggled in the previous season. Despite not coming out at the top, City still showed a decent performance and campaign strategy. They have seven wins and three draws, which have allowed them to secure a Champions League spot.
If you're following City's updates, the team has been actively recruiting for the upcoming season since the start of the new year. They've invested over £135 million to improve their lineup. AC Milan's midfielder Tijjani Reijnders was brought in to cover for Kevin De Bruyne's departure. Rayan Cherki, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Ait Nouri were also recruited during the summer.
The FIFA Club World Cup may hinder the team's preparation for the 25/26 season. Yet, if the squad is strong enough, it can tackle the 25/26 Premier League without a problem. Manchester City has been a powerhouse, so it isn't surprising that many people have high expectations for its upcoming performance.
Arsenal
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal had consecutively finished as runners-up in three Premier League seasons. They were one of the expected favorites for the last season due to how they performed during the 23/24 season, but Arsenal had been inconsistent.
Like Saliba and Gabriel, Arsenal has a good composition and strong defense. They've allowed 34 goals throughout the season, only seven fewer than Liverpool. However, the team experienced several setbacks, such as Saka's injury issues and the lack of a leading out-and-out striker, which brought their goals tally to 69, which is 17 less than Liverpool's.
Arsenal still has the transfer window, which could be their opportunity to improve their lineup. Rumors have mentioned the signing of Gyokeres, Sesko, and Rodrygo. Besides Gabriel Magalhaes, the Gunners haven't yet announced recruitment, but it's safe to expect new additions or lineup changes before the campaign starts.
Newcastle United
The 24/25 season was big for Newcastle United. The team performed exceptionally well during their EFL Cup Final, securing the club's first significant win since 1969. It was also their first domestic trophy in 70 years. They finished fifth in the Premier League and had successfully secured Champions League Football twice in three years.
The squad is well-rounded with quality spread evenly. Still, having additions that can play well with the squad can be an excellent improvement, and the team has that window during the summer to ensure they can balance their Domestic and European Football for the upcoming season.
Eddie Howe is planning a slow rebuild, bringing the team to the top while gradually increasing its firepower. With notable forces like Isak, Tonali, and Guimaraes among its lineup, Newcastle isn't one to overlook. The team hasn't signed any major players in two years and must comply with PSR. So, there's a high expectation of how Howe will approach the transfer window and guide the squad forward.
Chelsea
Chelsea may be volatile, but they've always been close to the top positions. With how much they've invested in the club, it's clear that fans are waiting to see when it'll be paid off. The 24/25 season was good for Chelsea, where they finished fourth and got a ticket to the upcoming Champions League season.
Enzo Maresca has been navigating the squad well, but the challenge he must overcome is to find the perfect balance. They'll face the Club World Cup soon, and many expect to see how he'll manage the lineup and rotation next season.
Chelsea has been extremely busy in the transfer window compared to the other teams. Last season showcased diversity, but Maresca made the combination work exceptionally well. One of the high-profile signing candidates is said to be Liam Delap, alongside other names like Maignan, Pedro, and Hato, who are potential targets.
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