2025 English Premier League Predictions: Ranking the Top 6 Teams
The EPL is home to some of the biggest and brightest stars in world soccer, many of whom will star for their countries in next summer's 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy last season after an outstanding 84-point season and added more attacking talent this season with big-money transfers for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz. But is this the year Arsenal finally lift the trophy? Can Manchester City reclaim their throne?
Let's take a look at the top of the Premier League and where each team ranks entering the season:
Note: League positions reflect last season's finish.
Last year, the Reds ran away with the Premier League title, besting second-place Arsenal by 10 points. Despite the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota, Liverpool has only gotten better this summer. Arne Slot's side has been the big winner of this transfer window, dropping north of $350 million on backup keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and forwards Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. No wonder they're the favorites to retain the English title.
After finishing fourth in the Prem last term, the Blues stunned many by winning the expanded, 32-team Club World Cup in July. Can they harness that momentum and use it to challenge for English and European titles next spring? They've got the firepower. Chelsea already have an emerging superstar in winger Cole Palmer — this season he'll be supported by new recruits like strikers Liam Delap and João Pedro, Pedro's fellow Brazilian attacker Estêvão, and English forward Jamie Gittens.
The Premier League runner-up in each of the last three seasons, what Mikel Arteta's team is missing at this point are trophies. Still, Arsenal continues to improve. The Gunners knocked then-Champions League holders Real Madrid out of Europe's top club tournament last April, snaring a convincing 5-1 aggregate win. And they've added real quality this summer in the form of defensive midfielder Martín Zubimendi and forwards Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke.
City's unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles came to a halt last season, when Pep Guardiola's side finished third, lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, and were eliminated from European play before the Champions League's round of 16 even began. This team is too good not to bounce back in a big way this year, though — even without club legend Kevin de Bruyne, whose contract wasn't extended.
The Magpies eked into the Champions League places last term only because UEFA granted England's top flight one additional spot. Newcastle fans aren't complaining though, though they will be if and when star forward Alexander Isak leaves for Liverpool on the eve of the new season.
It's hard to believe that the 20-time English champions finished 15th last season, when they also lost the Europa League final to Premier League rivals Tottenham. But the Red Devils added forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško this window, and they should fare better in Ruben Amorim's first full season at the Old Trafford helm.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Official: Leoni joy at ‘crazy' Liverpool transfer from Parma
Giovanni Leoni has completed his transfer from Parma to Liverpool for a reported €35m plus add-ons. 'Wow, this is crazy.' The 18-year-old only made his Serie A debut in November 2024 and has just 17 top flight appearances under his belt. Nonetheless, he impressed enough to spark a bidding war between Inter, Milan and others, with Liverpool swooping in for €31m plus €4m add-ons and a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee. Leoni 'very happy' at Liverpool move Giovanni Leoni signs his Liverpool contract ( 'I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here,' he told the official Liverpool website. How did the teenager feel when told that the Premier League giants wanted to sign him? 'Yeah, a lot [of excitement]. I'm so honoured. I was very happy. When I saw this I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.' I'm very happy.' Giovanni Leoni is a Red. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025 Leoni flew in yesterday and completed his medical tests, so is now only waiting for international clearance and a successful work permit application. The Italian will wear the Number 15 jersey at Anfield Road. 'I want to improve a lot with my new teammates in training and after on the pitch, in the Premier League and the Champions League,' added Leoni. 'I want to improve a lot with my new teammates in training and after on the pitch, in the Premier League and the Champions League.' Watch Giovanni Leoni's first interview as a Liverpool player on All Red video 💻 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025 He will be in the stands for tonight's Premier League opener against Bournemouth and can be presented to the fans at Anfield.
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool announce Giovanni Leoni signing ahead of Premier League season opener
Liverpool have officially announced the signing of Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni. The 18-year-old arrives from Parma for a reported fee of £26million plus add-ons and is not expected to be loaned out, instead becoming an instant option for Arne Slot's backline as the Reds look to defend their Premier League title. After passing a medical, Leoni signed a long-term contract with the Merseyside club today and will wear the No15 shirt. Last year brought a breakthrough spell in Serie A for the teenager, who made 17 appearances and scored one goal in his sole season in Italy's top flight after being signed by Parma last summer. Upon his unveiling, Leoni told Liverpool's club website: 'I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here.' He added: 'Yeah, a lot [of excitement]. I'm so honoured. I was very happy [about Liverpool being interested]. When I saw this I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.' I'm very happy.' The Rome-born centre-back, who stands tall at 6ft4in, has represented Italy at youth international level. Slot's men are in action tonight to kick off the new campaign with the visit of Bournemouth to Anfield. After spending heavily on their frontline this summer, Liverpool are seeking reinforcements in defence as Ibrahima Konate enters the final year of his contract. Leoni is seen a strong option for the future, viewed by some as a successor to Virgil van Dijk. His arrival comes as the Reds continue to court Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who will begin the season at Selhurst Park but could be tempted by a move away with a few more weeks to go until transfer deadline day. Leoni's move takes Liverpool's outlay over £300m this summer. That is £321.5m in paid transfer fees so far, which is currently the third-biggest transfer outlay from a Premier League club in a single window.
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Giovanni Leoni can't play tonight after Liverpool transfer confirmed
Liverpool has officially announced the signing of 18-year-old center-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma, but the young defender won't be involved against AFC Bournemouth as the new Premier League season gets underway. Leoni has joined Liverpool for an initial $35 million, though that fee could rise to $40 million with potential add-ons. The Italian defender has penned a six-year contract through 2031, after Liverpool beat Newcastle United to the signing. While Leoni has completed a preseason with Parma before making the move, Liverpool had to register him by noon on Thursday to make him eligible for the Premier League opener. Leoni wasn't signed until Friday, so he won't participate in the game but will attend Anfield to watch his new club in action. READ MORE: Marc Guehi given Liverpool transfer reminder with Ibrahima Konate comparison READ MORE: Liverpool laughs in Newcastle's face again with next transfer as Alexander Isak saga rumbles on Leoni impressed in a breakout season for Parma last year, making 17 Serie A appearances and scoring his first goal for the club. The 6-foot-5 defender is highly rated and was monitored by several elite European clubs this summer. Inter Milan was linked with a move for Leoni, as new head coach Cristian Chivu was at Parma last season. Chivu observed Leoni's progression and was keen to bring him to Inter, but a deal never materialized. Newcastle United was also interested and submitted a formal bid to Parma. However, for the second time this transfer window, Liverpool swooped in to hijack the deal. Liverpool signed Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth $106 million earlier this summer. Newcastle had already entered negotiations with Frankfurt, but Liverpool turned Ekitike's head. Now, depth has been added at the center-back position, which was a priority this summer. After allowing Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen and Nat Phillips to join West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool was light in central defense. Sepp van den Berg was also sold to Brentford last season, leaving just Joe Gomez and Rhys Williams behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Leoni will now enter the fold and is seen as a future starter by head coach Arne Slot. Liverpool has also been monitoring Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but he is out of contract next summer. While Liverpool could benefit from his presence this season, Guehi will be available on a free transfer from July 1. Leoni's arrival follows fellow defensive signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. The full-backs are expected to play a crucial role this season, as Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid this summer and Andrew Robertson struggled last season. Kostas Tsimikas is also linked with an exit before the end of the window, but Conor Bradley has signed a new long-term deal. Van Dijk joined Mohamed Salah in signing an extension last season, but Konate's future remains uncertain. Like Guehi, Konate is out of contract next summer, and Liverpool has been unable to resolve his situation. While there is optimism that a deal can be completed, Madrid is monitoring the French defender.
