Our pre-season predictions for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign have been thoroughly upended by events on the pitch. We tipped Liverpool to retain their title, but instead they endured the worst defence in years, finishing nowhere near the top. Arne Slot's side failed to challenge for the Champions League either, with fans growing frustrated by what they termed 'boring football'.
Arsenal, meanwhile, finally ended their long wait for a league title. Mikel Arteta's summer signings, including Martín Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres, helped the Gunners secure their first championship since 2004 and a first Champions League final since 2006. Manchester City pushed them close but missed out in the final week, though Pep Guardiola's side won the League Cup and FA Cup in his final season at the club.
Manchester United sacked Ruben Amorim in January after a poor start, but Michael Carrick's revival saw them collect 29 more points than the previous season, giving fans renewed hope. Aston Villa exceeded expectations by qualifying for the Champions League with ease and winning the Europa League, their first major trophy since 1996. Bournemouth also impressed, finishing sixth and securing a Europa League place after an unbeaten second half of the season.
Liverpool's collapse was the biggest surprise, while our predictions for the relegation battle also proved wide of the mark. The season demonstrated once again that pre-season forecasts in the Premier League are fraught with uncertainty.
