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Premier League 2025/26 Season Predictions!
15 Plays21 days ago
On Wednesday afternoon, Michael jumped at the chance to give his Premier League predictions for the forthcoming season, who wins the Premier League title? Who gets relegated alongside Sunderland?
Michael goes through each position and GUARANTEES that he gets at least a certain number of predictions correct!
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Schedule
00:00:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what, I guarantee I get at least eight of these correct.
00:00:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everybody and welcome back to the Daily Newcastle podcast. My name is Michael Grahameslaw and you might be thinking, what are we doing here on a Saturday? Well, technically I'm recording this on Wednesday night, well afternoon should I say, ah before recording the podcast with Ian.
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So you might notice similar clothing, it's about 27 degrees so it's going to be a hot one. um But, yes, we've got a podcast going out on Friday. My Indians will go out on Thursday.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i wanted to make sure that this goes out on Saturday morning, and which does mean it's coming out after Liverpool versus Bournemouth. um So when I undoubtedly slander Bournemouth and get everything wrong and then they come away victorious, this will sound atrocious.
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... It'll mean Liverpool have lost. So ah small wins for those trying to battle for the top four of this season. and um But who cares? um I'm going to go through my predicted table, starting at the bottom, then moving to the top.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And basically, let me know if you agree with what I say. Let me know if you disagree.
Season Predictions and Fan Engagement
00:01:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we can see at the end of the season, you know, how much I was right, how much I was wrong. Because it's just a little bit of fun.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before I go into it, if you've got any predictions for the new season, maybe who's going to finish bottom, who a surprise package is going to be, maybe who you think is going to perform particularly poorly, maybe be the Tottenham or the Man United of this season, leave a comment, whether you're on Spotify, watching on YouTube, anything, and just let me know.
00:01:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... To start, in 20th position, I don't think there's any doubt. um i am a majority, so we're going to have Sunderland there. um The biggest spenders of all the the newly promoted sides.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think even as a mag, you kind of have to say their ambition can't be questioned. ah They brought in 10 players, um including Granit Xhaka, which is ultimately a very good signing. But they do have 24 points to make up on last season's automatic promotion sides, Burnley and Leeds. And both of those look heavy contenders for relegation. So those 10 new faces, I don't think there'll be enough personally.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um a lot of the other players that they brought in other than Xhaka are probably around similar level to... what Burnley and Leeds already had. um There's some good experience there in a lot of cases, um but not really anyone that blows you away.
00:02:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I will say they've done really well to get 30 million out of Joe Bellingham. Um, a player that never really looked anything special when I saw him in particular.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought, oh yeah, you'll that you'll go for 15, 20 million because someone will take a risk. They managed to get 30 plus, so but fair play. and But survival looks like a huge task. Um...
00:03:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did say on a podcast ah when they got promoted, I could see them getting record low points. so I definitely can't see that anymore. I think they'll probably end up with about 20, 30 points next season.
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um You know, Granit Xhaka, great player. without a doubt, their top player and the best signing they've made this season. If he's in top form, like we saw when Leverkusen went almost a full season unbeaten before losing in the Europa League final at Atlanta, then you know there's a small chance they stay up.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, it's very slim.
Team Analysis: Survival and Relegation Challenges
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um In 19th position, then you have um the runners-up in the championship, ah Burnley. They're back in the big time.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Scott Parker is back in the big time, but he isn't a Premier League level manager, in my opinion. Ex-Newcastle midfielder. I loved him when he was a player at the club, but stats say, and I'll be honest, the eye test is even more critical of Scott Parker.
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah At Fulham, they were ridiculously bad defensively. At Bournemouth, well, he didn't last very long, did he? um And ah think at Burnley, I do think he'll last a couple of months.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they'll give him the benefit the doubt because they've got really... the play I think they played all of the last season's top six um in the opening 10 games. um So, you know, they're expecting a tough start, but I don't think it gets any better for them at any point.
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah yeah I could probably see him being sacked before January and them looking to bring in just as a manager. I'm not going to say Sam Allardyce. Obviously, those days are done.
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But a similar manager um who they think will be able to just keep them in the league by playing a bit more defensive football. um Let's be honest, getting promoted and losing your top goal scorer, which they've done in Josh Brownhill, is a very tough, particularly when he's gone on a free to nobody at this point. and But permanent signing of Marcus Edwards, and they've also brought in Kyle Walker from Manchester City. So it's a great couple of signings for them.
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But 19th, I think, is where they'll finish. ah The final relegated side, I do think, will be Brentford. I think they've lost Thomas Frank, Christian Nogard, Brian Mbwemo, and bumo and it it kind of looks, I don't want to say very likely, but it looks, a lot of people are saying it's almost certain that Johan Wisser is going to leave, um whether that ends up being to Newcastle, a club in Saudi Arabia, maybe even Tottenham.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who knows? There's a little bit of time left, but it looks very likely that he'll leave and they haven't got very long to to bring in players of that calibre. For what it's worth,
00:05:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And it's probably worth very little to Brentford fans. But I'm actually quite impressed with what I've seen from Keith Andrews so far. When you consider he's a manager with no experience, when you watch the behind-the-scenes videos of him talking to players, he does just seem like he gets it.
00:06:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And from what I've seen, it looks like yeah with ah when he gets that experience under his belt... he might be a very good manager. He's definitely a good people's person from what we've seen. Obviously, see you know we haven't seen him angry or anything like that.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So maybe it changes. ah But I think he'll fall short this season and all the great work that Brentford have done, moving away from that reputation of being just a bus stop in Hounslow to a solid Premier League team.
00:06:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that'll finally come all undone. And whether they come back or not, who knows? I hope they do. Like them, great club. But for me, I think they go down this year. And then in 17th, you've got the final promoted side, in my opinion.
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I see Leeds United surviving. And a lot of that is because of Elland Road. um Similar to the Stadium of Light, really. I think Leeds and Sunderland will pick up a lot of their points at home.
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
just because of the atmosphere that they can create. Now, as a Geordie, we all say that Sunderland's atmosphere is terrible. Now, honestly, it it isn't I don't think it holds a candle to St. James' Park, but when you compare it to a lot of other teams in the league, the stadium of like does have an ah ah a decent atmosphere when it's pumping.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But Ellen Road is just as volatile. And to be honest, they can create one of the best atmospheres in the league. And I think that'll help keep them up. I do think...
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I said in in May, and I actually got quite a bit stick of stick from Leeds fans because after saying this, I said that I thought they'd have to sack Daniel Farga to to stay in the league. um I still think that's the case, but I do think they'll do it halfway through the season. I think we'll get to November, December, and Leeds will realise, you know what, we've given you the chance, but we're not on track here. And I think when you look at that transfer window,
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
They haven't brought in many attacking options. And anyone saying Dominic Calvert-Lewin right now, we were praying that he didn't come to Newcastle.
00:08:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know Man Utd fans who were praying he didn't go there. have Sunderland fans who I work with who were saying they would stay as far away from him as possible. um He really isn't that good of a player, and he's certainly not an answer.
00:08:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But he is a hard worker, much like Sean Longstaff. um And if that's the kind of philosophy that Daniel Fargo wants to put, they're going to stay up by outworking everyone, then just maybe they'll have a chance.
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The signing that I think is the real difference maker is Anton Stach from Hoffenheim. um if they sign a few more players of his caliber they're definitely going to stay up uh impressed by him in the Europa League last year um don't be wrong I'm not a avid watcher of the Bundesliga um I've only seen him a few times but every time I have I've been very impressed um and from what I've seen lit from Leeds in pre-season it looks like they're impressed with them as well um next up is Wolves Yeah, Wolves.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um They're sitting 16th. For me, with the departures of Matthias Cunha, Ryan Aitnori, they haven't really brought in any proven replacements.
00:09:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Their expectations are low. um Maybe not as low as what Newcastle's was a week ago. um where we all thought, oh no, what's going happen? um But yeah, after finishing 16th last season, losing two your best players, they're going to do very well to do so. Again, the only thing for me, and a lot of people say, oh, Matthias Cunha, that's a massive miss.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you watched Wolves last year without Cunha, Jorgen Strand-Larsen actually looked like such a better player. He was involved in the play a lot more when Cunha wasn't playing.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The issue with that is in pre-season, he has looked quite poor. um So the his goals will be need to be there to keep them up, but he hasn't scored any in pre-season. So it's enough to get Wolves fans a little bit worried, in my opinion.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um They'll be in that relegation scrap, and but I think they'll just survive. ah Purely down to Strand-Larsen and their midfield options and Andre and João Gomez. um They're both impressive players and I think yeah they've got some solid, solid ah midfield players.
00:10:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe need a little bit more experience in there um to go alongside those two. And then obviously you've got John Arias, who's just signed... um for the club, plays that centre-attacking midfielder, used to play in South America, played all right at the the Club World Cup.
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's one of those where how much can you expect of someone coming straight from South America? You've got the legs of Neymar and stuff who do it who've done it well. um This guy ain't Neymar.
00:10:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Simple as that. um And I think there'll be a little bit of a gap between those five teams and the rest. um I'm going to quickly go to the Bionique advert, first of all, and then I'll go through the the brief i'll give through a brief description of the next five teams, and then I'll go through the top half.
00:11:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent stuff. So back into my predictions. ah In 15th place, we have West Ham United. um I'm really surprised that Graham Potter hasn't been backed at all, really, in this transfer window.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And maybe I shouldn't be, considering how much West Ham tend to hate their owners at the moment. um I don't think Graham Potter is a great manager anyways, but the loss of Mohamed Koudis is going to be...
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Horrendous for them. um Lucas Paqueta, I'm expecting to have a good season now. All of the the drama of his court case is behind him. um And Jarrod Bowen is more than good enough to keep the hammers up.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
What I would say is that you know if they'd lost piquette if they do lose Paqueta in the next couple of weeks, which many say that they might, and then Jarrod Bowen is to pick up an injury,
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Hammers are in trouble because they haven't made any... In fact, sorry, they've made one decent sign and as much as I like Callum Wilson, it isn't him because he can't keep fit. Elhaj Malikjuv from Slavia Prague looks like an excellent sign on that left side.
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it's safe to say... He hasn't had a professional game yet, but I think he'll have a better legacy in the Premier League than his name's sake, Elhadjduf. um And if he doesn't, well, he's done something seriously wrong.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in 14th, I've got Bournemouth, probably one of the biggest decliners from last season to this season. Obviously, Dean Huygensen, Zabani, Kyrgyz have all left. um And then they've brought in Truffert and Diakite.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah Today they've brought in Diakite for £34 million. They've both got a lot to prove. I think they'll be good enough to solidly survive, but that's because of the attack of Evan Nielsen, Justin Clivert, Antoine Semenyo.
00:13:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah They're pretty much good enough to keep any side in the Premier League, I think, um particularly because there is a gap between, i'd say, the bottom five and the rest of the league. ah In 13th, we have Fulham.
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think they're a very solid mid-table side, but they haven't really signed anyone of note. Obviously, they've got a backup goalkeeper in, um but Marco Silva is not going to be happy.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's down as one of the the better managers in the league, and for him not to be backed by a London club in particular in Fulham... ah I suppose the only positive is they haven't really lost anyone of note.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I used to say this a lot when Newcastle were doing nothing in um in transfer windows. But keeping Anthony Robinson is, for me, as good as a new signing.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It looked certain he was off to Liverpool ah four months ago. So for him to still be at Fulham, great for them. And then in 12th, well, it's 12th again. Ole, ole, ole.
00:14:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Crystal Palace. um ah FA Cup winners, community shield holders. um
Mid-Table Team Projections
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's be honest, Palace going head into the season with a lot of confidence. ah But that transfer window hasn't been great.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bonas Sosa and Walter Benitez have been brought in um from the Iredivisie. ah Both add quality, but I don't really think it's enough.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's quality and depth. And although that is something that Palace seriously lack, I still think there's a lot of players in that squad who are going to get game time because of injuries, etc., who realistically shouldn't be anywhere near that team.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um... If Eberechi Eze stays, that's another thing that's going to be a massive factor. um What I'd say is that ah starting XI can beat anybody. um yeah They're one of the teams that I worry about playing simply because of that counter-attacking presence they have.
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mateta, Eze and Sar up front is absolutely fantastic. But I think as well, they'll be focusing on ah europe well the Europa Conference League this year because they've got a really good chance of winning that. And three trophies,
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
and what in well in a year almost that's the stuff dreams are made of for Palace and to be honest I actually hope they do it quite like them as a club but ah despite the whole yeah there's a couple of fans online who are let's say not the nicest but you have that with every club and they're a proper club or Palace so I hope they do it um The last of the bottom half um is a club that I probably have the opposite feeling of Palace, but I do think they'll have a pretty good season. That's Everton.
00:16:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Moisey has them settled. Difficult team to beat, but don't score a lot. I think the signing of Jack Relish is going to be fantastic for them. um It'll take a month or two of consistent game time to...
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
to actually get going, but he'll be one hell of a threat on the break. And Everton might cause a lot of problems next season. Hopefully to other clubs, because usually it's just to Newcastle.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
um car't remember well I can't remember the last time we got played well at Goodison, but it involves a certain Alexander Azak, and I don't think many people want to hear that. ah But righty-ho.
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're on to the top half. And I've got Brighton sitting in 10th position. An encouraging first season for Fabian Hurtzler. But their squad, to me, actually looks a little bit weaker than it did last season.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm not just saying that because Joe Pedro's gone. um New signing Maxson Kuiper, he looks fantastic on paper. I haven't seen a lot of him personally.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um All I know is with Fantasy Premier League, people don't shut up about him. um But on paper, where he does look really good. It'll be interesting see how he transitions to the Premier League. A lot more defensive work is probably going to be needed.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But Brighton will look really dangerous for him and Matoma on that left side. might actually be one of the best left sides in English football behind um Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and Actually, that's it really.
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joking. I'm joking. There are some other decent ones in there as well. ah But yeah, I think it's going to be a real difficult one for for Brighton. um But considering they don't have Europe this year, while I think all of the teams I have above them, except from one, do you have European football, I genuinely think they could have a good season. And 10th,
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think it'll be tight, but I think they'll just miss out um on a European position this year. In ninth, I'm going Nottingham Forest.
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
They narrowly missed out on the Champions League last year. um You have to say it was a bit of a bottle job considering where they were. Although we did predict it on the pod. We did say they would down. Yeah.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And to be honest, I was actually quite surprised when it came true. I thought it was more blind hope than anything else from the Geordie standpoint, but turns out we were right.
00:18:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, I think Forest will finish ninth. um Obviously, Palace's appeal means they're going to play Europa League football. instead of the Conference League this season. um They can definitely mount a threat in that competition, but I don't think they've got a very good chance of winning it.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we'll so they'll get to maybe the quarterfinals, but they' because of that, they'll struggle significantly in the Premier League. um I think they'll have a good end to the season, but they're not scoring goals in pre-season either. One goal scored in, I believe, it's seven games.
00:19:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Granted, their defensive record looks fantastic, but... you're not going to do very well if you can't score goals. ah In eighth, I'm going to go for Spurs.
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I actually didn't originally have them down in eighth, but I do think yeah i think they're going to be a bit worse than I actually originally thought. um Daniel Levy said that if Thomas Frank doesn't need to win the Premier League this year.
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he has to deliver soon. um And I can't wait for his next stand-up gig to go on Netflix because that material is fun fantastic. Tottenham winning a Premier League.
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's about as likely as Newcastle winning in the Premier League under Steve Bruce. um But yeah, in all seriousness, Spurs have a ah good squad, all in all. But only Mohamed Koudis has really improved them in regards their signings, and Maddison's already injured for a chunk of the season.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um... It looks like it's probably going to be another one of those campaigns where Tottenham gets heavily struck by injuries. ah Let's be honest, you can't balance the Champions League with domestic football ah very easily.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'll say if they keep two players fit, they've got a great chance of doing well this season, and that's Christian Romero and Mickey van der Ven. um I think in other positions on the pitch, their backups aren't horrendously bad, and they're good enough to to stay in the top half.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think in those centre-back positions, Romero and Miki Van der Ven are one of the best partnerships in the league um when they do play together. And when you consider the record Tottenham had when Romero and Van der Ven played together last year, when you consider they never really had a good run of playing alongside each other, it's very impressive, um particularly when you look at how they play without them.
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, I think they've got a chance of getting back into Europe, but I do think these positions 10th down to 6th, maybe 5th, are going to be very tight. um And then 7th, I've got Aston Villa.
Top Teams: Transfers and Competition Balancing
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um They're weaker on paper for me in comparison to last year, and I'm not impressed with the signings at all so far. Yeah. Jacob Ramsey looks like he's on the way out. It looks like he's going to come to Newcastle.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Very impressive player. I've said on this pod before, I really like him. I imagine he'll fit in more as a centre mid for us while he was playing more left wing for Aston Villa.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is 40 million of pure profit though. And that could be the difference for Aston Villa if they can bring in players using that pure profit. um Every team around them has improved though, in my opinion, except them.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they can keep Morgan Rodgers fit, I think they'll finish 7th. But if they don't, ah that you know they could easily finish 8th, 9th and could have a really bad season. But I think Unai Emery, even if those injuries do come...
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so he's a great manager and should do enough to to keep them in those spots. In sixth, this is probably going to... Well, actually, it won't be because it's coming out afterwards. um I have Newcastle United. You'll have heard probably this on ah on one of the other podcasts. um But yeah, the Alexander-Izac transfer saga hasn't helped us at all. and But we actually look like having a solid transfer window.
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we end up signing Jacob Ramsey and Johan Wisser, I do think that'll be the end of our transfer window there. I don't think alex Alexander Isaac goes, and I do think he's reintegrated into the squad because the whole, oh, I'll never play for you again doesn't make sense.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And when you, I have to be honest, it takes a quick Google of his agent to see that this is all kind of mind games. Um, I imagine both Liverpool and Newcastle and Isak are being played by the agent, and but that's and that's a completely different thing entirely.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Imagine the agent said to Isak, Liverpool really want you? And he's gone, yeah, okay, i'll absolutely. And then he's gone, Liverpool go and write, Isak's willing to do all this to come.
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
You manage to get the balance down from 150 down to maybe 130, 120. And they've gone, that's a steal. ah So they've took that. But I think Ekotike coming in into Liverpool, I think that was just kind of a sign that, yeah, they're happy to not do that business.
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think Izak goes because of that. But I think he'll be integrated reintegrated in October. um I think September will be an awkward month. But with Johan Wessel up front for Newcastle, I do think they sort of steady that blow a little bit. think it'll be a tough start to the season.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they've got Villa and Liverpool, of course. But But I think there'll be an agreement that Isak can leave next summer and Newcastle will hit their stride in October, then in November, into December as well.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
The biggest thing for Newcastle isn't keeping Alexander Isak either. It's keeping Sandro Tonali and Bruno Gamares fit. um Look at Newcastle's record without Isak in comparison to what it is without Bruno.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can tell you the ah it's a lot worse without Bruno Gamares. um Those two, Gamares and Tonali, work so well as the six and the eight. And with Joel Linton or Jacob Ramsey next to them, it's genuinely one of the best midfields in the league.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then obviously Malik Chau coming in at centre-back. If him and Bottman can stay fit, then that's a great centre-back partnership by the looks of it. um And just above Newcastle in fifth.
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am going to annoy so many Geordies here and I do apologise, but this is generally how I feel. I have Manchester United. know, what the F. I don't like it, but as I say, it's how I feel. I think Matthias Cunha, Brian Mbwemo and Benjamin Szczesko, they're only going to bring a huge amount goals to Manchester United.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's be honest, it's a minimum of probably 40 between them, I think. um And despite how arse that defence was, They did only concede 10 goals more than the rest of the top seven, except from like Liverpool and Arsenal, I think.
00:25:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So yeah, I think they'll they'll do enough to get top five and get Champions League next season, annoyingly. um But I do think there'll be another pretty big gap between fifth and fourth.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think Newcastle being in the Champions League is one of the reasons why we won't get Champions League again next season. I think it'll be just a bit too much for us. But yeah, huge gap between the top four and the best and the rest.
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fourth, I have world champions Chelsea. which just doesn't sound right really. um But that's what they are. um I think they could easily push higher up the league with some of the signings that they've made.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think they'll struggle at the end of the season, maybe even in December because of the sheer volume of games after the Club World Cup. um And hopefully they do.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hopefully a number of teams who are in the Club World Cup suffer this season and they go, right, we just can't do that again. Yeah. In fact, no, they'll probably just take more games away from the EFL Cup.
00:26:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So maybe that won't work, but it's ifs something's got to give. um Yeah, Cole Palmer will start the campaign similar to how he started the last one. If he starts it how he finishes, finished the last one, they don't have much of a chance, but he's an incredible talent.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think he'll have a great start the season. Xiao Pedro as well. ah It wasn't a signing that made too much sense for us, but it was one we were probably willing to make 50, 60 million, put that down on anyways, because he's that good of a player.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and Don't be wrong, I don't like him, but I have to admit he's a very talented player. So that's Chelsea in fourth. And then the top three is kind of predictable, um albeit.
00:27:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
depending on your viewpoint, it could be any of the three, uh, in those top three positions in third, I'm going to say it's Manchester city. Um, which it's bit of an interesting one because they made their signings very early in the window, which I think will mean they've quite, they're quite well integrated into the side by the the start of the season. I do think they'll start the season. Well, Harland will have a, another 25 goal season um But the signings in 2025 haven't been great.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Marmouche has been good. I do like Omar Marmouche. And Tijani Rinders, or Rinders, should I say, is um probably the best. The pick of the bunch ah from this window.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not a fan of Alton Horry at all. um And I think it's a it's a sign at the back that makes the defence worse. Worse. Don't be wrong. I know he's much better from an attacking standpoint, but he can't defend.
00:28:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think everyone knows that and that'll be targeted next season. and The side's full of talent, but I do think they're going to leak a lot of goals. Um... And here's the thing.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
You look at the squad players who didn't step up last year. They're going to need someone to step up, whether it's a Foden, a Doku, a Silvino. I mean, Silvino got 10 assists last season, so can't really ask for him to step up. But but yeah you're going to need those kind of players, at least one of them, to have a major, major improvement this year.
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then second place, um I think Arsenal finished there again. ah The signs of Martin Zubimendi and Victor Jokeres are fantastic. But Miguel Arteta just can't get the job done when it comes to the latter stages competitions.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't know what it is, because when he first joined, it looked like that was where he was strongest in these competitions. But now it's a case of you're looking at it and going, well, actually, there's a lot of games you should have won or performed a lot better in.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm not saying you've bottled it, but it's coming close to that. And as a Newcastle fan, I know a lot about bottling things, um you know particularly being born around the 90s.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've heard about it for the last 29 years. um But yeah, it's you on he's built a great project there, Mikel Oteta. And it feels like you need someone else to come in and hit that final stage.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if Bukayo Saka stays fit, I think they'll get closer than ever to winning in that Premier League title um without winning it, obviously. like um And I think they'll fall short once again, but I think it'll be quite late in the season. and And then, well, first place kind of gives it away.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
think Liverpool will do it again. Champions in back-to-back seasons. um i hate the I hate the fan base. I hate the club, but I have to respect what they are. They've strengthened a lot. um But I think, to be honest, I think they've made...
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
a few too many changes with five starters in their 11 being new players. I think they'll have a difficult start to the season, ah but I think they'll finish strong and they'll overtake Arsenal in the latter stages.
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
think early on, I think they'll score enough goals to outscore a lot of teams. I think we'll be probably be victim to that when we play them. Will looks very dangerous, but I think they'll score just one or two more than us. And it'll be like the Kevin Keegan style of, oh, we're just going to score more than you um until they can sure up that defence.
00:30:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And, you know, players can click because we're not seeing exactly good defensive lines from them in preseason or the Community Shield. Salah will be decent again, but there's no way you gets close to last season's numbers. ah Spoiler, nobody will.
00:31:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a freak season that probably won't happen for another 10 years. ah But yeah, still think Liverpool will win the league um and the fans will get even more arrogant and entitled about it.
00:31:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I probably demand Alexander Rezac for £20 in a bag of Freddos up So, yeah, that's my predictions for the season from Sunderland to Liverpool.
Season Predictions Summary and Listener Interaction
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just to summarise, my final predictions for the Premier League are starting with Liverpool in first, Arsenal in second, Manchester City in third, Chelsea in fourth, Man United in fifth, Newcastle United in sixth, Aston Villa in seventh, Spurs in eighth, Nottingham Forest in ninth, Brighton and Hove Albion in tenth,
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everton in 11th, Crystal Palace in 12th, Fulham in West Ham in 15th, Wolverhampton Wanderers in 16th, Leeds narrowly staying up in 17th and the three relegated clubs Brentford, Burnley and Sunderland.
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you agree with my Premier League predictions? Do you disagree? If so, tell me where I'm wrong and we'll revisit at the end of the season. For now, that's it from me. As this goes out, Newcastle will get their campaign underway against Aston Villa.
00:32:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And well, I'll see you on the other side.