The 2024/25 Premier League season is now over, and it was one of the most unpredictable campaigns in recent memory. Arne Slot arrived and quickly propelled Liverpool to the top of the table, winning the trophy for only the second time in history. Nottingham Forest exceeded all expectations by qualifying for the Europa League, but Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur disappointed fans for the wrong reasons with disastrous seasons.
The two ended 15th and 17th, respectively, while the latter advanced to the Champions League with a Europa League victory over the Red Devils. Mohamed Salah had an incredible season, one of his greatest yet, ending as the Premier League’s top scorer and assist provider. The fact that Arsenal finished second for the third year in a row did not surprise many fans.
At the risk of appearing foolish, now that all 20 teams competing in the English top flight have been revealed, with Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland all earning promotion, it’s time to make a way too early prediction of how the final 2025/26 Premier League table will look and where each team will finish.
Title Winners and European Places
Liverpool expected to go back-to-back
While few anticipated Liverpool to win the Premier League this season, given how their summer is shaping up, it’s difficult to envision them not being at the top again by May 2026. Arne Slot has wasted little time in bolstering his team as they prepare to defend their title, and with names like Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz allegedly joining, they should have enough to retain the title.
Manchester City struggled this season, finishing third. They should rebound next season, but only as runners-up. Arsenal’s reign as second-place finisher will most certainly come to an end, but not in the way they had hoped, with the club sliding to third. Chelsea and Newcastle will take the remaining Champions League slots, with both teams repeating their success this season and finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Outside of the Champions League, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion will finish sixth and seventh, qualifying for European football.
The Best of the Rest.
Tottenham and Manchester United should improve.
There are other sides to consider if you miss out on Europe but are not forced to fight for relegation. Crystal Palace have been very impressive under Oliver Glasner, and after winning their first major trophy, the FA Cup, this season, the team should only improve and finish in the top half. Nottingham Forest will almost probably take a step back following a fantastic season this year, but they will only drop a handful of places and remain in the top half.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United had dismal seasons this year, ending just above the drop zone, and while both could improve in the 2025/26 season, they will only rise to 10th and 11th place, respectively. Ange Postecoglou’s team will receive Champions League funds and should spend heavily this summer. However, after finishing 17th, it’s difficult to see them improving enough to break into the top half, especially with the Champions League to contend with.
As Ruben Amorim stated in his post-season speech at Old Trafford immediately after the final game of the 2024/25 season concluded, ‘wonderful times are ahead’ for United. That may be true, and they will improve next year, but it will not be an overnight success, and they will have to settle for 11th place.
Sales of key players such as Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, and Bryan Mbuemo might cause Bournemouth and Brentford to tumble to 12th and 13th place, respectively, while Everton and Fulham will remain in the bottom half.
Relegation battle.
It should be a difficult season for the promoted three again.
For the third season in a row, all three Championship promoted teams are expected to return to English football’s second division. Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are likely to struggle again, but barring any big changes, they should still be able to avoid relegation.
Leeds United stormed the Championship and ended top. The club has a strong team, but the gap in quality between the two levels is far too wide. With Daniel Farke at the helm, a man whose Premier League record is less than impressive, it’s difficult to see them avoiding relegation. Similarly, Burnley looked impressive in the Championship, with a record-breaking defence, but Scott Parker is a manager who has previously failed in the Premier League. The Clarets will fight harder than they did under Vincent Kompany the last time they were in the top flight, but they will most likely tumble down once more.
Sunderland’s playoff final victory over Sheffield United was a fairytale ending for a club that had desperately needed one in recent years. The cruel reality of their return to the top flight, however, is that their squad is likely far from prepared for the promised land. Unless the Black Cats make significant changes to their present roster at the Stadium of Light, it’s difficult to imagine the club finishing anywhere other than dead last.
GiveMeSport predicts the Premier League final standings for 2025/26.
Final position.
Team
1
Liverpool
2
Manchester City
3
Arsenal
4
Chelsea
5
Newcastle United
6
Aston Villa
7
Brighton and Hove Albion
8
Crystal Palace
9
Nottingham Forest
10
Tottenham Hotspur
11
Manchester United
12
Bournemouth
13
Brentford
14
Everton
15
Fulham
16
Wolverhampton Wanderers
17
West Ham United
18
Leeds United
19
Burnley
20
Sunderland
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