Premier League 2025-26 Season Preview

The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend and it's set to be another entertaining season with surprises waiting to happen, new faces coming in, and records waiting to be broken.

In this preview, I've done a little fact file on each club which includes where I think they'll finish this season, their strongest line ups, and who their most important player s likely to be alongside their stats from last season.

ARSENAL

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 2nd

FA CUP: 3rd Round

LEAGUE CUP: Semi Finals

EUROPE: Champions League Semi Finals

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Kai Havertz, 15

The pressure will be on Mikel Arteta to at least win a trophy following three straight seasons finishing second and without silverware. They have more depth this season compared to recent seasons which is a big boost and they also finally have that centre forward in Viktor Gyokeres who could make all the difference. The lack of a centre forward let them down a lot last season along with injuries to key players and now that they have that centre forward, they stand a better chance of winning silverware.

KEY PLAYER: BUKAYO SAKA

Saka was a big miss for Gunners when he was out injured last season as they missed his pace and influence on the pitch. If the Gunners can keep him fit, they’ll have a better chance of winning the title.

PLAYER TO WATCH: VICTOR GYOKERES

Gyokeres has been one of the best strikers in Europe over the last couple of seasons and is exactly what Arsenal need in a clinical centre forward. With him leading their attack, the Gunners have a better chance of winning the title.

PREDICTION: 1st

They’ve got that proven striker who guarantee 20+ goals and their squad has more depth than it has done in recent seasons. If they can keep their key players fit, they could be champions.

ASTON VILLA

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 6th

FA CUP: Semi Finals

LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round

EUROPE: Champions League Quarter Finals

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Ollie Watkins, 17

Aston Villa had a challenging season last season but they did put themselves back in Champions League contention towards the end, only to miss out on the final day. The January signings of Marco Asesio and Marcus Rashford played a massive part in their strong end to the season as they both gave them the depth they were lacking earlier in the season. Both players have gone back to their respective clubs ahead of this season, but they have signed players to improve their squad depth ahead of and will surely be expecting to make more before the window shuts so they can compete on both fronts.

KEY PLAYER: OLLIE WATKINS

Watkins has been Villa’s go-to man ever since Unai Emery became his manager and his game has gone onto another level ever since. His goals have been key to Villa’s progress in recent seasons and will be again this season.

PLAYER TO WATCH: MORGAN ROGERS

Rogers was arguably Villa’s most consistent performer last season and his form was even warranted with an

England call up. If he has another season like last, he has a good chance of going to the World Cup.

PREDICTION: 5th

They’ll definitely be in the hunt for the Champions League again and they have a decent enough squad to compete on both fronts. But I think they’ll fall short again.

BOURNEMOUTH

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 9th

FA CUP: Quarter Finals

LEAGUE CUP: 2nd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo, 13

Bournemouth had a promising season last season by finishing 9th and even putting themselves in contention for Europe, whilst having a lengthy injury list before and in and around Christmas. Repeating last season's form will be challenging as there will be a number of teams who will be stronger than they were last season, and they've lost two of their key players in Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez who have joined Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively. They'll at least target a top 10 finish as they'll see that as a more achievable objective.

KEY PLAYER: JUSTIN KLUIVERT

Kluivert began to fulfil his potential last

Season as he ended the season as

The Cherries’top scorer. If he can reach

The heights he hit last season or improve

On them, the Cherries could push for

Europe again.

PLAYER TO WATCH: EVANILSON

Evanilson spent much of his first season with the Cherries adjusting to the Premier League, but he did find the net net 10 times which marked a decent debit season. No that he's settled in and adjusted to Premier League football, he'll hopefully better his numbers from last season.

PREDICTION: 11th

Repeating last season’s heroics is a tough ask and especially after losing a few of their best players. They will look to push high, but doing a repeat of last season is unlikely.

BRENTFORD

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 10th

FA CUP: 3rd Round

LEAGUE CUP: Quarter Finals

EUROP: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, 20

Brentford have had four fairly comfortable seasons in the Premier League in that they've never really been threatened by relegation. But this season could be their most challenging after losing manager Thomas Frank to Spurs, and star man Bryan Mbeumo to Man United. New boss Keith Andrews will have big shoes to fill in replacing an icon such as Thomas Frank and will need to be given time with this being his first job in management after previously being their set-piece coach.

KEY PLAYER: MIKKEL DAMSGAARD

Damsgaard took time to settle into the Premier League, but last season he finally showed his quality as he registered 10 assists. He might well be the Bees’ main man this season following the departure of Bryan Mbeumo and maybe Yoane Wissa.

PLAYER TO WATCH: CAOIMHIN KELLEHER

Kelleher showed many times that he’s good enough to be a no.1 when he was at Liverpool, and he’s now at a

club where he can prove it. He’s both a capable shot-stopper and efficient with his feet and he’ll suit how

Brentford will want to play.

PREDICTION: 16th

Losing Mbeumo is a big blow as is losing manager Thomas Frank. New boss Andrews will need to be given time but with a good squad at his disposal, they should be ok.

BRIGHTON

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 8th

FA CUP: Quarter Finals

LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck, 11

Brighton had a decent first season under Fabian Hurzeler last season even though their form was at times up and down. Hurzeler, the youngest boss in Premier League history, will have learnt a lot from last season with it being his first top flight season and he'll hopefully come into this season as a better manager with more knowledge about Premier League football. The expectations last season will have been low because of Hurzeler's age but this season, they will be higher after a promising first season under him.

KEY PLAYER: CARLOS BALEBA

Baleba covered every blade of grass for the Seagulls last season with his incredible work rate energy off the ball. He was also good with the ball as he loved to carry it into the oppositions half and even have shots from distance. He's a mixture of former Seagulls midfielders Yves Bissouma and Moises Caicedo.

PLAYER TO WATCH: MAXIM DE CUYPER

De Cuyper is an example of the modern day full-back as he loves to get forward and play higher up the pitch. He is very much a like-for-like replacement for Pervis Estupinan.

PREDICTION: 9th

Hurzeler will want to build on a promising first season by making another push for Europe. They’ll definitely have enough to finish in the top 10, but making that next step will be tough.

BURNLEY

LAST SEASONS STATS:

CHAMPIONSHIP: 2nd

FA CUP: 5th Round

LEAGUE CUP: 2nd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Josh Brownhill, 18

Burnley had probably the best defensive record in Championship history last season as they conceded just 16 goals. Their incredible defensive record might just make them the best equipped side to stay up out of the three teams that came up in that they won't be as gung-ho as they were two seasons ago. Manager Scott Parker will have a point to prove though as his previous two spells in the top flight didn't end well as he was relegated with Fulham and was sacked after just four games into a season with Bournemouth. He will have his players onside after what they achieved last season, but he'll still look to prove a point.

KEY PLAYER: MAXIME ESTEVE

Esteve was one of the key reasons why Burnley had such a solid defence last season as he made the right interventions at the right time, and barely let anyone past him. If he can repeat those solid performances this season, the Clarets may struggle to keep hold of him.

PLAYER TO WATCH: JAIDON ANTHONY

Anthony impressed whilst on loan with the Clarets last season where he scored 8 goals and registered 7

assists. His pace will be a valuable weapon for the clarets when they go on the counter-attack.

PREDICTION: 18th

Their incredible defensive record from last season will give them hope and might make them the best equipped to stay up out of the newly promoted teams. But goals could be a problem as they don’t have a proven goal scorer at this level.

CHELSEA

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 4th

FA CUP: 4th Round

LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round

EUROPE: Europa Conference League Winners

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Cole Palmer, 15

Chelsea had a decent first season under Enzo Maresca in that they secured Champions League football and won a trophy in the Europa Conference League, before following that up with success at the Club World Cup during the summer. They'll now be expected to kick on this season and their success at the Club World Cup should give them confidence to at least win more trophies.

KEY PLAYER: COLE PALMER

Palmer started last season in fine form until his form dipped massively after Christmas. He did however still manage to score 15 goals which marked another good season for the young attacker. If he can recapture the form he showed two seasons ago, Chelsea could challenge.

PLAYER TO WATCH: LIAM DELAP

The blues have lacked a clinical no.9 for a number of years now and Delap will be hoping that he can be

that player. If he can start well and keep it up, he’s got a good chance of forcing his way into the England

squad and potentially being Harry Kane's long-term replacement.

PREDICTION: 4th

Their success at the Club World Cup will give them confidence, but they could also feel a bit fatigued as a result of their involvement in it. But they should still have enough to secure another top four finish.

CRYSTAL PALACE

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 12th

FA CUP: Winners

LEAGUE CUP: Quarter Finals

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Jean-Philippe Mateta, 17

Crystal Palace have had a tough summer in that they haven't been able to bring in many players, and have had their place in European football in jeopardy. That issue had since been resolved with the Eagles set to play in the Europa Conference League instead of the Europa League. They will come into this season with their spirits high after winning the Community Shield just a few days, but being in Europe will test test them and their squad depth which still needs a lot of work done to it.

KEY PLAYER: EBERECHI EZE

Keeping hold of Eze is essential for Palace as they’re a much better side when he plays because of what he brings to the table. He’s almost as important to them as Wilfried Zaha was.

PLAYER TO WATCH: ROMAIN ESSE

Palace have had recent success in signing exciting young talents from the Championship such as

Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Adam Wharton and Esse could be next. He only featured a handful

of times after arriving from Millwall in January, but he’ll definitely get more opportunities to prove himself this season and especially with Palace being in Europe.

PREDICTION: 13th

Being in Europe will no doubt test them due to their lack of squad depth. With very few signings made during the window, a difficult season lies ahead.

EVERTON

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 13th

FA CUP: 4th Round

LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Iliman Ndiaye, 11

This season will feel like a new start for Everton with it being their first season under their new owners and their first season in their new stadium. Transfer business has been slow as they haven't made many signings after seeing a number of players leave for free. David Moyes even spoke about their lack of transfer activity just a few weeks ago and although his side have brought in one or two new faces recently, he'll want more new players before the window closes.

KEY PLAYER: JORDAN PICKFORD

Pickford is one of the main reasons why Everton are still in the Premier League. He’s kept them in games many times over the last few seasons by making big and crucial saves and it’s no surprise that he’s named their player of the year in three of the last four seasons.

PLAYER TO WATCH: JACK GREALISH

Grealish struggled for regular minutes at Man City last season and needed a move to help him get his career back on track. If Moyes can get the best out of him, he’s got a good chance of earning an England recall and especially with the World Cup coming up next summer.

PREDICTION: 15th

The fans have the right to be optimistic heading into this season with it being their first in their new stadium and under their new owners. But it could take time for them to settle into their new home as it has proven with other teams in the past.

FULHAM

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 11th

FA CUP: Quarter Finals

LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Raul Jimenez, 14

Fulham spent the majority of last season in and around the European places only to miss out and finish a long way off them in 11th. Consistency was easily their biggest problem last season and Marco Silva will need to address it if his side are to push for Europe again this season. They've hardly made any signings this summer with keeper Benjamin Lecomte being their only one so far and Silva will want to get players through the door soon as he'll want his side to push up the league.

KEY PLAYER: ANTONEE ROBINSON

Robinson was arguably the left back in the league last season as he registered 10 assists and made many crucial interventions. The Cottagers will be glad that they managed to keep hold of him as a number of clubs will have surely been chasing him.

PLAYER TO WATCH: ALEX IWOBI

Iwobi was the Cottagers’ player of the season last season and is finally at a club where he is thriving. He’s been given the licence to play with a freedom and he’s benefited from that a great deal as his end product has improved.

PREDICTION: 12th

It’s been a quiet summer for the Cottagers as they haven’t made any major signings. They still have a good squad on paper but without any new additions, I don’t see them kicking on.

LEEDS

LAST SEASONS STATS:

CHAMPIONSHIP: 1st

FA CUP: 4th Round

LEAGUE CUP: 1st Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Joel Piroe, 19

Leeds's promotion last season wasn't talked about as much as their previous one which sealed their return to the top flight after 16 years away. But they did get to celebrate it in front of their own fans which they weren't able to do last time due to COVID. Their manager Daniel Farke will definitely have a point to prove heading into this season as his previous two spells in the top flight with Norwich didn't go very well. There was talk of the club moving him on at the end of last season because of his poor Premier League record, but I think they made the right decision in keeping him on as he deserves another chance.

KEY PLAYER: DANIEL JAMES

James was Leeds’s player of the season last season with his 12 goals and 9 assists playing a vital role in their promotion. He didn’t exactly prove himself as a Premier League player during his last spell in the top flight, but he’ll have the chance to do so this season.

PLAYER TO WATCH: SEAN LONGSTAFF

Longstaff will bring bags of Premier League experience to this Leeds side and it’s what they need if they’re to

stay in the league. He’ll also bring a bit of energy to the midfield including energy, tenacity and the ability to pick

out a pass.

PREDICTION: 19th

Farke will have a point to prove following his previous two failures in the top-flight with Norwich where they were criticized for being too open. I can see the same happening here as I don’t see him changing his principles.

LIVERPOOL

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 1st

FA CUP: 4th Round

LEAGUE CUP: Runners Up

EUROPE: Champions League Last 16

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Mohamed Salah, 34

Liverpool have been seen by a lot of people as the favourites to win the title this season mainly because of the business they've done in the transfer market. Their signings do look exciting and especially Florian Wirtz who comes with a big expectation after arriving for such a big transfer fee following two standout seasons for Bayer Leverkusen. This season will definitely be more challenging as they'll have a target on their back and the teams in and around them have also strengthened. But the tragic loss of Diogo Jota will have brought the whole team together and they will want to use that as motivation so they can win this title for him.

KEY PLAYER: MOHAMED SALAH

Salah was on another level last season with his goals and assists being the catalyst behind the Reds’ title triumph. If he can start this season well and repeat the form he showed last season, he could bag himself the Ballon D’or.

PLAYER TO WATCH: FLORIAN WIRTZ

Wirtz has been one of the best attacking players in Europe over the last couple of years and is someone who could take the reds onto another level. A lot will be expected of him this season simply because of the price tag and quality of player he is. If he can start well and keep it up, the reds could retain the title.

PREDICTION: 2nd

Their new signings look very promising and could make the team even better. But as they may need time to settle having come from a different league and their bench needing more options, they might just fall short.

MAN CITY

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 3rd

FA CUP: Runners Up

LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round

EUROPE: Champions League Knockout Play Offs

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Erling Haaland, 31

Man City will have been angry with how last season went and will be motivated and determined to do better. They will be fuelled with rage and with a high standards manager like Pep in charge, they'll want to use that anger and rage to drive them on this season. Their new signings look promising and will improve the team, but Rodri will need time to get himself up to full fitness and he'll miss the start of the season due to an ankle injury he picked up at the Club World World Cup.

KEY PLAYER: PHIL FODEN

Foden had a disappointing season last season and he’ll be determined to return to the heights he hit the season before. With Kevin De Bruyne, he’ll have the chance to step up as City’s main man in midfield and

if he can do that, he could win back his place in the England team.

PLAYER TO WATCH: RAYAN CHERKI

City lacked a consistent right winger last season with Savinho not convincing enough. Cherki was one of

the best young players in Europe last season for Lyon and will be more of a replacement for Riyad Mahrez

than Savinho ever was in that he has more end product.

PREDICTION: 3rd

They’ll be feeling angry with what happened last season and will be determined to be much better. But with Rodri needing time to get himself match fit and their lack of a pre-season, they might fall short.

MAN UNITED

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 15th

FA CUP: 5th Round

LEAGUE CUP: Quarter Finals

EUROPE: Europa League Runners Up

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Bruno Fernandes, 19

Will United be any better than they were last season? Well, they simply have to be because they surely can't be any worse. Ruben Amorim has had a summer to bring in his own players and build the team in his image as well as to clear out the player he doesn't want. The attack has certainly been addressed and it had to be after their lowest goal tally in Premier League history. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are both Premier League proven players which is what they needed, and Benjamin Sesko is a player with a lot of potential and probably a more proven player than Rasmus Hojlund was.

KEY PLAYER: BRUNO FERNANDES

Fernandes makes such a difference to United when he’s available and his impact since he’s

been at the club can prove that. He carried the team on his back for the entirety of last season and knows where they would be without him.

PLAYER TO WATCH: BENJAMIN SESKO

United have lacked a clinical no.9 for a number of years now and if there one thing they were lacking last season, it was a goal scorer. Sesko is still young at the age of 22, but he proved at Leipzig that he can score goals and is someone who could help take United back to where they want to be.

PREDICTION: 7th

They can’t be any worse than last season surely. Amorim has had a full summer to bring in his own players and build the team in his image and they’ll also have no European football distract them.

NEWCASTLE

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 5th

FA CUP: 5th Round

LEAGUE CUP: Winners

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Alexander Isak, 27

After having arguably the greatest season in their history by ending their 70 year trophy drought and securing Champions League, Newcastle have had a nightmare of a summer. They've missed out on almost all their transfer targets, and could potentially start the season without talisman Alexander Isak. Isak has been linked with a move to Liverpool for most of the summer and the Magpies' hopes this season will no doubt depend on whether he stays or goes. As well as trying to keep hold of Isak, they need to get players through the door and quickly so they have enough depth to compete both in Europe and the Premier League. Something they didn't have last time as they had the majority of their team out injured.

KEY PLAYER: BRUNO GUIMARAES

Guimaraes has transformed Newcastle ever since he arrived at the club by dictating play and running games from midfield. He played with more freedom last season following Sandro Tonali’s return from suspension and the Magpies must do everything they can to keep him if they’re to build on their success from last season.

PLAYER TO WATCH: ANTHONY ELANGA

The Magpies lacked squad depth last time they were in Europe and Elanga will certainly boost it. He got 11

Assists last season for Forest and both his pace and creativity will make the Magpies a dangerous side on

the break.

PREDICTION: 6th

They’ve had an absolute nightmare of a summer after missing out on almost all of their transfer targets in an attempt to kick. With Isak’s future still up in the air and a lack of squad depth, they could struggle.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 7th

FA CUP: Semi Finals

LEAGUE CUP: 2nd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Chris Wood, 20

Nottingham Forest overperformed massively last season by qualifying for Europe after being heavily tipped to be in a relegation fight. Because of them being in Europe this season, they're going to find this season more challenging because of the amount of games and travelling involved. They have managed to keep hold of some of their key players including Morgan Gibbs-White, who signed a new contract after a move to Spurs broke down due to an illegal approach made by Spurs, but being in Europe will still test them as they need a big squad.

KEY PLAYER: MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE

Keeping Gibbs-White and tying him down to that new contract was essential for Forest as he’s at the heart of everything they do going forward. If he can have another season like last, Forest could surprise people again.

PLAYER TO WATCH: ELLIOT ANDERSON

Anderson was one of Forest’s standout performers last season and he carried that form with him to

The U21 Euros where he played a starring role for England as they went all the way. If he can carry

that form into this season, a senior call up awaits him.

PREDICTION: 10th

Repeating last season will be tough because of them being in Europe which will test their squad depth. They’ll have enough to finish in the top 10 but another European push is a big ask.

SUNDERLAND

LAST SEASONS STATS:

CHAMPIONSHIP: 4th (Play Off Winners)

FA CUP: 3rd Round

LEAGUE CUP: 1st Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Wilson Isidore, 13

Sunderland are back in the Premier League after eight seasons away and they’ve been on some journey since. They had four seasons in League 1 following back-to-back relegations before having three seasons back in the Championship before their promotion last season. They’ve also had two changes of ownership and a number of different managers in charge. No one had heard of manager Regis Le Bris when he took over last summer and he immediately made himself known by leading the Black Cats into the play offs and later promotion. They come into this season as probably the favourites to go down, but they have made some decent signings with Granit Xhaka being the big one.

KEY PLAYER: GRANIT XHAKA

Xhaka will bring bags of top-level experience to this Sunderland team and it will be key if they’re to stay up. He was a Bundesliga champion over a year ago and he’s gone from that to being in a potential relegation battle.

PLAYER TO WATCH: SIMON ADINGRA

Adingra showed glimpses of his potential at Brighton but he maybe didn’t show it enough. He’s definitely got the

ability and he’ll be playing under a manager in Le Bris who can help him make the most of it.

PREDICTION: 20th

It’s good to have a club of their stature back in the Premier League after so many years away. They have made some decent signings, but I still don’t think they’ll have enough quality to compete at this level.

TOTTENHAM

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 17th

FA CUP: 4th Round

LEAGUE CUP: Semi Finals

EUROPE: Europa League Winners

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Brennan Johnson, 18

Spurs had their best but worst season in their history last season by ending their long wait for silverware in winning the Europa League but finishing 17th in the Premier League. They’ve also won’t be as hung-hi as they were under Thomas Frank as they were under Ange Postecoglou which will means that they’ll have more control and hopefully fewer injuries. They’ve already been dealt two major blows coming into this season with talisman Heung Min Son having left the club, and their most creative player in James Maddison set to miss most of the season with an ACL injury.

KEY PLAYER: BRENNAN JOHNSON

With Heung Min Son gone, Spurs need someone to step up as their new talisman and Johnson is the player most likely to do that. He was arguably their only shining light last season and the last time Spurs had a winger from Wales, he went on to have some career.

PLAYER TO WATCH: JOAO PALHINHA

Spurs were very easy to play against last season and Palhinha is someone who will toughen them up in midfield. He was one of the league’s top tacklers when he was at Fulham and his presence in front of the back four should make Spurs not as easy to play against.

PREDICTION: 8th

They’ll definitely be better than last season in that they won’t be as gung-ho in how they play. But with the club in the Champions League with not a very big squad, they might just fall short of Europe.

WEST HAM

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 14th

FA CUP: 3rd Round

LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Jarrod Bowen, 14

West Ham were a team without a clear identity for much of last season in what was an easily forgettable season for them. They be a side who will have a clear playing style this season as Graham Potter will have had a full summer to bring in his own players and build his own team, and a pre-season to get his team playing the way he wants. The squad he took over clearly weren’t suited to his style of play, but after seeing a number of players out the door and being in players who he’ll think will suit his way of playing, they should look more like a Graham Potter team this season.

KEY PLAYER: JARROD BOWEN

Bowen was easily the Hammers only shining light last season as his goals kept them from being in a relegation battle. If the Hammers are to kick on this season, they’ll need their talisman on top of his game.

PLAYER TO WATCH: NICLAS FULLKRUG

Fullkrug had an injury disrupted first season with the Hammers last season as he feature just 18 times scoring 3 goals. With a full pre-season under his belt to build up his fitness, the Hammers will hopefully see the player they thought they signed last summer.

PREDICTION: 14th

Potter has had a full summer to bring in his own players and a pre-season to get his players playing his way. They should have more of an identity in how they play because of this, but a season in transition awaits.

WOLVES

LAST SEASONS STATS:

PREMIER LEAGUE: 16th

FA CUP: 5th Round

LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round

EUROPE: N/A

TOP SCORER (ALL COMPS)

Matheus Cunha, 17

Vitor Pereira completely turned Wolves’ fortunes around when he arrived around Christmas last season and he did so by toughening them up at the back after they were conceding goals from pretty much anywhere under Gary O’Neil. Their issues this season might be at the other end following the departure of Matheus Cunha who carried the team for pretty much the entire season. They did turn Jorgen Strand Larsen’s loan deal into a permanent one over the summer and they’ll need him to step up into Cunha’s shoes if they’re to stay out of a relegation dogfight.

KEY PLAYER: JORGEN STRAND LARSEN

With Mathus Cunha gone, Wolves need someone to step up and replace his goals and Strand Larsen looks the most likely player to do that. He scored 14 times whilst on loan last season and if Wolves are to hold off another relegation scrap, they’ll need him to deliver.

PLAYER TO WATCH: DAVID MOLLER WOLFE

Moller Wolfe is a high energy full back who loves to run with the ball, get forward and even play inside as well as run up and down the touchline. He is very much a like-for-like replacement for Rayan Ait-Nouri.

PREDICTION: 17th

Losing Cunha is a massive blow as he pretty much carried the team for the entirety of last season. They should have enough to be safe, but a difficult season lies ahead.