Predictions aren’t just for fun—they reveal your true feelings. Whether it’s your obvious dislike for certain clubs or your barely hidden bias against Arsenal, these forecasts expose it all. Don’t buy the excuses like “I had to pick someone” when they predict your team’s relegation. These lists are equal parts bitterness and apathy.
“Prediction” sounds too fancy—let’s call it what it is: guessing. And no matter how wild your guesses are, reality will always outdo them. Did anyone see Liverpool running away with the title by March? Or Manchester City winning just once in 13 games? Manchester United in 15th? Spurs in 17th? Crystal Palace lifting the FA Cup? Chris Wood scoring 20 goals? Of course not.
So, since the whole exercise is pointless, here’s my half-hearted attempt at a 2025-26 Premier League table:
1. Manchester City – Last season’s slump was bizarre but hilarious. Pep’s obsession with rebuilding keeps them on top. Also, Omar Marmoush has the best name for commentators to scream after a goal.
2. Arsenal – The idea of Arsenal finishing second forever is amusing. Zubimendi is class, their midfield is elite, and Gyökeres should be good (but who knows?). Saka might have a record-breaking season thanks to Gyökeres occupying defenders. Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have insane potential. Being second-best is impressive—until someone yells, “You can’t drop points to Fulham and expect to win the league!”
3. Liverpool – This was written before Liverpool beat Bournemouth 3-1 (Ekitiké 37’, Salah 54’, 83’). Slot has a tough job integrating so many new stars. Wirtz is brilliant but will change how they play. Kerkez is great, but with Frimpong on the other side, this isn’t the most solid defense. The biggest unknown? How the squad copes with Diogo Jota’s tragic death. Dressing rooms are intense—some players will find solace on the pitch, others won’t. We never really know what’s going on behind the scenes.
4. Chelsea – The only other team that could win the league. Yes, they’ve signed every attacking midfielder in existence (but no more than 20). It’s not romantic, and some new signings will inevitably flop. But Cole Palmer is magic, and Estêvão might one day be compared to legends (let’s not jinx him). The defense is shaky, but going forward, they could be scary.
5. Spurs – Recency bias? Maybe. But the Super Cup hype is real (if you ignore the result). Bentancur, Sarr, and Richarlison had their best games in a Spurs shirt. Djed Spence was outstanding. If they sign Eze and Savinho—and if the teams above them self-destruct—my supercomputer gives them a 1% shot.Here’s a more natural and fluent version of your text while keeping the original meaning intact:
—
Title Thoughts: What would Ange think watching Kevin Danso curve his back and launch long throws into the box from anywhere?
6. Aston Villa – This might be a bit generous given their summer business, but Unai Emery is still Unai Emery. We get so caught up in transfers that we forget some teams are already good. Morgan Rogers is one of the league’s top Morgans, and Youri Tielemans is criminally underrated. For football’s sake, Emi Martínez should’ve moved to Atlético—but he’s still here, forever ruining my theory that short-sleeved goalkeepers can’t be trusted.
What goes up must come down: Can Burnley, Leeds, and Sunderland buck the trend?
7. Manchester United – Why have I put them here? Maybe under the category: “This can’t go on forever.” (Though, of course, it can.) Here’s hoping. If they field Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo while dropping Bruno Fernandes deeper, they’ll need someone extremely mobile next to him—think T-1000 mixed with the Roadrunner and prime Kanté. Starting with Arsenal is fascinating. They’ll probably lose, piling pressure on immediately. Wouldn’t be shocked if Ruben Amorim doesn’t last the season.
8. Nottingham Forest – This is generous, especially before the Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee deals. Keeping Morgan Gibbs-White is huge (blink twice if you’re okay, Morgan), and Elliot Anderson shone at the U21 Euros. Chris Wood will need another dose of Obelix’s magic potion, but the back four and keeper remain solid (shoutout to the underrated Neco Williams, who was consistently brilliant last season).
9. Brighton – Could finish sixth, could finish 12th. Their well-run, smart-recruitment model is starting to feel predictable for neutrals, but they keep defying the idea that you can’t buy low and sell high (to Chelsea, mostly). Turns out, you can. Of their four major signings, I’d heard of two—and actually seen one play. But history says they’ll all be hits.
10. Newcastle – There are definitely issues at St James’. PIF seems more focused on their own league, golf, and Moses Itauma vs. Dillian Whyte. Above Eddie Howe, it’s a bit chaotic—but below him, there’s Jason Tindall and a strong squad. And then there’s St James’ Park, one of the few places where fans are actually awake for a 12:30pm kickoff. They’ll still have those games where they score with every attack.
Mid-table now, let’s speed through…
11. Crystal Palace – Hard done by UEFA. Might lose Marc Guéhi and Eze, but still a good team with a top manager. As founder of the Adam Wharton fan club, I can confirm membership grows every game.
12. Everton – New stadium, new Jack Grealish. Feels weird to have optimism around Everton. Moyes ended last season strong—I thought his appointment was a mistake, but I was wrong. Hopefully, Thierno Barry or Beto can capitalize on Grealish’s creativity and Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliance. Slightly worried about their midfield, though.
13. Fulham
14. Bournemouth – Marcus Tavernier must be wondering why no one’s bought him, given the rest of the backline and keeper have moved on.
15. Leeds – Maybe wishful thinking, but Leeds in the Premier League is a good thing. I’ve got a hunch Sean Dyche keeps them up.
16. Brentford – Pure guesswork here. Who knows? Is Keith Andrews any good? Can Mikkel Damsgaard recapture his form? No clue.
17. Sunderland – Longing for the…
—
Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!The newly promoted teams might perform better than the last three, though Sunderland could struggle more than Southampton. Their recruitment has been interesting, but with apologies, I have to pick someone for relegation.
18th: Wolves. This might be a terrible prediction. Vítor Pereira did an excellent job, and with Portugal producing so many great midfielders (I still can’t believe João Neves doesn’t play for them), it’s easy to lose track of who’s actually in the squad. João Gomes is solid, but losing Rayan Aït-Nouri (always makes me think of Leyton Orient), Cunha, and Nélson Semedo will hurt.
19th: Burnley. Yeah.
20th: West Ham. Just a heads-up, Hammers fans—if you want to come at me, I’m @maxrushden on all socials. Don’t stress, you’ll be fine—I had Nottingham Forest going down last season.
Football Weekly Live – Join Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, and new panelists Jonathan Wilson, Nicky Bandini, and Jonathan Liew for a one-night-only show at the Troxy in London on Thursday, September 11th. Expect the podcast’s usual football banter, audience interaction, special guests, and stories too risky for the lawyers to allow on air. Get tickets [here](#) or at theguardian.com/footballweeklylive.
FAQS
### **FAQs About Max Rushden’s Premier League Predictions for 2025-26: Man City to Win, West Ham to Struggle**
#### **Beginner Questions**
**1. Who is Max Rushden?**
Max Rushden is a well-known football journalist, broadcaster, and presenter, famous for his work on *The Guardian* and podcasts like *Football Weekly*.
**2. What are his predictions for the 2025-26 Premier League season?**
He predicts Manchester City will win the league, while West Ham will struggle near the bottom.
**3. Why does he think Manchester City will win?**
City’s financial strength, squad depth, and Pep Guardiola’s management make them consistent title contenders.
**4. Why does he expect West Ham to struggle?**
West Ham may lack squad depth, face injuries, or fail to replace key players, leading to a tough season.
**5. Are these predictions reliable?**
Predictions are opinions, not guarantees—they depend on transfers, injuries, and form throughout the season.
—
#### **Advanced Questions**
**6. What factors could stop Man City from winning?**
Key injuries, a strong challenge from Arsenal/Liverpool, or Guardiola leaving could disrupt them.
**7. Could West Ham avoid a relegation battle?**
Yes, if they sign well in the transfer window, stay injury-free, and improve defensively.
**8. Who are the dark horses for the 2025-26 season?**
Teams like Aston Villa or Newcastle could surprise if they strengthen well.
**9. How do past trends support Rushden’s predictions?**
Man City have won 6 of the last 7 titles, while West Ham have had inconsistent mid-table finishes.
**10. What should fans look for to see if these predictions hold?**
Early-season form, summer signings, and managerial changes will be key indicators.
Would you like any predictions analyzed in more detail?
