Pre-Season Forecast 2025/26: Premier League & FPL Predictions

Each year since The Hype Train formed in 2015, we have provided an annual pre-season predictions for the upcoming Premier League and FPL seasons. Have a read about what we think might transpire across the 2025/26 season.

Forecast Picks: Sam Austin / @HypeTrainSam

Premier League Winner:

Liverpool

PL Top 6: Sam

1 – Liverpool

2 – Chelsea

3 – City

4 – Arsenal

5 – Aston Villa

6 – Spurs

PL Top 6: Phil Jones

1 – Chelsea

2 – Liverpool

3 – Arsenal

4 – Man City

5 – Aston Villa

6 – Man United

Reasoning behind Top 6:

Everyone of the established "Top Six" has strengthened this summer with serious reinforcements. Chelsea and City are figuring things out and I think Arsenal will face serious competition for the 2nd place slot. Arne Slot has rebuilt his Liverpool team and bought in serious players in his rebuild, including Florian Wirtz who I think will spearhead Liverpool's title defence alongside Mo Salah.

The Relegated Trio:

18 – Wolves

19 – Burnley

20 – Leeds

Top FPL Player at the end of the Season:

Mohamad Salah (LIV)

Top FPL Player by Position:

GK – Mat Sels (NFO)

DEF – Virgil van Dijk (LIV)

MID – Mohamad Salah (LIV)

FOR – Erling Haaland (MCI)

Best Budget Option (that comes good):

- Martin Dubravka (BUR, £4.0mil)

- Aaron Wan Bissaka (WHU, £4.5)

- Dewsbury Hall (EVE, £5.0)

- Baleba (BHA, £5.0)

- Beto (EVE, £5.5)

Biggest FPL Disappointment:

Isak (NEW?) - currently disappointed as he won't play a part for quite a while, and regardless of the situation around his transfer, should still be playing.

Bryan Mbuemo (MUN, £8.0) - this is a point of contention as Mbuemo is a top player, but was built around Brentford's system. No idea if he will carry that over, this is a wait and find out option.

Top PL Goal Scorer:

Mo Salah (LIV, £14.5mil) - I don't think anything is changing here. Mo is the most productive player in the Premier League.

Most PL Assists:

Florian Wirtz (LIV, £8.5mil)

Most Clean Sheets (Team):

Arsenal

First Manager Sacked/Left:

Daniel Farke - Leeds

Surprise Package (Player):

Granite Xhaka (SUN, £5.0) - returning to the Prem, and with the new defensive changes, could secure a lot of points.

Hugo Ekitike (LIV, £8.5mil) - I don't think anyone will realise how good he is until he starts playing.

Anthony Elanga (NEW, £7.0mil) - despite what is happening with Isak, people are sleeping on Elanga, he had a great last season, and is going to cause teams problems.

Surprise Package (Team):

I think Sunderland will stay up, just. Everyone will write them off because they've just been promoted. Aside from that, I think Everton will be a better side this season in their new stadium, and Brighton will continue to get results even with turnover of players. The Prem has become very void of surprises, but I think those three clubs will do better than a lot of people are initially hoping.

Forecast Picks: Robert Austin / @HypeTrainRob

Premier League Winner:

Man City

PL Top 6: Sam

1 – Man City

2 – Liverpool

3 – Arsenal

4 – Chelsea

5 – Spurs

6 – Aston Villa

Reasoning behind Top 6:

The narrative in football changes so quickly that I am expecting a few wins into the season the majority of the media stating that 'Man City are back'. Liverpool should win the league again as they have only gotten better, and Arsenal and Chelsea SHOULD be looking to mount a challenge, but I have the depressing feeling that we'll be going back to the norm next season of City's financial position to come out on top, potentially in the next year when their 100+ charges and verdicts come to life.

The Relegated Trio:

18 – Sunderland

19 – Burnley

20 – Leeds

Promoted sides don't stand a chance anymore. I'm fully expecting the same trio to go straight back down. If it does happen again, they should list the league as 17+3 guests.

Top FPL Player at the end of the Season:

Erling Haaland (MCI)

Top FPL Player by Position:

GK – Robert Sanchez (CHE)

DEF – Virgil van Dijk (LIV)

MID – Florian Wirtz (LIV)

FOR – Erling Haaland (MCI)

Best Budget Option (that comes good):

- Micky van de Ven (TOT, £4.5m)

- Tosin Adarabioyo (CHE, £4.5m)

- Dewsbury Hall (EVE, £5.0m)

- Mohammed Kudus (TOT, £6.5m)

Biggest FPL Disappointment:

Bruno Fernandes (MUN) - I'm a believer that United won't be as prolific in front of goal as many might think in the media. A lot of FPL commentators believe Fernandes is going to have a brilliant year, but until there is more signs of improvement, the Portugal midfielder may disappoint his FPL owners, even if United aren't in Europe.

Top PL Goal Scorer:

Erling Haaland (MCI) - The Norway international has managed 20+ goals in each season. It will take some stopping Haaland's consistency.

Most PL Assists:

Bukayo Saka (ARS) - If Saka stays fit all season, with the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres there should in theory be more assists. Problem is, I have a feeling Arsenal will be the 'what if' team again and fall short. Alternatively, Mo Salah might get both goals/assists record again.

Most Clean Sheets (Team):

Liverpool & Arsenal - The Reds are compact and The Gunners will match around 15/17 clean sheets this season.

First Manager Sacked/Left:

Vitor Pereira (WOL) - Losing Cunha and Ait-Nouri, combined with a slow start in the league, might push an itchy Wolves board to move on Pereira.

Surprise Package (Player):

Eberechi Eze (CRY) - A move to Spurs or Arsenal will sky rocket Eze's FPL potential

Surprise Package (Team):

Bournemouth - Despite selling a lot of their squad, The Cherries buy well and should still be competitive enough to finish around mid table, which would be a really good feat for them.

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