Lads and ladies of fantasy footballs world. It’s nearly here, the new season. Full of hope for some, fear for others, and for a lot a lot of teams (Fulham…), mediocrity. But it’s also the time where wannabe football gurus like us at Statrdraft.com try to predict and decipher what might happen in the coming season.
If you haven’t read Jon’s article yet, you can find it here. He’s made some bold predictions. I’m here to tell you that for most of it, he’s wrong. And why. Let’s dig in!!
CHAMPIONS – LIVERPOOL
This is a tough call for me as the resident Liverpool fan. But fear be damned, I’ll be shocked if Virgil isn’t lifting the Premier League trophy come May next year. Last seasons title win was a bit of a cake walk, for multiple reasons. And while Arsenal, Chelsea and City have addressed their gaps from last season, Liverpool have won the transfer window outright already, and that’s before they (probably) sign Isak from Newcastle. Wirtz looks sharp, Kerkez is league proven and Frimpong is well suited to Slotball. It’s all coming together, just about.
The only apparent weakness is in defence. Quansah wasn’t the second coming of Sami Hyypia after all, but he was an option as cover. He’s gone, leaving Virgil, Konaté (whose head might be turned already by Madrid), and glass legged Gomez as the only 3 recognised CBs in the squad. Slot knows this and has tested Gravenberch there during pre season, and Endo can play there, but they’re not the answer. If Guehi is signed, start engraving the trophy now.
TOP FOUR
SECOND – MANCHESTER CITY
Yes, I’m probably going to get laughed out if it from here on out, but stick with me here. Last season, I called City finishing 4th as my shock prediction. And only for a late season Forest collapse, I would’ve been right. City were a bit of a shitshow last season, for a couple of reasons:
- Pep didn’t know what his best 11 was really. Pep roulette scuppered them pretty badly. Nunes at RB? Why not? Foden anywhere and everywhere across the midfield and foward line? Hell yeah. Whatever he tried, didnt work. This year, Pep has made it clear he wants a smaller squad, and he knows who he wants in that squad. He has a plan, and there’s little reason to suspect why he won’t execute it with meticulous precision.
- Remember Rodri? Ballon Dor winner the previous season and all-round dream crusher for every other team in England and Europe? Well, he’s back this season, and will be the anchor of that midfield again. KDB was out last season for a lot of it, and while he’s moved on to pastures new, Ryan Cherki has come in from Lyon, and looms a player. 2 most influential players for Pep are either back or replaced, and that makes a difference.
Add in the fact that Pep is a serial winner and a lot of players will have chips on shoulders (Haaland) or playing for a World Cup place (Foden), and you’ll see a very different City this season.
THIRD – CHELSEA
You read that right, Chelsea third, not Arsenal. I actually tossed around the idea of Chelsea winning the league ahead of Liverpool, but when I delved into it, I have Liverpool and City finishing above them for reasons already stated.
But, Maresca is building something, and Chelsea’s way of doing business is unfortunately, making some sense. They’ve brought in some proven quality up front in Pedro and Delap, and a couple of potential great talents in Gittens and Estevao, and Enzo looks primed to boss their midfield. If Caicedo can recapture some of that Brighton fothey and Palmer can do what he does best, they potentially have the best midfield pairing in the league with the best player in the league ahead of them.
Also, Chelsea have a taste for success now. OK, it was the club world cup, and you can’t take a tournament where Donald Trump gets to keep the trophy too seriously. Unless you’re Chelsea. And believe me, they will want some proper success now.
FOURTH – ARSENAL
Uh oh. I’ve said it in print… Arsenal will go backwards this year.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Arteta is a bluffer. Last season, a lot of Arsenals dropped points came down to bad tactical decisions from the manager. The talent was there to challenge for the title, especially during Liverpools mini wobble in February and March. Expect more head scratching decisions from the Catalan Clown this season.
And speaking of head scratchers… Gyokeres is not the Messiah. Big money was splashed out on a proven goalscoring talent in the Portuguese league. Darwin Nunez was the last big name striker to come to England from Portugal and struggle. Joao Pedro was the striker they should have signed for less money, and then we’d be having a very different conversation.
FIFTH – SPURS
My mind has changed somewhat here. And while I hate making this call after the Ange sacking, I do feel that Spurs can make a comeback this season.
The chaos should be less than normal under Thomas Frank. He’s made some shrewd signings that will work in his system, like Palhinha from Bayern. Kulu could be a revelation in the new structured set up, and there’s no injuries in defence to worry about… yet.
SIXTH – EVERTON
Have I lost you? You’re probably reading this going, Gary has lost the plot. But hear me out.
Moyes is back in the job he should have never left. Waaaaay back then, Everton were a club on the rise, finishing ahead of Liverpool and being talked about as a consistent team ready to make the next step. Last season, Everton showed glimpses of the same gritty, hard working and tough tackling team from back then, finishing with top 4 form in the last 10 games. Calvert Lewin is gone, and a new shiny (and very big and tall) Thierno Barry is in. Expect a rock solid defence again with Tarkowski and Keane playing for their World Cup places, and a breakout season from Joey O Brien. Add to that, a new stadium where the Original fans will back their team to the hilt, and you’ve a recipe for a return to Europe for the Toffees.
BEST OF THE REST – ASTON VILLA, NEWCASTLE, FULHAM
MEDIOCRITY – BRIGHTON, PALACE, MANCHESTER UNITED
RELEGATION – SUNDERLAND, BURNLEY, WOLVES
Gary Cronin, August 2025
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