Much-loved pundit Micah Richards has shared his predictions for every Premier League club ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Liverpool will be aiming to retain their title and extend their lead as the most decorated club in the country, while the promoted sides will be hoping to buck the trend of newly arrived teams struggling to survive. But in football’s homeland, nothing is ever guaranteed.

Alan Shearer recently took the time to predict the full league table, while AI offered its own guesswork on whom the top division’s highest goalscorers might be. Now Richards – who has Premier League experience from his time with Manchester City and Aston Villa – has joined the debate.

While he hasn’t given an exact prediction for every team’s finishing position, he recently shared his thoughts on how each club’s season could unfold during an episode of The Rest is Football podcast, where he joined Shearer and Gary Lineker to look ahead to the potential trials and tribulations of the new season, which kicks off on August 15.

Richards’ Predictions For Every Premier League Club in 2025/26

Arsenal – Challenging but not champions

Richards devoted plenty of time to praising the signing of Viktor Gyokeres and highlighting Kai Havertz’s impact in the attacking midfield role. However, he’s not convinced that will be enough to finally get the Gunners over the line after three consecutive second-place finishes. “I think one or two injuries, and they’re back to the same as last season. So, I’m going to say challenging but not champions,” he said.

Aston Villa – Sixth or seventh

Following a quiet off-season in which the club has struggled to navigate PSR rules, Aston Villa have made just two signings – Yasin Ozcan and Evann Guessand. With no major departures either, the trio of pundits agreed they expect more of the same from Unai Emery’s side, keeping them in and around the Europa League places thanks to an attack spearheaded by Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.

Bournemouth – Just below 10th

Bournemouth have endured some big losses this summer, with Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen both moving on and leaving their defence looking fragile, to say the least. However, Richards believes that under Andoni Iraola – one of the best managers in the league last time out – Bournemouth should still hold a steady position “just below halfway.”

Brentford – Relegation battle

Richards is worried that too much change so suddenly will see Brentford, who were so steady under Thomas Frank, get sucked into a relegation battle under new manager Keith Andrews. “They have to be in the relegation battle for me because you’re starting over brand new,” he said, referencing the departures of Frank, Bryan Mbuemo, and the possible exit for Yoane Wissa.

“You can always change players if the managers stay the same, but you can’t change players and managers at the same time. It’s just going to be difficult.”

Brighton & Hove Albion – Bottom half

Despite being visibly excited by the acquisition of Maxim De Cuyper, Richards isn’t sure Brighton will have enough to sustain their fight for European football in the 2025/26 campaign. But time can only tell whether the Amex Stadium’s seemingly endless production line of talent at all levels of the club can come up trumps again in the face of doubt.

Burnley – Staying up

Over the last two seasons, all six clubs promoted from the Championship have been sent straight back down, but Richards is convinced that Burnley’s defensive organisation gives them the tools to defy that pattern. “I think they’re staying up, guys. I think they’re staying up purely based on their defensive structure,” he said with confidence.

“I mean, losing Trafford was massive – we know that – but if you actually watched Burnley in the Championship, they would nick a goal and then sit back in shape. I think Alan makes a good point: I’m not sure they can score enough goals. That’s my one worry, but we’ve seen it with Everton time and time again – they just battle their way through.”

Chelsea – Challenging for the title

With Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro firing Chelsea to a Club World Cup victory over the summer, Richards has predicted that the Blues will challenge for the title, but also believes their lack of defensive quality could see them miss out on the title as they often “over-commit” in attack. Enzo Maresca’s side conceded the second-fewest goals last term, but they have since lost Levi Colwill through an ACL injury and are in dire need of reinforcements.

Crystal Palace – Similar position or just below

It was confirmed on Monday morning that Crystal Palace, fresh off an FA Cup and Community Shield win, will have to settle for Europa Conference League football next season after losing their appeal to be promoted back into the Europa League. With extra games to play, Richards has gone safe by predicting the Eagles will finish where they did last season (12th) or just below. “I just think they could struggle with strength in depth if they’re going to Europe,” he lamented.

Everton – They’ll be just fine

Richards’ comments about Everton were vague, but his prediction that they will be “just fine” suggests he sees a mid-table finish for the Toffees. He cited David Moyes’ familiarity with the squad as a key factor, though many believe they could push on after moving into a new stadium, securing new ownership, and fielding a side that combines a solid defence with Jarrad Branthwaite back to fitness, a midfield featuring Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and an attack set to be boosted by the arrival of Jack Grealish.

Leeds United – Relegation but slight chance of survival

Richards expressed a mixed outlook for Leeds United, another newly promoted team. He acknowledged the trend of promoted clubs being relegated but suggests Leeds, alongside Burnley, might have a chance to avoid this fate. He highlighted their defensive resilience in the Championship, noting that if they can maintain this in the Premier League – despite the significant jump in quality – they could “nick points” and stay in games. However, he did include Leeds in his “relegated bunch” in the end.

Liverpool – Champions again

Florian Wirtz was the name on everyone’s lips as Richards spoke about their ability to be unstoppable next season if they can get the best out of their new record signing. “I think he’s got all the tools to unlock all the doors. So, yeah, I have to say Liverpool will win it,” he said, though eyebrows were raised by their underwhelming Community Shield final performance against Crystal Palace.

Manchester City – Rodri being unfit is a concern

Richards admitted that if Rodri were fit, he might have predicted his former side to win the league again, as they had in the four seasons before Arne Slot’s arrival. While he believes their attack is in top form with Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland, he’s less convinced about the defence. He didn’t specify exactly where he expects Pep Guardiola’s side to finish but made it clear he has concerns for the Cityzens, particularly in transition.

Manchester United – Top six

Under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish last season, but with new signings Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, Richards predicts the Red Devils could finish inside the top six. His main concern lies with the formation, believing that their focus on attack may leave gaps elsewhere.

Richards suggests that Amorim could address these issues by continuing to rely on Bruno Fernandes to keep the team ticking in possession as opposed to shifting him out wide, while also signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion to add midfield energy and defensive cover.

Newcastle United – Eighth or ninth

Without Alexander Isak, and with the pulling power in the transfer market of a small fishing hook, Newcastle could struggle in the 2025/26 season. That said, Richards – though not giving a reason – predicts they can still finish eighth or ninth. This is likely due to their strong home form and squad spine, which includes Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, and Anthony Gordon.

Nottingham Forest – Mid-table

Richards, Shearer, and Lineker all agreed that Nottingham Forest’s form will likely dip slightly after their fairytale run last season, which saw them defy relegation predictions and secure a place in the Europa League. “I think the season they had last season was just so incredible for them as a club. It’s going to be hard to replicate that. So, yeah, mid-table for me,” Shearer said, to which Richards replied, “Me too.”

Sunderland – Relegation

The Black Cats have made 10 first-team signings this summer to strive to beat the dreaded dotted line, but Richards has said that the number of new faces will prove to be their downfall. “Relegated only because they’re bringing in so many players in such a short period of time to get them to gel and know exactly what they’re doing,” he explained.

“I think they’ve had a right go. Fair play to them, but yeah, I think it might just be too much for them, so I’ve got them going down unfortunately.”

Tottenham – Top six

Though Tottenham are expected to go in a completely different direction under Thomas Frank, who will reverse the damage of Ange Postecoglu’s devil-may-care attacking philosophy and stabilise a more defensive outlook, Richards believes his could revive the north London side. He has put them inside his top six, though he did also mention that it will be a “jump into the unknown” for them.

West Ham – Same position as last season

West Ham finished 14th under Graham Potter last season, who took over from Julen Lopetegui in winter. Much of their best football came right at the end of the campaign, with Jarrod Bowen finishing the 2024/25 season in better form than anyone else in the division. Add to that Niklas Fullkrug’s impressive pre-season, and they could be a dark horse. However, Richards doesn’t think so, mainly because they remain far too easy to play against.

“I think exactly the same as last season. I think they can score, but can’t really defend at times, can they?” he said. “It’s too easy to score against them, but the manager’s got a full preseason now. Let’s see what he can do. But I think they’re still a little too easy to play against. So, yeah, I think they’ll finish around the same position as last season.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Relegation battle

The loss of Matheus Cunha could prove to be Wolves‘ biggest issue this season. While Richards hailed Jorgen Strand Larsen as a striker who is more than capable of filling the void, he believes inconsistencies could be a problem, but good form in patches should see them stay in the Premier League.

“I really like the manager and how confident he is and what he says. I don’t know if the players are good enough to do what he wants to do,” he explained. “I think they do it in little patches, but I think the struggle I think it’s going to be a relegation battle for Wolves this year.” Watch the full podcast episode below: