11
Fri, Sep

With a new campaign approaching, the usual question returns: how will all 20 Premier League clubs fare?

This season is particularly difficult to predict. There are numerous new managers, major transfers across the division and several clubs looking very different from the teams that finished last season.

Here is our predicted final Premier League table.

1. Arsenal — Champions

Arsenal finally ended their long wait for a Premier League title last season, and I expect them to retain it.

Mikel Arteta has built a squad packed with quality in virtually every position. The champions also have something they lacked in previous years: the confidence and experience of knowing exactly what it takes to finish the job.

Their impressive Community Shield victory over Manchester City offered another early indication of their strength.

Unless injuries or an unexpected loss of form intervene, Arsenal look the most complete team in the division.

2. Manchester City

Manchester City enter a new chapter after Pep Guardiola's departure and the arrival of Enzo Maresca.

There has been considerable change at the Etihad, with several influential figures leaving. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones are among the major departures, leaving Maresca with the difficult task of rebuilding without losing the club's winning mentality.

Still, City retain Erling Haaland, and having a striker of his quality makes them impossible to dismiss.

New additions are also expected before the transfer window closes. City may not immediately return to their previous dominance, but another trophy-winning campaign looks likely.

3. Liverpool

Liverpool endured a dramatic fall from champions to fifth last season, leading to another managerial change.

Andoni Iraola now takes charge, bringing an energetic, aggressive approach from Bournemouth. The transition will not necessarily be straightforward, particularly as the club moves into life after Mohamed Salah.

Nevertheless, Liverpool still possess enormous talent.

Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak give the attack a new dimension, while several young players could make significant breakthroughs. If the squad adapts quickly to Iraola's methods, Liverpool should comfortably return to the Champions League places.

4. Chelsea

Chelsea are my biggest gamble near the top of the table.

Xabi Alonso has arrived after establishing himself as an outstanding young coach at Bayer Leverkusen. His biggest challenge will be turning Chelsea's enormous squad into a coherent team.

There is plenty of ability available to him, and the club's decision to add experienced figures such as Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck suggests they are also trying to bring greater leadership to the dressing room.

Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix strengthen the squad further.

With no European competition to distract them, Chelsea could surprise a few people. A top-four finish is certainly within reach.

5. Manchester United

Michael Carrick gets his first full season in charge after helping United recover from a difficult period and secure Champions League football.

The expectation should be much higher this time. United need to challenge for trophies and establish themselves among England's leading clubs again.

Youri Tielemans brings intelligence and experience to midfield, while Andrey Santos offers considerable potential.

There are still obvious gaps that need addressing, particularly if United genuinely want to challenge for the title. I do not expect them to go that far, but another strong season should be possible.

6. Aston Villa

Unai Emery continues to be one of the Premier League's most accomplished managers, and Villa remain capable of competing at the highest level.

However, this summer has brought significant change. The departures of important players, including Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, leave Emery with another rebuilding job.

Alejandro Garnacho has the opportunity to revive his career, while Joao Gomes adds quality to midfield.

Villa's recruitment of young Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi could also prove inspired. There is plenty of uncertainty, but Emery's tactical ability gives Villa a very high floor.

7. Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham simply cannot afford another season like the last one.

Roberto de Zerbi now has considerably more backing from the club, and Spurs have invested heavily in strengthening the squad.

Andrew Robertson and Marcos Senesi provide experience, while the midfield has received an enormous financial investment through the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Jan Paul van Hecke should strengthen the defence, while Micky van de Ven remaining at the club is another positive.

The talent is certainly there. The question is whether De Zerbi can turn it into a consistent team. I expect a dramatic improvement.

8. Nottingham Forest

Forest's campaign last season was undermined by constant managerial upheaval.

Oliver Glasner now has the opportunity to bring some stability. His demanding style should suit a club that possesses considerable attacking quality.

The sale of Elliot Anderson provides Forest with significant funds to reinvest, while Ousmane Diomande adds strength at the back.

Morgan Gibbs-White remains one of their most important players.

If Glasner gets the balance right, Forest should move comfortably away from the relegation battle.

9. Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton return to European competition, this time in the Conference League, meaning Fabian Hurzeler will have to manage a heavier schedule.

That additional workload is a concern, but Brighton remain one of the division's best-run clubs.

The departures of Danny Welbeck, James Milner and Jan Paul van Hecke remove experience, although Luka Vuskovic and Pascal Struijk strengthen the defence.

There is enough talent throughout the squad for Brighton to enjoy another successful season.

10. Brentford

Keith Andrews impressed after taking over from Thomas Frank and now has the chance to establish himself.

Brentford narrowly missed out on European football last season, and there is little reason to expect a major decline.

Mamadou Sangare's arrival represents another ambitious investment, while Callum Wilson provides valuable Premier League experience if he can remain fit.

Igor Thiago also gives Brentford a dangerous attacking focal point.

A top-half finish looks realistic.

11. Crystal Palace

Palace face another significant change following Oliver Glasner's departure.

Pierre Sage has earned an excellent reputation and now inherits a squad containing plenty of quality.

Dean Henderson remains dependable in goal, while Adam Wharton gives them creativity in midfield. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr provide plenty of threat going forward.

The biggest issue will be retaining their best players.

If Palace avoid further major departures, another comfortable mid-table season — and perhaps another cup run — should be achievable.

12. Newcastle United

Newcastle enter the campaign with plenty of uncertainty.

Eddie Howe has left, along with several important players, while Matthias Jaissle now faces the task of rebuilding the side.

The departures of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon represent a huge loss of quality and experience.

Jaissle has added several promising young players, including Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Amar Dedic, but Newcastle still need proven quality in midfield.

The club's difficult summer could translate into a difficult season unless recruitment improves quickly.

13. Everton

David Moyes knows Everton still have plenty of work to do.

The club have made some intelligent additions, particularly Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard, while Iliman Ndiaye remains an important attacking talent.

Tyler Dibling has also impressed during pre-season.

However, there are concerns at full-back and up front. Everton need greater reliability from their strikers if they are to turn promising performances into points.

Another season of survival looks likely, but Moyes will want considerably more.

14. Bournemouth

Bournemouth face one of the division's most interesting challenges.

Andoni Iraola has left, Marco Rose has taken over, and the club now have European football to contend with as well.

Those changes make a repeat of last season's sixth-place finish extremely difficult.

The injury to Eli Junior Kroupi is another setback, although Alex Scott remains a major asset and the club have continued to recruit intelligently.

Antonio Silva and Alvaro Rodriguez could become important players, while Juanlu Sanchez looks another shrewd addition.

I would not be surprised if Bournemouth outperform this prediction.

15. Leeds United

Daniel Farke asked Leeds to show greater ambition in the transfer market, and the club have responded.

James Trafford's arrival from Manchester City gives them a goalkeeper with major potential, while Harry Wilson is an excellent attacking addition.

Tarik Muharemovic should also improve the defence.

The biggest weapon could once again be Elland Road. Leeds will make life extremely uncomfortable for visiting teams.

I expect them to survive, although another difficult season is likely.

16. Fulham

Fulham begin another new era following Marco Silva's departure.

Alvaro Arbeloa has been handed the job after his time at Real Madrid, making this another appointment that carries an element of risk.

Fulham have nevertheless established themselves as a Premier League club and should have enough quality to avoid serious trouble.

Shea Charles could prove an important addition, while Arbeloa's familiarity with Real Madrid's young players has helped bring Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to London.

Stability should be the main objective.

17. Sunderland

Sunderland's achievement last season was extraordinary.

Few expected Regis le Bris to take the newly promoted side all the way to European qualification, but that is exactly what happened.

Repeating that success will be extremely difficult.

Keeping Granit Xhaka was a major boost, while Brian Brobbey offers an attacking threat. However, Sunderland have not made enough additions to suggest they can reproduce last season's remarkable results.

A reality check could be coming.

18. Coventry City

Coventry return to the Premier League with plenty of optimism.

Doug King's ownership has brought renewed ambition, while Frank Lampard has overseen an impressive transformation.

The club have also been aggressive in the transfer market. Taiwo Awoniyi provides experience and physical presence, while Gus Hamer's return is a major boost.

Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi add further options.

Coventry have clearly decided to attack the Premier League rather than simply hope for survival.

Even so, staying up will be an enormous challenge.

19. Ipswich Town

Ipswich face another difficult Premier League campaign after Kieran McKenna's surprising departure.

Gary O'Neil now has the responsibility of building on the club's promotion, and the transfer spending shows that Ipswich are serious about remaining in the top flight.

They have invested heavily, bringing in numerous players including Abdoul Ouattara and Julio Enciso.

Daizen Maeda could bring pace and energy to the attack, while Abdul Fatawu is another player capable of making a difference.

Ipswich deserve credit for their ambition, but the Premier League may still prove too strong.

20. Hull City

Hull are back in the top division after a nine-year absence and have wasted little time rebuilding their squad.

Sergej Jakirovic has already welcomed a large group of new players, including goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and defender Nobel Mendy.

The club have shown genuine ambition and are clearly unwilling to accept that promotion should automatically be followed by relegation.

That spirit could make Hull entertaining to watch.

Unfortunately, we suspect the quality and depth of the Premier League will eventually prove too much.

Final Prediction
Position Club
1 Arsenal
2 Manchester City
3 Liverpool
4 Chelsea
5 Manchester United
6 Aston Villa
7 Tottenham Hotspur
8 Nottingham Forest
9 Brighton & Hove Albion
10 Brentford
11 Crystal Palace
12 Newcastle United
13 Everton
14 Bournemouth
15 Leeds United
16 Fulham
17 Sunderland
18 Coventry City
19 Ipswich Town
20 Hull City

The Premier League rarely follows the script, and this season could be particularly unpredictable. Arsenal look best placed to retain the title, while Chelsea and Tottenham could be among the biggest improvers.

At the other end, the promoted clubs face an uphill battle, with Sunderland also at serious risk of dropping back into the Championship after their extraordinary campaign last season.

FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation less than three weeks after publicly challenging president Gianni Infantino over a controversial plan to bring private investment into FIFA's competitions.

FIFA confirmed on Monday, 17 August 2026, that its working relationship with Lamour had ended. The governing body did not provide a reason for his departure, saying only that FIFA and Lamour had “agreed to part ways”.

In a message to FIFA staff, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said the decision followed recent discussions and thanked Lamour for his contribution during his two years with the organisation.

Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 after previously working as deputy general secretary at UEFA. He was one of the senior figures within FIFA's administration, although he was two levels below Infantino.

His departure comes against the backdrop of growing political tensions surrounding Infantino and his plans for FIFA's commercial operations.

Controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise plan

The dispute centred on FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed company that would have overseen the commercial and ticketing rights connected to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.

Infantino's plan to sell a 21% stake in the proposed company to private investment firms triggered strong opposition across international football.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation all raised concerns about the proposal. UEFA went as far as threatening to boycott the World Cup if the plan was implemented.

Lamour subsequently became one of the most outspoken internal critics of the project.

Last month, he described FFE as “the project of one person” and argued that football's political leaders needed to take responsibility for what was happening within FIFA.

He also claimed that FIFA's own administration had been “deceived” over the project.

Lamour said FIFA employees' primary responsibility was to serve football and argued that a president should unite and inspire people rather than divide them.

Acknowledging his obligation to FIFA, he nevertheless said he also had a responsibility to certain principles and to his colleagues.

“If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” Lamour said at the time.

 FFE abandoned after widespread opposition

The pressure surrounding FFE eventually forced FIFA to abandon the proposal.

The decision was a significant setback for Infantino, who has increasingly faced criticism from football authorities over his leadership and commercial ambitions.

A further blow came when Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned during the controversy.

Infantino subsequently secured backing from a number of senior FIFA executives at a meeting in Morocco earlier this month. Lamour, however, was reportedly not invited to the meeting.

His departure now adds another dramatic chapter to the dispute.

 Infantino faces growing opposition ahead of election

The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for Infantino as he seeks a fourth term as FIFA president.

UEFA and Concacaf have withdrawn their previous support for his re-election at the FIFA Congress in March 2027.

Several European football associations have also turned against him. England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have already withdrawn their support, while the Scottish FA became the latest to do so on Monday.

However, Infantino still retains substantial backing elsewhere.

Football authorities from Africa, South America and Oceania have supported his bid, while several Concacaf members have broken with their confederation to back him. Mexico is among those supporting Infantino.

The divisions demonstrate how contested the FIFA presidency has become as the 2027 election approaches.

What FIFA says about Lamour's departure

FIFA has not directly linked Lamour's departure to his criticism of FFE or Infantino.

Its official statement was limited to confirming that the relationship between FIFA and its chief operating officer ended on 17 August.

“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

Grafstrom similarly told FIFA Council members that the organisation had agreed to part ways with Lamour following recent discussions.

Lamour has been approached for comment.

His departure nevertheless raises further questions about the internal divisions within FIFA, particularly after the collapse of the FFE project and the growing opposition to Infantino ahead of next year's presidential election.

For now, FIFA maintains that Lamour's exit was an agreed decision. But given the timing and his recent public criticism of the president's plans, his departure is likely to fuel further scrutiny of the leadership and governance of world football.

Celta Vigo’s LaLiga season opener against Osasuna has been postponed after a fungus outbreak severely damaged the playing surface at Estadio de Balaídos.

The match, originally scheduled for Sunday, was called off after an inspection found that the condition of the pitch had deteriorated despite efforts by Celta to treat the problem. LaLiga said the decision was agreed upon by the clubs and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), citing an illness affecting the stadium’s playing surface.

The two clubs, however, disagree over when the postponed fixture should be played.

Osasuna said Celta had worked to address the fungus and that it understood why the original match could not go ahead. The club claimed, however, that the two teams had agreed to reschedule the game for September 24 or 25, during the international break.

According to Osasuna, that arrangement would have limited the impact on both teams’ schedules and provided players with additional recovery time early in the season.

LaLiga and the RFEF instead scheduled the match for August 27. Osasuna said the decision was made without its consent, despite league and federation officials being aware of the agreement between the clubs.

“The team most affected by the initial postponement for reasons beyond its control is again the most affected by the new schedule,” Osasuna said.

The club also criticized the timing of the postponement, arguing that the decision came only three days before kickoff and reflected what it described as a broader pattern of late calendar changes.

Celta said LaLiga had inspected the pitch the previous week and approved the work being carried out to eliminate the disease. However, the club said recent weather conditions slowed the recovery of the field and ultimately made postponement unavoidable.

The pitch was inspected again by league officials on Wednesday before the decision was finalized.

While both clubs accepted that the damaged surface made the original fixture impossible, Osasuna remains unhappy with the replacement date. The dispute now centers on whether the match should be played on August 27 or moved to the September international break.

Osasuna ended its statement with a pointed criticism of the league’s handling of the situation: “This is not football — it’s La Liga.”

US President Donald Trump has warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” for FIFA to remove president Gianni Infantino from his position.

Trump’s comments come after UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking their trust “through deception” over his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The FFE plan would have involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights for FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Under the proposal, a 21% stake in the company would have been sold to a private investment group.

“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain winning the tournament after defeating Argentina in the final.

Trump’s latest remarks mark his strongest public defence of Infantino since details of the FFE proposal emerged on 28 July. When he first addressed the issue on 31 July, Trump said he had not discussed the proposal with Infantino.

Thrive Capital, the US venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investment group. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

The FFE proposal was ultimately abandoned, but the controversy has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership and FIFA’s plans for managing its lucrative commercial rights.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez have chosen to celebrate their marriage in a way that reflects what matters most to them: family, privacy and the life they have built together.

Rather than hosting a lavish ceremony, the couple exchanged their vows in the living room of their home in Cascais, Portugal. For Rodríguez, the decision was deeply personal and very different from the wedding she once imagined as a child.

Growing up, she dreamed of a fairytale celebration, complete with a magnificent castle, a grand carriage, a dramatic wedding dress and a diamond-covered crown. But over the years, her idea of the perfect wedding changed.

Today, Rodríguez says she values an intimate celebration surrounded by her partner and their children far more than an extravagant event.

The choice of their living room also carried special meaning. It is a place where the family spends time together and creates everyday memories. Rodríguez hopes that their children will one day look back and remember that their parents made one of the most important promises of their lives in a place that was already part of their family story.

For a couple accustomed to luxury, the decision was not about what they could afford. With beautiful homes, expensive cars, horses and countless extraordinary experiences already part of their lives, Rodríguez felt that another grand display would not necessarily make the occasion more special.

Instead, they chose something simple and personal.

Their living room became the setting for a milestone they wanted their children to remember—not for its extravagance, but because it was the place where their family shared an unforgettable moment together.

A growing alliance of football’s major continental confederations is preparing a new blueprint for how the global game should be governed, amid an escalating confrontation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are understood to be working together on a policy document that would outline a possible alternative model for FIFA. The initiative reflects mounting frustration over what the three organisations regard as an increasingly centralised and opaque style of leadership under Infantino.

People familiar with the discussions say the group is considering fundamental questions about FIFA's future. These include the organisation's core responsibilities, the way its leadership should be structured, how decisions should be made and how FIFA's substantial financial resources should be distributed among its members.

The use of FIFA's reserves is expected to be a particularly important issue. With the governing body holding billions of dollars in reserves, the confederations want to examine whether the money could be distributed and invested in a way that provides greater long-term benefits for national associations and football development.

The move comes after a major dispute over Infantino's recently abandoned proposal to create a commercial vehicle that would allow private investors to acquire an interest in World Cup-related assets. FIFA eventually withdrew the plan following widespread opposition, but the episode has deepened concerns among several of its most powerful members about transparency and consultation.

Rather than waiting for FIFA's leadership to initiate the governance review they have requested, UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC have begun developing their own proposals. The resulting framework could eventually become the platform for a challenger seeking to defeat Infantino in FIFA's next presidential election.

There is also a more dramatic possibility. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the proposals could potentially provide the foundations for an alternative structure outside FIFA, although such a development would represent an extraordinary rupture in international football.

The three confederations have already signalled that they are prepared to consider more direct action. In a joint statement, they called for leadership that serves football rather than concentrates power, while discussions have reportedly begun about the possibility of staging alternative competitions if the conflict with FIFA's leadership continues.

UEFA's position has become particularly confrontational. European officials have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions unless the governing body agrees to an independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the World Cup investment proposal and provides firm guarantees that similar decisions will not be made without proper consultation in the future.

One immediate consequence could involve the Under-20 Women's World Cup. UEFA has indicated that European teams could withdraw from the tournament if FIFA fails to respond to its demands quickly enough.

The growing alliance also has potential implications for the FIFA presidency. Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is currently viewed as one of the strongest possible candidates to challenge Infantino. Montagliani has previously insisted that his immediate priority is securing his own re-election at Concacaf, but his public comments about leadership and accountability have closely reflected the language now being used by FIFA's critics.

The political manoeuvring is intensifying as senior European football officials gather in Salzburg for meetings surrounding the UEFA Super Cup. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin is expected to meet with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of European Football Clubs, as European football seeks to maintain a united position over FIFA's leadership.

The meetings come at a critical moment for Infantino. Although FIFA has apologised for mistakes surrounding the failed investment initiative and withdrawn the proposal, opposition from major confederations has continued.

What began as a dispute over one controversial commercial proposal has therefore evolved into a much broader argument about who should control the future of global football.

For the first time in years, influential parts of the football world are not simply demanding changes from FIFA—they are beginning to consider what a different FIFA could actually look like.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly part of a consortium that is close to acquiring a significant minority stake in Liverpool Football Club.

According to Sky News, the consortium, led by British-Indian businessman Amit Bhatia, is nearing a deal to purchase roughly one-third of the Premier League club from current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

FSG confirmed last month that it had been approached by Bhatia’s investment group, which includes Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

An FSG spokesperson said: “An investment consortium led, managed, and represented by Amit Bhatia has expressed interest in making a strategic minority investment in Liverpool Football Club.”

Sky News reports that an announcement could be made in the coming days. The proposed transaction could value Liverpool at approximately £4.5 billion ($6 billion).

Bezos, whose wealth is estimated at around $257 billion, has previously explored opportunities to invest in professional sports. Last year, he considered bids for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders but ultimately did not pursue either deal.

Bhatia, a British-Indian millionaire and former co-owner of Queens Park Rangers, is the son-in-law of billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. He confirmed his departure from QPR’s board last month, around the same time FSG acknowledged discussions with his consortium.

FSG acquired Liverpool in 2010 for around £300 million, when the club was facing significant financial difficulties. Since then, Liverpool have won two Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, while also benefiting from major investment in Anfield and the club’s training facilities.

FSG also owns the Boston Red Sox and sold a minority stake in Liverpool to investment firm Dynasty in 2023. That investment provided the club with additional capital following the pandemic but was not intended to fund future player transfers.

If completed, the proposed deal would give Bezos and his fellow investors a substantial financial interest in one of the world’s most valuable and successful football clubs, while FSG would retain overall control of Liverpool.

More Articles ...

  1. Justice Beyond the Whistle: A Look At FIFA’s Disciplinary Process
  2. FIFA Hits Back At Growing Pressure To Oust Infantino
  3. Lionel Messi’s Father Jorge Messi Passes at 68
Page 2 of 17
+1 (617) 501-0681 Contact US
Today14
Yesterday0
This week19
This month38
Total1190411

Visitor Info

  • IP: 216.73.216.180
  • Browser: Unknown
  • Browser Version:
  • Operating System: Unknown

Who Is Online

1
Online
2026-09-11

Joomla! Debug Console

Session

Profile Information

Memory Usage

Database Queries