Kompas Journalist Predicts: Manchester City Not a Leading Candidate for the Premier League Title

After Manchester City's dominance was ended by Liverpool last season, the 2025-2026 Premier League season is predicted to be even more exciting. Kompas Daily's Sports Desk (Kompas.id) journalists have not included "The Citizens" as a strong candidate to win the Premier League trophy in May 2026.

On the other hand, the competition in the relegation zone is also predicted to still be occupied by the trio of promoted teams, namely Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland. Additionally, we also speculate on the debut names that will have an immediate impact on their team's performance this season.

The competition for the top scorer title is still centered around Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. Nevertheless, the arrival of foreign strikers has the potential to intensify the competition for the "golden boot."

Here are some predictions from Kompas journalists for the Premier League this season.

Liverpool has a significant mission to secure the English League title for the 21st time this season, which will also replicate the success of "The Reds" in defending the title after the 1993/1984 season.

Who's the champion? Why are they favored?

M Ikhsan Mahar (SAN): Chelsea. Enzo Maresca has proven himself capable of managing the chaos within Chelsea. Maresca has handled wasteful management and a bloated roster well. The diversity of players opens up opportunities for the Blues to come up with a number of tactical alternatives. Chelsea simply needs consistency from each of their key players to immediately perch at the top of the table from the start of the season.

Kelvin Hianusa (KEL): Arsenal. The deepest squad, the most intriguing, and a sharp striker.

I Gusti Agung Bagus Angga Putra (IGA): Chelsea's performance in the Club World Cup places them as a strong contender for the Premier League title. Under Maresca, Chelsea have maintained their consistency. The Europa Conference League and Club World Cup titles prove the Blues are strong contenders for the Premier League title. Chelsea's aggressiveness in bringing in many new players to add depth to the squad will also significantly help them maintain consistency from the start to the end of the season.

Rebbiyah Salasah (REB): Liverpool. Arsenal and Manchester City may remain a stumbling block, but Liverpool appear to be stronger, especially as the team is more united and closer due to the Jota tragedy. The arrival of several new players could also be a boost to their title defense.

Agung Setyahadi (ANG): Liverpool. Liverpool has a big mission: winning the Premier League title for the 21st time this season, which would also repeat the Reds' success in defending the title after the 1993/1984 season.

Liverpool's mission is evidenced by a massive spending spree on players to refresh the midfield, sharpen the attacking line, and strengthen the defense. Coach Arne Slot has grand plans with these new players, where Ekitike and Wirtz will provide abundant options in attacking tactics. This will also allow Mo Salah to have more freedom in dictating the game.

The arrival of two wing-backs, Kerkez and Frimpong, clearly enhances the speed of the attacking-defending transition, and vice versa. Liverpool's squad will become even more formidable if they successfully bring in Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. Isak is regarded as a complete modern striker, adept at finishing aerial balls, agile and quick, with strong ball control in maneuvering past defenders.

Isak's arrival will significantly help Slot in rotating players, as they are also chasing the Champions League title. However, the competition will not be easy, as Arsenal, who have finished runners-up three times in a row, are looking to break the bank this season. Manchester City are also looking to redeem themselves after a performance that Pep Guardiola admitted disappointed him. City ended the 2024/2025 season without a trophy, a blow to Guardiola's squad, which is worth billions of rupiah.

What are the key factors that are crucial for Liverpool to retain the league title?

SAN: A center-back regeneration to find a replacement equal to Virgil van Dijk, the toughness of Ryan Gravenberch, and maintain Mo Salah's sharpness which faded in the latter half of last season.

KEL: Squad depth and adaptation of new players.

IGA: Liverpool need consistency in attack and regeneration in several aging positions to defend their title. Manager Arne Slot has already begun to address this regeneration aspect. He brought in Milos Kerkez to replace the aging Andrew Robertson. Up front, Liverpool recruited Hugo Ekitike to replace Darwin Nunez, who has been performing below expectations.

REB: The team's solidarity and cohesion have grown stronger as a result of facing the Diogo Jota tragedy together. Furthermore, the swift integration of Wirtz–Ekitike–Frimpong into the squad could be another factor.

Who are the top four teams finishing?

SAN: Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

KEL: Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

IGA: Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool.

REB: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

ANG: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

Which teams will be relegated?

SAN: Wolves, Sunderland and Burnley.

EX: Burnley, Leeds, Brentford.

IGA: Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland.

REB: The two strongest teams with potential for relegation are Burnley and Sunderland.

A debutant worth watching?

SAN: Florian Wirtz, who has great potential, is being touted as Liverpool's new icon to replace Mo Salah. And, if Man City signs Gianluigi Donnarumma.

EX: Tijjani Reijnders (Man City) and Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal).

IGA: Martin Zubimendi is on the radar as a new Premier League player to watch.

REB: Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) and Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal).

One strong candidate Best player?

SAN: Declan Rice. He's Arsenal's true leader. The brains and soul of the "Cannon" game.

EX: Cole Palmer.

IGA: Florian Wirtz has a chance to be named Premier League Player of the Season next season. His intelligence and quick thinking on the pitch, along with his ability to provide key passes and create chances, will be crucial in Liverpool's title defense.

REB: Florian Wirtz (Liverpool). If Liverpool win the title again, Wirtz will likely be a key player in that success.

The main candidate for top scorer?

SAN: Erling Haaland and Mo Salah are still the frontrunners for the Golden Boot, but Chelsea's Joao Pedro could end their dominance.

EX: Viktor Gyokeres.

IGA: It's hard to ignore Benjamin Sesko as a top scorer. The striker, who has a similar build and ability to Erling Haaland, possesses exceptional finishing. He's especially dangerous when he gets close to the penalty box.

REB: Erling Haaland (Manchester City). It's hard to exclude Haaland from the list of top scorers. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) and Alexander Isak, if they stay at Newcastle (or if they move to Liverpool), will be Haaland's challengers.

Which team will exceed expectations?

SAN: Everton. Everton has been struggling for the bottom of the table for the past four seasons. Still under David Moyes, the move to their new home, Everton Stadium, and the addition of new players, including Jack Grealish, has brought a breath of fresh air to the Toffees. At least they have the potential to compete for a Europa League or Europa Conference League spot next season.

KEL: Crystal Palace. Last season's FA Cup winners and 2025 Community Shield winners.

IGA: Manchester United. Poor performance since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure has seen Manchester United fall out of the title race. However, all those predictions could be shattered by United's massive transfer market moves. The signings of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha could be a turning point for United's weak front line. These three players could also be Amorim's trump cards in returning United to their former glory.

REB: Chelsea. Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has the potential to emerge from the shadow of inconsistency by having a long-term plan in place.

A team that performed "flop" or not according to predictions?

SAN: Manchester United. It's still difficult to see Manchester United competing at the top of the table again in the 2025-2026 season. Manager Ruben Amorim hasn't been able to address the "poison" within the team. The Red Devils have the potential to start the season well, but inconsistency remains their "malady."

EX: Nottingham Forest.

IGA: Tottenham Hotspur face a tough challenge next season, as the reigning Europa League champions. This title immediately makes the "White Lilies" a team to watch out for next season. However, just as they were getting used to Ange Postecoglou's system, the team will have to start from scratch with the appointment of Thomas Frank as their new manager. Frank is also untested in managing teams with strong Premier League traditions.

REB: Newcastle United. Their turbulent pre-season, with the Alexander Isak transfer saga and financial regulatory issues, could lead to Newcastle underperforming.

⁠Who is thebest coach?

SAN: Mikel Arteta (Arsenal).

EX: Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace).

IGA: Enzo Maresca is a coach who is very likely to win the best coach award. His ability to optimize the talents of each Chelsea player has resulted in the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup trophies. He can play modern football, relying on possession, even with players of lesser quality. With Chelsea boasting many above-average players, Chelsea has the potential to be a team that is difficult for opponents to stop.

REB: Arne Slot (Liverpool) if he brings Liverpool back-to-back titles in his second season.