Contenders How did it come to this, that a club crowned Premier League champions a decade ago are down in the third tier? Chronic mismanagement across the board has been Leicester’s problem for too long and they need to reset under Russell Martin. Many of the top earners have been shipped out and not much … Read more
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 9th (NB: this is not necessarily John Brewin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 8th Prospects Last season’s final day in May featured Brighton fans and players united in celebrating qualification for the Europa Conference League despite losing 3-0 to Manchester United. Considering West Ham and … Read more
Question: What makes a homegrown player? Answer: A homegrown player is a player who, regardless of their nationality or age, has been affiliated with any English or Welsh club for a period of three entire seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday. The same rules apply to players who have three seasons or 36 … Read more
Since Brexit, and with the UK no longer part of the European Union, clubs now have to navigate a more complex work permit system to ensure players – especially those who are yet to establish themselves at the top level – are able to move to England. Austria youth international Ndukwe doesn’t currently have enough … Read more
Contenders Salford meekly lost the playoff final and that was the end of days for Karl Robinson as he was sacked. Peter Cklamovski was not the obvious replacement, but the Australian left behind the Malaysia national side for a crack at League Two with the rebranded Ammies, who are back in their traditional orange. Macaulay … Read more
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not necessarily Ben Fisher’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 6th Prospects It was the day after the final game of last season at Bournemouth’s secluded, swish training base and, before clearing his belongings on his last day in the building, the … Read more
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 1st (NB: this is not necessarily Ed Aarons’ prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 1st Prospects Even losing on penalties in the Champions League final could not take any of the gloss off last season as Arsenal ended their 22-year wait to be crowned Premier League … Read more
As Coventry City prepare for their first season back in the top flight for a generation, few are under any illusions as to the task facing them over the next nine months. Boss Frank Lampard delivered promotion in style last season, as the Sky Blues followed up their 2025 play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland by … Read more
Chelsea have been many things throughout their history but they haven’t once been accused of shyness. Love them or hate them, Chelsea do things however they want and without apology. The results can be a mixed bag. They’re the only club outside Manchester with five titles in the Premier League era and more, much more … Read more
Nine of the 20 Premier League clubs will begin the 2026-27 season with a different man in the dugout than the one who ended the last campaign. Opta recently revealed that the only other seasons which started with so many men making their managerial debut for top flight clubs were 1888-89 and 1946-47; the inaugural … Read more