Premier League 2025–26: The South African Fan’s Guide to Every Club this Season

The wait is over. On Friday night, Liverpool kick off their title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield — and South African fans will be glued to their TVs, WhatsApp groups buzzing, and Twitter timelines firing.
Here’s your full 20-team guide, from the title chasers to the relegation battlers, and why each team matters to Mzansi.

1. Liverpool – Rebuilding around Salah

Last season: Champions (84 pts)
Key ins: Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong
Key outs: Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Reds swapped Klopp’s chaos for Arne Slot’s measured style and won the league with ease. Salah was sensational — top scorer and creator — but now he’s surrounded by a fresh cast after Díaz, Núñez and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. Frimpong’s attacking runs could thrill, but might leave gaps at the back. Mzansi fans will also watch if they land Newcastle’s Alexander Isak before the window closes.

2. Arsenal – Elite defence, title or bust

Last season: 2nd (74 pts)
Key ins: Martín Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke
Arteta’s side have been the league’s best defensive unit for two years, but their attack has lacked killer chances. Gyökeres is a big signing to change that. South Africans will be asking if this is finally the year they break the 22-year title drought.

3. Manchester City – Rodri’s health is the season

Last season: 3rd (71 pts)
Key ins: Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki
Without Rodri last season, City’s midfield was soft. Pep has replaced ageing legs but hasn’t brought in a true defensive midfielder. If Rodri’s injuries linger, City’s title hopes could evaporate fast.

4. Chelsea – Can chaos win titles?

Last season: 4th (69 pts)
Key ins: João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Estêvão
Enzo Maresca built a possession machine, then Chelsea ripped it up again with eight big signings. Cole Palmer is the star, but with constant change, Mzansi Blues will wonder — is this a title-chasing team or just another rebuild?

5. Brighton – Waiting for a star to explode

Last season: 8th (61 pts)
Key ins: Charalampos Kostoulas, Maxim De Cuyper
They’re young, bold, and well-coached by Fabian Hürzeler, but nobody in attack hit above-average numbers last season. If Minteh or Rutter take off, Brighton could finally turn dominance into goals.

6. Newcastle – The Isak saga

Last season: 5th (66 pts)
Key ins: Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw
Isak scored over a third of Newcastle’s league goals but now wants out. Elanga brings blistering pace, but without Isak’s finishing, Eddie Howe’s side may not repeat last season’s highs.

7. Aston Villa – Standing still?

Last season: 6th (66 pts)
Key ins: Evann Guessand
Guessand’s signing looks clever, but Villa’s squad is largely unchanged. With no Champions League distraction, they could push higher — but only if Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey step up.

8. Bournemouth – Can the chaos last?

Last season: 9th (56 pts)
Key ins: Djordje Petrovic, Adrien Truffert
Iraola’s team played high-energy, high-risk football, but three key defenders are gone. Semenyo’s rise last season was huge — more players need to follow his lead to keep the Cherries midtable.

9. Tottenham – Frank’s fresh start

Last season: 17th (38 pts)
Key ins: Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, João Palhinha (loan)
New boss Thomas Frank has shored up the defence, but with Son gone and Maddison injured, they need Kudus and Tel to fire fast.

10. Crystal Palace – Ready to level up

Last season: 12th (53 pts)
Key ins: Borna Sosa
FA Cup winners and Conference League participants, Palace under Oliver Glasner have an identity: a home for hungry, talented youngsters. Now the choice is between cashing in or going all-in for European football.

11. Manchester United – Goals but no engine room

Last season: 15th (42 pts)
Key ins: Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha
United have remade their attack, but midfield is thin and ageing. Amorim’s two-man midfield system will be tested in the Premier League grind.

12. Nottingham Forest – Can Wood repeat?

Last season: 7th (65 pts)
Key ins: Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus
Chris Wood’s 20 goals last season were way above expectation. Without Elanga’s assists, Forest’s attacking magic could fade.

13. Fulham – Don’t waste Muniz

Last season: 11th (54 pts)
Key ins: Benjamin Lecomte
Rodrigo Muniz is ready to lead the line, but if Fulham let him go, Raul Jimenez will be their only striker — not a recipe for success.

14. Brentford – Can they survive the exits?

Last season: 10th (56 pts)
Key ins: Antoni Milambo, Michael Kayode, Caoimhin Kelleher
Losing Frank, Mbeumo and Norgaard is huge. Their set-piece edge will help, but if Wissa leaves too, survival becomes the goal.

15. Everton – Barry’s big chance

Last season: 13th (48 pts)
Key ins: Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish (loan)
Barry’s numbers in La Liga were elite for his age. If he adapts quickly, Everton could push into midtable safety under Moyes.

16. Wolves – Weaker on paper

Last season: 16th (42 pts)
Key ins: Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias
Losing Cunha and Aït-Nouri removes bite from attack and defence. If finishing cools, Wolves could slide.

17. West Ham – Defence fixed, attack timid

Last season: 14th (43 pts)
Key ins: Jean-Clair Todibo, Malick Diouf, Callum Wilson
Potter’s tightened defence, but his attack is slow and cautious. Staying midtable is more realistic than European dreams.

18. Leeds United – Best chance to survive?

Last season: Championship winners
Key ins: Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol
Farke’s men were dominant in the second tier, but staying up requires defensive discipline and counter-punching quality.

19. Sunderland – Smart but still underdogs

Last season: Playoff winners
Key ins: Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Granit Xhaka
They’ve recruited wisely and added leadership, but the Premier League is ruthless to promoted sides.

20. Burnley – Big spending, big gamble

Last season: Championship runners-up
Key ins: Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Kyle Walker
They’ve signed 13 players but lost miracle-keeper James Trafford. Survival will be a massive challenge.

The bottom line

The 2025–26 Premier League season has a bit of everything — from Liverpool’s bold title defence and Arsenal’s all-or-nothing mentality, to Manchester City’s midfield gamble and Chelsea’s endless rebuild. For South African fans, it’s the ultimate mix of storylines, late-night drama, and bragging rights for your WhatsApp groups.

Some clubs are playing for trophies, others are fighting for their Premier League lives, but in this league, one good run or one injury can flip everything. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just here for the banter, buckle up — because the season ahead promises chaos, shocks, and plenty of football to keep you up past midnight.

Source:ESPN 

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