The dust has barely settled on the Premier League chapter that was 2024/25. And already we’re looking to 25/26 with excitement. What will Newcastle United do in the transfer window? What will the squad look like next season? How will the side cope with the rigours of a return to European football?
All first world problems a club like Newcastle United is now wants to deal with on a seasonal basis.
The Magpies ended this campaign with a damp squib, I think that’s fair to say. A laboured performance against Everton saw them sign off the season with a 1-0 home defeat. Another one to add to the list of St James’ struggles, along with Bournemouth, Brighton, West Ham and others. That record will undoubtedly have to improve, if United are to challenge at the real business end of the season, when titles are at stake.
We expect a busy summer at Newcastle, but will it bring about an improvement in performance? We asked AI to predict what will happen for the 2025/26 campaign – and it’s fair to say it threw up some interesting results – including for North East rivals Sunderland.
Here’s what Grok thinks will happen next season.
1.Sunderland – 20th
Their return to the Premier League is likely to be brief. Promoted teams have historically struggled (e.g., Southampton’s 2024/25 relegation), and Sunderland’s squad may lack the quality to survive. | Getty Images
2.Burnley – 19th
Burnley’s promotion brings them back, but their 2023/24 relegation exposed defensive frailties. Simulations predict all promoted sides will struggle, and Burnley’s lack of top-tier depth could see them drop. | Getty Images
3.Leeds United – 18th
Leeds return to the Premier League for 2025/26, but data suggests promoted sides struggle, with all three projected to go down. Their attacking style may not translate against stronger opposition, leading to relegation. | Getty Images
4.Brentford – 17th
Brentford’s established status under Thomas Frank is a strength, but their reliance on key players like Bryan Mbeumo (if he stays) and a potential Frank departure to a bigger club could destabilize them. A 17th-place finish reflects caution. | Getty Images
5. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 16th
Wolves’ 2024/25 season has seen them climb from relegation fears, but losing stars like Matheus Cunha could hurt. A lower mid-table finish is likely unless they reinv
6.Fulham – 15th
Fulham’s stability under Marco Silva ensures a mid-table finish. Their 2024/25 form suggests they can compete but lack the firepower for a European push. | Getty Images
7.Bournemouth – 14th
Bournemouth’s 2024/25 season has been impressive, with their press and Antoine Semenyo’s form earning praise. A ninth-place finish is possible, but maintaining that level with key departures will be tough. | Getty Images
8.Crystal Palace – 13th
Palace’s strong 2024/25 under Oliver Glasner, driven by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 33 goals over two seasons, suggests a stable mid-table finish. Their attacking flair could push them higher, but depth issues may cap their ceiling. | Getty Images
9.Manchester United – 12th
United’s 2024/25 season has been dismal, with Ruben Amorim calling it the “worst squad in club history.” A projected 12th-place finish in 2025/26 reflects ongoing struggles. A mid-table finish is likely unless Amorim turns things around. | Getty Images
10.Everton – 11th
Everton’s move to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium and potential new ownership could spark a revival. Their 2024/25 season has been relegation-adjacent, but a 11th-place projection for 2025/26 suggests incremental progress. | Getty Images
11.West Ham – 10th
West Ham’s struggles under Julen Lopetegui (four wins in 17 games) and Graham Potter’s shaky tenure suggest a transitional 2025/26. A mid-table finish seems likely unless results improve significantly. | Getty Images
12.Brighton & Hove Albion – 9th
Brighton’s innovative approach under Fabian Hurzeler has kept them competitive, but their 2024/25 form (mid-table) suggests a ceiling. Their attacking style and young squad could secure a top-half finish, especially with improved injury management. | Getty Images
13.Tottenham Hotspur – 8th
A projected 13th-place finish in some simulations reflects managerial uncertainty. However, their squad quality and Europa League success could stabilize them for a mid-table finish with European qualification. | Getty Images
14.Nottingham Forest – 7th
Forest’s surprising 2024/25 success (33.6% chance of top-five finish) under Nuno Espírito Santo makes them a dark horse. Their counter-attacking style and defensive solidity could sustain a European push, but a top-six finish feels ambitious for 2025/26 without significant signings. | Getty Images
15.Aston Villa – 6th
Villa’s 2024/25 season (40.5% chance of top-five finish) under Unai Emery highlights their depth and Ollie Watkins’ goal-scoring prowess. Their ability to balance European and domestic competitions makes them a solid top-six candidate, though they may fall short of the top four due to stronger competition. | Getty Images
16.Chelsea – 5th
Chelsea’s inconsistent 2024/25 season (54.0% chance of top-five finish) under Enzo Maresca shows promise but lacks cohesion. Their talented squad, bolstered by young prospects like Tyrique George, could gel further by 2025/26. However, their lower backing from pundits (only one of ten predicts a top-five finish) and PSR-driven sales could limit progress. A top-five spot feels achievable if Maresca refines his system. | Getty Images
17.Newcastle United – 4th
Newcastle’s strong 2024/25 campaign under Eddie Howe positions them as Champions League contenders. Players like Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães are pivotal, and their ability to manage a congested schedule will be key. Their projected top-four finish in some simulations reflects growing squad depth and tactical maturity. | Getty Images
18.Manchester City – 3rd
Despite a disappointing 2024/25 (sixth place, multiple losses), City’s potential to rebound is strong with Pep Guardiola’s motivation, Rodri’s return from injury, and January signings like Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez settling in. Their defense needs tightening, but their attacking firepower (Erling Haaland) and managerial nous make them a safe bet for a top-three finish. | Getty Images
19. Liverpool – 2nd
Liverpool’s dominant 2024/25 season under Arne Slot showcases their ruthless efficiency, led by Mohamed Salah’s 27 goals. However, the challenge of sustaining intensity post-title could see them slip slightly. Their minimal transfer activity last summer suggests reliance on the current squad, which may need refreshing to compete with a bolstered Arsenal. | AFP via Getty Images
20. Arsenal – CHAMPIONS
Arsenal have been consistently close to the title, finishing second in 2024/25 with a strong squad under Mikel Arteta. Their defensive solidity and attacking potential are well-established, but their lack of a clinical No. 9 (Kai Havertz with nine goals in 2024/25) has been a noted weakness. If they address this with a reliable centre-forward and a left-sided attacker to complement Bukayo Saka, as suggested by analysts, they could edge out competitors. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
