EPL: Chelsea, Man Utd beef up to challenge Liverpool, Arsenal in new season – A preview
The 2025/2026 Premier League campaign opened with a thrilling 4-2 win by Liverpool over Bournemouth on Friday.
This is what you waited 82 days for.
This game at Anfield had it all.
The opening hymn from the Anfield choir. Hugo Ekitike’s impressive debut. VAR controversy. A racist incident. A sublime solo goal from Semenyo. A grandstand finish.
And we still have nine more games left in Game Week 1.
“It’s a nice feeling welcoming back the familiar,” Clinton McDubus, a top football analyst and podcaster, tells DAILY POST.
“While there wasn’t a shortage of football, it just didn’t feel the same as the regular club football we have come to enjoy.
“It promises to be another great season.”
For Liverpool, they could not afford to drop points in their first home game.
On an emotional night where tributes were constantly paid to the late Diogo Jota, Arne Slot’s men held off a Bournemouth fightback to pick up their first victory.
The Reds are favourites with many fans and pundits to win the title again.
“I think they come into the season as favourites,” McDubus agrees.
“They’ve responded well to winning the title, by strengthening their squad and getting rid of inconsistent players.
“As it is, the squad is title-worthy.
“If they succeed in their pursuit of Isak, they will be even scarier. I think Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City will give them a good fight though.”
Ekitike has already scored two goals in his first two appearances for Liverpool.
The 23-year-old is one of the big-money strikers that arrived in the English topflight this summer.
Arsenal have signed Viktor Gyökeres, Manchester United brought in Benjamin Sesko and Chelsea added Joao Pedro.
It does appear one of these names could prove decisive for their teams this season.
“It’s hard to say. I think they’re all good additions with the potential to light up the season.
“Gyökeres and Ekitike look likely to produce 20-goal league seasons. I’m tipping them to do it.”
At the other end of the table, many people have predicted the three promoted teams – Leeds United, Sunderland and Burnley – to go straight back down.
But McDubus thinks Sunderland, who have spent over £130million in the transfer market, could surprise us.
He said: “Sunderland. I think they’ll do a lot better than people expect, because their signings have been smart.
“On the surface, it looks like just another newly promoted side splashing the cash on experienced players with no thought.
“But they’re actually assembling a solid squad.”
McDubus, however, expects their Tyneside rivals Newcastle United to be the big underachievers.
“I think it might be Newcastle unless something changes before deadline day.
“They have had a horrible window and might still lose Isak. The last time they were in the CL, it affected them domestically.
“I think it might affect them even more this time around,” he added.
EPL: Chelsea, Man Utd beef up to challenge Liverpool, Arsenal in new season – A preview
