As the new Premier League season approaches, the Guardian has once again gathered supporter voices from all 20 clubs to gauge expectations, fears and hopes for the campaign ahead. The results paint a picture of a division in transition, with several storied managerial eras ending and fresh appointments reshaping ambitions up and down the table.
Arsenal fans, buoyed by finally ending their long wait for the title, are eyeing a defence of their crown under Mikel Arteta, though the long-term absence of William Saliba raises defensive concerns. Supporters are hopeful that the return of World Cup contingent Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi and Bukayo Saka will sharpen the team, while Max Dowman is tipped for a breakout campaign. The fanbase predicts a first-place finish once more.
Across the capital, Chelsea supporters are encouraged by a new head coach and a shrewd mix of experienced and younger recruits, targeting a top-four finish given the absence of Champions League football. Tottenham fans, meanwhile, are cautiously daring to dream bigger than usual after Roberto De Zerbi's arrival and marquee midfield additions such as Sandro Tonali, hoping for anything from a top-eight finish to an ambitious title surprise.
Manchester City's supporters are bracing for life after Pep Guardiola, with Enzo Maresca now in charge and the primary objective being to reclaim the league title from Arsenal. Losing Rodri looms as a significant concern despite the arrival of reinforcements in midfield. Manchester United fans, buoyed by Michael Carrick's impact since taking over, believe a third-place finish and genuine Champions League contention are realistic, powered by the pairing of Youri Tielemans and Bruno Fernandes.
Liverpool go into the campaign under a new manager following a summer of departures, though the retained spine of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson gives fans confidence that a title challenge remains possible, with new arrival Alexander Isak expected to make his mark after a difficult prior season.
Elsewhere, there's optimism at Bournemouth, who are preparing for their first-ever European campaign under Marco Rose, and at Sunderland, where last season's seventh-place finish and forthcoming Europa League football have raised expectations, albeit tempered by the challenge of a busier fixture schedule. Brentford fans likewise see continued progress under their current setup, targeting a possible European push.
At the other end of the table, there is deep anxiety at Newcastle, where the exits of a title-winning manager and his captain have left supporters reeling, despite faith being placed in new head coach Matthias Jaissle. Everton fans remain sceptical about the scope of the Friedkin family's ambition despite significant investment, while promoted sides Coventry, Ipswich and Hull all appear resigned to a genuine relegation battle, though each has voiced defiant hope of surprising doubters.
Nottingham Forest supporters, still processing another turbulent managerial change, are hoping Oliver Glasner can deliver actual silverware after a season of upheaval, while Crystal Palace and Brighton fans are focused on lengthy European campaigns in the Conference League and beyond, alongside domestic cup ambition.
Among the widely shared predictions collected by the Guardian's contributors, Arsenal are widely tipped to finish top, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all featuring prominently in various fans' top-four predictions. Hull, Ipswich and Coventry are commonly tipped to occupy the relegation places, though there is no shortage of disagreement across the various submissions, reflecting the unpredictability many fans feel defines the division heading into the new season.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.