Manchester United and Everton believes four sides—Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City—will be battling for the 2025–26 championship.
Arsenal, who have finished second in the past three campaigns, are eager to finally lift the league trophy for the first time in over two decades.
Chelsea have emerged as serious challengers too, following significant progress under manager Enzo Maresca and a Club World Cup triumph this summer.
Liverpool enter the new season as reigning champions after securing the title in Arne Slot’s first year at the helm.
Manchester City remain a strong force, having claimed the Premier League in four straight seasons before their run was halted by Liverpool last year.
Quizzed for his thoughts on the 2025-26 title race at the Premier League Summer Series pre-season tournament, Howard told Sky Sports: ‘Liverpool, for me, are the frontrunners.
‘They’ve made incredible signings. They’re going to start the season flying, I know it.
Who have Liverpool signed this summer?
Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth, £40m
Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen, £116m
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen, £29.5m
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Valencia, £29m
Hugo Ekitike – Eintracht Frankfurt, £79m
Armin Pecsi – Puskas Akademia, £1.5m
Freddie Woodman – Preston, free
‘[But] I can’t bet against Pep Guardiola. They’ve only had one bad season under him. They could come good.
‘Arsenal have done amazing business [too] – they got their No.9 (Viktor Gyokeres) so they could really challenge.’
‘Chelsea is the wildcard,’ Howard added. ‘The won a European title (the 2024-25 Conference League) and the Club World Cup.
‘I’m thinking, ‘This is coming together really quick’ – quicker than I thought.
Who have Chelsea signed this summer?
Jamie Gittens – Dortmund, £51.5m
Joao Pedro – Brighton, £60m
Liam Delap – Ipswich, £30m
Jorrel Hato – Ajax, £38.5m
Estevao Willian – Palmeiras, £29m
Dario Essugo – Sporting, £18.5m
Mamadou Sarr – RC Strasbourg, £12m
Kendry Paez – Independiente del Valle, £17.3m
‘For me, that will be the Premier League top four. I also think it will be tight because all of these teams will take points off each other.
‘But Liverpool are the frontrunners.’
Liverpool face AFC Bournemouth in their first Premier League game of the new campaign on August 15, while City take on Wolves on August 16.
Arsenal and Chelsea both play their opening matches on August 17, against Man United and Crystal Palace respectively.
