The 2025-26 Premier League title contenders

Premier League football swings back into action today as champions Liverpool kick off the defence of their championship crown at home to Bournemouth. 

Arne Slot's side will parade a whole host of new signings - including record buy Florian Wirtz - as they look to win back-to-back titles, but they'll be challenged by several teams who have also been busy bolstering their sides ahead of the new campaign. 

DAZN News takes a look at the challengers for this season's Premier League. 

Liverpool 

• Last season: 1st
• Manager: Arne Slot 

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If Carlsberg could write perfect first Premier League seasons, then they couldn't have done it better for Arne Slot and Liverpool last season. 

The Dutchman had big shoes to fill in replacing the legendary Jurgen Klopp, but his cool, controlled approach saw the Reds comfortably claim the league title and draw level with Manchester United in the all-time championship standings. 

Now the difficulty is in following that. Liverpool haven't retained a league title since the 1980s, but have invested heavily in the summer to give Slot every chance in doing so. In come Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and record-buy Florian Wirtz to add to the Merseysider's already-impressive squad - with the potential of more big names to come. 

They've lost some key names too, most notably in the tragic circumstances of Diogo Jota's passing, but there's no question that they remain the team to beat. 

One more title win and they'll be back on their perch again, seemingly without anyone to stop them. 

Arsenal  

• Last season: 2nd
• Manager: Mikel Arteta 

@viktorgyokeres

For the past three seasons, it's been Arsenal who have been the closest challengers to the Premier League title, but can English football's bridesmaids finally become the bride in 2026? 

It appears to be the campaign where the Gunners will have no excuses. Mikel Arteta's team have gotten closer and closer in recent years, but after a summer of finally solving those key issues, the pressure is on for the Spanish boss to deliver.

Chief among Arsenal's concerns has been a regular goalscorer, so in comes Viktor Gyokeres, fresh off a 50-goal haul for Sporting last season. If he can hit the ground running as well as new recruits Martin Zubumendi and Noni Madueke, then it could solve a long-lasting issue in attack. 

As they already have arguably the best defence in the league, if they can all click at the other end, could it finally be their year? 

Manchester City

• Last season: 3rd  
• Manager: Pep Guardiola  

2024-25 was a rare trophyless season for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, but take heed because the revenge tour could be ruthless. 

The last time both failed to win silverware, they responded with a season that saw City hit 100 points in the Premier League, and their latest re-gen has already begun.

After adding key recruits in January, the club wasted no time in securing deals for Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders early in the window, all of which will give City a fresher feel this season.

They'll need more from the established guard too, with Rodri coming back into fitness, Phil Foden finding his form again and Haaland getting back to his best, if they are to win the title.

If it all aligns, however, then they could take some stopping. 

Chelsea 

• Last season: 5th
• Manager: Enzo Maresca 

Chelsea

They may be an outside bet when it comes to lifting the Premier League, but you can't rule out the new world champions, Chelsea. 

After experiencing significant ups and downs under Maresca last season, the Italian got his Blues side going in the final stages of the season and went on to secure Champions League football, as well as add two trophies to their season's efforts. 

Since then, they've added more firepower in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, and they showed in the Club World Cup final that on their day, they can beat anyone. 

It will be a tough ask to see them overcome the big three, but this Chelsea side has shown when it works, it works really, really well. 

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.

With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga and more.

For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.