The FA Premier League (PL) restarts on Friday 15 August 2025 with our first Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match being Chelsea v Crystal Palace on Sunday 17 August. Chelsea finished strongly in 4th place in the PL last term and went on to win the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup championship – congratulations! They look certain for a UEFA Champions League place at the end of this 2025-26 season and may challenge for the title. Crystal Palace capped a good PL season (12th with 53 points) with their first ever FA Cup Final win (1-0 v Manchester City) and went back to Wembley to win the FA Community Shield v PL Champions Liverpool. Two mighty scalps but The Eagles success this season may depend on keeping predators away from their star players.
Elsewhere in West London Brentford, who finished in 10th with 56 points, have lost their inspiring coach Thomas Frank and two star players with more threatened. Perhaps this season will be about survival in the PL rather than more consolidation. Likewise Fulham (11th/54 points) who have had a quiet closed season need a strong start this year.
In North London Arsenal, who it was felt missed out on the PL Championship because of too many draws, have tried to strengthen their attack with Viktor Gyokeres and defence with Christian Norgaard. Will it be enough? Yes to mount a challenge but maybe not more. Tottenham Hotspur have shaken the dice again. Despite basking in the glory of their UEFA Europa League win (1-0 v Manchester United) they dismissed their popular Head Coach Ange Postecoglu. New man Thomas Frank knows what it’s going to be all about after an initially strong performance in the recent UEFA Super Cup v Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA Champions League winners) only to crumble at the end.
That leaves East London’s West Ham United, who were14th with 43 points, and another enigmatic Club. Their fans want a higher profile and more entertaining football but can their present players and coach bring it? A bottom half of the PL table, or worse, looks ominously likely and perhaps another head to roll.
Enjoy your football and the 2025-26 season, Andrew at PLDs.