Our Everton FC contributors have offered their forecasts for how the Toffees and their competitors will perform as the 2025/26 season commences this Friday.
Merlin Rohl had reason to celebrate during the pre-season friendly between Hamburg and Everton at Volksparkstadion on August 1, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC/SmartFrame)
Everton have returned. The Toffees will be back in Premier League competition on Saturday afternoon when they host Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A lengthy campaign stretches beyond this weekend’s fixture, and it will be filled with sentiment. However, after narrowly missing out on continental qualification last term, David Moyes has strengthened his squad, though the Everton manager has acknowledged he had hoped the club would have completed more transfers.
With five fresh arrivals at the club this summer, what can we anticipate? Our Toffees contributors shared their outlook for the new season ahead of Friday’s opening fixture between Arsenal and Coventry City.
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Paul Wheelock
What position will Everton achieve?
Should a right-back and an upgrade on either Thierno Barry or Beto be secured before the transfer window closes, Everton landing in the top 10 seems likely. Should that not occur, a comparable result to the previous campaign could be on the cards.
Everton Player of the Year
Jarrad Branthwaite, provided he remains injury-free, though James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will give him a serious challenge.
Everton breakthrough player
While it is unfortunate that James Garner and Christian Norgaard will be absent for the season’s start, this should present Harrison Armstrong with an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities. Should he grasp it, he could become a regular starter for the remainder of the campaign.
Championship winner
Arsenal. They possess considerably greater squad depth than their competitors.
Premier League leading marksman
Erling Haaland
Relegation zone
The three promoted clubs – Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City.
Champions League
Should they acquire Julian Alvaraz or another elite striker – Barcelona. If not, Paris Saint-Germain again.
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Chris Beesley
Before last season commenced a prediction of 10th position was made, and in reality they probably deserved that before their remarkable late downturn. A first continental qualification in 10 years may be unattainable – particularly if the right-back situation remains unresolved, but with a record nine new managers in the Premier League, hopefully David Moyes’ expertise can guide the Toffees to a first top half finish since 2021.
Everton become an entirely different side and adopt an entirely different approach when Jarrad Branthwaite is available. They can press higher without the ball and carry the ball forward from defence when in possession.
Losing Branthwaite after just 10 matches last season would be a significant absence for any Premier League club, but should they maintain his fitness throughout this term, it could prove transformative.
Harrison Armstrong has the chance to make an early impression following a standout season, but as the season develops, competition for midfield positions intensifies. Hayden Hackney has been solid since joining and is aiming for double figures in goals and assists, so hopefully he can become the latest unpolished talent from the Championship refined into a Premier League performer by Moyes, following in the footsteps of Tim Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Jarrod Bowen.
Championship winner
Both Liverpool and Manchester City have new leadership, so while that could inspire either, reigning champions Arsenal start from a position of strength as they target consecutive successes for the first time since 1935 when they claimed a hat-trick.
Erling Haaland will prove difficult to halt should he remain injury-free.
Sunderland excelled last season – overtaking Everton with their victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium on the penultimate weekend – but the European campaign and second-season struggles could affect them significantly while questions remain over how Fulham might perform following Marco Silva’s departure. However, such is the gap with the Championship nowadays, the straightforward yet accurate selection is to back the three promoted clubs.
Champions League winner
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have both ended their waits in this competition in recent times, perhaps it could be Arsenal’s turn? Should they do so, and retain their Premier League title as previously mentioned, then the former midfielder who was once considered the best little Spaniard at Goodison Park, will deserve a statue at the Emirates Stadium.
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Connor O’Neill
What position will Everton achieve?
Everton will better last season’s 13th-place finish and end up eighth this term. Whether that will prove sufficient to guarantee continental action the following season remains uncertain.
Everton Player of the Year
Provided he stays healthy, Jarrad Branthwaite. However, once he returns to action, James Garner retaining his title cannot be ruled out.
Everton breakthrough player
Harrison Armstrong has caught the eye during pre-season, and hope exists that he receives substantial playing time in the coming weeks and months. However, this could be Thierno Barry’s moment. He is another who has impressed in pre-season and should he score an early Premier League goal, he could make a strong start.
Championship winner
Arsenal. They proved too strong last season and will be too strong again this time, particularly after securing Bruno Guimaraes and Bruno Guimaraes.
Premier League leading marksman
The straightforward and expected selection of Erling Haaland.
Relegation zone
In no particular order: Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City.
Champions League winner
Another straightforward and expected selection of Paris Saint-Germain. They possess the finest squad and finest manager in Europe in Luis Enrique.
Joe Thomas
Everton landing 11th position is anticipated should they recruit a right-back and should Jarrad Branthwaite remain available throughout the season. Nothing higher is considered realistic unless additional work is completed, beyond a right-back, before the window shuts. Arsenal, Liverpool, the Manchester clubs and Aston Villa hold too significant an advantage.
Chelsea and Spurs are both competing for continental qualification, similar to Everton’s supposed ambitions, yet consideration should be given to how much they have spent to bolster already superior squads.
A possibility exists that Everton can leverage their stability and absence of continental competition to achieve the best finish outside the European spots and secure eighth place, but presently a top half finish depends too heavily on Branthwaite, an as-yet unproven striker finding form, and significant contributions from Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George. And a right-back yet to arrive.
To genuinely compete for Europe they require investment, likely in the form of a new striker and a genuine option at left-back.
Everton Player of the Year
Jarrad Branthwaite is Everton’s most vital player. When fit, the entire dynamic of the team transforms.
Everton breakthrough player
As mentioned, the current Everton squad requires breakout campaigns from, likely, Barry, Dibling and George to challenge for Europe. All have performed well during pre-season, it must be said. The notion of Harrison Armstrong enjoying a significant season is appreciated and, given the midfield injuries, he is expected to prove too valuable to be sent out on loan. Hopefully that will provide him with a platform to excel.
Championship winner
Arsenal.
Premier League leading marksman
Joao Pedro.
Relegation zone
It is difficult to look past Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City.
Champions League winner
Arsenal. The belief is they can utilise the freedom of a more manageable league schedule to go all the way this term.