Premier League “Hope Rankings” for the New Season: Chelsea on Top, Man United Outshine Man City and Arsenal in Optimism

With the 2025–26 Premier League season kicking off this weekend, predictions and analyses are flooding in. But this is not about tactical breakdowns from experts or simulations from supercomputers—it’s a “Hope Rankings” based on fans’ optimism levels. Conducted by The Athletic through a sentiment survey among self-identified Premier League supporters, the list reflects how confident fans feel about their teams for the new season, offering an interesting and entertaining reference.

Chelsea Leads in Optimism

Chelsea takes the top spot, with an impressive 98% of surveyed fans feeling optimistic about the new campaign. This confidence comes from their victory in the revamped Club World Cup this summer and the energy brought by a youthful squad. However, 2% expressed concerns—tight schedules, limited rest, and the long-term injury of centre-back Levi Colwill could pose challenges to their ambitions.

Defending Champions Close Behind

Liverpool ranks second with a 97% optimism rating. Last season’s dominance combined with over £200 million in summer signings makes the Reds the strongest favourites to defend their title. The tiny fraction of pessimistic views may come from those wary of sudden heavy spending—or from rival supporters.

Surprising Positions: Arsenal vs Man United

Despite finishing second for three consecutive seasons and signing key players like Viktor Gyökeres and Martín Zubimendi, Arsenal’s optimism level sits at just 84%, placing them seventh. This may reflect doubts about manager Mikel Arteta and the high expectations—anything short of winning the league could be seen as failure.

Manchester United, on the other hand, has an 86% optimism rating, ranking fifth—higher than both Manchester City (sixth) and Arsenal. New signings like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško have revived fan confidence, although last season’s 15th-place finish means this optimism will be tested.

Dark Horses and Steady Trust

Brighton, even after losing top scorer João Pedro, still boasts a 95% optimism rating, reflecting trust in the club’s long-term strategy. Newly promoted Sunderland also ranks high at 91%, after a playoff promotion and over £130 million in summer signings, including the high-profile Granit Xhaka.

The Pessimistic Group and Extreme Cases

While most teams’ optimism outweighs pessimism, five clubs have the reverse—Bournemouth, Fulham, West Ham, Wolves, and Newcastle United. Bournemouth’s 48% optimism is the highest among them, but defensive departures have fueled worry. Newcastle sits rock-bottom with only 19% optimism due to failed transfers, internal turmoil, and the transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak.

Summary

Though not a measure of on-field strength, the “Hope Rankings” give an honest snapshot of fan sentiment. Chelsea and Liverpool enjoy near-record confidence, while United, Brighton, and Sunderland show signs of renewed hope. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Newcastle will need strong performances to rebuild trust among their supporters.