Every Premier League Club Ranked by How Optimistic Their Fanbase is For 25/26

A recent study conducted by The Athletic has ranked every Premier League club’s fanbase by how optimistic they are for the 2025/26 season. With just over two weeks for clubs to wrap up their final transfer business, and the new campaign set to kick off on August 15, now is the perfect time to make predictions about the peaks and troughs of the world’s best football division.

Supercomputers have crunched the numbers to produce a statistical forecast, while pundits such as Micah Richards have done the same with their slightly more subjective views. But predictions and emotions don’t always go hand-in-hand: some supporters will enter the season with high hopes that don’t materialise, while others may be pleasantly surprised – or see their worst fears come true.

Below are the findings of a survey examining the hopefulness of every Premier League fanbase, based on the percentage of optimistic fans compared to pessimistic ones. It will be fascinating to revisit this halfway through the season or in its latter stages to see whether gut feeling proves a reliable guide.

20-16

Newcastle supporters were sold a dream – but ultimately bought into a bit of a lie – upon the arrival of their Saudi owners. After decades’ worth of dark days under Mike Ashley’s premiership, they expected their fortunes to be completely transformed, especially after winning their first trophy in 70 years with last season’s League Cup triumph.

But with Alexander Isak demanding a move to Liverpool and the Magpies unable to sign anyone to replace him due to their limited pulling power, 81 per cent of the St James’ faithful are heading into the new season pessimistic. Wolves have lost Matheus Cunha this summer, following the departure of Pedro Neto just 12 months earlier, leaving their fans 68 per cent pessimistic.

West Ham supporters are 61 per cent pessimistic after two consecutive seasons spent in relegation battles despite a talented squad. Fulham, though ranked among the 10 most deluded fanbases in the topflight, have a 56 per cent pessimistic rating. Bournemouth fans, after coming close to European competition last season, are almost evenly split between optimism and pessimism, with the latter just edging it at 52 per cent after losing Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen in defence alone.

15-11

It’s certainly interesting that just over half of Brentford fans still maintain a positive outlook for the 2025/26 campaign. Thomas Frank had been a figure of constant reassurance in recent years, but he has now moved to Tottenham, while top goalscorer Bryan Mbeumo has joined Manchester United. Yoane Wissa could soon follow to Newcastle, so neutrals will surely tip their hat to the 56 per cent of Bees supporters still hoping the good times continue.

Burnley are the least optimistic promoted side, with 64 per cent of their fans sharing a positive view, while Leeds United are slightly more hopeful, boasting 67 per cent optimistic supporters. Elsewhere, it’s encouraging to see Crystal Palace fans maintaining their positivity despite losing a court appeal that saw them relegated from Europa League football into the Conference League. An FA Cup and Community Shield triumph in the space of a few months no doubt helped lift their optimism to 70 per cent.

Tottenham supporters will be hoping to turn a corner under the aforementioned Frank. A successful summer transfer window, which has seen the arrivals of Mohamed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, and Joao Palhinha, leaves the door open for further additions such as Eberechi Eze and Savinho. With a more meticulous, careful manager at the helm, Spurs could reap the full rewards of their persistent hope soon enough.

10-6

Having made no signings likely to make an instant impact on the first team, Aston Villa supporters aren’t as optimistic as in previous campaigns. But with Unai Emery still in charge and a real chance to compete in the Europa League, a 77 per cent optimistic outlook seems about right. The same can be said for Nottingham Forest, who boast an 80 per cent positive rating.

Everton head into the new season under David Moyes for his first full campaign since returning, at a brand-new stadium, and under optimistic, American-based ownership – a sentiment reflected in their fanbase’s 83 per cent optimistic rating. Their squad is looking stronger than it has in years, with Ilimian Ndiaye and a rock-solid defense featuring James Tarkowski now joined by summer acquisitions Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Thierno Barry.

Having finished second in each of the last three campaigns, 84 per cent of Arsenal fans remain hopeful that Mikel Arteta is the right man to lead them to their first league title in over two decades. Meanwhile, Manchester City are always contenders for glory as long as Pep Guardiola – one of the greatest managers ever – is calling the shots.

5-1

After signing Premier League-proven duo Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and further strengthening their frontline with Benjamin Sesko, 86 per cent of Manchester United fans are hopeful of a return to their glory days – despite ongoing concerns over their goalkeeper, defence, midfield, and even their own manager’s doubt. Interestingly, Sunderland fans are even more optimistic, with only nine per cent expressing concern after welcoming 10 new faces to their squad.

Brighton & Hove Albion seem to have an endless production line of talent in recent years – covering recruitment staff, scouts, managers, and players alike. Perhaps that’s why 95 per cent of their supporters are entering the campaign with cautious optimism that they can achieve more of the same. Liverpool have invested nearly £300 million in world-class talent to fix the roof while the sun is still shining on their Premier League triumph, fully justifying the 97 per cent optimism of the Anfield faithful.

Despite smashing the British transfer fee record for Florian Wirtz – and potentially eyeing Alexander Isak before the summer is over – it’s actually Chelsea fans who are the most confident in a Premier League title charge. After winning the Conference League and Club World Cup in recent months, few could blame them, though question marks remain over how they will cope with Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, particularly given Robert Sanchez’s penchant for costly errors.