Manchester City, Liverpool title fight? Manchester United charge for Europe? What success looks like this season for Premier League sides - Part Two
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Published 13/08/2025 at 15:37 GMT+1
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With the new Premier League season fast approaching, expectations are high across the entirety of the Premier League. Each and every club has something to play for this term, and they will do all they can to achieve their goals. But what might these targets be? TNT Sports looks at what success could look like for every team in the division, and lets you have your say too.
Man City want to 'challenge ourselves and do our best' - Guardiola
Video credit: SNTV
In the second part of TNT Sports' look at what would constitute a successful season for teams in the Premier League, we examine what the likes of champions Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs will set out to achieve this campaign.
You can add your vote to where everyone might end up.
If you're interested in teams blessed with an earlier position in the alphabet, here's what success looks like for Arsenal through to Fulham.
Leeds
The Yorkshire giants are back in the top flight and are hoping to make something of an impression after their record-breaking 100-point Championship title success.
However, manager Daniel Farke has not always been universally adored by the Leeds faithful, with some doubts among the fanbase over whether he is the man to keep them up after failing to see Norwich City remain in the Premier League on two occasions.
The expectation is that Leeds might be about to endure another difficult campaign scrapping for survival, so if they are still a top-flight side come May, they will be mightily relieved.
What would constitute a successful season?
Survival without being dragged too deep into the relegation dog fight.
Liverpool
After winning the title at a canter, the Premier League champions will want to defend their crown and the Merseyside club moved to strengthen their squad with some impressive signings.
Arne Slot’s Reds are eyeing back-to-back league wins and will also believe themselves to be among the best on the continent, so a good Champions League run will feel imperative.
What would constitute a successful season?
Winning the league and/or Champions League.
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Liverpool 'making steps forward' as they look to defend title - Slot
Video credit: SNTV
Manchester City
Are Manchester City and, by extension, Pep Guardiola, 'finished'? Well, despite their worst campaign together, the perennial table-toppers still claimed a respectable third place and reached the FA Cup final – albeit ending up on the losing side.
Naturally, they have spent big over the summer and will be determined to show the world that 2024/25 was merely a blip rather than the start of any longer term decline.
By their own lofty standards, anything less than reclaiming the title would be a disappointment.
What would constitute a successful season?
Winning the league.
Manchester United
In a similar vein, Ruben Amorim and Manchester United need to make sure that last year’s dismal 15th-place finish is not the new normal at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have been busy in the transfer market and the manager has overseen his first pre-season so, in theory, there is optimism heading into the campaign.
United, as a consequence of last season’s failures – including defeat in the UEFA Europa League final – have no European distractions, allowing them to fully focus on domestic matters.
Restoring their place higher up the table is their top priority.
What would constitute a successful season?
A top-six finish (or higher?).
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Man Utd should have culture 'at heart of decision-making'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Newcastle
The Magpies had a season to remember last time out as they qualified for the UEFA Champions League and, perhaps of greater importance to the club’s fans, won their first trophy in 56 years as they lifted the Carabao Cup.
However, the summer has proved less enjoyable with the ongoing saga involving want-away striker Alexander Isak coming as an unwelcome distraction.
With or without the Swede, Eddie Howe’s team will want to preserve their status amongst the league’s elite and Champions League qualification will again be their objective as far as the league is concerned.
What would constitute a successful season?
Top-four finish.
Nottingham Forest
Given how much Forest’s season promised at one stage, it is remarkable that they were left disappointed, despite still achieving a shock European qualification.
The Reds have bolstered their squad in the summer months and, despite the loss of Anthony Elanga, will be hoping to gatecrash the top end of the league once more.
What would constitute a successful season?
Top-seven finish and reaching UEFA Europa League knockout rounds.
Sunderland
After eight years, two relegations, two promotions and one eye-opening documentary, Sunderland are back in the Premier League, and The Black Cats will be hoping to stay there.
The club have bet the house on survival with some big summer spending as French manager and PhD holder Regis Le Bris looks to shock the top flight.
It will be a tough task to just keep themselves out of the bottom three, which is surely their primary aim this term. That and beating Newcastle!
What would constitute a successful season?
Staying up (and beating Newcastle).
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs became the very embodiment of the ‘what would constitute a successful season?’ question last time out.
Winning a trophy no doubt made it successful, but for all the joy in Bilbao, there was a lot of pain when it came to domestic matters.
New manager Thomas Frank will hope to vastly improve on last season’s 17th-place in the league and target the knockouts of the Champions League - but now they have the taste of winning trophies again, could another be in their sights? Domestically, at least?
What would constitute a successful season?
Top-half finish and a decent cup run either at home or abroad.
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Highlights: Postecoglou delivers as Spurs beat Man Utd to end trophy drought
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West Ham
After his good work at Brighton, Graham Potter’s failed spell at Chelsea thankfully does not appear to have done his reputation too much harm.
Patience will be important in regard to letting him work his magic at the London Stadium, but simply not concerning themselves with a relegation battle is what The Hammers should be aiming for.
What would constitute a successful season?
Mid-table and looking up rather than down.
Wolves
A very strong finish to last season might have sparked some optimism at Molineux, but the summer has seen them lose key players.
Although they have made moves of their own, it is very likely set to be another year of trying to keep their heads above water and hoping they have enough to stay in the division for another season.
What would constitute a successful season?
Lower mid-table and at arms-length from the drop zone.
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