The 25/26 Prediction Thread

[Willo of Whiteley]

It might be a bit early but now leagues are starting to conclude it’s fascinating to start thinking about what the next season will bring, not just for us, but for other clubs too.

I’ve looked into my mystic ball and here’s a few I’m already thinking are nailed on:

- First game of the EFL season will be Wrexham at home to one of the relegated Premier League sides (us, Leicester or Ipswich).

- Sky and BBC will continue their celebrity w***fest of the Welsh club in the meantime.

- Birmingham will reach the play offs having spent £30-40m, and claim it to be just “hard work and talent that have got them there”.

- Tottenham will part ways with Ange Postecoglu and Mauricio Pochettino will return to lead them to fifth place.

- Chelsea will spend £300m and only have a Carolina Cup to show for it.

- Man United will spend £300m, Sky pundits will continue to talk about how this is “there season” (again), before mid-November reverting to the same commentary of “it’s the same problems”. Like they’ve done for the last eight years. Dull TV.

- Saints will lose away to Pompey and draw at home.

- Mid-December Scott Parker to be sacked at Burnley and replaced by Sean Dyche.

- Arsenal to not win the Premier League again, and Arteta to put it down to “building the right squad” again having already spent £1b since taking over.

- Burnley, Sheffield United and the play off team to be relegated from the Premier League.

- Ross Stewart to not make it to September without some kind of niggle/injury.

Edited April 27 by Willo of Whiteley

[AlexLaw76]

10th

Sports Republic will continue to sprinkle their  magic 

[sockeye]

We win the league on 100 points and relegate Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Bruno Fernandes to still cry like a little bitch if the wind so much as touches him.

[Andy Hill]

Mid table unless we find a top class striker from somewhere.

[Challenger]

Can't legislate on who might come in but based on who will probably go and who will probably stay, then easily bottom half.

[die Mannyschaft]

6th, play off final v Coventry (providing they don't go up, if not v Blackburn)

Goal scorers are key and we need 2 top quality, proven forwards. If we let in loads but score more then ok, play possession football with 85% possession as we did in some games during promotion then not a problem if forwards can score. 

Not sure why we haven't signed at 18 goal plus forward even on loan when relegation was dead cert. Don't buy players with an injury history or a injury.

[the boy from saints]

1 hour ago, Andy Hill said:

Mid table unless we find a top class striker from somewhere.

Or don't sell Adam Armstrong.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Whoever Russell Martin manages to concede 60+ goals.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Can’t believe I forgot to add RM to Leicester 🤣

[die Mannyschaft]

20th to 17th. It may take 2-3 seasons to get into top 6 unless a massive change in all aspects of Scouting, purchasing players, and tactics. As soon as  Saints get more than 13 points we need a coach parade. Just Hope new manager doesn't play possession football.  

[S-Clarke]

3 hours ago, die Mannyschaft said:

20th to 17th. It may take 2-3 seasons to get into top 6 unless a massive change in all aspects of Scouting, purchasing players, and tactics. As soon as  Saints get more than 13 points we need a coach parade. Just Hope new manager doesn't play possession football.  

I think that's a bit pessimistic. I don't expect an easy ride for sure and it will be a struggle at times, but I do hold out hope that we will be competitive enough for at least a playoff push. I think an automatic chase will be too much for us, especially coming off of a season like this, but all being well we could push for that the following year.

If we're talking 2-3 seasons to get into the Top 6 then we'll never get there, and that will probably be curtains for PL football in most of our lifetimes. 

We need to get back within the first 2 years, otherwise we never will.

Edited May 21 by S-Clarke

[Willo of Whiteley]

Tottenham to be knocked out the first stage of the CL next season.

Man United to overspend on shite and still somehow evade FFP regulations.

[Saint Fan CaM]

If Still is employed and the window results in key ins and outs then top half. Regardless of Manager, get the player trading wrong and we’re basement fodder.

[SteveO1985]

Ross Stewart to be Championship top scorer. 

[S-Clarke]

18 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

If Still is employed and the window results in key ins and outs then top half. Regardless of Manager, get the player trading wrong and we’re basement fodder.

Very true, the window is so important. We cannot get it wrong. Last time we came down our best moves were the PL loans we made, Brooks, THB, Downes, Fraser etc. The perm signings of Charles and Stewart didn't really contribute much. (Charles didn't get much of a chance though tbf). So our perm signings need to be real hits next year, as we'll lose so many from our 11. There will be no KWP's, Bednareks, Stu Armstrongs, Adams and co to fall back on this year.

My confidence levels are at an all time low though. Will we find more BBD's, Archers, Woods, or end up with some more Fernadnes and Charly types? 

Edited May 22 by S-Clarke

[Bushey Saint]

A season-long rolling disaster following the appointment as manager of another would-be Pep, a disastrous transfer-window, a nineteen match losing streak, appointment of three caretaker managers in rapid succession and the mathematical certainty of relegation by mid-March. Club goes into administration and finishes season on a negative points total, followed by going into liquidation and subsequent ejection from the EFL over the summer of 2026.

And you know what, after just under sixty years of loyal support, I would no longer care.  Sick of mercenary, sub-standard players, inept managers and coaches, and especially sick of chancer owners.

[sockeye]

10 minutes ago, Bushey Saint said:

A season-long rolling disaster following the appointment as manager of another would-be Pep, a disastrous transfer-window, a nineteen match losing streak, appointment of three caretaker managers in rapid succession and the mathematical certainty of relegation by mid-March. Club goes into administration and finishes season on a negative points total, followed by going into liquidation and subsequent ejection from the EFL over the summer of 2026.

And you know what, after just under sixty years of loyal support, I would no longer care.  Sick of mercenary, sub-standard players, inept managers and coaches, and especially sick of chancer owners.

But enough about Leicester.

[Kenilworthy59]

I console myself with the fact that if Bristol City can make the play offs then it can't be that hard and even after this season we should be in the running. One thing I am certain of is that we will lose at Wrexham, Bristol City, Preston and Norwich and will draw 1-1 at Watford.

[SirWoody]

Top 10 hopefully, but with Saints you never know 

[SteveO1985]

On 22/05/2025 at 09:52, SteveO1985 said:

Ross Stewart to be Championship top scorer. 

I stand by this! 

[coalman]

On 22/05/2025 at 09:52, SteveO1985 said:

Ross Stewart to be Championship top scorer. 

this

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Bottom half. Could see Saints doing a Luton. 😩

[Gloucester Saint]

On 21/05/2025 at 22:26, S-Clarke said:

I think that's a bit pessimistic. I don't expect an easy ride for sure and it will be a struggle at times, but I do hold out hope that we will be competitive enough for at least a playoff push. I think an automatic chase will be too much for us, especially coming off of a season like this, but all being well we could push for that the following year.

If we're talking 2-3 seasons to get into the Top 6 then we'll never get there, and that will probably be curtains for PL football in most of our lifetimes. 

We need to get back within the first 2 years, otherwise we never will.

Broadly agree but if a good buyer came along then look at Ipswich and Brum, it can change around quickly.

[Lighthouse]

I'll say third, behind Sheff Utd and Leicester (in that order).

[Saint Scott]

Champions.

 

Ipswich will struggle after back to back promotions and Leicester are well and truly in the shit. Sheffield United will be out biggest threat

[Willo of Whiteley]

It’s going to be spicy next season, look at some of those teams.

We need some solid players and quickly this summer.

 

[CB Fry]

30 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It’s going to be spicy next season, look at some of those teams.

We need some solid players and quickly this summer.

 

What's "spicy" about that? Basically the same level of competition as the last time we were in the Championship. 

[Football Special]

Nice spread of teams for away days 

[ally_uk]

Russell Marin and Nathan Jones will smash us Home and Away 

The moaning on here will be unbearable.... Should of kept Lego Head etc.....