Here's a look at the challenges and prospects for these clubs as they prepare for the 2025/26 football season, live on SuperSport via DStv! Premier League For the 2025/26 campaign, Burnley, Leeds United, and Sunderland will try to buck that trend. All three clubs have rich histories and passionate fanbases, but they enter the topflight facing stiff competition, financial disparity, and the tactical sophistication of seasoned Premier League teams. Here's a closer look at the prospects for each club: 1. Burnley: Burnley return to the Premier League just a year after relegation, making them the most recently experienced of the trio. Under the guidance of former manager Vincent Kompany, they previously tried to embrace a possession-based, progressive style, but it failed to deliver survival in 2023/24. Now, they come back with a revised approach under Scott Parker and lessons learnt. However, Burnley’s squad depth and top-flight quality remain concerns. Without significant investment, they may once again lack the firepower and defensive resilience required to consistently grind out points. Parker’s system could also be exposed by more clinical, tactically adaptable Premier League sides. Unless they reinforce both ends of the pitch over the summer, Burnley could struggle to make their stay more than a single season.
2. Leeds United: Leeds United’s return is marked by renewed optimism after a turbulent few years. They were dominant in the Championship, and Daniel Farke's tactical nous has been instrumental in stabilising a club that once seemed in freefall. Leeds also possess Premier League-calibre players like Ethan Ampadu, Patrich Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto, who could thrive given the right platform. But survival will hinge on how well they adapt to the higher intensity and speed of the topflight. Leeds' previous stint in the Premier League was plagued by defensive lapses and squad imbalances. If those weaknesses re-emerge – and if the club fails to reinforce key areas in the transfer window – they could be dragged into another relegation scrap. Caution and pragmatism will be as vital as flair.
