Former Premier League winger picks his dark horse teams for 2025-26

The title contenders all flexed their muscles on opening day, in an early statement of their championship credentials for this campaign.

However, away from the leading lights, former Liverpool and Arsenal ace Jermaine Pennant has picked out the teams he thinks could spring a surprise this year. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to 7bet football betting, Pennant named two sides who could be this season's dark horses. 

He said, "I have two teams. Firstly, Crystal Palace. I like Oliver Glazner, he sets his team up so well away from home and you look at their recent results against the big six.

"They played a great game in the FA Cup, they stopped Liverpool from winning the Community Shield and should have won against Chelsea on the opening day.

"If they lose Guehi / Eze, then I believe they will replace them well, but it will be a big loss as they are such big players for Palace.

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"However, you have Adam Wharton in midfield who is class, Mateta up top, who is a handful and defensively, they can play out from the back well. 

"My other team is Bournemouth. Although they have lost a few players, they still remain a very good outfit as they showed against Liverpool. They will continue to cause big teams problems and with their style of play will win plenty of games to push for another top ten finish.

"Their attacking threat is good and they have a confident team and a very astute manager who is going to go on to bigger things soon." 

Pennant may have earmarked the teams he believes could shock the league this season, but when it comes to new signings, he's looking no further than his former club. 

Liverpool have added a string on big-name signings to their championship-winning squad as they look to retain their crown, but there's one in particular he's looking forward to seeing. 

"I have to be biased as a former Liverpool player, and I am most excited about Hugo Ekitike," he added. 

"He took no time to get his scoring underway with an opening day goal and looked a threat all game.

"He is a player to get fans off their seat and a player who is a difference maker. He can be a massive asset to Liverpool and with Arsenal and Man City strengthening, he is a player that can help Liverpool retain the title by being a difference maker in games.

"He is still so young and you can see he always wants the ball, he has class and composure and reads the game well. He knows how to make good runs and can finish well too.

"With Arsenal up next weekend, it will be great to see him perform against a top defence, and I hope he can be the difference in that one.

"One more key asset is he is direct, he takes on defenders, and in the Premier League, you need to be a certain type of player to success and you can tell Ekitike plays with no fear and will thrive in this League, so it’s a big worry for defenders coming up against him."

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