Learn English Through Football Podcast: 2026-27 Season Preview

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In this week’s football-language podcast we look at some language for making predictions in football (e.g. I reckon; Too good for, etc. ). We will also look at some predictions from one of this weekend’s big games: Newcastle versus Liverpool. You can read the transcript below, check out our glossary here, or browse all our previous posts and podcasts.

Hello

You’re listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast

DF: Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. My name is Damian and I am one half of the Learn English Through Football team and I am based in a sunny but cool London as the heat has finally moved on – it has been so hot here this summer! The other member of the podcast team is of course Damon and he is based in Tokyo, Japan. Damon, how are things?

DB: Hi Damian. Pretty good thank you, although I wish we had some cooler weather. It is still hot and humid over here in Tokyo, as it has been since July, so I’m already looking forward to autumn.

Well, it was a busy summer of course for us as we published football-language posts every day from the World Cup which of course only finished five weeks ago! We had over 30 posts that had descriptions, explanations and examples and you can find these on a special World Cup football-language page that we have on our site here at Learn English Through Football.com. How was your summer Damian?

DF: Well, yes the summer was super busy. I also went to Mexico for the World Cup. I saw two matches in Monterrey, including South Korea being beaten by South Africa and Japan destroying Tunisia 4-0. It was great fun actually being in the World Cup country!

And of course we hope that you are all looking forward to the new football seasons that are starting here in Europe. This weekend sees the start of Ligue 1 in France, Serie A in Italy and of course the Premier League in England. La Liga in Spain has already started – I’m really excited to see my favourite team Malaga back in the top flight this year, while European club competitions have also kicked off as well. 

Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (in Spanish)

DB: Thank you for that message, which was in Spanish.

Today’s Show

DF: Damon, what’s on today’s show?

DB: Well, we’re going to take a look at something all football fans love to do, especially at the beginning of the season, and that is how to make predictions. So, the language of predictions or guessing how a season will go, or the score of a match and so on. And Damian, you’ve got some common phrases for making predictions in English, right?

Language Focus: Making Predictions

DF: Yes, this week we will focus on language for making predictions. Listen out for some of the following expressions which are ways to make predictions in football.

1. I think it will be the Gunners again
2. I’m going for Arsenal to be Champions






3. Hopefully they won’t be involved in the relegation battle this season
4. Coventry might have a chance of that coveted 17th spot






5. I reckon Hull will finish bottom






6. I think we can make Europe next season so maybe 6th place would be good.






7. Maybe 2-0 to the away side.

DB: Great stuff. OK, why don’t you kick off with your predictions for the Premier Leagues season – who will be champions, which teams will be relegated, and how your team, Tottenham will do. I’ll follow your predictions with mine and we can see if we agree. 

Premier League Winners?

DF: Well, it looks like everyone’s favourites this season are the current holders, Arsenal. They have strengthened their squad from last year and look like they will be really hard to beat again this year – retaining a title is difficult but their rivals all seem weaker than last year. Manchester City have lost Stones, Silva and Rodri and of course their manager Pep Guardiola has also left. Chelsea have a new manager and lots of new players; while Liverpool also have a new manager and have lost quite a few experienced players. It hurts me as a Spurs fan to say it but I think it will be the Gunners again.

DB: I agree with you Damian. It’s not easy to get back-to-back titles, except if you were Manchester City a few years back, but Arsenal look strong all across the team. What I think is even more important is that they play like a team, too. As you said, expected rivals all have new managers, unbalanced teams, and don’t look like they can put up much of a fight. I’m going for Arsenal to be Champions.

Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (a Hull City fan)

Next, is relegation.

Premier League Relegation?

DF: My team Spurs finished 17th twice in the past two seasons so hopefully they won’t be involved in a relegation battle this season. Most people are suggesting that the newly-promoted sides will go straight back down; that’s Coventry, Ipswich and Hull City. They don’t appear to be ready for the step up to the Premier League but last year two promoted sides survived: Sunderland finished seventh and will play in Europe this season and Leeds were comfortable and finished in 13th [actually 14th!]. I’m not so sure this time round… I reckon Hull will finish bottom and along with Ipswich and Coventry will go back down to the Championship.

DB: We’re on the same page again, Damian. I think the newly-promoted teams will go straight back down. Coventry might have a chance of that coveted 17th spot, but I’m not sure which other team would join Hull and Ipswich.

How about your team Damian?

Tottenham

DF: Well, as I mentioned earlier, my favourite team Tottenham finished 17th last season and escaped relegation; escaped the drop. But hopefully that won’t happen again. We had lots of injuries, poor managerial decisions and no confidence at all after only ten wins all season. But this season there is a lot more optimism around the club. The manager, Roberto De Zerbi, has a plan, likes to attack and has given the players confidence again. They have released under-performing players and bought in Premier League-ready ones in their place. Let’s see what happens but it will be fun with De Zerbi and a host of new players. I think we can make Europe next season so maybe 6th place would be good. What do you think?

Liverpool

DB: You’re a lot more optimistic than I am about my team, Liverpool. I mentioned how Arsenal look like a team, that is the players all know their roles and style of play. Liverpool have some great individual players, Isak, Wirtz, Alisson Becker, and their new signing Jeremy Jacquet looks a good addition to the centre of defence. But Liverpool still have gaps in their team. Right back is an issue, right wing also, and if Isak gets injured it’s not looking good up top either.

Like Tottenham, we have a new manager, Iraola, who likes his teams to play front-footed football, but it will take a while for him to mold this squad. He had a terrible start with his previous club, Bournemouth, winless in nine matches. A start like that will see Liverpool struggle to get a European place. Having said that, given the other teams around them, I think Liverpool can finish top four. 

Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (in Chinese)

Right, next up is our match prediction section.

Predictions

New to prediction language? Listen to our previous podcast on the language of predictions.

DF: OK, each week both myself and Damon will try and predict (or guess) the result of a big game each weekend. Listen out for some language of predictions and of course you can also join in by adding your scores to our predictions forum page.

Newcastle United v Liverpool

DF: Both clubs have a new manager, both clubs have lost big-name players in the close season and both clubs head in to the new season with a little uncertainty. But I think Liverpool will win this game as they have too much quality and I think they might win it comfortably too. Maybe 2-0 to the away side.

DB: You’ve summed it up nicely there Damian. There’s also a bit of needle in this game after the way Liverpool signed Newcastle’s star striker Isak last season. I am not confident at all and will be happy with a point, maybe 1-1.

What do you think of our predictions? Give your own on this week’s predictions thread.

Goodbye

DF: OK, on this week’s show we have looked at language for making football predictions. Which teams do you think will challenge for the title? Do you think any of the newly-promoted sides will stay up? How do you feel about Arsenal retaining the title? Who’s going to win between Newcastle and Liverpool this weekend? Join us early next week for the shorter Weekly Football Phrase episode, in which we picking out an expression from this weekend’s games. Until then, bye bye.

DB. Ta-ra!

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