Mohamed Salah finished as the top-flight's top scorer last time around, but can the Egyptian King keep that crown in the coming campaign?

After a summer filled with Club World Cup controversy and the Lionesses triumphing at the Women's Euros, the Premier League is finally almost upon us, with kick-off coming on Friday when champions Liverpool host Bournemouth. And so while teams are still finessing their transfer business and making final tactical tweaks, everything is pretty much in place for the 2025-26 top-flight campaign to begin.

That means its predictions season, and here at GOAL we're no different. Over the next week our writers will be giving their takes on all the biggest issues, from the teams who are likely to be scrapping for survival to those who will be fighting for top-four finishes and the title, and everything in between.

First up, we've taken a look at the Golden Boot race, and had our say on who we believe will finish as the division's top scorer:

Getty Images Sport'Haaland can focus on what he does best'

Mark Doyle: Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool's talisman and, thus, has a real shot at winning a record-breaking fifth Golden Boot, but it's hard to shake the suspicion that the goals will be spread about a bit more evenly at Anfield this season. Alexander Isak, meanwhile, could finish as top-scorer whether he moves to Merseyside or not. However, if Erling Haaland stays fit, he'll pick up his third prize. There may be legitimate concerns over City's defence, but the Norwegian No.9 remains the focal point of one of the strongest forward lines in the league and, unlike many of his rivals, is allowed to focus solely on doing what he does best: put the ball in the back of the net. 

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Salah is reliably special'

Amee Ruszkai: I believe that Liverpool will win the league again this season, and that will likely come alongside another magical season from the Egyptian King, Mo Salah. I'd expect him to have a bit more competition for the accolade this time around, especially given Erling Haaland had his injury struggles last year, but banking on Salah to put up big numbers just feels so safe when compared to the other contenders. He is so reliably special.

Getty Images Sport'Haaland has a big advantage'

Richard Martin: Erling Haaland will come back much stronger after what he admitted was a 'catastophic' last season, and he has a new supporting cast around him, plus a re-focused Phil Foden, to help him get back to the heights of his first two seasons. He also has a big advantage over his rivals for the top scorers prize such as Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer as he will overwhelmingly be the top source of goals for City, unlike Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, where they will be more evenly spread out.

Getty Images Sport'Salah's for the taking'

Stephen Darwin: It's going to go one of two ways for Mohamed Salah this season: there will either be a sharp and noticeable decline after his monster campaign last time out that secured Liverpool the title, or he'll dominate the league once again, outscoring any and all of his competition. Given the lengths the Egyptian takes to look after himself, even as he approaches his mid-30s, coupled with his hunger and desire to win at all costs, it feels like the Golden Boot is very much Salah's for the taking.