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:

‘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. 

‘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.

‘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.

‘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.

‘Race comes down to Gyokeres vs Haaland’

Tom Maston: Liverpool’s goals are likely to be more spread out this season than they were last, when Mohamed Salah ran away with the Golden Boot, and so the race to be Premier League top scorer likely comes down to two men: Viktor Gyokeres and Erling Haaland.

Both should score plenty for Arsenal and Manchester City, respectively, but I’m going to give the edge to Haaland for no other reason than he takes penalties while Gyokeres will likely be behind Bukayo Saka in the Gunners’ spot-kick pecking order.

‘Salah sharing the love opens the door’

Sean Walsh: Manchester City may not be able to defend that well, but Erling Haaland will score plenty so long as he is fit. Mohamed Salah may have to share the love around a bit more with Liverpool this season, leaving the door ajar for the freakish Norwegian.

‘No doubt Gyokeres can handle English game’

James Westwood: Arsenal are in for another season of heartbreak because Liverpool boast too much quality in every position, but they will run the champions closer this time around after the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sweden international is a deadly finisher who will make the Gunners a far more effective team on the transition with his pace and intelligent runs in behind.

This will be Gyokeres’ first taste of action in one of Europe’s major leagues, but the ex-Sporting CP star proved himself on the Champions League stage last season, and there is no doubt he can handle the physical demands of English football after his prolific spell at Coventry City between 2021 and 2023.

‘Salah vs Haaland yet again’

Krishan Davis: It’s going to be Mohamed Salah vs Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot again in 2024-25. Haaland will be out to reclaim his crown, but I reckon he will be the victim of a still-dysfunctional Manchester City side that is going to need some time to gel.

Salah, meanwhile, will have one of the most exciting attacking midfielders on the planet trying to create chances for him after Florian Wirtz’s arrival, as well as the rest of Arne Slot’s well-oiled machine. It’s hard to look past the Egyptian King at this stage.

‘Isak could get 30 goals for Liverpool’

Joe Strange: If he gets his move to Liverpool, the prospect of Alexander Isak playing in front of Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai should send shudders down the spines of Premier League defenders.

The Swede plundered 23 goals for Newcastle last season and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him hit 30 this term – if he can stay injury free – given the talent he’ll have supplying him. Should Isak stay at St James’ Park or move to Saudi Arabia, however, then Erling Haaland can reclaim his crown from Salah as Manchester City get back on track.