2026/27 Premier League Season Preview

Premier League 2026/27: The Season of Change

The Premier League is back after a relatively shorter footballing break due to the 2026 World Cup and for once, the biggest question heading into a new season is not simply who will win it. It is what this league is about to become after everything that changed over the break.

Arsenal enter the campaign as champions for the first time in 22 long years. Manchester City enter it without their greatest ever manager, Pep Guardiola, with the reign handed to Enzo Maresca. Liverpool enter it without their Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah and with Andoni Iraola in the dugout. Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso, Manchester United have handed Michael Carrick the permanent job, Tottenham begin their first full season under Roberto De Zerbi and Newcastle have moved on from Eddie Howe. That is not even all of the managerial changes that took place. Nine clubs have changed managers this summer, making it one of the most turbulent managerial periods in Premier League history. And that is before we even get to the three promoted clubs. Coventry City return to the top flight after 25 years, while Ipswich Town and Hull City are back after shorter absences. When counting managers who are managing their first full Premier League season with their clubs this season, the number amounts to a whopping 13 managers! 

The season begins with Arsenal hosting Coventry, meaning the Premier League winners and the Championship winners will immediately go head to head at the Emirates.

The Title: Arsenal's to Lose ? .

For three consecutive seasons, Arsenal had been the team trying to catch Manchester City and Liverpool. Now, after finally finishing the job, they have become the team everyone else is trying to catch.

Mikel Arteta's side finished last season with 85 points, seven clear of City, and did so with one of the league's best defensive records, conceding only 27 goals. They have strengthened rather than standing still, notably bringing in the likes of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle and Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, while also reportedly being close to signing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa to further add to their rock-solid defence.

That makes Arsenal my favourites to retain the title.

But this is where things can get a little interesting. Defending a title is an entirely different challenge from winning one for the first time in 22 years. The hunger that carried Arsenal through the final stages of last season has now been replaced by expectation. Every dropped point will be treated differently. Every injury will be treated differently. Every opponent will want to get the taste of beating the champions. Their opening fixture could hardly be more symbolic either. One club is beginning a new chapter. The other is trying to establish a dynasty.

Manchester City: Life After Pep

For the first time in a decade, Manchester City will begin a Premier League season without Pep Guardiola. That alone makes them perhaps the most interesting team in the league. Guardiola leaves after winning six Premier League titles, and Enzo Maresca now inherits a side that finished second last season, behind Arsenal.

The transition could go either way. City have spent years developing a system so deeply ingrained that changing managers does not necessarily mean changing everything. But Guardiola was the central figure behind the club's and probably to some extent the league's footballing identity for almost a decade.

There are also major personnel changes. Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Rodri, Nathan Ake, Tijjani Reijnders and James Trafford have departed, with talks of exits of Omar Marmoush, Savinho and Nico González constant, while City have brought in only Elliot Anderson and Jeremy Monga to replace them. The squad suddenly looks rather thin. With those outgoings, the lack of incomings and Maresca succeeding Pep, I do not expect the same City at all. Their starting XI is great but the lack of depth will hurt them in challenging for the title.

Liverpool's New Beginning

Much like Manchester City, Liverpool's season is incredibly hard to predict with all the changes that have taken place. Andoni Iraola has arrived after Arne Slot was dismissed despite winning the Premier League just the season before. More importantly, Liverpool have lost Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté, leaving Iraola with a squad that has enormous quality, visible lack of depth, and unpredictability. The positive thing is that Iraola's high intensity football fits the club rather naturally.

Liverpool finished fifth last season after their title winning campaign and now have to rebuild while competing in Europe. Their season could very much depend on the chemistry between Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Having underwhelmed the previous season, the Reds will hope that they become a deadly duo and stay fit for the entire campaign.

This being a transitional year, I would be surprised if they force a title race against Arsenal.

Other Contenders

Behind the three obvious contenders, the unpredictability only increases.

I have Chelsea to be the most intriguing side. Bayern Munich-slayer Xabi Alonso has arrived and the club have made a statement of intent with not only the signing of talented Morgan Rogers, but also the experienced Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. Alonso is clearly trying to set up a culture built on discipline. They also have the advantage of playing no European football, which means more time on the training ground, more time resting, and more time to adapt to Alonso's vision. It is possible that if everything goes to plan for the manager, they could challenge Arsenal for the title even ahead of City and Liverpool. Or Alonso could get sacked by December and Antonio Conte takes over, you just never know with Chelsea.

Manchester United are another team which is tricky to predict. Michael Carrick's permanent appointment gives them continuity after a strong finish to last season, when they ended third with 71 points. While the signing of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos are good deals, they still lack a couple of additions to elevate themselves to the next level. Since they won't have the disappointing luxury of not playing European football this season, United becomes another team with questions surrounding whether they have enough squad depth to maintain top level football.

The one team whose performance I expect to dip is Aston Villa. Unai Emery's side finished fourth last season after a woeful start, but juggling between Champions League and Premier League will prove hard for them especially after the outgoings of key players such as Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa with transfer talks also surrounding Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez. They will also be without Amadou Onana for a major part of the season with his return from injury expected around late March. The positive and really important thing for Villa is they have managed to hold onto Unai Emery who can manage to steer the ship as he has many times.

Tottenham, meanwhile, after back-to-back 17th places finishes could only go up right? De Zerbi's first full season could either finally give Spurs the identity their squad has been waiting for or expose just how much work remains. Although my bet would be a big improvement from last season considering their smart business this transfer window which showed great intent to up their standard.

My top five (assuming fifth place guarantees Champions League qualification):

1. Arsenal

2. Manchester City

3. Chelsea

4. Liverpool

5. Manchester United

The European Race

One of the best things about the Premier League right now is how narrow the gap is between the traditional big clubs and everyone else. It truly feels like anyone can beat anyone in this league, now more than ever.

Bournemouth will enter their first European campaign. Sunderland will play in the Europa League just one season after getting promoted, when they were expected to get relegated straight back down. Nottingham Forest were playing in the Europa League this past season. The Champions League slot has been ping-ponging between teams like Aston Villa and Newcastle United while teams like Brighton and Crystal Palace also having regular European qualifications. Brentford continue to somehow not only survive but thrive, being on the verge of playing in Europe. The European places could therefore become a race involving seven or eight clubs rather than the usual suspects.

My prediction is:

6. Tottenham 

7. Aston Villa 

8. Brentford

9. Brighton

And I would not be remotely surprised if the order looks ridiculous or upside-down by May.

The Relegation Battle

At the other end of the table, the promoted clubs face a monumental challenge of surviving the league, which is similar to winning the league for some clubs. Although all three promoted sides will take inspiration by watching what Sunderland did last season, The Black Cats could have been an anomaly in my eyes.

Hull City's business looks to be the weakest whilst also having the manager Sergej Jakirovic with no Premier League experience. Coventry's opening fixture against Arsenal is about as difficult as it gets, although their promotion under Frank Lampard gives them reason for optimism. Ipswich have also returned to the top flight to begin another Premier League adventure, this time under Gary O'Neil.

Of course it is not necessary that the promoted teams will all go straight back down. Sunderland proved that last season, while Leeds survived comfortably enough in 14th. Still, unfortunately for them, I think the trifecta will go straight back down. Or the relegation battle will involve at least two of the newcomers.

My bottom three:

18. Ipswich Town

19. Coventry City

20. Hull City

Players to Watch

There are plenty of obvious candidates. Erling Haaland could win another Golden Boot. The duo of Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer could explode under Alonso. Florian Wirtz could become Liverpool's new creative centrepiece. Alexander Isak could get back to his brilliant Newcastle best. Bruno Fernandes could go for the all time assist record once again. The duo of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard could go back to their attacking best. Enzo Maresca could unleash the creativity of Phil Foden or Rayan Cherki.

Maybe one of the best players in the league could be a little out of the box pick. Jeremy Doku? Dominik Szoboszlai? Matheus Cunha? There is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to top players to watch in the Premier League.

Young Player to Watch: Luka Vuskovic

One of the most exciting young players entering the Premier League this season is Luka Vuskovic. Last season, I kept hearing this name from Hamburg fans and, if what they say is right, Tottenham have let one of the best young talents slip out of their hands.

The Croatian centre back arrives at Brighton, who have built a reputation for giving young players opportunities, and that environment could be perfect for Vuskovic to make his mark. He already has the physical profile to handle Premier League football, but it is his composure on the ball that makes him particularly interesting. 

There will inevitably be mistakes along the way. He is still only 19 and this will be his first Premier League season. But if Vuskovic can establish himself in Brighton's defence, do not be surprised if by May we are talking about him as one of the league's most exciting defenders.

Manager to Watch: Xabi Alonso

Too many candidates here.

Maresca has to replace Guardiola. Iraola has to rebuild Liverpool. Carrick has to replicate his interim success as a permanent one. De Zerbi has to somehow make Tottenham click. Other notable candidates are Marco Rose, Oliver Glasner, Unai Emery, Frank Lampard, Alvaro Arbeloa and of course Mikel Arteta.

But Alonso has arguably the most unique combination of having no European distractions, ample pressure, financial backing, creative and authoritative freedom and a golden opportunity. If Alonso can bring some of the tactical clarity that made his Bayer Leverkusen side so compelling, Chelsea could dream to become genuine contenders. In my view, a top four finish for Xabi and his men would be a successful first season.

The Storyline

The storyline here is eras coming to an end. Erik Ten Hag would be proud.

Pep Guardiola is gone. Mo Salah is gone. The Premier League lost its latest Ballon d'Or winner,  Rodri. Liverpool have a new manager. City have a new manager. Chelsea have a new manager. Newcastle have a new manager. Almost half the league is beginning the season under new leadership.

The Premier League over the last decade had been defined by familiar figures. Guardiola. Klopp. Mourinho. Conte. Arteta. Pochettino. De Bruyne. Salah. Kane. Son. Kante. Aguero. Silva(s). Mane. 

Now the hierarchy is being rewritten. This is the beginning of a new era of stars. A couple have already made their name around the world. A few are looking to get back to their explosive best. Several trying to make their mark and try to be among the numerous faces of the league.

And that is why this season feels so unpredictable.

My 2026/27 Predictions

Champions: Arsenal

Champions League: Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United (Assuming Premier League gets an additional Champions League spot)

Europa League: Tottenham, Aston Villa

Europa Conference League: Brighton

Relegated: Ipswich Town, Coventry City, Hull City

Golden Boot: Erling Haaland

Player of the Season: Declan Rice

Young Player of the Season: Luka Vuskovic

Signing of the Season: Bruno Guimarães

Manager of the Season: Mikel Arteta

Dark Horse: Brentford

It is good to have the best league in the world back!