Sam Allardyce has tipped Manchester City to reclaim the Premier League title this season, despite Arsenal's dominant 3-0 victory over City in the Community Shield. The former England manager made the prediction on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, prompting Liverpool legend Phil Thompson to label it 'flabbergasting'.
Arsenal's Statement Win and Title Favourites Status
Mikel Arteta's side underlined their status as Premier League title favourites with a convincing win over Manchester City in the traditional curtain-raiser for the new season. The Gunners clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 last season and were a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League for the first time.
Arsenal look by far the most settled team at the top end of the Premier League, with many of their potential title rivals under new management going into the 2026-27 campaign. Enzo Maresca has replaced legendary Pep Guardiola at Man City, Andoni Iraola has taken over from Liverpool title-winner Arne Slot, and Xabi Alonso is preparing for his first season at Chelsea.
Allardyce's Surprising Prediction and Thompson's Reaction
The stability at Arsenal and uncertainty at other clubs has made Arsenal short favourites with the bookmakers to retain the Premier League trophy. But Allardyce believes Arsenal will miss out on back-to-back league titles and has instead tipped Manchester City to regain their status as champions.
Asked to reveal his Premier League title prediction, Allardyce said: 'Man City. I think Enzo Maresca is going to have a great first season. If he doesn't he will be out.'
Reacting to Allardyce's surprising prediction, Phil Thompson said: 'I wasn't expecting that, it's flabbergasting. I'm going with Arsenal. I just think Arsenal because they're more settled than the other possible title rivals.'
Allardyce's Concerns for Manchester United
Meanwhile, Allardyce revealed why he is 'worried' about Manchester United and Michael Carrick, who he wants to succeed at Old Trafford. 'I'm still worried about Manchester United', the former Premier League and England manager added. 'Everyone will be looking to see if Michael Carrick can keep it up because he overachieved last year. There's a massive downside to that because you build expectations. They absolutely can't be outside the top-four.'
'I want Michael Carrick to succeed just to show everyone you can be a failure and turn into a massive success. What he did last season was force the Man United board to give him the job based on what he did on and off the field. Now he needs to be even stronger and manage the club, not coach it.'
Owen's 'Set in Stone' Prediction and Title Odds
Ex-England striker Michael Owen believes another Arsenal title win is 'set in stone' as there are 'question marks' over every other side. 'Arsenal only have to stand still and they win the Premier League again,' Owen said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast sponsored by Midnite. 'I can't see anyone jumping out of the pack and getting 85 points whereas Arsenal are pretty much guaranteed to hit that number again. They're such a steady team with such a good goalkeeper and defence, I just can't see the wheels falling off.'
'They're just guaranteed to post a number, it won't be a number that Man City or Liverpool hit in the past but I just can't see anyone matching them. There's too many questions over the others teams, there's questions everywhere this season with all the new managers bar Arsenal. They will be steady and get mid to late 80s and I don't think anyone can beat that. I think there's more question marks over this season than ever before, which is why I think Arsenal are just set in stone to win the Premier League. There's question marks over every single team, big question marks, except for Arsenal.'
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday night when newly-promoted Coventry City visit the Emirates Stadium. Premier League title odds list Arsenal at 6/5, Manchester City at 3/1, Liverpool at 6/1, Chelsea at 8/1, and Manchester United at 9/1, courtesy of Betfair.
