After a 32-day summer break following Spain's World Cup victory, the Premier League returns with Arsenal defending their first league title in 22 years, secured last season under Mikel Arteta after three consecutive second-place finishes. The Gunners kick off their campaign against newly-promoted Coventry City, having already laid down a marker in the Community Shield.
Nine clubs changed managers over the summer, a record turnover, setting the stage for an unpredictable season. Metro Sport's writers have offered their boldest predictions for the 2026-27 campaign, ranging from a Chelsea title surge to potential relegation for established sides.
Chelsea to win the Premier League
Tony Mogan, Live Sports Editor, predicts Chelsea will win the league. He notes that the last time Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League, they won the title the following season. A decade on from that triumph, they might repeat the feat. Despite having five head coaches during the BlueCo era, Xabi Alonso is now in charge, having guided Bayer Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory in his first full season after taking over with the club in the relegation zone 18 months earlier.
With no European football, Chelsea can focus on the league, benefiting players like Cole Palmer, who struggled with injuries last term. Alongside Morgan Rogers, Chelsea's attack features proven goal scorer Joao Pedro. Levi Colwill's return from an ACL injury provides calm consistency to a backline that lacked it last season. Mogan's top four: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United. Relegated: Coventry, Ipswich, Hull.
Manchester City to miss Champions League
Callum McAvoy, sports reporter, predicts Manchester City will finish outside the top four for the first time since 2010. In one summer, City lost manager Pep Guardiola, captain Bernardo Silva, midfielder Rodri, and defender John Stones. They signed Elliot Anderson for £116 million, but the Community Shield humiliation showed new boss Enzo Maresca has work to do.
McAvoy notes that Maresca's teams, as seen at Chelsea and Leicester, start well but decline around Christmas. If Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Liverpool rebuild successfully, City could face Europa League football. He draws parallels to Arsenal's post-Arsene Wenger decline and Manchester United's struggles post-Sir Alex Ferguson. McAvoy's top four: Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United. Relegated: Hull, Fulham, Ipswich.
Crystal Palace from European winners to relegation
Louis Sealey, Deputy Sports Editor, predicts Crystal Palace will be relegated. Despite winning the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Conference League over the past 18 months, Palace flirted with relegation last season, finishing six points above the drop zone. The loss of manager Oliver Glasner to Nottingham Forest is a major blow, and replacement Pierre Sage, though successful at Lens, has managed fewer than 100 professional matches.
Defensive departures, including Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi, leave the backline unrecognisable. Daniel Munoz is a target for Saudi clubs, and uncertainty surrounds Adam Wharton and Ismaila Sarr. Only two teams scored fewer than Palace last season, putting pressure on Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has hit double digits for three seasons, and club-record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen. Sealey's top four: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City. Relegated: Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Hull.
Michael Carrick under pressure at Manchester United
Ben Fleming, sports reporter, predicts Michael Carrick will be replaced by Eddie Howe by New Year's Day. Carrick earned the permanent job after leading United to more league points than any other side since his arrival in mid-January. However, the one-game-a-week schedule is gone with Champions League football returning. The squad lacks depth: Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are relied upon with Matthijs de Ligt's injury woes, Luke Shaw has no like-for-like backup, and Benjamin Sesko missed pre-season.
United outperformed their underlying data last season, and tough away games at Liverpool, Newcastle, and Arsenal await over the festive period. If results falter, Carrick could face early scrutiny, with out-of-work Eddie Howe a potential replacement. Fleming's top four: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham. Relegated: Coventry, Ipswich, Hull.
Coventry to survive, Fulham to go down
Gavin Brown, Assistant Sports Editor, predicts Coventry will stay up while Fulham are relegated. He notes that three promoted teams going down is a tepid prediction, so he backs Coventry. Frank Lampard is a better manager than given credit for, and the Championship winners have bought well, including goalkeeper Carl Rushworth and midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi. Coventry are deadly from set-pieces.
Fulham, meanwhile, face a pivot towards youth under rookie manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Marco Silva after five successful years. Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia is an exciting addition, but Silva's departure and a youth-focused strategy point to a relegation fight. Brown's top four: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City. Relegated: Fulham, Ipswich, Hull.
Bournemouth relegated, Marco Rose first sacked
Tom Olver, Assistant Sports Editor, predicts Bournemouth will be relegated and Marco Rose will be the first manager sacked. Replacing Andoni Iraola, who secured European football, is a poisoned chalice. Rose's underwhelming spells at Dortmund and Leipzig suggest he is not in Iraola's class. The squad faces extra workload from the Europa League, and players like Alex Scott, Junior Kroupi, or Rayan could have their heads turned.
Bournemouth's opening eight fixtures include City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and United, putting Rose under early pressure. The Europa League's return next month will push the squad to the limit, suggesting a long season for Bournemouth and a short one for their manager. Olver's top four: Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa. Relegated: Bournemouth, Hull, Ipswich.
