Manchester City backed to edge Arsenal in Premier League title race as new era begins

The 35th Premier League season begins on Friday, 21 August 2026, with champions Arsenal hosting promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium. A campaign marked by major changes in the dugouts, record signings and high-profile departures is expected to produce another closely fought title race, with the champions to be crowned after 38 matchdays.

Nasser Eddy, a consultant for NCI Sport and presenter of the European Champions League on Nostalgie radio, has assessed the leading contenders and offered his predictions for the 2026-27 season.

Arsenal and Manchester City lead the title contenders

Arsenal and Manchester City finished last season locked in a late battle for the title and naturally start this campaign as the leading favourites.

Arsenal, who were also UEFA Champions League finalists, have established themselves among England and Europe’s leading clubs in recent seasons. Mikel Arteta will begin his seventh consecutive season as manager, providing continuity on the bench, while the squad has remained largely intact so far.

The main departure has been Leandro Trossard. Arsenal have added Christophe Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes to an already balanced squad, although their defensive strength will be tested by William Saliba’s serious injury. Arsenal had the best defence in the Premier League last season.

Manchester City begin the season determined to return to the summit after going two campaigns without the title. Their new project follows Pep Guardiola’s departure after 10 years as manager, with Enzo Maresca appointed as his replacement.

The club have also lost several important players, including Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders, while Rodri could yet leave. City have responded by recruiting promising players such as Elliot Anderson, Mathis Detourbet and Jeremy Monga.

They possess the division’s best attack from last season, led by Erling Haaland and supported by Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush. That attacking strength is expected to make them one of the most dangerous sides in the competition.

Manchester City are the selection to win the 2026-27 Premier League title, with odds of 4.05. Their fresh project and the quality available to Maresca give them the edge over Arsenal.

Liverpool, the 2025 champions, were disappointing last season but remain legitimate contenders. They are also rebuilding, with Arne Slot leaving the managerial position and senior players including Andrew Robertson and Ibrahima Konate departing.

Andoni Iraola has arrived as Liverpool’s new coach, while the club have recruited promising players Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet, with further additions expected. The Reds are still likely to challenge for the title.

Manchester United are also expected to compete near the top after finishing third last season and returning to the leading group. Their squad has remained stable and they have strengthened it with the significant signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to recover from a difficult 2025-26 campaign. The club were world champions last year but have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager and signed Morgan Rogers. Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha have also joined the Blues in an encouraging recruitment drive.

Aston Villa and Tottenham target European places

Beyond the main title contenders, several clubs are expected to compete for qualification to Europe’s other competitions.

Aston Villa, the reigning UEFA Europa League winners, remain the most consistent side among the outsiders. They have lost playmaker Morgan Rogers, but showed considerable promise against Paris Saint-Germain, described as Europe’s best team for the past two seasons, in Wednesday’s Super Cup. Villa lost that match 2-1, although 17-year-old Brian Madjo emerged as a notable revelation.

Tottenham Hotspur have traditionally been capable of disrupting the established order, but endured two difficult seasons and narrowly avoided relegation last term. They are expected to improve under Roberto De Zerbi, with Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jean-Paul Van Hecke among the high-profile arrivals. No major departure has been recorded so far.

Crystal Palace will also be involved in the European contest after winning the recent UEFA Conference League. The side, featuring Ivory Coast striker Evann Guessand, are now managed by former RC Lens coach Pierre Sage. Palace’s progress in recent seasons has already brought the club its first major trophies, and they are expected to continue that development.

Newcastle United remain another long-term prospect for the European places, with Matthias Jaissle in charge and Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure joining the club. Their challenge may be complicated by the departures of several influential players during the transfer window, including Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

Aston Villa, priced at 2.35, and Tottenham, at 2.00, are considered the strongest candidates to finish sixth and seventh, the positions projected to qualify for the 2027-28 UEFA Europa League. Crystal Palace are the preferred choice for the UEFA Conference League place, having built strong momentum over the past two seasons.

Promoted clubs face a fight for survival

For the promoted sides, the immediate objective will be to remain in the Premier League.

Coventry City, Hull City and Ipswich Town are expected to be involved in a relegation battle until the final weeks. They can look to Leeds United and Sunderland for encouragement, with both clubs preparing for a second successive season in England’s top division.

Everton, Fulham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest could also be drawn into the struggle. Nottingham Forest have the Ivory Coast international players Ibrahim Sangare and Ousmane Diomande in their squad, but are considered to have more strength than the three promoted teams.

The prediction is that all three promoted clubs will return to the Championship, repeating what happened two seasons ago. Coventry City are priced at 1.62 for relegation, while Hull City are at 1.20 and Ipswich Town at 1.67.

Haaland favourite to win another Golden Boot

Erling Haaland is again the overwhelming favourite to finish as the Premier League’s leading scorer. The Manchester City striker has won the award in three of the past four seasons and topped the standings last term with 27 goals.

With City’s attacking players supplying him, Haaland is expected to retain the Golden Boot. His odds are 1.60.

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro scored 15 Premier League goals in an impressive first personal season and could improve further if his side recover. Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 14 goals during a first Arsenal campaign that fell below expectations, is also expected to challenge near the top of the scoring table.

Other likely contenders include Igor Thiago, who was last season’s breakthrough striker, and players seeking a response after disappointing campaigns such as Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa and Dominik Solanke. Established scorers including Ollie Watkins, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo are also expected to feature prominently.

Hugo Ekitike faces a more difficult start after suffering an injury that will keep him out for several weeks and rule him out of a large part of the opening months of the season.

Haaland is forecast to finish first, with Gyokeres and Joao Pedro expected to complete the top three unless there is a major surprise. Their odds are 20.00 and 17.00 respectively.

Odds are subject to change.