2026/27 Premier League Predictions

The 2026/27 Premier League season is almost upon us, and after one of the most dramatic campaigns in recent memory, there is plenty to get excited about.

Arsenal finally ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season, finishing five points clear of Manchester City after an excellent campaign. Manchester United returned to the Champions League in third, while Aston Villa completed the top four. At the other end, West Ham, Burnley and Wolves were relegated, with Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City taking their places in the top flight.

This summer has brought another huge amount of change. Pep Guardiola has left Manchester City after a decade in charge, Liverpool have replaced Arne Slot with Andoni Iraola, Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso and Tottenham have turned to Roberto De Zerbi. In total, seven clubs begin the campaign with new managers.

And then there was the World Cup.

Spain lifted the trophy after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final, while England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 ended with a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina. England subsequently beat France 6-4 in the third-place play-off. The tournament has also left a number of Premier League players facing a shortened pre-season after going deep into the competition.

So, with the new season about to begin, here are my predictions for the final 2026/27 Premier League table.

20th – Hull City

Hull City are back in the Premier League after winning the Championship play-offs, but I fear they may find the step up simply too much.

The Tigers have had plenty of work to do in the transfer market as they look to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. There is plenty of enthusiasm around the club following promotion, but surviving in the Premier League is a completely different challenge.

Sergej Jakirovic did an excellent job last season, but maintaining the spirit of a promotion-winning side while adding enough Premier League quality is a difficult balancing act.

The fixture list is hardly ideal either, with Manchester United among their early opponents.

Prediction: 20th

19th – Coventry City

Coventry are another club I think will struggle despite an excellent Championship campaign.

Frank Lampard guided the Sky Blues to the Championship title with 95 points and an impressive 97 goals, completing their return to the Premier League after 25 years.

They have invested in the squad, but only a handful of their players have meaningful Premier League experience. The challenge of turning a Championship-winning team into a side capable of surviving in the top flight is enormous.

I expect Coventry to compete well at home, but ultimately I think the quality of the Premier League will prove too much.

Prediction: 19th

18th – Sunderland

This is probably my biggest controversial prediction.

Sunderland finished an outstanding seventh last season, only a year after winning promotion, and qualified for European football in the process. Régis Le Bris deserves enormous credit for what he achieved.

However, I think the second season is going to be considerably harder.

Sunderland now have European football to contend with, meaning a squad that was already being tested in the Premier League will have to cope with a significantly heavier schedule.

The club have not been as active in the transfer market as some of their rivals, while several key players also had long World Cup campaigns. That could make the additional European fixtures particularly difficult to manage.

Sunderland's seventh-place finish was one of the great stories of last season, but I think the combination of European football, a tougher second season and squad depth will eventually catch up with them.

Prediction: 18th

17th – Ipswich Town

Ipswich return to the Premier League immediately after winning promotion as Championship runners-up, but the circumstances are very different from their previous top-flight campaign.

Kieran McKenna's departure has been followed by the appointment of Gary O'Neil, meaning the club are attempting to adapt to a new manager at exactly the same time as they step back into the Premier League.

There has been plenty of recruitment, with Ipswich looking to add Premier League quality throughout the squad.

I like O'Neil and think Ipswich will be competitive, but the Premier League is unforgiving. They will probably need to improve considerably during the season to stay up.

Prediction: 17th

16th – Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are perhaps the most difficult team to predict.

They finished 15th last season but their overall story was far more positive than that position suggests. Palace enjoyed a remarkable campaign, winning the Conference League a year after winning the FA Cup under Oliver Glasner.

The problem is that Glasner has now left for Nottingham Forest, with Pierre Sage taking over.

Sage has plenty of promise, but replacing a manager who had built such a strong relationship with the squad is a major challenge. Palace also have European football to contend with and have not been as busy in the transfer market as some of their rivals.

I think Palace will have enough quality to stay up comfortably, but the combination of Europe and managerial change could prevent another spectacular campaign.

Prediction: 16th

15th – Leeds United

Leeds did a respectable job last season, finishing 14th after a difficult start.

Daniel Farke remains in charge and the second half of last season offered genuine encouragement. Leeds collected points consistently after Christmas and showed that they could compete at this level.

The club have strengthened in several areas during the summer, adding experience as they look to build a squad capable of avoiding another relegation battle.

Elland Road should once again be a huge advantage, but I just don't see enough depth to push Leeds much higher than mid-table.

Prediction: 15th

14th – Fulham

Fulham are another side going through a significant change.

Marco Silva has left the club and former Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa has taken over. That makes this something of an unknown quantity at Craven Cottage.

Fulham finished 11th last season and will have to cope with changes to their squad, including the departure of important players.

The new manager has plenty of potential, but this is his first Premier League job. I think Fulham will be safe without ever seriously threatening the top half.

Prediction: 14th

13th – Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest could either finish here or surprise everyone again.

Their 16th-place finish last season was disappointing after their previous European push, and they went through a remarkable number of managerial changes.

Now comes another fresh start under Oliver Glasner, who left Crystal Palace after their trophy-laden campaign. His preferred system should suit Forest, but there are still holes in the squad.

The biggest loss is Elliot Anderson, who has joined Manchester City after an outstanding World Cup with England.

Forest are pursuing further reinforcements and will need Glasner to quickly establish the organisation that made his Palace side so difficult to play against.

I think they will improve, but perhaps not quite enough for Europe.

Prediction: 13th

12th – Newcastle United

Here is the other big shock.

Newcastle finishing 12th might seem incredibly low considering the quality and ambition of the club, but their summer has been hugely disruptive.

The Magpies have lost a number of their best players, including Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães. Losing that much quality from the spine and attacking areas of the team is a huge blow.

The club have also changed manager, adding another layer of uncertainty at a time when Newcastle really need stability.

Newcastle have brought in younger players and are clearly looking to rebuild, but this feels like a transition season rather than one in which they can challenge for Europe.

They still have an excellent home crowd and plenty of quality, but selling so many of their best players while changing manager is a huge gamble.

Prediction: 12th

11th – Everton

Everton should be considerably more comfortable this season.

David Moyes did enough last year to keep the club clear of trouble, although a late-season collapse saw Everton finish 13th after being in contention for Europe earlier in the campaign.

The squad has been strengthened with a mixture of Premier League experience and younger talent, while Jordan Pickford returns from an excellent World Cup with England.

The biggest concern is that Everton still need more attacking quality, particularly at centre-forward, but the defence and midfield should provide a solid foundation.

I expect a steady season rather than another relegation battle.

Prediction: 11th

10th – Bournemouth

Bournemouth were one of the stories of last season, finishing sixth and qualifying for Europe for the first time.

But Andoni Iraola has now left for Liverpool and Marco Rose has taken over. That makes this a fascinating appointment, with Rose bringing a different tactical approach to the club.

Bournemouth have strengthened their squad and have plenty of attacking talent, but balancing Premier League and European football will be a major test.

Bournemouth have momentum and ambition, but repeating a sixth-place finish will be difficult.

I can see them having a very respectable season without quite reaching last year's heights.

Prediction: 10th

9th – Brentford

Brentford continue to be one of the most impressive clubs in the Premier League when it comes to recruitment and organisation.

Keith Andrews successfully made the transition from set-piece coach to manager last season, guiding the Bees to ninth. They were close to European qualification and should be confident of another strong campaign.

There have been some notable departures, but Brentford have continued to reinvest in younger talent while retaining important members of the squad.

Igor Thiago will be particularly important after his impressive goalscoring campaign last season.

Another top-half finish feels very achievable.

Prediction: 9th

8th – Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have become almost impossible to write off.

They finished eighth last season and qualified for European football, while Fabian Hürzeler enters another season with the club.

There have been some notable departures, but Brighton's recruitment model means there are usually talented replacements waiting to emerge.

European football may stretch the squad, but I still expect another excellent campaign from the Seagulls.

Prediction: 8th

7th – Aston Villa

Villa are another team I expect to be strong despite losing important players.

Unai Emery guided them to fourth last season and also delivered Europa League glory. That is a remarkable achievement and means Villa enter this campaign with Champions League football and a European trophy behind them.

The problem is the departures. Morgan Rogers has moved to Chelsea, while other important members of the squad have also left.

Emery remains the biggest reason for optimism and Villa have added new players to strengthen the squad.

I think Villa will remain in the European picture, but the summer upheaval costs them a few places.

Prediction: 7th

6th – Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are my pick to make the biggest improvement inside the traditional top half.

Spurs finished an awful 17th last season but somehow survived, and Roberto De Zerbi has now been brought in to replace the previous regime.

De Zerbi has been given significant backing in the transfer market, with Spurs adding quality and experience as they look to transform their fortunes.

There are still weaknesses, but the new manager should bring a clearer footballing identity.

The World Cup could also have an impact, with several Tottenham players involved deep into the tournament.

I think Spurs will go from relegation candidates to genuine European contenders.

Prediction: 6th

5th – Chelsea

Chelsea are one of the hardest clubs to predict, but I think Xabi Alonso will make a significant difference.

The Blues finished only 10th last season, but they have responded with another huge summer of spending and have added significant quality to the squad.

The biggest advantage is that Chelsea do not have European football this season, allowing Alonso much more time on the training ground.

Cole Palmer remains the key player, while several Chelsea players return from the World Cup with valuable experience of playing on the biggest stage.

I expect Alonso to bring organisation and identity to Chelsea, although I don't think they are quite ready to challenge for the title.

Prediction: 5th

4th – Liverpool

Liverpool are my biggest question mark among the established title contenders.

They finished fifth last season and then replaced Arne Slot with Andoni Iraola, who did such a superb job at Bournemouth.

The new manager inherits an excellent squad, but there are concerns about the transition. Liverpool have also lost important players and their defence needs attention.

The World Cup could also play a part. Several Liverpool players went deep into the tournament, giving them limited time to recover and prepare for the new campaign.

I expect Liverpool to improve significantly on fifth, but I can't quite see them winning the title.

Prediction: 4th

3rd – Manchester United

Manchester United are the team I think could surprise everyone.

Michael Carrick's permanent appointment was thoroughly deserved after he took over midway through last season and guided United to third. They now return to the Champions League.

The club have strengthened the squad during the summer and Carrick has been given the opportunity to build on the encouraging work of last season.

The return of Marcus Rashford is another intriguing subplot after his loan spells away from Old Trafford.

United's biggest challenge is depth. Champions League football will test the squad considerably more than last season.

I think Carrick can build on last season's momentum and take United into the title conversation, but third feels about right.

Prediction: 3rd

2nd – Arsenal

It feels strange to predict the reigning champions to finish second, particularly after Arsenal finally got their hands on the trophy.

Mikel Arteta's side were superb last season and have strengthened further during the summer.

The squad looks capable of challenging on multiple fronts again, but the World Cup could have an impact. Several Arsenal players were involved deep into the tournament, while injuries have also affected some members of the squad.

Arsenal also have to cope with the Champions League and the expectation of defending their first league title in 22 years.

I think they will be right there until the final few weeks, but this time City will just have enough.

Prediction: 2nd

1st – Manchester City

Manchester City are my prediction to reclaim the Premier League title.

This is perhaps the boldest part of my prediction because Pep Guardiola is no longer at the club. After a decade of unprecedented success, a new manager now faces the enormous challenge of succeeding him.

But I simply cannot ignore the quality available at the Etihad.

City have made significant additions to the squad and continue to have an enormous amount of attacking and midfield quality. The World Cup has also provided several of their players with valuable experience on the international stage.

The departure of Guardiola is obviously a huge change, but City have been preparing for the next era for some time and possess the infrastructure and squad depth to remain at the very top.

I expect City and Arsenal to be extremely close throughout the season. Last year Arsenal finally got the better of City; this time I think Manchester City will respond.

Prediction: 1st

My Final 2026/27 Premier League Table

Position	Club
1st	Manchester City
2nd	Arsenal
3rd	Manchester United
4th	Liverpool
5th	Chelsea
6th	Tottenham Hotspur
7th	Aston Villa
8th	Brighton & Hove Albion
9th	Brentford
10th	Bournemouth
11th	Everton
12th	Newcastle United
13th	Nottingham Forest
14th	Fulham
15th	Leeds United
16th	Crystal Palace
17th	Ipswich Town
18th	Sunderland
19th	Coventry City
20th	Hull City