Premier League 2026/27: Ladbrokes' writers predict the upcoming season

Top 6

Matt

Perhaps surprisingly, I've got Chelsea down as Man City's closest challengers this season, with some impressive signings and an exciting manager at the helm. Arsenal will still comfortably get Champions League football despite not retaining their title, with Man United finishing in the top four for the second season running. Liverpool and Aston Villa are my picks to complete the top six - even if they are both having to adapt to losing key men.

 Prediction: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool, Aston Villa

Harvey

I think Chelsea will run Arsenal the closest, with Xabi Alonso getting the best out of this Chelsea squad, and having the advantage of no European football to balance. Man City and Liverpool, both with new managers, round out the top four. I'm tipping Man United to struggle here, with Aston Villa in fifth and Tottenham in sixth, after back-to-back 17th place finishes

Prediction: Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham

Tom

I do think Xabi Alonso will have a good first season at Chelsea but I think it's a big jump from 10th to contending for the title, and I've got Liverpool and City ahead of them. Andoni Iraola did a fine job at Bournemouth and Enzo Maresca has the unenviable task of leading the post-Guardiola era at City, but both are acclimatised to the league. Unai Emery will always keep Villa in the hunt and I've got them fifth, with Man United rounding off the top six.

Prediction: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Man Utd

Cian

With City crowned champions, I think Arsenal will narrowly miss out this time but still come second. Chelsea's lack of European football will allow them to take third, just as Man Utd did last season, ahead of Liverpool. Unai Emery will continue to keep Villa battling among the increasingly-questionable group of "Big Six" teams. I think United will drop off slightly due to their extra games but still keep their place in the top six.

Prediction: Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Man Utd

Relegation

Matt

I'm expecting a pretty familiar story with the newly promoted teams, as all three struggle to really make their mark on the league - but I do have Ipswich surviving by the skin of their teeth. The same can't be said for Hull, who are already the bookies' favourites to go down, and Coventry, who will put up a good fight but ultimately fall short. The third team to go with them could be a surprise, and I'm sending Leeds back to the Championship despite comfortably staying up last term - and enjoying an encouraging pre-season - with Daniel Farke's side suffering from 'second-season syndrome'.

Prediction: Hull, Coventry, Leeds

Harvey

I actually expect all three promoted sides to struggle, but of the sides who came up from the Championship, I've been most impressed with Ipswich's business. I tip them to narrowly stay up, while Coventry and Hull go down. I have been very unimpressed with Fulham's business of just signing Real Madrid youngsters, and I think Alvaro Arbeloa is too inexperienced and tactically naive to survive in the Premier League. I'm tipping Fulham to fail to beat the drop too.

Prediction: Fulham, Coventry, Hull

Tom

Leeds and Sunderland bucked the trend of promoted sides going straight back down last season, but their success means I think the three that have come up this year will find it difficult. The gap between the top two tiers is ever-widening and I don't think any of them have added enough proven quality. They need to hit the ground running and hope that an established name, like West Ham and Wolves in 25/26, has a poor year.

Prediction: Ipswich, Hull, Coventry

Cian

Hull were the final team to book their place in this season's Premier League and I think they could be the first back out again, with the squad lacking the quality to deal with the step up. Fulham are bound to regress in the post-Marco Silva era and I've not been convinced by Alvaro Arbeloa's signings so far. That means either Ipswich or Coventry will stay up, and I'm going with the Tractor Boys to learn from their top-flight campaign two years ago by surviving this time around.

Prediction: Hull, Fulham, Coventry

PFA Player of the Year

Matt

This might be a slightly rogue shout, but in the heart of Man City's midfield, I'm backing Elliot Anderson to have the season of his life - filling the gaping hole left by the seemingly imminent departure of Rodri. Mr. Consistent will play a lot of football at the Etihad, and if City do go on to lift the trophy in May, it'll surely be one of their men who takes home the PFA Player of the Year Award. The England international will emerge as a hugely important player for club & country, and I'm tipping him to scoop up the big prize.

Prediction: Elliot Anderson

Harvey

Remember how Xabi Alonso got the best out of Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen? Well I'm tipping the former Real Madrid boss to do the same at Chelsea with Cole Palmer. Having had the summer off to rest and prepare for life under his new manager, I'm tipping a re-energised Palmer to light the Premier League up as Chelsea's key man as the Blues push Arsenal for the title.

Prediction: Cole Palmer

Tom

I predicted Declan Rice to win this award last year, and although Bruno Fernandes ultimately claimed it, Rice played a pivotal role in ending Arsenal's 22-year wait for a league title. The signing of Guimaraes should ease the burden on Rice's shoulders - and legs - with Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly also providing good cover. I've backed Arsenal to win the league, and I think Rice will be their most important player in achieving that, so he's my Player of the Year. And he's English, which always helps.

Prediction: Declan Rice

Cian

Jeremy Doku has had a decent few seasons at City, but I think 2026/27 is the one where he finds that consistency and emerges as one of the top players in the league. The Belgian had five goal contributions in his last eight league games towards the end of last season and Maresca will want to make the most of his wingers, just as he did at Chelsea. Between him and Antoine Semenyo, I'm going for Doku.

Prediction: Jeremy Doku

Golden Boot

Matt

Erling Haaland scored 27 goals last season in a Premier League campaign that, by his standards, wasn't really anything to shout about. So in a year where I'm backing City to go all the way, the big Norwegian is my tip to retain the Golden Boot - probably scoring 30+.

Prediction: Erling Haaland

Harvey

Erling Haaland to end the season with the Premier League Golden Boot. No explanation needed.

Prediction: Erling Haaland

Tom

Yeah not too much to say for this one. Haaland.

Prediction: Erling Haaland

Cian

Igor Thiago looks head and shoulders above the competition and should scoop up this award with ease.

I almost had you there, didn't I?

Prediction: Erling Haaland

Most assists

Matt

Having broken the Premier League record for the most assists in a single season last time out, I'm backing Bruno Fernandes to go back-to-back, picking up the Playmaker Award again. Manchester United score a lot of goals, and with Bruno playing every minute, taking all the set pieces, and hitting 31 PL assists in the last two seasons, I can't look past him.

Prediction: Bruno Fernandes

Harvey

I do think Florian Wirtz will have a good season, similarly with Rayan Cherki, but I have to go back to what I said about Cole Palmer earlier. I think the Chelsea attacker is going to steal the show this year, and I expect him to feed Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro with heaps of chances every game. If he can stay fit, and that's a big if, I tip him to end the season with the most assists.

Prediction: Cole Palmer

Tom

Rayan Cherki lit up the Premier League in his debut season, thrilling fans and neutrals alike with his throwback, maverick style of play. Cherki finished with the second-most assists in 2025/26 with 12, although he was some way off Bruno Fernandes' record-breaking tally of 21. He's established a good connection with Haaland, who is our unanimous Golden Boot choice, so I think Cherki has a good shot at being the assist leader.

Prediction: Rayan Cherki

Cian

Bruno Fernandes provided a record-breaking number of assists last season and remains crucial to United's hopes of achieving anything this time around. The Portugal international will also have Youri Tielemans providing creativity alongside him, but that's likely to just free him up even more to make an impact in the final third.

Prediction: Bruno Fernandes

Signing of the season

Matt

Obviously Elliot Anderson is in this conversation given I've tipped him to win the PFA POTY Award, but all things considered, I think Youri Tielemans to Man United has the makings of an incredible signing. Not only have they picked up an elite midfielder for relatively cheap, who brings trophy-winning leadership, but this transfer has weakened a direct rival in the process. If Tielemans can get anywhere near the levels he hit at Villa, he'll help transform the United midfield, freeing up Bruno Fernandes even further and allowing the danger men to really flourish.

Prediction: Youri Tielemans to Man United

Harvey

He cost big money, but there's no denying that Elliot Anderson is one of the best midfielders in the league right now. I'm tipping him to be a big reason why Man City don't drop off too much after the departure of Pep Guardiola. Whether he plays alongside Rodri, or replaces the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner if he moves on, I expect the former Nottingham Forest man to be a key cog in this new era at the Etihad Stadium.

Prediction: Elliot Anderson to Man City

Tom

Bruno Guimaraes' move to Arsenal from Newcastle will be a near-guaranteed success, but that's factored in to me picking Arsenal to win the league. I've gone for the Toon skipper's replacement, 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur, to emerge as a star this season. Signed for £20m from Ajax, Steur is technically adept and comfortable playing in a deep or advanced midfield role. The Magpies have signalled a shift in strategy, buying a number of promising young talents to replace their departed stars, and Steur looks like an exciting prospect.

Prediction: Sean Steur to Newcastle

Cian

I think Youri Tielemans is a quality addition by Manchester United but I'm actually going for Joao Gomes - his replacement at Villa. The Brazil international was one of Wolves' standout players despite their relegation and attracted the interest of the league's biggest clubs not too long ago. He might not have the same creativity of Tielemans but is more defensively solid, which will allow Boubacar Kamara to thrive, as was shown by his impressive debut in the Super Cup. It's gone under the radar, but I think he looks a snip at £30m.

Prediction: Joao Gomes to Aston Villa

Surprise package

Matt

After finishing 10th last season and not even securing any European football, Chelsea need a big season - and while a lot of people will be tipping them to be better, I think the Blues are going to surprise a few with just how good they are. They've made some fantastic signings already in Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, and if they can get a top-level goalkeeper through the door, I think they're going to be pushing all the way for the title.

Prediction: Chelsea

Harvey

Given what I've said already, it's no surprise that I'm also tipping Chelsea to be the league's surprise package this season. Adding some much-needed experience, a top manager who knows how to get the best out of the players at his disposal, and the fact they have no European football to juggle, are all reasons why I think Chelsea are going to have a great season.

Prediction: Chelsea

Tom

Nottingham Forest may have lost Elliot Anderson, but they've kept hold of key players including Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo, and brought in a top manager in Oliver Glasner. His style of play should suit Forest well, and their signing of centre-back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting is a real coup. I wouldn't be surprised to see Forest challenging for the European positions again.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest

Cian

I picked Brentford in this category last season when everyone was tipping them to go down, and I'm doing the same this time around. The Bees were unlucky to miss out on Europe last season, but it could work to their advantage this time, with the likes of Bournemouth, Sunderland and Brighton all having to deal with extra games on their plate. Having broken their transfer record on Mamadou Sangare and added a few more players of quality, I believe European football could be coming to the Gtech in a year's time.

Prediction: Brentford

Biggest flop

Matt

Sandro Tonali is a decent midfielder, but moving for £100m seems more than excessive - and I think the price tag will work against him. It instantly sets expectations too high, and if his performances last season are anything to go by, he won't be anywhere near justifying it. Spurs fans will be hoping for a huge season from the Italian as they look to improve on back-to-back 17th-place finishes, but I can see the big-money midfielder flopping in North London - even losing his starting spot.

Prediction: Sandro Tonali

Harvey

I think Man United made a huge mistake in permanently hiring Michael Carrick this summer. Man United were actually very lucky to finish inside the top four last season, benefitting from none of the top sides playing all that well, and the fact they only played 40 games, getting knocked out in the first round of both domestic cups. I expect Carrick to show himself to be out of his depth this season when it comes to competing in the Champions League and Premier League. I also think the club have failed to sign the lights-out defensive midfielder needed to replace Casemiro, who was great last season.

Prediction: Michael Carrick

Tom

After a superb couple of seasons at Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers has swapped the West Midlands for West London by joining Chelsea, becoming the most expensive British player of all time in the process. I'm not entirely sure it was the right move for him, as he's given up Champions League football for no European action at all, and Unai Emery constructed his attack around Rogers at Villa with everything running through him. That won't be the case at Chelsea, who already have his close friend Cole Palmer operating in his preferred position. I think Rogers is a very good player, but I'm struggling to see a scenario where he lives up to the hype and his price tag.

Prediction: Morgan Rogers

Cian

Spurs fans seem to be getting excited over their transfer business, but there's every chance spending over £200m on Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke could age very poorly. Of all of those moves, I'm least convinced by the £85m they've splashed on Fernandes, who has been relegated in his last two seasons, and I think there is a lot of pressure on him to immediately improve what has been a poor Spurs midfield in recent years.

Prediction: Matheus Fernandes

First manager to leave

Matt

I got this spot on last season with Nuno leaving Forest, and looking into my crystal ball again, I can see David Moyes vacating the Everton hot-seat soon. The Toffees only finished 13th last season after looking so promising for so long, and having failed to win any of their final seven, Moyes is coming into this season under pressure already. They've made a couple of good signings, but a difficult start to the season could see them stuck near the bottom - which will spell the end for Moyes.

Prediction: David Moyes

Harvey

Sunderland were great last season, but this screams of 'second season syndrome', especially with the fact that the Black Cats now have to deal with European football. With Sunderland's fans now having higher expectations, given how well they played last season and how much money they've spent on transfers, I can see pressure mounting on Regis Le Bris after a few bad results. Should things get bad early, I can see him being the first manager let go.

Prediction: Regis Le Bris

Tom

I could see both Moyes and Le Bris losing their jobs this season, but I think one of the promoted teams will be the first to panic and change manager. I've gone for new Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil to be the unlucky man, mostly by virtue of Coventry's Frank Lampard and Hull's Sergej Jakirovic having more credit in the bank after leading their sides to promotion. O'Neil had decent spells at Bournemouth and Wolves, but it was not the most inspiring appointment to replace Ipswich hero Kieran McKenna, and he'll need a good start to avoid pressure building early.

Prediction: Gary O'Neil

Cian

I'm not convinced Arbeloa will last at Fulham, but Sergej Jakirovic feels like a banker to lose his job pretty early on this season. Hull are expected to struggle, and their owner has proven he is not afraid to hit the panic button with his managers, just ask Liam Rosenior who was dismissed after narrowly missing out on the play-offs a few years ago. Jakirovic is lacking in Premier League experience and his squad is looking light - both of which point to him being the first casualty of the season.

Prediction: Sergej Jakirovic

Bold prediction

Matt

Only six goalkeepers have scored a Premier League goal, with the last being Alisson in 2021, but I'm predicting that a new name will be added to the list this season. Whether it's a goalmouth scramble from a set piece, or a long-range punt to rival Asmir Begovic and Tim Howard, someone is going to etch their name into the history books.

Prediction: A goalkeeper will score a PL goal in 2026/27

Harvey

I think Arsenal are so clear at the top of the Premier League in terms of quality that they're going to have the league wrapped up with multiple games to go. That should leave them able to focus on other competitions, so much so that I'm tipping them to win the treble, becoming only the third team in the history of the Premier League to do so. With the pressure of not having won a major trophy for a little while now off their backs, Arsenal are going to be dangerous for the rest of the league.

Prediction: Arsenal to win the FA Cup, Premier League & Champions League

Tom

Eddie Howe's successful five-year reign at Newcastle came to a surprising end earlier this summer after he decided to walk away. The former Bournemouth gaffer is taking a break, but he'll be a top candidate for any side looking for a new manager this season. Matt has tipped David Moyes to be the first to leave his job, and I could certainly see Howe replacing him at Everton. He is a boyhood Toffees fan and would be an ideal fit for turning the Merseyside club into a consistent top-half outfit challenging for Europe.

Prediction: Eddie Howe to become Everton manager

Cian

Many people think Aston Villa have had their pants pulled down by swapping Morgan Rogers for Alejandro Garnacho, but I'm going to stick my neck out and say it could turn out to be a masterstroke. In Unai Emery, Garnacho is going to get the proper coaching he's always needed, while I'm not totally sure Chelsea was the best move for Rogers, due to the England man taking up very similar positions to his mate Cole Palmer, while the price tag is sure to weigh heavy and he wouldn't be the first man to lose his form at Stamford Bridge. As a result, I'm tipping Garnacho to end the season with more goals than the new Blues man.

Prediction: Alejandro Garnacho to score more goals than Morgan Rogers

All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

View the latest football odds.