Arsenal are the overwhelming choice to retain the Premier League title if a cross-section of leading pundits, analysts, betting experts, and supercomputer models are to be believed ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
With the new season set to kick off on August 21 after a summer of managerial changes and major transfer activity, predictions from 10 different experts and forecasting platforms point to Mikel Arteta’s side finishing above rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
Arsenal Remain Favorites
The verdict from experts is remarkably consistent.
Arsenal, fresh from ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown last season, are viewed as the team to beat once again.
Analysts point to the club’s defensive solidity, continuity under Arteta and further strengthening of the squad as key reasons behind their confidence.
Former England striker Peter Crouch is among those backing Arsenal to successfully defend their title.
Crouch predicts the Gunners will finish first, followed by Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa in the top four. His forecast notably leaves Liverpool outside the Champions League places for a second consecutive season.
The Independent’s football betting experts have also tipped Arsenal to finish top.
While acknowledging significant uncertainty created by managerial changes at several leading clubs, their pre-season assessment identifies Arsenal as favorites to lift the trophy again.
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Data-driven predictions tell a similar story.
SoccerVar’s season forecast ranks Arsenal first and Manchester City second, projecting Arteta’s side to finish on about 84 points.
They cite Arsenal’s ability to concede few goals and maintain consistency over a 38-match season.
The Onside Supercomputer, which simulated the season 10,000 times, produced perhaps the strongest endorsement of Arsenal’s chances.
Its model gives the North London club a 55.1 percent probability of winning the title, well ahead of Manchester City’s 20.8 percent and Liverpool’s 10.9 percent.
The simulation predicts Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United to occupy the top four positions.
RotoWire analysts Christopher Owen and Adam Zdroik are also in Arsenal’s corner.
Their pre-season betting analysis identifies Arsenal as the best title selection, while Chelsea are expected to challenge for a top-four finish under new boss Xabi Alonso.
Although Pep Guardiola has departed and Enzo Maresca has taken charge, several analysts believe City’s squad strength should keep them in contention throughout the season.
Most forecasting models place them second behind Arsenal.
Liverpool and Man Utd Prediction
Liverpool enter the campaign as something of an unknown quantity following the appointment of Andoni Iraola.
While some predictions place the Reds comfortably inside the top four, others are less convinced and expect them to miss out again.
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Manchester United are another team attracting support.
After finishing third last season, Michael Carrick’s side are widely tipped to challenge for Champions League places, though few experts believe they will seriously threaten Arsenal for the title.
Chelsea are viewed as the most likely dark horse.
Several experts expect a significant improvement after a disappointing previous campaign, partly because they have fewer European commitments than some rivals.
When the predictions of all 10 experts and forecasting sources are combined, a clear pattern emerges.
Arsenal are the favorites to finish first.
Manchester City are expected to be their closest challengers.
Liverpool and Manchester United are projected to complete the top four, although Chelsea could disrupt those expectations.
Based on the broad consensus from the 10 experts, pundits, betting analysts, and prediction models cited in the article, a combined projected final table would look like this:
- Arsenal
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Manchester United
- Chelsea
- Aston Villa
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Newcastle United
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Bournemouth
- Brentford
- Everton
- Fulham
- Leeds United
- Crystal Palace
- Sunderland
- Nottingham Forest
- Coventry City
- Ipswich Town
- Hull City
This ranking aligns most closely with the Onside Supercomputer’s 10,000-season simulation.
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