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EPL Preview: Can Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, or Man Utd Beat Arsenal To The EPL Title?
by James Umeh
21 Aug 2026
Arsenal’s title win could have completely shifted the power balance in England. The Gunners bulldozed their way to the crown, powered by grit, mental toughness and some seriously effective corner-kick routines. Looking at their squad, which appears a level above the rest - especially in defence and midfield - there’s every reason to believe back-to-back titles could be on the cards.
They also have something their biggest rivals don’t: stability. Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have all changed managers, while Mikel Arteta remains firmly in charge at Arsenal. Over a gruelling 38-game season, that continuity could make a huge difference. But can anyone actually wrestle the title away from the Gunners? Let’s take a look and, of course, dish out some betting tips along the way.
Arsenal’s title win could have completely shifted the power balance in England. The Gunners bulldozed their way to the crown, powered by grit, mental toughness and some seriously effective corner-kick routines. Looking at their squad, which appears a level above the rest - especially in defence and midfield - there’s every reason to believe back-to-back titles could be on the cards.
They also have something their biggest rivals don’t: stability. Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham have all changed managers, while Mikel Arteta remains firmly in charge at Arsenal. Over a gruelling 38-game season, that continuity could make a huge difference. But can anyone actually wrestle the title away from the Gunners? Let’s take a look and, of course, dish out some betting tips along the way.
Arsenal | The Gunners Are Well Equipped To Successfully Defend The EPL Title
Manager: Mikel Arteta | Key Player: Declan Rice | Key Additions: Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis
For the first time in 22 years, Arsenal return to Premier League action as champions. Now, Mikel Arteta’s side have an even bigger challenge: becoming only the fourth club in Premier League history to successfully defend the crown. Arsenal themselves have not retained a league title since 1935, so history is firmly against them.
Still, there is plenty to like about their chances. Arteta has built a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, and the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75m adds even more quality to an already stacked midfield. The Brazilian should ease the workload on Declan Rice while giving Arsenal another player capable of driving transitions and creating from deep.
Christos Tzolis is another intriguing addition. The Greek winger arrived from Club Brugge after recording 17 goals and 23 assists in the Jupiler Pro League last season, and he has already registered four goal contributions in five pre-season appearances and two in their 3-0 win over Man City in the Community Shield. If that form carries into the league, he could quickly become an attractive option in goals and assists markets.
Arsenal’s biggest concern, however, is at the back. They conceded just 27 goals in 38 league games last season, but William Saliba’s injury leaves a massive hole. Jurrien Timber is also not yet fully fit, while Arsenal have just signed Ezri Konsa. Their 3-2 pre-season defeat to Borussia Dortmund offered a glimpse of what could happen if their defensive depth is tested.
At the other end, set pieces remain one of Arsenal’s biggest weapons. They scored 25 Premier League goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, over the previous campaign, while only three teams had a better non-penalty expected-goal difference from set plays alone. However, new refereeing instructions around grappling could make that advantage harder to exploit.
Arsenal certainly look strong enough to challenge again, but defending the title is a different beast. With rivals strengthening and Saliba sidelined, there are reasons to believe the champions could be more vulnerable this time around. For the online betting community, Arsenal’s attacking depth and set-piece threat make team goals, player goal contributions and set-piece-related markets worth watching, while their defensive absences could create opportunities in both-teams-to-score and goals markets, particularly early in the season.
Prediction: 1st, Champions
Arsenal | The Gunners Are Well Equipped To Successfully Defend The EPL Title
Manager: Mikel Arteta | Key Player: Declan Rice | Key Additions: Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis
For the first time in 22 years, Arsenal return to Premier League action as champions. Now, Mikel Arteta’s side have an even bigger challenge: becoming only the fourth club in Premier League history to successfully defend the crown. Arsenal themselves have not retained a league title since 1935, so history is firmly against them.
Still, there is plenty to like about their chances. Arteta has built a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, and the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75m adds even more quality to an already stacked midfield. The Brazilian should ease the workload on Declan Rice while giving Arsenal another player capable of driving transitions and creating from deep.
Christos Tzolis is another intriguing addition. The Greek winger arrived from Club Brugge after recording 17 goals and 23 assists in the Jupiler Pro League last season, and he has already registered four goal contributions in five pre-season appearances and two in their 3-0 win over Man City in the Community Shield. If that form carries into the league, he could quickly become an attractive option in goals and assists markets.
Arsenal’s biggest concern, however, is at the back. They conceded just 27 goals in 38 league games last season, but William Saliba’s injury leaves a massive hole. Jurrien Timber is also not yet fully fit, while Arsenal have just signed Ezri Konsa. Their 3-2 pre-season defeat to Borussia Dortmund offered a glimpse of what could happen if their defensive depth is tested.
At the other end, set pieces remain one of Arsenal’s biggest weapons. They scored 25 Premier League goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, over the previous campaign, while only three teams had a better non-penalty expected-goal difference from set plays alone. However, new refereeing instructions around grappling could make that advantage harder to exploit.
Arsenal certainly look strong enough to challenge again, but defending the title is a different beast. With rivals strengthening and Saliba sidelined, there are reasons to believe the champions could be more vulnerable this time around. For the online betting community, Arsenal’s attacking depth and set-piece threat make team goals, player goal contributions and set-piece-related markets worth watching, while their defensive absences could create opportunities in both-teams-to-score and goals markets, particularly early in the season.
Prediction: 1st, Champions
Manchester City | Can Maresca Maintain The Winning Culture In The Post-Guardiola Era
Manager: Enzo Maresca | Key Player: Erling Haaland | Key Addition: Elliot Anderson
Manchester City enter 2026/27 in unfamiliar territory. After winning four straight Premier League titles between 2021 and 2024, they have now gone two seasons without the league crown. Last season was particularly underwhelming by their standards: they finished seven points behind Arsenal, exited the Champions League in the last 16 and never quite looked like the unstoppable machine of old. The consolation? They still won the FA Cup and EFL Cup, because even a “bad” City season somehow ends with silverware.
The bigger story is what happened in May. Pep Guardiola finally walked away after a decade in charge, ending one of the greatest managerial eras football has seen. Enzo Maresca now has the unenviable job of replacing him. The former Chelsea boss is stylistically aligned with Guardiola, but his history of clashes and a lack of experience managing a club of this magnitude make him a fascinating wildcard.
City have also been relatively quiet in the transfer market, with Elliot Anderson arriving from Nottingham Forest for £116m. He could be hugely important with Rodri heading to Barcelona, particularly after an impressive breakthrough season with Forest. The squad still has ridiculous firepower, though, with Erling Haaland leading the attack.
The fixture list offers an early opportunity to build momentum. City open against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry, while Arsenal face a tougher start. A fast beginning could be crucial in a title race where City cannot afford another slow spell.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Maresca can keep City in the mix, but there are also too many unknowns to blindly back them for the title. Guardiola's departure, Rodri's exit and Maresca's first season at the Etihad all create uncertainty. However, with a chance to get 4.5x your betting stake, a bet on them to beat Arsenal to the title is worth a calculated risk.
Prediction: 2nd
Manchester City | Can Maresca Maintain The Winning Culture In The Post-Guardiola Era
Manager: Enzo Maresca | Key Player: Erling Haaland | Key Addition: Elliot Anderson
Manchester City enter 2026/27 in unfamiliar territory. After winning four straight Premier League titles between 2021 and 2024, they have now gone two seasons without the league crown. Last season was particularly underwhelming by their standards: they finished seven points behind Arsenal, exited the Champions League in the last 16 and never quite looked like the unstoppable machine of old. The consolation? They still won the FA Cup and EFL Cup, because even a “bad” City season somehow ends with silverware.
The bigger story is what happened in May. Pep Guardiola finally walked away after a decade in charge, ending one of the greatest managerial eras football has seen. Enzo Maresca now has the unenviable job of replacing him. The former Chelsea boss is stylistically aligned with Guardiola, but his history of clashes and a lack of experience managing a club of this magnitude make him a fascinating wildcard.
City have also been relatively quiet in the transfer market, with Elliot Anderson arriving from Nottingham Forest for £116m. He could be hugely important with Rodri heading to Barcelona, particularly after an impressive breakthrough season with Forest. The squad still has ridiculous firepower, though, with Erling Haaland leading the attack.
The fixture list offers an early opportunity to build momentum. City open against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry, while Arsenal face a tougher start. A fast beginning could be crucial in a title race where City cannot afford another slow spell.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Maresca can keep City in the mix, but there are also too many unknowns to blindly back them for the title. Guardiola's departure, Rodri's exit and Maresca's first season at the Etihad all create uncertainty. However, with a chance to get 4.5x your betting stake, a bet on them to beat Arsenal to the title is worth a calculated risk.
Prediction: 2nd
Manchester United | Carrick Brought Calm Amidst Chaos. Can He Build On That?
Manager: Micheal Carrick | Key Player: Bruno Fernandes | Key Additions: Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans
Manchester United head into 2026/27 with something they have not had enough of in recent years: genuine optimism. After the chaos of the Ruben Amorim era, Michael Carrick took over in January and transformed the mood, guiding United from seventh to third and securing Champions League football. In fact, their points-per-game under Carrick was better than Arsenal’s over the same period.
That makes United an interesting betting proposition, although a title challenge may be a step too far. The big four additions from last summer - Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens - all delivered, with Mbeumo and Sesko finishing as joint top scorers on 12 goals each. Marcus Rashford also returns after a productive Barcelona loan, where he scored 14 goals.
Carrick has added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to the midfield, choosing sensible deals over the huge fees being thrown around elsewhere. The squad is still a little thin, though. Sesko is the only recognised centre-forward, while there are major concerns at Left Back. Throw Champions League football into the schedule and squad depth becomes a serious concern.
Then there is Bruno Fernandes. Still United's most important player, the captain has recorded more than 100 goals and 100 assists for the club and remains the creative heartbeat of the team. If United are going to close the gap on Arsenal and City, Fernandes will probably need another monster season.
One of last season's biggest lessons was consistency. United beat all their major domestic rivals but struggled against supposedly weaker opposition, including failing to beat West Ham and drawing against both relegated sides. Against top-half teams, they collected more points than anyone; against the bottom half, Arsenal's consistency left them miles ahead.
The betting angle is therefore straightforward: Top 4 looks achievable, but the title is a much bigger ask. United's improvement under Carrick is real, yet Champions League football, limited depth and their poor record against lesser sides make another third-place finish a safer expectation than a title challenge. A Top 4 + domestic cup season feels like the sweet spot.
Prediction: 3rd
Manchester United | Carrick Brought Calm Amidst Chaos. Can He Build On That?
Manager: Micheal Carrick | Key Player: Bruno Fernandes | Key Additions: Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans
Manchester United head into 2026/27 with something they have not had enough of in recent years: genuine optimism. After the chaos of the Ruben Amorim era, Michael Carrick took over in January and transformed the mood, guiding United from seventh to third and securing Champions League football. In fact, their points-per-game under Carrick was better than Arsenal’s over the same period.
That makes United an interesting betting proposition, although a title challenge may be a step too far. The big four additions from last summer - Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens - all delivered, with Mbeumo and Sesko finishing as joint top scorers on 12 goals each. Marcus Rashford also returns after a productive Barcelona loan, where he scored 14 goals.
Carrick has added Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to the midfield, choosing sensible deals over the huge fees being thrown around elsewhere. The squad is still a little thin, though. Sesko is the only recognised centre-forward, while there are major concerns at Left Back. Throw Champions League football into the schedule and squad depth becomes a serious concern.
Then there is Bruno Fernandes. Still United's most important player, the captain has recorded more than 100 goals and 100 assists for the club and remains the creative heartbeat of the team. If United are going to close the gap on Arsenal and City, Fernandes will probably need another monster season.
One of last season's biggest lessons was consistency. United beat all their major domestic rivals but struggled against supposedly weaker opposition, including failing to beat West Ham and drawing against both relegated sides. Against top-half teams, they collected more points than anyone; against the bottom half, Arsenal's consistency left them miles ahead.
The betting angle is therefore straightforward: Top 4 looks achievable, but the title is a much bigger ask. United's improvement under Carrick is real, yet Champions League football, limited depth and their poor record against lesser sides make another third-place finish a safer expectation than a title challenge. A Top 4 + domestic cup season feels like the sweet spot.
Prediction: 3rd
Liverpool | How Quickly Can The Reds Adapt To Iraola?
Manager: Adoni Iraola | Key Player: Virgil van Dijk | Key Addition: Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo
Liverpool head into 2026/27 looking to bounce back after a miserable title defence ended in fifth place and Arne Slot’s departure. Andoni Iraola now takes over, bringing the aggressive pressing and vertical football that made his Bournemouth side so difficult to play against. The big question is how quickly Liverpool can adapt.
There is still plenty of quality, with Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Jeremie Frimpong forming an excellent core. Iraola has also moved Wirtz into his preferred No.10 role, while Szoboszlai has impressed in a deeper midfield position during pre-season. When it clicks, this could be a seriously dangerous attack.
But there are obvious concerns. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté have all left, taking a huge amount of experience and leadership with them. Isak is also a major question mark after struggling with injury last season, while Hugo Ekitike's Achilles injury leaves Liverpool dangerously short of options if the Swede goes down again. The defence is also thin, with Ronald Araújo arriving on loan to help cover the absentees.
Pre-season has offered both sides of the story. Liverpool have shown flashes of Iraola's high-intensity football but also struggled to maintain it, losing 4-2 to Leeds and 3-2 to Monaco after holding comfortable leads. Iraola himself admitted they currently cannot sustain the required level for 90 minutes.
That makes the opening fixtures particularly interesting. Liverpool start away at Newcastle, then face Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth before Manchester City visit Anfield. They then hit a brutal run featuring City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.
Liverpool should improve significantly under Iraola, but whether they can immediately return to title-winning levels is another question entirely.
Prediction: 5th
Liverpool | How Quickly Can The Reds Adapt To Iraola?
Manager: Adoni Iraola | Key Player: Virgil van Dijk | Key Addition: Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo
Liverpool head into 2026/27 looking to bounce back after a miserable title defence ended in fifth place and Arne Slot’s departure. Andoni Iraola now takes over, bringing the aggressive pressing and vertical football that made his Bournemouth side so difficult to play against. The big question is how quickly Liverpool can adapt.
There is still plenty of quality, with Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Jeremie Frimpong forming an excellent core. Iraola has also moved Wirtz into his preferred No.10 role, while Szoboszlai has impressed in a deeper midfield position during pre-season. When it clicks, this could be a seriously dangerous attack.
But there are obvious concerns. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté have all left, taking a huge amount of experience and leadership with them. Isak is also a major question mark after struggling with injury last season, while Hugo Ekitike's Achilles injury leaves Liverpool dangerously short of options if the Swede goes down again. The defence is also thin, with Ronald Araújo arriving on loan to help cover the absentees.
Pre-season has offered both sides of the story. Liverpool have shown flashes of Iraola's high-intensity football but also struggled to maintain it, losing 4-2 to Leeds and 3-2 to Monaco after holding comfortable leads. Iraola himself admitted they currently cannot sustain the required level for 90 minutes.
That makes the opening fixtures particularly interesting. Liverpool start away at Newcastle, then face Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth before Manchester City visit Anfield. They then hit a brutal run featuring City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.
Liverpool should improve significantly under Iraola, but whether they can immediately return to title-winning levels is another question entirely.
Prediction: 5th
Tottenham Hotspurs | Surely, Not Another Relegation Battle…
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi | Key Player: Pedro Porro | Key Additions: Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes
Tottenham have nowhere to go but up after finishing 17th in the Premier League for the second straight season. Last campaign was a mess, with three different managers and a final-day 1-0 win over Everton needed to avoid relegation. Now Roberto De Zerbi finally gets a full season and, more importantly, a squad built around his ideas.
Spurs have gone big in the transfer market. Sandro Tonali arrived from Newcastle for a staggering £100m, while Mateus Fernandes cost £85m from West Ham. Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi strengthen the defence, while experienced free agents Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka bring some much-needed Premier League know-how.
Tonali and Fernandes could transform a midfield that struggled badly for control last season, while Archie Gray is one to watch. The 20-year-old's passing range and positional awareness could allow him to thrive between two established midfielders. With De Zerbi favouring possession, short build-up and aggressive pressing, Spurs should look far more comfortable on the ball than they did under Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor.
The biggest betting angle may simply be improvement. Spurs have no European football to worry about, meaning De Zerbi has a deep, revamped squad and more time on the training ground. That should help, although expectations need to remain realistic. Going from 17th to the Champions League in one season is a massive jump.
For betting purposes, Top Half looks like a sensible starting point, while European qualification could offer value if the price is generous. Spurs also have enough depth to make a domestic cup run, and De Zerbi's possession-based approach could make their match and goals markets interesting. They should be much better, but this is still a team rebuilding from two seasons of chaos.
Prediction: 8th
Tottenham Hotspurs | Surely, Not Another Relegation Battle…
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi | Key Player: Pedro Porro | Key Additions: Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes
Tottenham have nowhere to go but up after finishing 17th in the Premier League for the second straight season. Last campaign was a mess, with three different managers and a final-day 1-0 win over Everton needed to avoid relegation. Now Roberto De Zerbi finally gets a full season and, more importantly, a squad built around his ideas.
Spurs have gone big in the transfer market. Sandro Tonali arrived from Newcastle for a staggering £100m, while Mateus Fernandes cost £85m from West Ham. Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi strengthen the defence, while experienced free agents Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka bring some much-needed Premier League know-how.
Tonali and Fernandes could transform a midfield that struggled badly for control last season, while Archie Gray is one to watch. The 20-year-old's passing range and positional awareness could allow him to thrive between two established midfielders. With De Zerbi favouring possession, short build-up and aggressive pressing, Spurs should look far more comfortable on the ball than they did under Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor.
The biggest betting angle may simply be improvement. Spurs have no European football to worry about, meaning De Zerbi has a deep, revamped squad and more time on the training ground. That should help, although expectations need to remain realistic. Going from 17th to the Champions League in one season is a massive jump.
For betting purposes, Top Half looks like a sensible starting point, while European qualification could offer value if the price is generous. Spurs also have enough depth to make a domestic cup run, and De Zerbi's possession-based approach could make their match and goals markets interesting. They should be much better, but this is still a team rebuilding from two seasons of chaos.
Prediction: 8th
Chelsea | Can Xabi Alonso Work His Leverkusen Magic Given The Similar Squad-Build?
Manager: Xabi Alonso | Key Player: Cole Palmer | Key Additions: Morgan Rodgers and Maxence Lacroix
After a chaotic 2025/26 campaign that ended with Chelsea down in 10th, there is finally some reason for optimism at Stamford Bridge. The Blues went through two head coaches and two caretaker spells last season, but the appointment of Xabi Alonso could bring the stability they have badly needed.
Alonso arrives with plenty to prove after his short-lived Real Madrid stint, but his work at Bayer Leverkusen showed exactly why Chelsea wanted him. He won the Bundesliga unbeaten and lifted the Europa League, while developing young players such as Florian Wirtz. That fits perfectly with Chelsea’s long-term project.
The squad also looks considerably stronger. Morgan Rogers arrives for a British-record £117m and joins Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Estevão in what could be one of the league’s most exciting attacking units. Maxence Lacroix adds Premier League experience at centre-back, while Marco Palestra gives Alonso another tactical option. With Palmer finally getting a proper seven-week break to recover from his groin problem, Chelsea will be hoping their biggest star can stay fit and return to his best.
Then there is the biggest betting angle: no European football. Chelsea should have a full week between most league fixtures, while their rivals are juggling Champions League fixtures and Europa League commitments. They also do not travel outside London for a league game until October 10, giving Alonso plenty of time on the training ground.
Chelsea have spent more than £300m this summer, but the expectation is clear: challenge for the Champions League places and go deep in the domestic cups.
The main concern is Robert Sánchez, particularly when asked to play out from the back. Otherwise, Chelsea look better equipped for a big season. The Blues remain unpredictable, but with Alonso, Palmer and an electric front four, Top 4 looks like a great bet.
Prediction: 4th
Chelsea | Can Xabi Alonso Work His Leverkusen Magic Given The Similar Squad-Build?
Manager: Xabi Alonso | Key Player: Cole Palmer | Key Additions: Morgan Rodgers and Maxence Lacroix
After a chaotic 2025/26 campaign that ended with Chelsea down in 10th, there is finally some reason for optimism at Stamford Bridge. The Blues went through two head coaches and two caretaker spells last season, but the appointment of Xabi Alonso could bring the stability they have badly needed.
Alonso arrives with plenty to prove after his short-lived Real Madrid stint, but his work at Bayer Leverkusen showed exactly why Chelsea wanted him. He won the Bundesliga unbeaten and lifted the Europa League, while developing young players such as Florian Wirtz. That fits perfectly with Chelsea’s long-term project.
The squad also looks considerably stronger. Morgan Rogers arrives for a British-record £117m and joins Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Estevão in what could be one of the league’s most exciting attacking units. Maxence Lacroix adds Premier League experience at centre-back, while Marco Palestra gives Alonso another tactical option. With Palmer finally getting a proper seven-week break to recover from his groin problem, Chelsea will be hoping their biggest star can stay fit and return to his best.
Then there is the biggest betting angle: no European football. Chelsea should have a full week between most league fixtures, while their rivals are juggling Champions League fixtures and Europa League commitments. They also do not travel outside London for a league game until October 10, giving Alonso plenty of time on the training ground.
Chelsea have spent more than £300m this summer, but the expectation is clear: challenge for the Champions League places and go deep in the domestic cups.
The main concern is Robert Sánchez, particularly when asked to play out from the back. Otherwise, Chelsea look better equipped for a big season. The Blues remain unpredictable, but with Alonso, Palmer and an electric front four, Top 4 looks like a great bet.
Prediction: 4th
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