The 2026/27 Premier League season begins on Friday evening as defending champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City. Mirror Football writers have made their predictions for the campaign.
Title winners
All six writers tipped Arsenal to retain the Premier League title. Daniel Orme wrote: "The Gunners are the complete package under Mikel Arteta. They've got a brilliant attack, a formidable midfield and a solid defence." James Whaling added: "With Manchester City in transition and none of the other clubs yet ready to challenge the Gunners, I can see this being something of a procession."
Top five and relegation
Most writers predicted the top five to include Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea in some order. All six writers tipped Coventry City and Hull City for relegation. Four of the six also tipped Fulham to go down, while two predicted Ipswich Town would be relegated.
Daniel Orme wrote: "It's easy to tip the promoted clubs to go straight back down and I fear two of them will be slipping back into the Championship in 10 months' time." He added: "Coventry will make more of a fight of it but will still be relegated."
Surprise package and top goalscorer
Daniel Orme and Andy Dunn tipped Leeds United as the surprise package, while James Whaling backed Ipswich Town, Sam Meade chose Newcastle United, Felix Keith selected Brighton, and Alex Richards picked Everton.
All six writers predicted Erling Haaland would be the top goalscorer. James Whaling wrote: "Do you really want an explanation?"
Best signing and biggest flop
Daniel Orme named Youri Tielemans as the best signing for Manchester United, calling him "a bona fide bargain" at £35m. James Whaling selected Christos Tzolis for Arsenal, Sam Meade chose James Trafford for Leeds United, Felix Keith picked Jeremy Jacquet for Liverpool, Andy Dunn named Morgan Rogers for Chelsea, and Alex Richards selected Andy Robertson for Tottenham Hotspur.
For biggest flop, Daniel Orme chose Mateus Fernandes, James Whaling picked Elliot Anderson, Sam Meade selected Alejandro Garnacho, Felix Keith and Andy Dunn named Sandro Tonali, and Alex Richards chose Gonzalo Garcia.
First manager sacked
Daniel Orme, Andy Dunn, and Alex Richards predicted Sergej Jakirovic of Hull City would be the first manager sacked. James Whaling also picked Jakirovic, writing: "Hull face Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea in their first four games... A slow start looks very possible and pressure could be on the Tigers boss from early in the campaign." Sam Meade also selected Jakirovic, while Felix Keith tipped Oliver Glasner of Nottingham Forest.
