Jeff Stelling has predicted a Chelsea resurgence in 2026/27 but expects Arsenal to retain their Premier League title. The Blues endured a chaotic 2025/26 campaign, which saw Enzo Maresca leave mid-season.
Chelsea's Predicted Turnaround
While they reached the FA Cup final, losing to Manchester City, they slumped to a 10th-place finish and missed out on European football. However, with Xabi Alonso now at the helm, he reckons the Blues will finish second, with City third and Manchester United fourth.
Unless English sides completely flop in Europe, fifth will probably be enough to secure Champions League football, and Stelling expects that spot to be filled by Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool and Newcastle Forecasts
Despite their back-to-back 17th-place finishes, there is real hope of progress under Roberto De Zerbi, who has been well backed in the transfer market this summer.
The former Soccer Saturday anchor has forecast another difficult campaign for Liverpool under new boss Andoni Iraola. After a poor title defence under Arne Slot, who was promptly sacked, Stelling says the Reds will finish one place lower in sixth and have to settle for Europa League, unless they can win the Champions League.
Despite losing a succession of key players, plus head coach Eddie Howe, Stelling has gone for Newcastle to finish seventh, one spot ahead of Europa League holders Aston Villa.
Mid-Table and Relegation Picks
Stelling, who made the predictions on talkSPORT, believes Everton will come ninth and Brighton will round out the top 10, with Leeds United a very satisfactory 11th. Next up are Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Bournemouth.
The Hartlepool United fan reckons Frank Lampard's newly promoted Coventry City will survive - and with a bit to spare - by finishing 15th, just ahead of Sunderland in 16th and Crystal Palace in 17th.
In a surprising prediction, Stelling reckons Fulham, after four seasons in the top flight, will go down, finishing between Ipswich Town in 18th and bottom side Hull City.
Season Opening and Full Table
After a later start than usual due to the World Cup, the Premier League season begins on August 21, with Arsenal hosting Coventry. Other eye-catching opening-weekend fixtures include Hull vs Man United, Newcastle vs Liverpool and Fulham vs Chelsea.
Jeff Stelling's final Premier League table: 1 - Arsenal, 2 - Chelsea, 3 - Man City, 4 - Man Utd, 5 - Tottenham, 6 - Liverpool, 7 - Newcastle, 8 - Aston Villa, 9 - Everton, 10 - Brighton, 11 - Leeds, 12 - Nottingham Forest, 13 - Brentford, 14 - Bournemouth, 15 - Coventry, 16 - Sunderland, 17 - Crystal Palace, 18 - Ipswich, 19 - Fulham, 20 - Hull.
