Bookmakers tip Arsenal to defend Premier League title

Arsenal will begin their Premier League title defence as the team to beat when the 2026/27 season gets under way on Friday, 21 August, while Manchester City face a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure.

The Gunners ended a 22-year wait for the English top-flight title last season, finishing seven points clear of City, and now have the opportunity to retain the trophy for the first time since the 1930s.

Mikel Arteta’s side will open their campaign against newly-promoted Coventry City, with confidence high after a dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.

The result offered an early glimpse of the changing landscape at the top of English football, although Arsenal will know the real test begins when the league campaign gets under way.

Arsenal favourites to retain title

Arsenal’s stability under Arteta gives them a major advantage over several of their closest rivals.

The Gunners have strengthened their squad with the additions of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, while the core of the title-winning team remains intact.

Their motivation is also unlikely to be lacking.

Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties last season ensured their campaign ended without European glory, despite finally securing the Premier League crown.

The latest Sportingbet odds have Arsenal as favourites for the title again this season at odds of 2.20.

Manchester City begin life after Guardiola

For Manchester City, the new season represents one of the biggest changes in the club’s recent history.

Guardiola’s decade-long reign came to an end after six Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph, leaving Enzo Maresca with the unenviable task of replacing one of the most successful managers in English football history.

Maresca has already begun reshaping the squad, with City spending £116 million on Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.

However, the departure of midfield linchpin Rodri to Barcelona leaves a significant hole in the team.

City’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal has also raised questions about how quickly Maresca’s team can adapt to its new manager and tactical approach.

City open their league campaign at home against Bournemouth on Sunday.

They are second-favourites at 4.50.

Liverpool and Chelsea also in transition

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back after a dramatic fall from the title-winning campaign of 2025.

Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot after Liverpool finished fifth last season, and the new manager faces the difficult task of rebuilding a team that has also lost Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool can be backed at 7.00 to lift the trophy next May.

Chelsea have similarly entered a new era under Xabi Alonso, who will attempt to revive a side that finished 10th last season.

Alonso arrives with a strong reputation after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a domestic double in 2024, but his short and difficult spell at Real Madrid means the Chelsea appointment represents an important opportunity for the former Spain international.

Chelsea are currently on offer at 9.00.

Manchester United hoping for another revival

Manchester United will also begin the campaign with renewed optimism after Michael Carrick was handed the permanent manager’s job.

Carrick’s successful interim spell saw United finish third and claim impressive victories against both Arsenal and Manchester City.

United’s challenge now is to convert that resurgence into a genuine title challenge and end their wait for a Premier League crown, which dates back to 2013.

Manchester United are on offer at 10.00.

Relegation candidates

Meanwhile at the other end of the table, this season’s three promoted sides – Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City – are also seen as the three most-likely sides to be relegated.

Hull City are on offer at 1.20 to make an immediate return to The Championship, while Coventry City (1.80) and Ipswich Town (1.83) are most likely to join them.