STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Premier League 2026/27 – 1-20 Predictions

The 2026/27 Premier League season is nearly upon us, and it is sure to be another exciting campaign!

Ahead of the new season, our football writer JOE CITRONE has put together his in-depth preview for the new campaign, complete with 1-20 predictions and ante-post betting tips to help you get ahead before the opening weekend.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

1. Arsenal

Arsenal finally ended their long wait for a league title last season, winning their first since 2003-04, and now they’ll be looking to build a dynasty.

I’m not concerned by their transfer business despite missing out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Jr. They’ve added what they needed, with Christos Tzolis providing another option out wide and Bruno Guimaraes strengthening the midfield.

With so many of their rivals going through periods of transition, I find it hard to see anyone stopping Arsenal from retaining the title.

🎄 Arsenal to be top at Christmas – currently at ? with starsports.bet

---

2. Manchester City

The Pep Guardiola era is over and a new chapter begins with Enzo Maresca. It’s difficult to know exactly how good Maresca can be at this level, although he did a decent job at Chelsea, but replacing a manager of Pep’s calibre is some task.

City have lost some important players, including John Stones and Bernardo Silva, but still have an incredibly strong squad. Elliot Anderson is also an excellent addition in midfield after arriving from Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee.

The race behind Arsenal looks wide open, but I still fancy City to have a strong season and finish second.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

3. Chelsea

I’m really excited about Chelsea this season, with the arrival of new manager Xabi Alonso the main reason for that optimism.

Their summer business has also been much more encouraging. It feels like there’s finally a more focused approach, rather than the scattergun strategy we’ve seen in recent years.

Morgan Rogers is the headline signing from Aston Villa and should be a brilliant addition, while I also really like bringing in Danny Welbeck for some much-needed experience up front. He could also help get more out of Joao Pedro.

With no European football to worry about, Chelsea can really focus on the Premier League, and I fancy them to have a strong season.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

4. Manchester United

Michael Carrick did a fantastic job as interim manager last season, but the big question is whether he can deliver over a full campaign, especially while juggling European football.

They haven’t been overly active in the transfer market, but the business they’ve done has been sensible. Youri Tielemans is a particularly good addition in midfield and should be a solid replacement for Casemiro.

I liked what I saw from United last season, but the pressure will be much greater this time around. If they can handle that, I think they can have another strong campaign.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

5. Liverpool

In a recent article I put together, where I got a load of top-four predictions from Star Sports staff, I tipped Liverpool to finish third. Having looked at their squad again, I regret that call.

I’m just not convinced they’re strong enough, or significantly better than they were last season, to make that jump into the top four.

I do really like the appointment of Andoni Iraola, but I’m still unsure about other areas of the squad. The depth, in particular, doesn’t look where it should be considering how much money has been invested over the last couple of years.

Liverpool will still be a strong side, but fifth feels a little more realistic to me than my original prediction of third.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

6. Aston Villa

Losing Morgan Rogers is a big blow, but with Unai Emery in charge, you can never write Villa off.

I like the look of his replacement, Johan Manzambi, who is a hugely promising young attacking midfielder with plenty of potential.

I’m less convinced by the loan signing of Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Manchester United, but Emery will still have Villa competing at the top end.

I don’t quite see them making the Champions League, but I have Villa finishing in the Europa League places.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

7. Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs have been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer window this summer, and let’s be honest, they needed to be after two 17th-place finishes in a row.

They’ve clearly decided enough is enough and backed Roberto De Zerbi in the market. Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke give them a completely new centre-back pairing, while Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes add quality to the midfield.

They could still do with another attacking option or two, but this looks a much stronger Spurs side heading into the new season.

Climbing ten places is a big ask, but I back De Zerbi to get them moving in the right direction again.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

8. Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton have quietly established themselves as a real force in the Premier League, and their recruitment model just keeps delivering.

Fabian Hurzeler isn’t the finished article yet, but he ended last season really well and now has the chance to build on that.

In typical Brighton fashion, they’ve signed players most people haven’t heard of, but you just assume will turn into stars.

I have Brighton pushing for Europe again, and I think they’ll also have a strong Conference League campaign as well.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

9. Bournemouth

Losing Andoni Iraola is obviously a big blow after the superb job he did, but I still think Bournemouth are in a strong position for another good Premier League campaign.

Marco Rose looks a very good replacement, bringing plenty of experience from Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. The handover also appears to have been handled really smoothly.

Antonio Silva is an excellent signing from Benfica, while Bournemouth have done a great job of keeping hold of most of their key players this summer, with the exception of Marco Senesi who has joined Spurs.

I think Bournemouth can have another really strong season.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

10. Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest pulled off a real coup by luring Oliver Glasner away from Crystal Palace, and I expect a big improvement after such a chaotic season last time out.

Ousmane Diomande is a strong addition at the back, while Gustavo Sa should add some extra class and quality to the final third.

Forest already have a good squad that underperformed last season, and I think Glasner is the man to get the best out of it.

The Glasner factor is strong, and I expect Forest to climb the table.

🔟 Nottingham Forest to finish in the top half – currently at ? with starsports.bet

---

11. Brentford

Keith Andrews proved plenty of people wrong last season, guiding Brentford to an excellent ninth-place finish and narrowly missing out on Europe.

Mamadou Sangare is a good addition to strengthen the midfield, while Callum Wilson brings some valuable experience to the frontline.

I do expect a slight drop-off this time around, simply because the Premier League looks even stronger.

Even so, I still expect another solid season from Brentford.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

12. Everton

It’s surprising to me that David Moyes doesn’t seem particularly popular with Everton fans heading into the season, given how well he appears to have done since returning.

That kind of discontent always concerns me heading into a new campaign, but I still trust Moyes to get the job done.

Everton’s transfer business hasn’t blown me away, but I always back Moyes’ teams to find a way to stay well clear of trouble.

It might not be spectacular, but I have Everton finishing comfortably in mid-table.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

13. Sunderland

Sunderland have been one of the quietest clubs in the transfer window and are yet to spend a single penny, with Thomas Meunier their only addition so far on a free transfer.

They also have the added challenge of European football after their incredible return to the Premier League last season saw them qualify for the Europa League.

With Regis Le Bris still in charge and the core of last season’s squad intact, I think they’ll be fine, but they definitely need a few more additions before the window closes.

🔴 Sunderland to finish above Newcastle – currently at ? with starsports.bet

---

14. Leeds United

Like many people, I thought Leeds would really struggle last season and go straight back down to the Championship.

Daniel Farke’s side proved me wrong, not only staying up but having a really impressive season in both the Premier League and FA Cup.

Now they’ll be looking to kick on, and they’ve made some smart additions. Harry Wilson on a free transfer is excellent business, while James Trafford is a strong long-term signing from Manchester City.

I think Leeds can build on last season and have another solid campaign.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

15. Crystal Palace

Palace are another club who have lost their manager, with Oliver Glasner departing in the summer and being replaced by Pierre Sage after his impressive work at Lens, where he guided them to their first ever Coupe de France title.

Losing Glasner and star defender Maxence Lacroix is a double blow, while having to juggle Europa League football after their Conference League triumph could make things even tougher.

I don’t have Palace in any relegation danger, but I’m not convinced they have enough to challenge at the top end again this season.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

16. Newcastle United

It’s been a turbulent summer for Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s abrupt departure, a string of failed transfers and several high-profile exits have left the Toon Army in a bit of a mess.

Losing Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali is a huge blow, and I don’t think they’ve brought in enough quality to replace them. Coming off a poor season last time out, it’s hard to see Newcastle doing anything other than struggling again.

New boss Matthias Jaissle has a huge job on his hands, and this will be a much tougher challenge than anything he’s faced in Saudi Arabia.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

17. Coventry City

Coventry are the one promoted side I genuinely believe can stay up this season.

There’s a real feel-good factor around the club after promotion, and they’ve made some really positive additions. The return of Carl Rushworth on a permanent deal is a big plus, while Caleb Yirenkyi, Aurele Amenda and Loum Tchaouna all have the potential to make an impact now and help build for the future.

Frank Lampard hasn’t quite got it right in the Premier League before as a manager, but I’m backing him to get it right this time and guide the Sky Blues to safety.

🆙 Coventry to stay up – currently at ? with starsports.bet

---

18. Fulham

Fulham are another side starting the season with a new manager after long-serving Marco Silva left for Benfica.

They’ve invested in the squad, with Gonzalo Garcia and Shea Charles among the additions, but I worry losing Silva could be a huge blow. He had Fulham consistently punching above their weight.

I’m not convinced the new regime will be able to maintain that level, and I can see Fulham slipping into the bottom three.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

19. Ipswich Town

Ipswich gave it a good go last time they were in the Premier League under Kieran McKenna, but ultimately fell well short of safety, and I expect a similar story this time around.

McKenna’s surprise departure this summer was a huge blow, with Gary O’Neil coming in to replace him. Given his prior Norwich connections during his playing days, it’s probably not the most popular appointment either.

O’Neil did a decent job at Bournemouth, but his last Premier League spell at Wolves ended badly, and I’m not convinced he’ll be able to prove the doubters wrong by keeping Ipswich up.

Daizen Maeda is an exciting signing from Celtic, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in England, but Ipswich need a lot more quality if they’re going to compete.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

20. Hull City

It’s never nice to predict the favourites to finish bottom, but Hull feel like the obvious pick at the moment.

They’ve promised plenty in the transfer window, and they still have plenty of time to spend and improve, but as things stand, I don’t think this squad is strong enough for the Premier League.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic will get everything he can out of them, just as he did last season when they won promotion through the Championship play-offs, but I don’t think it will be enough to keep Hull up.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PREMIER LEAGUE MARKETS ⭐

---

RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Arsenal to be top at Christmas 1pt at 11/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Sunderland to finish above Newcastle 1pt at 3/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Nottingham Forest to finish in the top half 1pt at 7/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Coventry to stay up 1pt at 11/10 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

---

(AUGUST 2026): PROFIT/LOSS: +73.94 points

---

STAR PROMOTIONS