ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Premier League 2026/27

ALL KICKING OFF: Star Sports ambassador ALEX CROOK previews the 2026/27 Premier League season, with recommended ante-post bets!

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It feels like it was only yesterday that Spain were crowned world champions, but the World Cup is a distant memory as the Premier League returns to action this week, writes ALEX CROOK.

It looks like being one of the most competitive seasons in history with the so-called traditional ‘big 6’ all active in the transfer market and the three newly-promoted sides also spending vast sums.

We also have a record number of clubs starting the campaign with new managers, which throws up plenty of question marks.

How will Manchester City respond to the departure of Pep Guardiola? Can Andoni Iraola make the step up from Bournemouth to Liverpool smoothly? Will Roberto de Zerbi be able to take Tottenham from relegation fodder to European contenders? And can Xabi Alonso replicate what he did at Leverkusen at Chelsea?

There is also the intriguing prospect of whether Michael Carrick can continue his golden run as Manchester United boss now he has the gig full-time.

In fact, the only team among the potential title contenders who have not seen a change in the dugout are champions Arsenal.

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Mikel Arteta’s men looked imperious as they swept FA Cup winners City aside in Sunday’s Community Shield with new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis immediately catching the eye.

The Gunners are odds against at 5/4 with starsports.bet to do what only the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea have managed in the Premier League era and retain their title.

It’s a boring selection but I think that is a very generous price given the uncertainty elsewhere and it would be no surprise if Arsenal won the league by an even bigger margin than last season.

Losing Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and now Rodri, as well as their best ever manager, is going to make life tough for City.

At the time of writing, Liverpool and United both look lacking in squad depth to mount a serious title challenge so Chelsea could well be the team who offer the biggest challenge.

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Alonso is clearly a very talented coach despite things not working out at Real and has been backed in the transfer window. Much like United last season, the Blues will also benefit from not having to play in Europe.

Chelsea are 3/4 to finish in the top four with starsports.bet.

That brings us nicely onto the race for the Golden Boot, where unsurprisingly we find Erling Haaland at the top of the market.

The striking Viking has a brilliant World Cup with Norway and is certain to be right up there come the end of the season.

However, at bigger odds I am going to side for the second season in a row with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.

He finished a credible fifth last season with 15 goals, but I am expecting him to smash through the 20-goal barrier under Alonso.

The signing of Danny Welbeck, with whom Joao Pedro had a great relationship with at Brighton, will help as will the addition of Morgan Rogers to an already talented supply line.

At 14/1 with starsports.bet, Joao Pedro looks the value play in my eyes.

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Turning our attention towards the relegation battle, it was pleasing to see Sunderland and Leeds buck the recent trend of the three teams coming up from the Championship going straight back down last season.

Coventry, Ipswich and Hull have all recruited a lot of new players to ensure they are competitive and I think at least one of them can survive.

Frank Lampard has a bit to prove in the big league, but Coventry were exceptional under his guidance as they ended their long absence from the top-flight.

It didn’t end well for Gary O’Neil at Wolves, but he did a good job keeping them in the Premier League during his first season and likewise leading Bournemouth to survival so I understand why Ipswich chose him to replace Kieran McKenna.

Hull are a fascinating club as they defied all xG data to win promotion last season and have signed a whole new team for their Premier League return.

They look the most vulnerable to going straight back down, but of the established clubs I think Fulham could be in danger having lost manager Marco Silva and key pair Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez.

Their new gaffer Alvaro Arbeloa was a car crash at Real Madrid and I am not sure recruiting from the Spanish giants’ reserves is a recipe for success.

Fulham are priced up at 9/2 with starsports.bet to be relegated.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Arsenal to win the league 2pts at 5/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Chelsea to finish in the top four 1.5pts at 3/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Joao Pedro to win the Golden Boot 0.5pts each/way at 14/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Fulham to be relegated 1pt at 9/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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ALEX ‘S PROFIT/LOSS (AUG 2026): -3.00 points

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