Premier League 2026/27 Preview
Must admit it's hard to get motivated this season with no West Ham 😔
But the show goes on.
Here are my thoughts on this season's teams.
Already (as of 17th August) with 2 weeks before the transfer window closes the 20 teams have spent just under £2.5 Billion.
Only Sunderland have yet to spend, while Chelsea have spent £365m.
Newly promoted Ipswich have spent £162m and Coventry £115m
Based on the Charity Shield performance Arsenal must be favourites again, as Man City look to have a bit of work to do to catch up.
Tottenham have spent big and will hope to improve on their usual 17th place.
Other contenders would probably be Man Utd, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Liverpool and an outside pick Leeds?
Arsenal
Have strenghened the squad with Bruno Guimaraes and Tzolis while only losing Trossard.
If players like Rice, Saka and others can get over the long season and World Cup they should be too strong for the others.
Aston Villa
Losing top players like Tielemans, Rogers, Digne will affect them with Champions League football on top of the League season.
Emery will need to show what a good manager he is to keep them in European contention.
Bournemouth
Iraola gone, new manager Rose unproven?
If they keep up the performances of last season despite having Europa League they should be safe mid table
Brentford
Impressive last season, will Thiago carry on from last season even though his Brazil adventure was a disappointment. I would expect mid table again.
Brighton
Hürzeler not the most likeable manager but does seem to get a tune out of Brighton.
European football could be a distraction.
Lots of player turnover again with a few bigger names gone, can't see them finishing top half but should be safe from relegation.
Chelsea
Another big spending pre-season with Rogers, Lacroix, Palestra, Barco all joining for big fees. Losing Cucurella is a gamble as he was their stand out player last year other than Pedro.
Alonso getting a huge squad with no European football to give playing time could be a big problem, will need to move on a bunch of players.
Even so should make European positions.
Coventry City
Were impressive last season, but a big step up.
Might start the season well but lack of squad depth will probably see them in the relegation places.
Crystal Palace
Glasner had them playing some great football over the last two season, but no idea if new boss Pierre Sage will motivate them.
Qualified for the Europa league after the conference win, so more games for a thin squad. Lacroix gone and they never replaced Guehi last season so will need to get some defenders.
Everton
Moyes made a bright start last season but it tailed off, a few decent signings so far but still need a good striker as Beto and Barry are not the best.
Fulham
Not sure what we'll get from Fulham this season? losing Marco Silva as well as Wilson, and Raul Jiminez is a big blow.
Arbeloa will need to show why Real Madrid thought he was good enough to manage them.
I think Fulham will struggle this season.
Hull City
Will probably be wrong but anything better than 20th will be a success for them.
Spent £80m so far on a selection of virtually unknown players.
Ipswich Town
Losing Kieran McKenna is a big blow for them, Gary O'Neil is a reasonable manager but not the same level.
Have spent big so far with over £160m used to increase the squad size.
Could give a few teams problems but will do well to stay up.
Leeds
Looked pretty good last season, and getting Harry Wilson on a free is a bargain.
New goalie Trafford also looking a great buy.
Fancy them to do well this season.
Liverpool
After last seasons big spending failure I expect them to do better this season.
Isak looked good for Sweden if the WC, and maybe some of last seasons under performers will be better. Still need to sort out the defence.
Iraola has impressed with Bournemouth but can he do it with Liverpool.
Manchester City
Big changes this season, I think Maresca was a good choice to replace Guardiola but they looked all over the place against Arsenal.
Losing experienced players like Silva, Ake, Akanji, Stones will weaken them.
Rodri out injured and maybe moving on will not help.
But they've got Haaland so never write them off.
Manchester United
Carrick did well after taking over last season, but they still rely on Fernandes to perform. Mbuemo and Cunha were great signings last season but still think they are a bit short to compete for the big prizes.
Newcastle
Eddie Howe giving up on them says a lot, losing Gordon, Guimaraes and Tonali will weaken them badly. Plus new manager Matthias Jaissle is an unknown quantity.
None of last seasons expensive panic buys Wissa, Woltemade and Elanga really worked and they've spent another £150m on 5 players most won't have heard of this summer.
Mid table at best.
Nottingham Forest
How many managers this season? I thought Pereira did a good job for them at the end of last season keeping them up but he's now gone. Glasner did wonders at Palace but will he get time with this owner.
Anderson will be missed but they have a good squad and should be safe.
Sunderland
Over achieved last season and have European football this season as a reward.
Did bring in a lot of players last season and have shipped out quite a few of them this season. Just a couple of free transfers in this summer.
Shocked me last season but can't see them doing it again.
Tottenham
Three big signings plus a couple of freebies, Romero gone which is not a bad thing. I was surprised they parted with Spence who was a stand out for England.
If Maddison, Kudus and Kulusevski can get fit they have a decent team.
Should improve on the last two seasons but can't see them challenging for honours.
So Prediction Time
Arsenal must be favourites, Man City might challenge if they get their act together.
European spots any from Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Leeds
Relegation candidates
Hull, Coventry, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Sunderland
Obviously my predictions are not always the best 😆
