Every Premier League season, there are a number of considerable shocks that play out over the course of the campaign.
For example, who predicted Sunderland finishing seventh, three places above Chelsea? Or title favourites Liverpool scraping to a fifth-place finish? Or Tottenham being dragged into a relegation battle?
All predictions that would have raised plenty of eyebrows the previous summer.
Ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, the bet365 News team have put together one bold prediction for all 20 clubs.
Arsenal
Not to finish top two
There are so many unknowns at the top end of the Premier League this season. How do Manchester City do without Pep Guardiola? How do Chelsea do with Xabi Alonso and no European football? How do Liverpool do under Andoni Iraola? Can Michael Carrick handle European football at Manchester United?
In many ways, Arsenal look the most stable club of them all and are deserved favourites to retain their Premier League crown.
But they’re starting with one hand tied behind their back. Mikel Arteta put everything into last season to ensure Arsenal finally won the title. There was no bedding in of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly; instead, the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Noni Madueke were brought in to bulk out the squad.
It may come back to bite them this season. Declan Rice started 34 Premier League games last season. Martin Zubimendi started 34 and came off the bench in the other four. Rice as well as Bukayo Saka were frequently playing through the pain barrier towards the end of the season and the World Cup will have done them no favours.
Arsenal have finally shaken one tag off, but in doing so have placed a target on their back, and they might be about to find that defending a title is harder than winning it.
Aston Villa
To finish bottom half
All things considered, Aston Villa finishing fourth last season was one of the most impressive achievements by any Premier League club. They’re continuing to fight their financial restraints while still competing in Europe and performing well domestically.
But this could be the season where it comes crashing down. Villa have had the wolves at the door for too long, and it appears they need to make a profit on player sales this year. They don’t have that many sellable assets, leaving Morgan Rogers to depart and taking last season's 16 goal contributions with him, while Emi Martinez’s departure could leave them needing a new keeper.
That, combined with the slog of UEFA Champions League football, could make it a really long season for Villa.
Bournemouth
To reach semi-finals of Europa League
By finishing sixth last season the Cherries earned a place in the UEFA Europa league where they will be joined by some of the most iconic teams in European football, including the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen.
What would have been almost impossible to believe mere years ago is now reality at the club, with some bona-fide European heavyweights in line to make the trip to the Vitality Stadium.
While they may not have the pedigree of some of their contemporaries in the competition Bournemouth have the players at their disposal to be a real threat.
The successes of both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in European competitions last season should serve as a benchmark for Bournemouth as they embark on what will no doubt be an adventure of a lifetime for supporters.
But Bournemouth are not only in the competition to take part.
Based on the most recent Deloitte Football Money League figures the club has a higher revenue than the likes of Real Sociedad, Union Saint-Gilloise and Olympiacos - all of whom are seeded higher than them.
The club will be anxiously awaiting the draw for the league phase at the end of this month and they should have every confidence that they can go all the way with the 2027 final at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt fast approaching.
Brentford
Igor Thiago to score less than 10 Premier League goals
Thiago performed brilliantly to finish runner-up to Erling Haaland in the Premier League Golden Boot race last season, however, there are reasons why he might be due a slight regression heading into his third campaign in West London.
Of his 22 league strikes, eight of them came from the penalty spot; history tells us that this is unlikely to happen in consecutive terms. Not only was Thiago’s haul from 12 yards the fourth-most ever in a Premier League season, but Brentford as a team received an unusually high amount of spot-kicks.
Then there are the doubts around Brentford as a team. The Bees outperformed effectively all expectations to finish the league season in ninth place but their drop-off in performance towards the latter stages of the campaign might offer a small glimpse into the future.
The Bees won just one of their last 10 league matches – coming against subsequently relegated West Ham – and Thiago’s form took a worrying dip too, showing that it might be hard for him to replicate his goalscoring heroics when featuring in a struggling team.
Brighton
Jack Hinshelwood to receive an England call-up before the season ends
Nominally a central midfielder in his academy career, Jack Hinshelwood came to the fore when utilised as a No.10 by Fabian Hurzeler in the second half of last season.
The versatile 21-year-old, who’s drawn comparisons to David Platt for his ability to perform almost anywhere on the pitch and ghost into the penalty area, was rewarded with a new long-term contract in March and finished the campaign in excellent goalscoring form, netting in three consecutive matches against Chelsea, Newcastle and Wolves.
Hoping to stay injury free, this season has all the ingredients to be a monumental one for Hinshelwood.
It’s well-documented how heavily stocked England are in the 10 department – just look at how Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White were left at home this summer – but Hinshelwood’s positional flexibility will no doubt catch the eye of Thomas Tuchel, especially with preparations commencing for Euro 2028.
Chelsea
To finish top two
With all the question marks around the rest of the big six, Chelsea could be best placed to swoop in and take advantage.
Xabi Alonso proved himself to be a top class tactician at Bayer Leverkusen and his spell at Real Madrid, which was doomed from the start, shouldn’t be held against him.
Chelsea, unlike most of their rivals, are not burdened by European football, meaning Alonso can throw everything at their domestic campaign.
He’ll get extra time on the training ground and seems to have been given free reign to shape the squad how he wants.
Winning the title might be a step too far, but with the talent in their squad and a world class manager at the helm, Chelsea could certainly find themselves in the mix.
Coventry
Frank Lampard to leave by Christmas
Coventry City's Championship title last season served as a vindication of those who continued to believe that Frank Lampard has what it takes to be a top-level manager.
After leading the Sky Blues to a play-off place in his first season at the CBS Arena, Lampard built on his success by winning the Championship and being named the league's manager of the season in the process.
What faces Coventry this season is an entirely different challenge however.
Lampard will be forced to adapt the approach that brought the club so much success in the second tier with the recent record of promoted sides in the Premier League unlikely to inspire much confidence.
The scenarios that could preclude a Lampard exit before the turn of the year are twofold.
First, Coventry could exceed expectations, leading to a bigger club looking to appoint Lampard. The former England midfielder signed a new deal last month but had previously been linked with the Bournemouth job following Andoni Iraola's departure.
Second, a disastrous start for the club could prompt chairman Doug King to opt for change midway through the campaign. Only four Premier League teams have ever escaped relegation after being bottom at Christmas, and King could decide to take drastic action if Coventry find themselves there.
Crystal Palace
To battle relegation
There can only be so many important exits at one club before it inevitably impedes your progress, and Crystal Palace could be about to come unstuck in the 2026/27 campaign.
From the departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman to manager Oliver Glasner, the core of the South London outfit has been ripped apart in recent times and so far they’ve showed few signs of putting it back together.
Freedman’s successor, Matt Hobbs, is yet to show any signs that he can efficiently recruit at Selhurst Park – overseeing the overpriced additions of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson – and at a selling club like Crystal Palace, this is a huge problem.
Combine this with the fact that Maxence Lacroix and Adam Wharton are heavily linked with the exit door and the problem becomes even bigger, especially heading into a season where a minimum of 48 games will be played.
The standard of newly-promoted sides is improving – as proven by the survival of Leeds United and Sunderland last campaign – and the Eagles could be pulled into a relegation dog fight under the stewardship of Pierre Sage, who is a stranger to England’s top-flight.
Everton
To qualify for Europe
David Moyes returned to Everton in the midst of the club’s third consecutive relegation battle, and so it was unrealistic to expect drastic improvements straight away.
They have improved under the stewardship of the Scotsman however, finishing closer to the European places than the relegation zone in the 2025/26 campaign.
While they haven’t reaped the rewards from all of their signings in recent times, the additions of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in 2025 and Hayden Hackney in early July of 2026 were shrewd, and they will form an astute midfield trio alongside 2022 addition James Garner in the 2026/27 season.
The Toffees’ away form was worthy of seventh place last term – recording fewer points than just four teams on the road – and an improvement in form at the Hill Dickinson Stadium could put them in the picture for a European finish.
Fulham
Kevin to put up 15+ goals and assists
Kevin has shown – admittedly in flashes – that he is capable of the sublime and he could be about to explode heading into his second season at Craven Cottage.
Fulham coughed up a club-record fee to acquire his services from Shakhtar Donetsk, so expectations will be naturally high coming from a club that has given the Premier League Willian and Fernandinho in the past.
In little under 18 months in the Ukrainian capital, Kevin established himself as one of the best players in the league and was named as Shakhtar’s Player of the Season during the 2024/25 campaign.
Given his pedigree, his transition to the Premier League might have underwhelmed slightly but, for a player of his age, position and profile, there was always going to be a period of adaptation.
At his best, Kevin is a league-leading dribbler – even amongst the talent pool of the Premier League -- and he is excelling in all the areas that typically indicate that there is about to be a significant hike in output.
His ability to get a shot off following his own dribble is a huge weapon, as are his entries into the opposition box and progressive carry numbers. Unfinished? Yes. However, with a season of development under his belt there will be a natural improvement.
A stunning strike against Manchester United was a glimpse into what he can offer, something picked up by the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea who have both reportedly held an interest this summer.
Hull City
To break Derby’s lowest points record
As great as it was seeing the Tigers infuriate data analysts by defying every possible underlying metric in the book, you can’t help but sense Hull are underprepared and ill-equipped for the Premier League – even with the raft of signings Acun Ilicali has promised.
While xG is not the be all and end all, a club heading into the top-flight with a -21.1 xG differential is an alarming red flag. Ivor Pandur faced the second most shots in the Championship last term, and with Jack Butland now between the sticks (unless Hull find another new goalkeeper), Sergej Jakirovic must find a solution to prevent a barrage of shots from higher quality individuals hailing down on his goal.
Yes, Sunderland managed to transform themselves into a side deemed relegation fodder to European qualifiers with a boisterous spending spree that completely overhauled the side that won the play-off final. But where the Black Cats’ recruitment looked smart and calculated, Hull’s proposed business seems scattergun.
To say Hull won’t achieve 11 points is extremely harsh, but the Tigers desperately need greater reinforcements.
Ipswich Town
To avoid relegation
Bridging the gap between the Championship and the Premier League is something that so many teams have struggled with in recent years; Ipswich Town know that more than most, relegated upon their return to the top-flight in the 2024/25 campaign.
The fact that they have this experience is helpful however, and they’ve already made some shrewd additions to aid their bid for survival.
In signing Issa Diop they have a player with over 170 games of Premier League experience at their disposal. Daizen Maeda is widely regarded as one of the best pressers in world football and should have no problems adapting to the intensity of the Premier League. Meanwhile, Emersonn became the club’s all-time record signing when joining the Tractor Boys, and his physical prowess will prove beneficial.
The appointment of Gary O’Neil is a significant factor in backing Ipswich to stay up. While Kieran McKenna was, and is highly-regarded in the managerial scene, he lacked top-flight experience upon the club’s promotion to the Premier League and couldn’t convert the success that he had in the second and third flight.
O’Neil – on the other hand – has managed 88 Premier League games across stints with Bournemouth and Wolves. He knows what is required to avoid relegation, and while it will it will be challenging, they can survive the drop.
Leeds United
James Trafford to be starting for England by the end of the season
Jordan Pickford has been a dependable servant for England since making his debut in 2017 – there’s no two ways about it – but there comes a point where the new era has to be prioritised.
The Everton goalkeeper will be 34 by the time that the 2028 Euros comes around, and James Trafford’s switch to Leeds United could prove the perfect opportunity for the talented stopper to cement himself in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Barring any hiccups in Trafford’s development, the 23-year-old is likely to be the future in between the sticks for the Three Lions. While integrating him into the starting XI prior to the World Cup was illogical when he was playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City in the 2025/26 term, he’ll be playing first-team football on a weekly basis at Elland Road.
A supreme shot-stopper who excels with the ball at the feet, Trafford’s ascend to the England starting XI feels like natural progression, and a strong debut campaign in West Yorkshire could see his role in Tuchel’s setup shift sooner rather than later.
Liverpool
Andoni Iraola to be replaced within a year
When Arne Slot appeared to be on the brink of the sack, everybody assumed Xabi Alonso would be the man to step into the Anfield dugout. But Slot clung on to his job, Liverpool waited until Alonso had moved to Chelsea, and moved for Andoni Iraola instead.
It was a curious decision, with Liverpool presumably wanting more of a head coach rather than a manager in Alonso who’d want too much control.
Richard Hughes and the now-departed Michael Edwards put all their faith in the Bournemouth boss replicating his south coast success on Merseyside.
But this is a huge step up for Iraola. The Spaniard did an excellent job with Bournemouth, but it was a club that bought really well and provided all the tools needed to succeed.
In going to Liverpool, Iraola firstly is joining a club whose transfer record over the last 12 months leaves a lot to be desired and a club that’s lost one of its greatest-ever players.
Iraola has made a name for himself as a coach who installs a chaotic, intense style of football, and there’s no evidence he can replicate that with a team playing in Europe.
The demands of Liverpool are much different to that of Bournemouth, and if Iraola isn’t provided a suitable squad, the Reds may have another difficult decision to make at the end of the season.
Manchester City
To miss out on top four
It's almost unfathomable to imagine a Premier League campaign where Manchester City aren't bona fide title contenders, never mind potentially missing out on UEFA Champions League football.
No dynasty can last forever however, and the winds of change are well and truly blowing at the Etihad following Pep Guardiola's departure.
The obvious comparison to make is David Moyes' ill-fated spell at Manchester United after being named as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. That year United ultimately slumped to seventh, marking the first time in more than two decades that the club hadn't secured European football.
Of course, the star-studded squad that Enzo Maresca is inheriting is by no means analogous to the ageing spine that Sir Alex had managed to carrying to a 13th Premier League title.
The last time City failed to finish in the top four came all the way back in 2009/10, but it remains to be seen if Maresca has what it takes to step into the biggest shoes in football and find a balance between putting his stamp on the squad and and not veering too far from Guardiola's all-conquering formula.
Less than two years ago the club went through a span of nine defeats in the space of 12 games yet still managed to recover and finish third. Would Maresca be able to steer City are from a similar tailspin should one occur? Perhaps we will soon find out.
Manchester United
To miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification
Four of the nine Premier League teams playing in Europe finished in the bottom half of the top-flight standings in the 2025/26 term, and while Manchester United's drop-off is unlikely to be quite this significant, they look ill-equipped to match the demands of UEFA Champions League football.
They’ll play a minimum of eight games more next campaign, and while their starting XI is nearing completion, they do lack depth in some areas and have had to sacrifice adding cover in some positions to bolster their ranks in others.
This wasn’t as much of an issue when the Red Devils were playing just one game a week last term, but managing a squad that could be playing up to three games a week at the top level is something that Michael Carrick hasn’t had to do before.
It’s worth noting that the competition for the UEFA Champions League places is going to be greater. Tottenham and Chelsea are expected to be back up there after respectively dismal seasons, while the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool could yet improve.
The 2026/27 campaign could prove a case of other UEFA Champions League competitors improving as opposed to United drastically declining, but it could still leave Carrick's side fall short.
Newcastle United
To finish in the bottom six
Following the takeover in October 2021, the infinite resource of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was supposed to revolutionise Newcastle United and yet, for a multitude of reasons, the Magpies enter the 2026/27 season in a period of regression.
Eddie Howe suffered the consequences of a disastrous summer transfer window 12 months ago as his tenure came to an abrupt end in pre-season, and with the influential Bruno Guimaraes angling for an exit to Arsenal following Sandro Tonali’s departure, Newcastle find themselves in a tough predicament.
There’s been more transfer disappointment, this time in the shape of Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi, and the squad at present looks heavily depleted. Newcastle were in this position before; they can ill-afford to scramble around making panic purchases again.
Incoming boss Matthias Jaissle has a tough challenge on his hands to galvanise the group and, perhaps more importantly, keep the fanbase on side following a period where his position was intensely scrutinised.
Newcastle will have ambitions of challenging for European qualification again, but on current evidence, another lacklustre bottom half finish could be on the cards.
Nottingham Forest
To qualify for Europe
Over the last few years so many teams have had an up year followed by a down year. After finishing seventh to secure European football, Nottingham Forest finished 15th. Newcastle have been excellent in the Premier League when not competing in the UEFA Champions League, and poor in the Premier League when they are competing in the UEFA Champions League.
Even Manchester United weren’t immune to it, finishing 15th as they juggled their Europa League campaign.
Forest can throw off the shackles of European football and take advantage of the nine teams who will be navigating Europe this season.
Losing Elliot Anderson was a blow but it’s an enormous fee with which the Tricky Trees can properly rebuild.
Oliver Glasner proved his Premier League credentials at Selhurst Park, and as long as he can keep out of Evangelos Marinakis’s way, Forest could be set for a successful season.
Sunderland
The Black Cats will battle with the drop
It is so important to not to understate the impact that a bloated schedule has on a squad of players; especially when expected to perform at the elite level.
Le Bris men had 42 matches to contend with in all competitions last season, a number that will rise to a minimum of 46 this time around, even if they fall at the first hurdle in both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.
The newly-promoted sides will have a huge battle on their hands to retain their Premier League status and are rightful favourites to fall foul of the drop, however, Sunderland themselves proved that it is possible to stay in the top-flight with the help of some smart spending.
Should one of either Coventry, Ipswich and Hull get it right in the transfer market this summer, then Sunderland could potentially have a battle on their hands.
Tottenham
Dominic Solanke to be the top scoring Englishman
A combination of Spurs’ terrible form and a constant battle to stay fit has resulted in Dominic Solanke becoming an extremely underrated forward.
Just two years ago the 28-year-old was seen finishing fourth in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, all whilst plying his trade for mid-table outfit Bournemouth.
His real injury struggles began last season, missing 33 matches between August and January after undergoing ankle surgery and two more at the back end of the campaign. Despite not being at full tilt when on the pitch, Solanke showed flashes of his brilliance. The former Chelsea man scored UEFA Champions League goals against Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and Atletico Madrid, also making his mark in domestically with a crucial brace against Manchester City.
Thomas Tuchel even had a look, calling him up for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, but ultimately decided against including him in the World Cup squad.
A fully fit Solanke, allied with a decent coach and a raft of new signings, has the potential to be game-changing for Tottenham.
