2026-27 English Premier League Preview: Can Gunners Defend EPL Title?
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sun Aug 16, 2026, 1:35 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
EPL
The English Premier League is set to return in less than a week, as our defending champions, the Arsenal Gunners host one of the new kids on the block at Emirates Stadium, Coventry City. Before things get going, let's check out the betting odds and see if Vegas thinks the Gunners can repeat as EPL champions. If not, perhaps there's a dark horse in mind that could surprise some viewers this season. Let's find out as we take a look at the 2026-27 English Premier League.
Head over to our EPL Picks Page for our expert's soccer analysis.
2026-27 English Premier League Preview
Arsenal were the EPL Champions last season for the first time since 2004. Can they repeat this year?
Past 10 EPL Champions
Number of points listed with the team.
- 2025-26: Arsenal (85)
- 2024-25: Liverpool (84)
- 2023-24: Manchester City (91)
- 2022-23: Manchester City (89)
- 2021-22: Manchester City (93)
- 2020-21: Manchester City (86)
- 2019-20: Liverpool (99)
- 2018-19: Manchester City (98)
- 2017-18: Manchester City (100)
- 2016-17: Chelsea (93)
Last season, the Gunners not only lifted their first EPL Title in over two decades, they ended Liverpool and City's run of eight straight titles. And the oddsmakers like them to repeat as champions. We cashed on Arsenal at +250 to win the EPL last year, this season, they are priced at +145. Lots of respect for the Gunners.
Odds to Win the EPL
- Arsenal +145
- Manchester City +300
- Liverpool +575
- Chelsea +850
- Manchester United +900
- Tottenham +2500
- Aston Villa +4000
There's the seven contenders according to the oddsmakers. And I don't think we need to look any further to find not only the league winner, but the UEFA Champions League qualifying teams as well. But just for fun, here's the bottom of the oddsboard.
- Newcastle United 100-1
- Brighton & Hove Albion 150-1
- AFC Bournemouth 200-1
- Brentford 250-1
- Everton 250-1
- Leeds United 500-1
- Crystal Palace 500-1
- Fulham 500-1
- Nottingham Forest 500-1
- Sunderland 750-1
- Coventry City 1500-1
- Ipswich Town 2000-1
- Hull City 2000-1
A $100 wager on either Hull City or Ipswich Town to win the EPL would pay a cool 200K if they were to do so. But it would be a waste of a Benjamin this year. Money has certainly funneled its way to the top of the league, and those few contenders are light years better than the rest of the league. Sure, there will be some upsets throughout the season. But I would wager against any of these bottom clubs sneaking their way into the top five.
For that reason, most of the information below will only pertain to those top seven teams, the "Big Six" plus Aston Villa.
Major Changes Personnel Changes – English Premier League
Xabi Alonso looks to lead Chelsea to an EPL Title as he takes over as manager
New Managers
- Xabi Alonso (Chelsea)
- Andoni Iraola (Liverpool)
- Enzo Maresca (Manchester City)
Fresh Faces in New Places
- Johan Manzambi (Aston Villa)
- Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal)
- Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)
- Youri Tielemans (Manchester United)
- Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea)
- Andy Robertson (Tottenham)
- Ronald Araujo (Liverpool)
- Elliot Anderson (Manchester City)
- Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham)
English Premier League Future Picks and Predictions
Joao Pedro leads a stacked Chelsea attack that could find their way to an EPL Title
If you forced my hand right now, I do like Chelsea this season. The Blues failed to qualify for any European tournament last season, but added a few key pieces listed above (Rogers, Lacroix). Sure they lost Marc Cucurella, but Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro attacking with Morgan Rogers will help Chelsea score plenty more this season. Defensively, I like Xabi Alonso's style of play, which protects the counter, possesses the ball, but is still looking for opportunities to get forward. If there's still a 10-1 or better number on the Blues, they could be worth some fun money to sweat out.
Other than that, Arsenal is the favorite for a reason. Today in the Community Shield they obliterated Manchester City, winning 3-0. The Gunners attack is strong, even losing Leandro Trossard. They still have Viktor Gyökeres, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice to create plenty of chances, plus adding Guimaraes will add to the midfield on both sides of the pitch. I don't need to tell you how good their back line is, you've heard that plenty from me.
While +145 is nowhere near an enticing price for the Gunners, I am low on Liverpool and Manchester City this year with new managers. I am never high on Manchester United, and I don't trust Aston Villa until I see they can score without Rogers. Adding Johan Manzambi is great, but with it being his first year in the EPL, it could take some time to ease into this league.
No need to mention the Spurs.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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