Premier League predictions: contenders, pretenders, surprises

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Adam Leventhal is joined by Jay Harris and Art De Roche to delve into their predictions for the 2026-2027 Premier League season. The trio discusses potential title winners, teams likely to challenge for European spots, and the impact of managerial changes. There's a particular focus on Arsenal, which won the title last season, and the challenges they may face in defending it. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing loyalty to players while making necessary upgrades to maintain competitiveness.

They also analyze new managerial appointments, such as Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and Marco Rose at Bournemouth, speculating on their potential success in the Premier League. With ten teams having new or first-time managers, the dynamics of the league are expected to shift. The hosts ponder whether any of these new leaders could replicate the success of previous managers who won the league in their first season.

As always, predictions are a focal point, and listeners are encouraged to share their own. The episode features amusing segments on bad predictions and the impact of financial dynamics across clubs, especially how the Premier League's Big Six continue to influence the market by acquiring talent from smaller clubs. The hosts conclude by sharing their 1 to 20 predictions for league standings and express excitement for the season ahead, promising to revisit these predictions later in the campaign.