Oyyy Oyyy. The 2026/27 Premier League season is now just a few weeks away, and the excitement is tangible.
How was your summer, by the way? I’m convalescing after suffering a fifth metatarsal fracture while break dancing at a wedding in Cyprus.
I now have plenty of time on my hands. So, for the first time, I read The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
The verdict? It was not exactly sh*te, but I found it somewhat disappointing.
Let’s have it right. Dostoevsky was a lousy gambler.
He was not a bad writer. However, you probably would not have passed the time of day with him at your local Betfred or Wetherspoons.
I digress.
6/1 Liverpool look vulnerable defensively
The title realistically belongs to around four clubs before the season starts.
By May, only one club will lift the trophy. Everyone else will explain why finishing fourth was secretly the plan all along.
We are also heading into unusual times.
Nine top-flight clubs will begin the 2026/27 campaign with a new permanent manager.
The bookies make Arsenal warm favourites. Manchester City and Liverpool sit closest to them in the market.
Liverpool, however, need defensive reinforcements.
The Reds conceded six goals across three matches in the USA. Four of those arrived against Leeds during 25 chaotic second-half minutes at the weekend.
Captain Virgil van Dijk has returned to training. However, he did not look like the dominant force of old last season.
Liverpool also lack an obvious partner for Van Dijk ahead of their opening match against Newcastle.
VVD himself looked bang average last term. He often played with the air of a disappointed churchwarden.
Liverpool still have strong midfield options. Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister give the team plenty of quality.
They could also sign PSG’s Bradley Barcola.
However, a new manager and uncertain defensive foundations make Liverpool difficult to back at 6/1.
A new era, familiar expectations at 100/30
New manager Enzo Maresca takes charge of a Manchester City side in transition.
He has huge boots to fill after Pep Guardiola’s departure.
However, where there’s Erling Haaland, there’s hope.
Many punters will add City at 100/30 to their ante-post season accumulators.
Elliot Anderson looks like a fantastic signing. City will hope he can build a strong midfield partnership with World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri.
If that combination works, City could have a serious chance.
Haaland also gives them an obvious threat in front of goal.
17/2 and 28/1: Big prices, little appeal in London
Chelsea and Tottenham have attracted money this summer.
I just do not see either club winning the title.
Tottenham should promise plenty of attacking football.
However, they could discover around October that defending corners also matters.
Spurs are 28/1 at the time of writing. Their opening fixtures look fairly straightforward, so those odds could shorten.
Even so, I cannot see Tottenham winning the league.
Chelsea are 17/2. However, they still need more consistency to mount a genuine title challenge.
Manchester United are also available at 9/1.
The Rashford dilemma
The Red Devils look like live underdogs this season.
However, Marcus Rashford remains a major question.
Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona. He scored 14 goals and supplied 14 assists in all competitions as the Catalan giants won La Liga.
If he returns with the right mindset, he could become a huge asset.
At the moment, though, nobody knows exactly what will happen with the England international.
Michael Carrick will surely need to make a decision.
7/4 Arsenal the logical call
So, who wins the Premier League?
Logic points towards Arsenal.
Logic has also paid for plenty of nice holidays over the last decade.
Coral have gone 7/4 about the Gunners retaining their title. Most firms currently offer 6/4.
Arsenal still look like the most realistic winners.
Mikel Arteta should also feel more relaxed this season after finally landing that elusive title success.
The Gunners have also added some useful players during the summer.
Their recruitment gives them another reason to attract attention in the outright market.
7/4 Arsenal the logical call
So, who wins it?
Logic says Arsenal because logic has paid for a lot of nice holidays over the last decade.
Coral have put their head above the parapet and go 7/4 (most firms are 6/4) about the Gunners retaining their title, and they look the most realistic winners.
Mikel Arteta – the Premier League’s runtiest little rooster – should be more relaxed this season having finally landed that elusive title success and their summer recruitment has been decent.
Toon to be relegated at 10/1?
Newcastle United to suffer relegation at 10/1 also catches my eye.
The Toon kept only eight clean sheets in the Premier League last season. They also conceded 55 goals.
Since then, Newcastle have sold key players.
Eddie Howe has also left the club, while Bruno Guimaraes is reportedly joining Arsenal.
The Howe-Meister General will be missed.
During the Premier League era, only the legendary Kevin Keegan recorded a better top-flight win percentage for Newcastle than Howe.
Keegan recorded a 51.2% win rate. Howe finished on 46.9%.
German coach Matthias Jaissle is set to replace Howe.
Jaissle won two Asian Champions League titles with Saudi side Al-Ahli.
However, the Premier League presents a very different challenge from the Saudi leagues.
The 38-year-old therefore represents a risky appointment.
The transfer window remains open, so Newcastle could still strengthen.
As things stand, though, the situation could become toxic on Tyneside this winter.
In theory, at least three teams should finish below Newcastle.
However, the Toon Army have plenty to worry about.
Their squad has lost important players. They have also received a difficult start to the fixture list.
That makes 10/1 look interesting for relegation.
Suggested bet #1: Arsenal to win the Premier League at 7/4 (Coral)
Suggested bet #2: Newcastle United to be relegated at 10/1 (betway / Paddy Power)
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