2026/27 Premier League Preview: Gameweek 1

Arsenal VS Coventry

The 2026/27 Premier League Season kicks off with the Premier League Champions facing the Championship Champions as Arsenal host Coventry! Arsenal finally got over the line last year to win their first Premier League Title in 22 years, whilst Coventry won the Championship to earn promotion back to the English top flight for the first time since 2001! The most recent meeting between these two sides saw The Gunners win 4-0 in a 2014 FA Cup tie, whilst The Sky Blues’ last win in this fixture came all the way back on Boxing Day 1999! For Arsenal, they will expect to start their Title defence with a strong victory! As for Coventry City, at least they’re getting the hardest game of the season out of the way!

My Prediction: 3-0

Hull VS Manchester United

Hull are back in the Premier League for the first time in 9 years as they welcome Manchester United to the MKM Stadium for TNT Sports’ opening game of the season! Hull shocked everyone to win promotion in the Playoff Final at Wembley, whilst Manchester United ended up finishing third after a successful run under Michael Carrick! In their previous 8 meetings, The Tigers have won once compared to 5 wins for United! For Hull City, can they start their Premier League return with another fairytale moment? As for Manchester United, there’s actual optimism surrounding the club heading into this new season, so they can’t afford to blow it in their season opener!

My Prediction: 1-3

Everton VS Crystal Palace

Pierre Sage takes charge of Crystal Palace for the first time with an away trip to take on Everton! Everton dropped off at the end of last season, finishing 13th, whilst Crystal Palace’s 15th-place finish meant nothing given the fact that they won the Conference League! In their previous 29 meetings, Everton have won 13 times, whilst The Eagles have only won a third of that (including none in the last 11)! For Everton, when you start the season at home against a fellow lower mid-table side, you have to win! As for Crystal Palace, this will be a good learning curve for Sage!

My Prediction: 1-1

Ipswich VS Sunderland

Ipswich return to the Premier League dreaming of achieving what Sunderland managed to accomplish last season! Ipswich went straight back up with a second-place finish, whilst Sunderland shocked everybody to not just stay up, but to qualify for European Football! In their previous 10 meetings, both sides have won 4 games each! Amazingly, The Tractor Boys and The Black Cats played each other in League One back in 2021; that’s insane! For Ipswich Town, they need to make Portman Road a fortress, but is Gary O’Neil good enough? As for Sunderland AFC, they’ll fancy their chances to start their season with another win!

My Prediction: 1-2

Nottingham Forest VS Leeds

Oliver Glasner takes charge of Nottingham Forest for the first time, facing Leeds! Nottingham Forest completely fell off last season, finishing 16th with four different managers, whilst Leeds did a superb job to stay up, finishing 14th! In their previous 24 meetings, Forest have won 10 games compared to 7 wins for The Whites! Fun fact: the last away win in this fixture was back in 2017 (at the City Ground)! For Nottingham Forest, they have to start strong under Glasner! As for Leeds United, they can definitely win this game!

My Prediction: 2-2

Brentford VS Tottenham

The first Saturday Night Football of the season sees Brentford host Tottenham in the first of many London Derbies! Brentford did a brilliant job to finish 9th last season, whilst Tottenham only managed to secure survival on the final day! In their previous 11 meetings, The Bees have only won once, whilst Spurs have won 6 times! For Brentford, they’ll be disappointed if they don’t win this game; a draw isn’t good enough! As for Tottenham Hotspur, can Roberto De Zerbi guide this team back to a European contender?

My Prediction: 3-2

Brighton VS Aston Villa

After drawing 0-0 at Tromso in the Conference League last night, Brighton’s first Premier League game of the season is a good one at home against Aston Villa! Brighton managed to book their return ticket to Europe with a second-straight 8th-place finish last season, whilst Aston Villa finished 4th and won the Europa League! In their previous 17 meetings, The Seagulls have only won twice, whilst Villa have won 10 times! For Brighton and Hove Albion, this is totally the type of game that they’d win! As for Aston Villa, I don’t even know who’s going to play for them in this game given that all of their star players are leaving!

My Prediction: 2-0

Manchester City VS Bournemouth

For the first time in over 10 years, Pep Guardiola won’t be in the Etihad dugout as Enzo Maresca leads out Manchester City to take on Marco Rose’s Bournemouth! Manchester City achieved a domestic cup double last season, whilst Bournemouth had their greatest-ever season, finishing 6th to qualify for European Football (for the very first time)! In their previous 20 meetings, City have won 18 games, whilst The Cherries’ only win came in November 2024! For Manchester City, it’s crucial for Enzo Maresca to start with a win! As for AFC Bournemouth, this is also their first game under Marco Rose, so it’s going to be fascinating to see how they get on!

My Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle VS Liverpool

Another game with all-new managers takes place in the second half of Super Sunday, with Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle hosting Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool! Newcastle were rubbish last season, finishing 12th, whilst Liverpool also flopped to finish 5th! In their previous 31 meetings, The Magpies have won 5 times, whilst The Reds have won 19 times! For Newcastle United, it’s going to be interesting to see how the Toon Army reacts to Jaissle’s style of play! As for Liverpool, it’s very important that Iraola starts his reign off with a win!

My Prediction: 1-2

Fulham VS Chelsea

The final game of Gameweek sees Fulham host Chelsea in a Monday Night Football match managed by two former Real Madrid Managers (in the past 12 months, too)! Fulham’s lack of consistency meant they finished just 2 points off a place in the Europa League, whilst Chelsea shockingly finished 10th! In their previous 21 meetings, The Cottagers have only won 3 games, whilst Chelsea have won 12! For Fulham, this is very much the type of game that they would win under Marco Silva! As for Chelsea, Xabi Alonso needs a positive start!

My Prediction: 1-3