2026/27 Premier League Preview Matchday 1

Arsenal VS Coventry City

The Premier League is back and the season begins at the home of the champions, Arsenal, when they welcome newly promoted Coventry City for their first top-flight match since 2001. Frank Lampard will know his side are in for a tough battle on Friday evening against an Arsenal side that has strengthened significantly over the summer.

Mikel Arteta can now call upon Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, as well as Christos Tzolis in attack. Coventry have spent significantly on making their squad capable of Premier League survival, with fans expecting Taiwo Awoniyi to make his debut on Friday evening. The atmosphere at the Emirates will be electric with the Premier League trophy back in North London, and it’s difficult to see anything other than a comfortable home win.

• Chris’ pick: Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City

Hull City VS Manchester United

Manchester United begin their campaign away to Hull City, with the Tigers looking to mark their return to the top-flight with a shock. Hull have found the transfer market the most difficult out of the three promoted sides, but there are high hopes that Lucas Gourna-Douath from Red Bull Salzburg can be a stunning capture.

Michael Carrick begins his first full season in charge of Manchester United looking to build on his excellent work last term. A title challenge may be too much to expect from this squad, but the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba in midfield are reasons for fans to feel positive. Baleba won’t be signed in time to play on Saturday, and his fitness is a concern, but the visitors should be strong enough to begin with a victory away from home.

• Chris’ pick: Hull City 1-2 Manchester United

Everton VS Crystal Palace

Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon with David Moyes hoping to build on an impressive first full season back in charge. Whilst Moyes is under pressure from some sections of Everton’s fanbase, the club has done some smart business over the summer. Brennan Johnson and Tyrique George are exciting attacking players who could shine at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, whilst Hayden Hackney has fantastic potential.

Crystal Palace are under new management this summer, with Pierre Sage leaving Lens to replace Oliver Glasner. Palace finished the season brilliantly, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League, although their summer has been slow. Their biggest piece of business has seen Dwight McNeil arrive from Everton, although Oscar Mingueza and Takehiro Tomiyasu add experience to their defence. This match features two traditional slow starters, and this feels like a draw.

• Chris’ pick: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace

Ipswich VS Sunderland

Ipswich Town mark their return to the Premier League with a home fixture against Sunderland. It’s been a summer of change at Portman Road with Kieran McKenna leaving the club stunned when he resigned from his position as manager. Gary O’Neil has taken over and used his time in France with Strasbourg as a base for the club’s recruitment.

Julio Enciso once thrilled with Brighton before losing his way, but he is expected to be the team’s creative heartbeat. Abdoul Outtara joined Enciso from Strasbourg in signing for Ipswich. The club also raided Ligue 1 for Toulouse’s Brazilian striker Emersonn. Whether this business is enough to avoid an immediate return to the Championship remains to be seen, but Sunderland are a strong opponent. I think this will end in a draw.

• Chris’ pick: Ipswich Town 2-2 Sunderland

Nottingham Forest VS Leeds United

Nottingham Forest escaped the drop last season, but their performances in the second half of the campaign were much better. A bizarre scenario unfolded during the summer where Vitor Pereira kept the club in the Premier League, was confirmed as the club’s coach for the new season and then was replaced by Oliver Glasner.

Glasner is a serious operator and will bring quality to the City Ground. Forest have been ambitious in the market, signing Ousmane Diomande for around 40 million. He was one of the hottest defensive prospects around at the beginning of the window. Home advantage against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon will also be a factor, and I suspect Forest will begin their campaign with a victory.

• Chris’ pick: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leeds United

Brentford VS Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have shaken off the financially prudent tag of the Daniel Levy years and have spent a sensational amount of money this season to ensure the club isn’t in a relegation battle for the third successive Premier League season. Roberto De Zerbi can’t say he hasn’t been backed, with the North London club having signed Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke. Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson also arrived as free transfers. There is an expectation that Savinho and Omar Marmoush will join before the window closes.

Brentford will be De Zerbi’s first test of the season, with Spurs set to visit the Bees in the Saturday evening kick-off. Brentford were brilliant last year and have massively strengthened their midfield with Mamadou Sangare. Spurs’ side will take time to gel, and they still lack firepower up front, so I think Brentford could take advantage of that and secure a big win.

• Chris’ pick: Brentford 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Brighton and Hove Albion VS Aston Villa

Brighton and Hove Albion begin their Premier League season on Sunday afternoon with a home match against Aston Villa. This is a fascinating match with both teams having been up there with the league’s best-performing teams in recent seasons. Unai Emery has lost a lot of players this summer, which has to be a concern, and we remember how slowly they started last season, which has to come into play when predicting the outcome of this match.

The Seagulls have spent slightly more on transfer fees than their model usually dictates; however, in Luka Vuskovic they might have got a contender for Young Player of the Season. He is a monster at the back, providing goals, and there is also excitement around Zadok Yohanna, signed from AIK in Sweden. I think Emery is yet to know his strongest XI and could come into this match slightly undercooked; I think Brighton win.

• Chris’ pick: Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 Aston Villa

Manchester City VS Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca started life as Pep Guardiola’s successor in the worst possible manner in the Community Shield. Patience will be thin for the former Chelsea coach given the incredible amount of money spent by Manchester City this summer. Anything short of competing for the treble again will be a major disappointment.

Bournemouth visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for their opening fixture, after saying goodbye to Andoni Iraola. It’s difficult to judge how the Cherries will play, but it seems a fairly easy game for Maresca. It’s difficult to envisage anything other than a home win. Erling Haaland as an anytime scorer is a safe bet… as always.

• Chris’ pick: Manchester City 3-0 Bournemouth

Newcastle United VS Liverpool

Sunday’s late afternoon match is perhaps the most exciting matchup of the opening weekend. Newcastle United play host to Liverpool with both teams having undergone serious changes over the summer. Iraola has taken charge at Liverpool, whilst Eddie Howe left Tyneside amidst a fire-sale undertaken by the Saudi-owned club.

Matthias Jaissle has taken charge, with many fondly remembering his time in Germany, but his most recent job was in the Saudi Pro League, which is hardly strong preparation for such a difficult job. Newcastle’s squad is far weaker than last year, and they were abysmal that season too. Liverpool have to adapt to Iraola’s style of play, which could make the first couple of weeks tricky, but they should have enough quality to win at St. James’ Park. Alexander Isak to score anytime is interesting.

• Chris’ pick: Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool

Fulham VS Chelsea

A London derby brings the opening Premier League weekend to a close with Chelsea visiting Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Monday evening. Xabi Alonso has been given support in the transfer market with experience being signed in Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, but their squad still looks somewhat unbalanced.

Fulham have hit the Spanish market heavily to support new coach Alvaro Arbeloa, but his coaching remains something of an unknown quantity. I think Chelsea will start quickly and get a win here, but their tests will come sooner rather than later.

• Chris’ pick: Fulham 2-3 Chelsea