How will your club fare? Phil McNulty's Premier League predictions
August 19, 2026 07:21
Phil McNulty has published his season-by-season predictions for how the 20 Premier League clubs will finish, backing Arsenal to retain the title they won last term. He highlights a major shake-up in the division — nine new managers — and revisits last season’s high-profile errors in forecasting, notably his own call for Liverpool that did not come to pass and the subsequent sacking of Arne Slot.
The piece runs through several big clubs in more detail, assessing Manchester City’s transition under Enzo Maresca, Arsenal’s position as reigning champions, Liverpool’s rebuild under Andoni Iraola, Chelsea’s project with Xabi Alonso, Manchester United’s first full campaign under Michael Carrick, and Aston Villa’s status after Unai Emery’s Europa League success.
KEY CONTEXT
- Arsenal secured their first top‑flight title in 22 years last season and beat Manchester City in the Community Shield; McNulty describes recent arrivals Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis as high‑quality additions and expects Arsenal to have the confidence of champions.
- Manchester City are in a transitional phase following the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones; Enzo Maresca has taken charge after Pep Guardiola, and City have added Elliot Anderson (noted at £116m in the piece) with Ayyoub Bouaddi reported as expected to join from Lille.
- Liverpool’s season is described as entering a “post‑Mohamed Salah” era; Andoni Iraola has been brought in from Bournemouth to steady the club after a poor title defence, while McNulty points to possible incoming players such as Bradley Barcola and the progress of Rio Ngumoha.
- Chelsea’s manager Xabi Alonso is portrayed as having quality to work with and veteran signings (Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck) intended to guide the dressing room; McNulty suggests Chelsea might benefit from having no European commitments.
- Manchester United begin Michael Carrick’s first full season after he guided the club back into the Champions League following the sacking of Ruben Amorim; United have added Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos but, McNulty argues, still need more to match their ambitions.
- Unai Emery led Aston Villa to Europa League success and a return to the Champions League, but Villa have had to sell players such as Tielemans and Morgan Rogers for financial balance.