BBC Pundits’ Premier League Predictions 2026/27: The Expert Verdict on the Title Race

BBC Sport asked 26 of its pundits to predict the 2026/27 Premier League top four — and Arsenal are the overwhelming pick to defend their title, backed by 89% of them.

With AI and Opta’s supercomputer added in, the combined verdict puts Arsenal well clear at the top, ahead of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Here’s the full breakdown of what the experts predict for the new season.

BBC Pundits’ Predicted Premier League Table 2026/27

Using all 28 predictions (26 pundits plus AI and Opta), scored four points for a first-place pick down to one for fourth, the overall expected ranking is:

Rank	Team	Prediction Points
1	Arsenal	109
2	Manchester City	73
3	Liverpool	38
4	Chelsea	35
5	Manchester United	21
=6	Aston Villa	2
=6	Tottenham	2

Aggregated from 26 BBC Sport pundits plus AI (Microsoft Copilot) and Opta’s supercomputer, via BBC Sport. Seven different teams were named across 15 different top-four combinations. Predictions are opinions, not guarantees.

Arsenal: The Overwhelming Title Pick

Arsenal are the runaway choice to retain their crown. 89% of the panel (25 of 28) back them to win the title, and not one predictor has them finishing lower than second — a dramatic shift from last season, when only 17% tipped them as champions before they went on to win it by seven points.

The recurring themes among the pundits, via BBC Sport, are continuity and depth. Theo Walcott highlighted the advantage of keeping Mikel Arteta and strengthening rather than rebuilding, singling out the Bruno Guimaraes signing as a major addition to a midfield already featuring Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. Thomas Hitzlsperger and Danny Murphy both pointed to the stability of an unchanged manager and settled squad, and the confidence carried over from winning the league. Leon Osman compared them to the great dynasties of the Premier League era, suggesting they look built for a sustained run of titles.

Several flagged one caveat: the striker question. Shay Given, Tony Pulis and Paul Robinson all felt a top centre-forward — with names like Victor Osimhen raised — could be the difference between winning comfortably and leaving the door ajar. Matt Upson cautioned that staying at the top is harder than getting there, noting Arsenal had spells of grinding out results last season.

Manchester City: Rebuilding, but Still Expected to Challenge

City are the second pick overall, but the mood is far more uncertain than in the Guardiola years — only 12% (3 of 26) back them for the title in their first season under Enzo Maresca. The panel repeatedly returned to the significance of losing Rodri, with Anita Asante calling his departure, alongside those of John Stones and Bernardo Silva, a major blow to the dressing room as well as the pitch.

Opinion on Maresca was split: Troy Deeney was sharply critical of his defensive setup, while Shay Given argued a fresh voice could reinvigorate a hungry squad and even take them back to the top. Chris Waddle framed it as a genuine rebuild that may take a year or two to gel. The consensus, though — from Matt Upson, Danny Murphy and others — is that City’s sheer quality and firepower should keep them in the top four regardless.

Liverpool: A Work in Progress Under Iraola

The mood on Liverpool has cooled sharply. Last season most BBC predictors made them champions; this time only 4 of 28 have them finishing higher than third. The panel is intrigued by new manager Andoni Iraola but sees a team in transition, with the goals of Mohamed Salah still to be adequately replaced.

Theo Walcott rated Liverpool the hardest team to call, suggesting that if Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have big seasons they could push Arsenal. Rachel Brown-Finnis and Thomas Hitzlsperger were enthusiastic about Iraola’s high-tempo style, while Sue Smith and Anita Asante flagged defensive reinforcements — particularly at the back — as the priority for the style to work over a full campaign.

Chelsea: Potentially Unplayable Up Front

Chelsea, who finished 10th last season, feature in 21 of 28 predictions this time, with five pundits backing them as runners-up. The optimism centres on their attacking trio and the absence of European football. Sue Smith and Pat Nevin pointed to the prospect of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers operating as dual number 10s, alongside Joao Pedro, as a potentially devastating front unit.

Troy Deeney felt no European football gives Xabi Alonso valuable training time to find the right balance, and several — including Tony Pulis and Chris Waddle — praised the experienced additions of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson as dressing-room leaders the young squad lacked last season.

Manchester United: Signs of Stability

United finished third last season but none of the BBC panel had predicted it; this time they appear in 14 of 28 predictions, though only one predictor has them improving on that finish. The dominant note is cautious optimism tempered by the demands of a return to the Champions League. Anita Asante felt the mood around the club is noticeably better, while Michael Brown and Tony Pulis worried the squad still looks short over a full season on multiple fronts. The situation of Marcus Rashford was a recurring talking point, with Paul Robinson and Steph Houghton seeing real value in getting the best out of him if he stays.

The Outsiders: Villa, Spurs and the Surprise Packages

Beyond the top five, Aston Villa and Tottenham each picked up a couple of prediction points. Lindsay Johnson and Thomas Hitzlsperger backed Villa on the strength of Unai Emery’s management, though others questioned how long he can keep over-performing while selling key players. Glenn Murray and Paul Robinson expected a much-improved Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi, while Leon Osman captured the doubt with his “can you ever trust Spurs?” caveat.

For surprise packages, Troy Deeney tipped Nottingham Forest, Nedum Onuoha went for Leeds and Sunderland to outperform expectations, and Danny Murphy picked Ipswich as the promoted side most likely to avoid a struggle, citing their busy, athletic recruitment.

What AI and Opta Predicted

BBC Sport also ran the question past artificial intelligence and data. The AI prediction, generated with Microsoft Copilot, and Opta’s supercomputer — which simulated all 380 matches 10,000 times using a model based on betting odds and power rankings — reached the same conclusion as each other and three of the pundits. Both align with the human consensus in making Arsenal the clear favourites.

For the full data-led forecast, see our breakdown of the Opta supercomputer’s Premier League predictions, and for a single expert’s detailed take, Paul Merson’s season predictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do BBC pundits predict will win the Premier League in 2026/27? Arsenal are the overwhelming pick, backed by 89% of the BBC panel (25 of 28 predictors), with no-one tipping them to finish lower than second.

What is the BBC pundits’ predicted top four for 2026/27? The aggregate expected ranking is Arsenal first, Manchester City second, Liverpool third and Chelsea fourth, with Manchester United fifth.

Do AI and Opta agree with the BBC pundits? Yes — both the AI prediction (Microsoft Copilot) and Opta’s supercomputer made Arsenal the favourites, matching the pundit consensus.

Which teams are tipped to surprise this season? Pundits named Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Sunderland and Ipswich among the sides who could outperform expectations.

How many pundits took part? 26 BBC Sport TV and radio pundits gave predictions, with AI and Opta added to make 28 in total.

---

More Premier League predictions: Paul Merson’s season predictions · Premier League predictions · Premier League tips · Premier League free bets

Predictions are the opinions of the named pundits, reported from BBC Sport, and are not guarantees. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org · GamCare.org.uk.