Paul Merson’s newest column offers a comprehensive look at the upcoming 2026/27 Premier League campaign, covering both the clubs fighting for the crown and those battling to avoid the drop. The season kicks off on Friday when defending champions Arsenal host newly promoted Coventry City, and Sky Sports will broadcast six matches across the opening weekend.
Merson shares his personal top‑six predictions, evaluates the relegation candidates, and highlights a potential surprise package that could upset the established order. He opens with an unequivocal statement about Arsenal’s dominance: "I can’t envision anyone stopping Arsenal.
They’ll clinch the title with ease. In the league, they have no discernible weakness." While acknowledging that the Gunners may have some frailties in European competition, Merson likens their domestic depth to Manchester City’s early‑era dominance, noting that they possess two quality options for virtually every position. Defensive stalwarts William Saliba and Gabriel are described as "unbelievable," and the arrival of Cristian Mosquera provides such seamless cover that Saliba’s absence would barely be noticed.
Even with Jurrien Timber sidelined, Ben White steps in, keeping opponents like Jeremy Doku at bay. Merson also praises the work rate of winger Christos Tzolis, comparing him to a Ronseal product that performs exactly as advertised.
He commends Tzolis for his discipline on the left flank, staying on his wing, and preventing the opposing full‑back from getting ahead of him. While he doubts that Tzolis and Gabriel Martinelli alone will lift Arsenal into the Champions League, he insists the club must have a significant signing in the pipeline, perhaps even a Vinícius Júnior‑style acquisition, before the transfer window shuts.
Turning to Liverpool, Merson argues that consistency is the key to challenging Arsenal. He notes that Liverpool’s squad lacks the depth of the Gunners, meaning their star players must stay fit and feature in 36‑37 league games to have any realistic title hopes.
The absence of a proper replacement for Mohamed Salah has left a goal‑scoring void, and although Liverpool’s midfield struggled last season, Merson expects Florian Wirtz to make a substantial impact this year. He cautions, however, that Alexander Isak’s injury‑plagued previous campaign could limit his contributions. Chelsea, according to Merson, benefit from a once‑a‑week schedule, which should allow them to target a top‑five finish.
He emphasizes that manager Xabi Alonso must integrate Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as dual No 10s, possibly employing a back three to accommodate them. The potential midfield triangle involving Palmer, Rogers, and João Pedro could become congested, but Merson trusts Alonso’s tactical acumen to find a solution. He does not expect Chelsea to match Arsenal’s projected 85‑86 points but believes they can still enjoy a strong season. Regarding Manchester City, Merson admits he sees little chance for them to rival Arsenal this term.
He points out that the only plausible weakness would be the sale of Rodri, which indeed happened after the Community Shield. While goalkeeper David Raya delivered impressive saves, Merson doubts City can sustain a challenge over 38 games. Tottenham Hotspur receive a nod as a dark‑horse candidate for a top‑five spot. Merson highlights their strategic signings and the advantage of playing once a week, which gives manager Roberto De Zerbi more time to instill his ideas.
He notes that Spurs have historically lacked a dominant midfielder, but recent acquisitions could change that, providing a stronger defensive shield and more midfield muscle. He also reflects on Aston Villa’s near‑miss last season, suggesting that their failure to dethrone Spurs may relegate them to a mid‑table role, while Spurs could replace Villa in the top six.
Manchester United, on the other hand, face a thin squad, especially if Bruno Fernandes suffers an injury. Although they have secured Youri Tielemans, Merson questions the value of the Andrey Santos signing, describing him as a player who neither breaks up play nor creates chances. United’s defense remains prone to leaks, and their attack is inconsistent. The presence of European commitments further strains their resources.
Merson warns that survival will largely depend on a strong start. He cites the early clash between Coventry and Hull as a de facto cup final for the promoted side; a respectable performance against Arsenal and Manchester City, followed by a win over Hull, could set a positive tone. Brentford and Brighton are expected to hover around the European qualification spots again. Merson praises Brentford’s pre‑season 7‑0 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt but notes the departure of Jordan Henderson as a loss.
Both clubs possess the capacity to pull off upsets throughout the campaign. In summary, Merson’s forecast paints Arsenal as the clear favorite, Liverpool as the most plausible challenger, Chelsea and Tottenham as potential top‑five finishers, and a tightly contested relegation battle involving the promoted trio and clubs like Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Newcastle. He concludes that consistency, squad depth, and strategic signings will be the decisive factors in determining who lifts the trophy and who merely stays afloat.