With summer activity heating up and expectations high for the 2026-27 English Premier League season, the outright winner market is coming into focus before the season kicks off on 21 August.
Arsenal are the favourites due to the stability provided by Mikel Arteta, Manchester City close behind as Enzo Maresca replaces Pep Guardiola.
It's expected to be a two horse race with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea battling for a top four position.
Let's take a look at the top five teams in the betting market:
Arsenal - The Defending Champions
- Manager: Mikel Arteta
- Key Players: David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice, Bruno Guimarães, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres
- In: Illan Meslier (Leeds United), Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Christos Tzolis (Club Brugge)
- Out: Jakub Kiwior (Porto), Christian Norgaard (Everton), Leandro Trossard (Besiktas)
Arsenal enter the campaign as defending champions having broken through last season, their first title since the invincibles under Arsene Wenger in 2003-24.
Mikel Arteta has built his side on defensive stability and tactical consistency, the Gunners proving their class on the European stage after reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
William Saliba's back injury that he sustained in the World Cup semi-final will see the Frenchman spend a significant amount of time on the sidelines. It's a big blow after he formed a great partnership with Gabriel Magalhães, Arteta to rely on Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera in central defence.
Arsenal signed Greek winger Christos Tzolis who cost €40m from Club Brugge and Bruno Guimarães came in from Newcastle to add some class and depth to the midfield.
With managerial stability and a settled squad packed with young talent including Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman and Bukayo Saka, it's easy to see why the London club are favourites to go back to back.
Arteta's side started the season in impressive fashion, defeating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield which will provide plenty of confidence.
Manchester City - A New Era
- Manager: Enzo Marescaa
- Key Players: Rodri, Elliot Anderson, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland
- In: Gerónimo Rulli (Marseille), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jeremy Monga (Leicester City), Mathys Detourbet (Troyes)
- Out: James Trafford (Leeds), John Stones (Inter Milan), Manuel Akanji (Leicester City), Nathan Aké (Fenerbahce), Rodri (Barcelona), Tijjani Reijnders (Al Qadsiah), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid)
Following Pep Guardiola’s departure, former assistant Enzo Maresca takes the helm following spells at Leicester and Chelsea. While the Italian shares tactical similarities with Guardiola, it remains to be seen if he and his new side can hit the ground running.
One thing the new manager has is talent everywhere across the pitch. Maresca has a stacked squad that can withstand injuries, but none can replace Rodri who joined Barcelona in a £65m deal.
It's no suprise why City paid Nottingham Forest €135m to acquire Elliot Anderson.
Savinho and Omar Marmoush have been linked to Tottenham in recent days as Maresca looks to fine tune his squad.
Man City definitely have a squad capable of winning the title, the big question surrounds Maresca's ability to do it in his first season in charge, especially after the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Liverpool - Tactical Reset at Anfield
- Manager: Andoni Iraola
- Key Players: Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak
- In: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Jérémy Jacquet (Rennes) Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna)
- Out: Ibrahima Konaté (Real Madrid), Andrew Robertson (Tottenham), Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor)
Liverpool moved on from Arne Slot and appointed former Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. Iraola brings high octane pressing and aggressive transition play that aligns closely with the Reds' identity under Jürgen Klopp.
With Jérémy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo brought in to partner Virgil van Dijk, they will be hoping to sure up a defence that conceded 53 Premier League goals last season.
Mohamed Salah's departure leaves a big hole to fill offensively, but if Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak find some form, the Merseyside club are more than capable of scoring goals.
Hugo Ekitiké has been out since April due to an achilles injury and may not return until 2027. That could force the club to make a move for another striker before the transfer window shuts.
If Virgil van Dijk gets back to his best and sures up Liverpool's defence, the Reds can win enough games to stay in the race.
Manchester United - Carrick's Project
- Manager: Michael Carrick
- Key Players: Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko
- In: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)
- Out: Casemiro (Inter Miami), Rasmus Hojlund (Napoli), Jadon Sancho (Free agent)
Michael Carrick earned the permanent managerial job after a stabilising United and securing third place in the Premier League. They benefitted from a season without European football but will now have to manage a Champions League campaign.
The arrival of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans will benefit the midfield but it's in defence and attack where more recruitments are required.
United remain a work in progress and although Carrick's steady leadership makes them an interesting option, it's hard to see them overtaking Arsenal and Manchester City any time soon.
Chelsea - Xabi Alonso Takes Control
- Manager: Xabi Alonso
- Key Players: Reece James, Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Morgan Rogers, Estêvão, João Pedro
- In: Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Denner (Corinthians), Pep Chavarría (Rayo Vallecano), Marco Palestra (Atalanta), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Valentín Barco (Strasbourg), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Geovany Quenda (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Emmanuel Emegha (Strasbourg), Dastan Satpaev (Kairat Almaty), Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Out: Filip Jorgensen (Strasbourg), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid), Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Tyrique George (Everton), Alejandro Garnacho (Aston Villa)
Chelsea secured manager Xabi Alonso and will hope the Spaniard can bring some stability to Stamford Bridge. Alonso inherits a talented squad featuring midfield duo Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.
Cole Palmer remains a game changer and after spending €138m to secure Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, Chelsea should have few problems creating chances for João Pedro.
If Alonso integrates his system quickly and gets his side off to a fast start, the ceiling is high for the Blues, but it's hard to see how their defence can improve enough to challenge for the title.
2026-27 English Premier League Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Arsenal | 2.25 |
| Man City | 5.00 |
| Liverpool | 6.50 |
| Man Utd | 9.00 |
| Chelsea | 9.50 |
| Tottenham | 26.00 |
| Aston Villa | 41.00 |
| Brighton | 151.00 |
| Newcastle | 201.00 |
| Bournemouth | 201.00 |
| Everton | 251.00 |
| Brentford | 251.00 |
| Nottingham Forest | 501.00 |
| Leeds | 501.00 |
| Crystal Palace | 501.00 |
| Fulham | 501.00 |
| Sunderland | 751.00 |
| Coventry | 2001.00 |
| Ipswich | 2001.00 |
| Hull | 3001.00 |
Source: Roobet with odds correct on 21 August 2026