Arsenal have emerged as clear favourites to win the Premier League title among Daily Mail Sport experts on the eve of the new top-flight season.
Six of the eight columnists tipped Mikel Arteta’s side to retain the trophy following a 12-week break since the end of the 2025-26 campaign, while Chelsea were backed as top contenders by Mike Keegan and Bobby Manzi.
Oliver Holt pointed to Arsenal's transfer window, stating they "have made two good signings over the summer so far and sold prudently" while looking "liberated by the confidence of being champions."
Ian Herbert agreed that "crossing the Rubicon to claim the title means so much, removes so much pressure," adding that an "excellent transfer window has made them stronger."
Riath Al-Samarrai described Arsenal as "the team to beat," highlighting that they possess the best squad, the least turbulence, and have "dismantled the mental barriers that previously dominated these conversations."
Kieran Gill noted Arsenal "are more settled than everyone else with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea going through transitions under new managers," questioning whether the title race will even be close.
Lewis Steele called Arsenal the "best team by a distance last season," adding that Mikel Arteta’s squad will no longer carry the tag of "bottlers" or "chokers" and could win by 10 or more points.
Matt Barlow noted their stability while main rivals remain in flux, adding that new signing Bruno Guimaraes will improve them as they play "free from the anxiety of old."
Mike Keegan instead backed Chelsea for the title, citing the absence of European football and recruitment under a "top class manager" in Xabi Alonso.
Bobby Manzi also selected Chelsea as a strong outside bet, noting Alonso previously led Bayer Leverkusen to an undefeated invincible league title and that Stamford Bridge benefits from added experience without European fixture congestion.
Top four predictions
Behind the title race, experts predicted a fierce battle to secure Champions League qualification among transitioning heavyweights.
Oliver Holt selected Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea to complete the top four, expecting Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to flourish at Liverpool after disappointing individual seasons.
Ian Herbert backed Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, predicting Roberto De Zerbi’s energy and big spending will turn Spurs into a major story.
Mike Keegan expected Arsenal to remain near the top, while predicting Liverpool will improve under Andoni Iraola, though he noted the jury remains out on Enzo Maresca at Manchester City.
Riath Al-Samarrai picked Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, noting that Liverpool’s progress depends on adapting to Iraola’s style, which typically involves a slow start followed by a rapid finish.
Kieran Gill predicted Chelsea in second, Manchester City in third and Liverpool in fourth, expressing optimism about Xabi Alonso's early impact.
Lewis Steele selected Liverpool in second, warning that squad depth beyond their starting XI remains a concern, while placing Manchester City third after losing Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and John Stones in a single summer.
Matt Barlow tipped Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, expecting Erling Haaland’s goals to keep City inside the top four despite fading post-Guardiola and post-Rodri.
Bobby Manzi chose Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, noting United executed intelligent summer business by signing Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba to construct a balanced midfield under Michael Carrick.
Relegation battle predictions
At the bottom end of the table, experts identified the clubs most at risk of falling into the Championship.
Oliver Holt tipped Newcastle United, Ipswich Town and Hull City for relegation, warning that Newcastle lost former manager Eddie Howe alongside star players Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali amid disconnected Saudi ownership.
Ian Herbert predicted Fulham, Coventry City and Ipswich Town would go down, describing Fulham as a "perfect storm" under inexperienced new manager Alvaro Arbeloa following player departures.
Mike Keegan picked Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Hull City, expressing concern that Sunderland’s European commitments could prove fatal despite overachieving last season.
Riath Al-Samarrai selected Hull, Ipswich and Fulham, highlighting Fulham's loss of a strong manager in Marco Silva and key player Harry Wilson.
Kieran Gill tipped Ipswich, Hull and Sunderland, while suggesting Coventry under Frank Lampard could surprise observers.
Lewis Steele predicted all three promoted sides, Ipswich, Hull and Coventry, will go down, though he noted Sunderland could face second-season syndrome despite additions including Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey.
Matt Barlow backed Ipswich, Hull and Coventry to drop, though he highlighted that established clubs like Newcastle, Fulham and Crystal Palace face radical summer changes.
Bobby Manzi also selected Coventry, Hull and Ipswich, arguing the promoted sides lack the overall quality of the existing top-flight teams.
Potential surprise packages
Panelists selected several clubs poised to exceed expectations during the upcoming campaign.
Oliver Holt named Tottenham Hotspur as the biggest potential overachiever, pointing to manager Roberto De Zerbi and a lack of European distraction.
Ian Herbert selected Everton, praising David Moyes for rescuing the club from annual purgatory and predicting European qualification could follow summer recruitment.
Mike Keegan picked Chelsea, followed by Coventry City to defy odds and stay up, while Riath Al-Samarrai tipped Brentford as a smart club with a clear plan.
Kieran Gill also selected Coventry to achieve a midtable finish, while Lewis Steele suggested Spurs could climb after finishing 17th in consecutive seasons.
Matt Barlow chose Leeds United, pointing to momentum from last season, summer reinforcements and three winnable opening home fixtures at Elland Road.
Bobby Manzi picked Brentford, noting they narrowly missed European football on goal difference under Keith Andrews and added midfielder Mamadou Sangare while mid-table rivals face Thursday night European schedules.
Risk of underachievement
Conversely, several established teams were highlighted as candidates for significant regression.
Oliver Holt selected Manchester City, stating it is always tough when a great manager leaves after a long tenure and calling it a huge test for Enzo Maresca.
Ian Herbert tipped Newcastle United following a "car crash summer" marked by owner disconnection and leadership by a managerial novice.
Mike Keegan identified Manchester United, expressing doubt that their summer additions will deliver another Champions League finish.
Riath Al-Samarrai declared a three-way tie between Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa due to thin or decimated squads.
Kieran Gill expressed concern for Aston Villa after selling Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans.
Lewis Steele agreed Newcastle's bubble has burst after losing Tonali, Guimaraes and Gordon in a single window.
Matt Barlow highlighted Aston Villa’s tough road under Unai Emery with Ezri Konsa leaving, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins unsettled, key staff departing and Champions League fixtures to navigate.
Bobby Manzi predicted a comedown for Bournemouth following a sixth-place finish on 57 points, expecting Thursday-Sunday Europa League fixtures to cause a bottom-half league finish.
Individual star performers
The panel offered varied picks for the award recognizing the Premier League's top individual performer.
Oliver Holt selected Bukayo Saka to rediscover his best form if Arsenal play with freedom, while Ian Herbert backed Declan Rice as Arsenal's orchestrator and architect.
Mike Keegan tipped Cole Palmer, predicting the Chelsea winger will have a barnstorming season after a rare summer off following an injury-stricken campaign.
Riath Al-Samarrai selected Martin Odegaard, noting he looks fit and sharp, while mentioning Rice and Guimaraes as major figures.
Kieran Gill selected Chelsea’s Joao Pedro following strong pre-season performances ahead of a reported contract extension.
Lewis Steele and Matt Barlow both picked Liverpool forward Alexander Isak, expecting him to thrive fully fit under Andoni Iraola’s full-throttle style.
Bobby Manzi backed Erling Haaland, calling him a machine after scoring seven goals in five matches at the World Cup.
Summer transfer window moves
Assessing the transfer window, experts weighed in on the most impressive and questionable deals completed so far.
Oliver Holt praised Chelsea's signing of Jordan Henderson alongside Danny Welbeck to provide experience for Xabi Alonso's squad.
Ian Herbert and Kieran Gill both selected Bruno Guimaraes's £75m move from Newcastle to Arsenal as the top signing, with Herbert noting his salary represents excellent value.
Mike Keegan and Bobby Manzi singled out Youri Tielemans's £35m move to Manchester United from Aston Villa as top value for an elite midfielder in his peak.
Riath Al-Samarrai chose Harry Wilson's free transfer to Leeds United, while Lewis Steele picked Matheus Fernandes while praising Joao Gomes to Villa, Ousmane Diomande to Forest and Antonio Silva to Bournemouth.
Matt Barlow highlighted Maxence Lacroix as a key addition bringing maturity to Chelsea's defense.
Regarding questionable deals, Oliver Holt cautioned against a potential move for Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, while Ian Herbert questioned Manchester United's £50m layout on Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
Mike Keegan expressed concern over whether £40m goalkeeper James Trafford has the physical presence for set pieces, while Riath Al-Samarrai called Sandro Tonali's fee at Tottenham astronomical.
Kieran Gill questioned Aston Villa's deal for Alejandro Garnacho on loan with a conditional obligation to buy after an uneven season in west London.
Lewis Steele questioned Carlos Baleba to Manchester United, Matt Barlow noted Elliot Anderson faces big expectations at City, and Bobby Manzi highlighted Brighton's £50m outlay on teenage defender Luka Vuskovic as a high-risk investment.
Managers facing pressure
The focal point of managerial scrutiny rested on those stepping into high-profile positions across the league.
Enzo Maresca was named by six experts as the manager with the most to prove as he replaces Pep Guardiola at Manchester City following a total £17m hiring deal with Chelsea.
Oliver Holt, Ian Herbert, Riath Al-Samarrai, Kieran Gill, Lewis Steele and Matt Barlow all cited the massive pressure of following Guardiola’s trophy-laden era of 15 major trophies in 10 years and overcoming recent doubts.
Mike Keegan highlighted Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, noting he has a point to prove following his departure from Real Madrid.
Bobby Manzi singled out Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham, noting he faces his first permanent senior management role after an interim spell at Real Madrid with a 64.29 per cent win rate, taking over following Marco Silva's departure.
