Jamie Carragher instantly rules two Premier League teams out of the title race

Former Liverpool centre-back-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher has made an early call on who he thinks will win the 2026/27 Premier League.

Arsenal will begin the 2026/27 campaign as champions for the first time since 2004/05 and will be hoping to retain their title as well as capture silverware elsewhere, having lost on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final last term.

The Gunners are among the five Premier League sides set to feature in the Champions League, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa also taking part in Europe’s elite club competition next season.

Crystal Palace will participate in the Europa League having qualified after winning last season’s Conference League, with Bournemouth and Sunderland also in the second-tier UEFA competition.

Brighton will represent the Premier League in the Conference League.

Nine Premier League clubs will start the season with new managers, with Liverpool, City, Newcastle and Chelsea among the sides with new bosses.

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Xabi Alonso has taken up the manager’s role at Chelsea, Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot at Anfield, and Matthias Jaissle has succeeded Eddie Howe at St James’ Park, while Enzo Maresca has the tough task of taking over the reins at the Etihad following Pep Guardiola’s exit.

Jamie Carragher makes early Premier League prediction

However, Carragher believes the Italian will win the league in his first season in charge of City, citing the fact the side were still close last season, finishing second despite not being anywhere near their best.

Speaking on the Football Ramble podcast earlier this week, Carragher said: “I think City [will win the league]. The reason I think City is that I think they were still close last year. I know Pep’s gone, I get that.

“When you’ve had the same manager for ten years, the flip side of what people will say is that it’s hard to come after him.

“Just something a little bit new, a little bit fresh. I think if Rodri left for Real Madrid then I wouldn’t be saying that but in terms of where they are right now…

“If you’re City, what’s the point in selling Rodri? What’s the point? Just get another year out of him and let him go for free. He’s the best in his position. What’s £40m for City?”

The Liverpudlian then detailed how he thinks both Liverpool and Manchester United will miss out on the ultimate prize, claiming Iraola’s side are not equipped to win the title right now.

“Who knows what’s going to happen over the next month but I don’t think they’re close to that,” he said of Liverpool’s title chances.

Offering his thoughts on United, he added: “Manchester United won’t win the league.

“The thing I’ve probably liked about United this summer is it has felt like, for years, they’re obsessed with this big name. And I worry a little bit about my own club, Liverpool, with that, with what we did last summer.

“But what I would say about Manchester United is it doesn’t feel like they’re on this mission to go and get this big name.

“Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans… sort of what you might think are clever [signings], people not expecting that, something a bit different.

“It’s not about the name, it’s about what is right for the team and the club, and it feels like United are going down that road, which is probably healthy for them because it just felt like it was about spending, getting the name and keeping the fans happy without any idea of how it was going to work.”

Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign away at Newcastle on August 23 with United taking on Hull away from home on the same day.