10 Outlandish Premier League Predictions for the 2026/27 Season

Last season's Premier League was full of surprises. Who would have predicted Chelsea, fresh off a Club World Cup win, would miss out on European football and go through two managers? Or that Sunderland, promoted via the playoffs, would finish seventh and qualify for the Europa League? Or that Alexander Isak, a record British signing, would only score three Premier League goals in his first season at Liverpool? You get the idea.

Here are our surprising predictions for the 2026/27 campaign:

1. Leeds challenge for a Champions League spot

Daniel Farke's tactical adjustments against Manchester City in November significantly improved Leeds' performance, leading to a much more comfortable Premier League season. They only suffered four league defeats in 2026 and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. The additions of Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic, and James Trafford are expected to further strengthen an already solid squad. With several established contenders likely to start under new management, this presents an opportunity for a memorable season at Elland Road.

2. Matthias Jaissle sacked by Christmas and Newcastle go down

Newcastle has a limited time to acquire quality players before the transfer window closes. If they continue to struggle, highlighted by the rejection from a seemingly average player like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, they face serious danger. The departures of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimaraes have left significant gaps. While their replacements might be talented, they lack Premier League experience. New manager Jaissle faces an immense challenge unless the squad is significantly reinforced.

3. Coventry and Ipswich stay up

Last season, Sunderland and Leeds demonstrated how newly promoted clubs can survive in the top flight. Ipswich has been active in the transfer market and appears to have learned from their previous stint in the top division. They've moved away from signing unproven Championship players and have instead acquired experienced Premier League players like Saka Lukic, Issa Diop, and Florentino Luis. The £24 million signing of Toulouse striker Emersonn further fuels optimism in Suffolk. Coventry, having won the Championship last season, starts from a stronger position and has made a shrewd move by permanently signing goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. The addition of energetic midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi could prove to be a very smart acquisition.

4. Hull win fewer points than Wolves did last season

One might debate whether this is truly a surprising prediction. Hull performed admirably to secure promotion last season, but their summer transfer activity suggests a swift return to the Championship is likely. Players like Matt Target and Jack Butland have not proven effective in their previous Premier League spells, while Konstantinos Tzolakis and Jens-Hjerto-Dahl are largely unknown quantities. Wolves managed to accumulate only 20 points in a dismal 2025/26 season that seemed doomed from the start. Hull could face a similar tale of disappointment.

5. Chelsea fail to make Europe again

While Xabi Alonso has been appointed to turn things around, he faces the immediate challenge of a bloated squad that requires substantial work. Chelsea currently has 41 senior players on its books, with the potential for more arrivals. The signings of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck suggest a concerning level of complacency within a dressing room filled with young players on highly lucrative long-term contracts. The situation appears chaotic, and it may take Alonso a couple of years to steer the club back on course. Whether he will be afforded that time remains a significant question.

6. Viktor Gyokeres beats Erling Haaland to the Golden Boot

Gyokeres managed 14 league goals in his debut season at the Emirates despite appearing short of confidence at times. However, following Arsenal's title success, the Swedish striker is expected to break free from his shackles and shine this year. Haaland enters a Premier League campaign without Pep Guardiola as his manager for the first time. He might also require more time to reach peak form after an extended post-World Cup break. Enzo Maresca's preference for patient build-up play could result in fewer scoring opportunities for Haaland.

7. Pierre Sage is the first Premier League manager to be sacked

Sage achieved remarkable success at Lens last season but will find the Premier League a different challenge. Crystal Palace's consistent inability to retain their key players is bound to have repercussions. Maxence Lacroix is the latest departure from Selhurst Park, leaving a squad that already appears lacking in quality. If majority owner Woody Johnson manages the Eagles similarly to how he manages the New York Jets, a managerial change could happen quickly.

8. Isak scores fewer than 10 Premier League goals

The Swedish international has struggled with fitness since his move to Merseyside. The arrival of new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is unlikely to have been welcomed by him. While Iraola's high-energy, pressing style might have suited Isak at Newcastle, his recent injury record makes him prone to relapses. Expect him to be plagued by minor injuries and struggle for consistency, making it difficult to justify his significant transfer fee to the Liverpool faithful.

9. Benjamin Sesko scores more than 20 Premier League goals

Sesko experienced an inconsistent first year at Manchester United, finishing as joint top-scorer with 11 league goals. The Slovenian is expected to become the undisputed first-choice striker and replicate his prolific scoring record from RB Leipzig and Salzburg. With the creative prowess of Bruno Fernandes operating behind him, this season presents a significant opportunity for Sesko to justify his substantial transfer fee.

10. Enzo Fernandez receives four or more red cards

The combative Argentine midfielder is reportedly seeking a move away from Chelsea, but with no current takers, he will be forced to stay. His disruptive behaviour during the World Cup, including being a key agitator in Argentina's semi-final win against England and receiving a red card in the final defeat to Spain, means he will be closely monitored in the Premier League. His frustration over a stalled transfer and the focus of fan criticism are likely to lead to an ill-disciplined season.

English Translation:

Here are our surprising predictions for the 2026/27 campaign:

1. Leeds challenge for a Champions League spot

Daniel Farke's well-documented tactical tweak at Manchester City in November transformed Leeds' fortunes, and the West Yorkshiremen looked very comfortable in the Premier League thereafter. They suffered just four league defeats in 2026 and also reached the FA Cup semi-finals. The signings of Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic, and James Trafford will further improve a good squad, and with so many of the established challengers starting afresh under new managers, this opens the door for a memorable season at Elland Road.

2. Matthias Jaissle sacked by Christmas and Newcastle go down

Newcastle have a fortnight to sign some quality before the transfer window closes. If they continue to muddle along – being rejected by a player as distinctly average as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a major red flag – then they are in serious danger. The departures of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimaraes leave a gaping hole, and while the replacements may be talented, they have no experience of the rigours of the Premier League. New boss Jaissle has an almost impossible job unless his squad is bolstered.

3. Coventry and Ipswich stay up

Sunderland and Leeds provided the blueprint last season on how to survive as a newly promoted club. Ipswich have been active in the transfer market and appear to have learned the lessons from their last top-flight stint. Gone are the punts on good Championship players, and instead, they have signed the likes of Saka Lukic, Issa Diop, and Florentino Luis, all of whom have top-flight experience. Chuck in the £24m signing of Toulouse striker Emersonn, and you can see why optimism is high in Suffolk. Coventry start from a stronger base having won the Championship last season, and they have done well to re-sign goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on a permanent basis. Energetic midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi could prove a very shrewd acquisition.

4. Hull win fewer points than Wolves did last season

You can debate whether this is actually a surprising prediction. Hull did wonderfully well to clinch promotion last season, but their summer business merely lends weight to the expectation they will make a swift return. The likes of Matt Target and Jack Butland weren’t good enough on their last stints in the Premier League, while Konstantinos Tzolakis and Jens-Hjerto-Dahl are unknown quantities. Wolves claimed 20 points in a miserable 2025/26 season that seemed doomed from the outset. This could be a similar tale of woe.

5. Chelsea fail to make Europe again

Xabi Alonso has been brought in to right the wrongs of last season, but he first has to contend with a hugely bloated squad that needs serious work. The Blues have 41 senior players on their books with the possibility of more arriving. The signings of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck also point to an alarmingly complacent atmosphere in a dressing room populated by young players on hugely lucrative long-term contracts. It appears a mess, and it may take Alonso a couple of years to get them back on the right track. Whether he’s afforded that amount of time is another question altogether.

6. Viktor Gyokeres beats Erling Haaland to the Golden Boot

Gyokeres scored 14 league goals in his first season at the Emirates despite regularly looking short of confidence. But, following Arsenal’s title success, the Swede can break free of the shackles and sparkle this year. Haaland comes into a Premier League campaign without Pep Guardiola as boss for the first time. He may also need a little longer to get up to speed after a lengthy post-World Cup break. Enzo Maresca is renown for his patient build-up, which may mean fewer chances for Haaland to put away.

7. Pierre Sage is the first Premier League manager to be sacked

Sage worked wonders at Lens last season but will find the Premier League a different beast. At some point, Palace’s inability to keep hold of their best players will come back to bite. Maxence Lacroix is the latest man to leave Selhurst Park, leaving a squad that already appears short of quality. If majority owner Woody Johnson runs the Eagles like he does the New York Jets, then it won’t take long for a change to be made.

8. Isak scores fewer than 10 Premier League goals

The Sweden international has struggled for fitness since moving to Merseyside. And it is unlikely he would have welcomed the arrival of new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola. Iraola’s high-energy, high-press game may have suited Isak at Newcastle, but his recent injury problems mean he is susceptible to a relapse. Expect plenty of niggles and little rhythm for a player who needs to convince Reds fans he is worth the huge outlay.

9. Benjamin Sesko scores more than 20 Premier League goals

Sesko flitted in and out during his first year at Manchester United but still finished the season as joint top-scorer with 11 league goals. The Slovenian should assume the mantle of first-choice number nine and repeat his prolific numbers at both RB Leipzig and Salzburg. With creative genius Bruno Fernandes operating behind him, this should be a big year for Sesko as he looks to justify his hefty price tag.

10. Enzo Fernandez receives four or more red cards

The combative Argentina midfielder reportedly wants out of Chelsea but with no takers at present, he will be forced to stay. His antics during the World Cup, when he was a key antagoniser in Argentina’s last-four win over England before being dismissed in the final defeat to Spain, will mean he is a marked man when the Premier League resumes. His frustration at not getting a move, and being the focus of fans’ fury, will manifest itself in an ill-disciplined campaign.