How would your team fare on the opening day of the new Premier League season? What are your predictions?
The Premier League resumes on Friday 21st August, and for the top teams, the opening game is an early indicator of how the season could pan out.
This may be a stretch, but losing your opening game could send the wrong signals to a large section of the fanbase. For managers of the top 6 Premier League clubs, you want to avoid upsetting the fanbase on the first day.
The Premier League will be as competitive as ever in the 2026/27 season and on its opening day, here is how we think the top Premier League teams would perform.
Arsenal vs Coventry City
Defending champions Arsenal kick off the Premier League on Friday when they host newly promoted Coventry City.
Mikel Arteta’s men have already shown that they are more than ready to defend the Premier League title after dispatching Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield.
Lampard’s Coventry will put up a good fight given the fact that they were excellent last season, but this is the Premier League. The stakes and intensity are higher. Arsenal will get all three points on opening day.
Bring it on! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZwZgTiOesc
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 18, 2026
Hull City vs Manchester United
Manchester United will also play a promoted side on the opening day. The Red Devils will travel to the MKM Stadium as Carrick looks to begin a new chapter at United, this time as head coach.
Manchester United played better under Carrick last season compared to 2024/25, when they almost entered the relegation battle. Carrick has transformed things at Manchester United, and the question is whether he can do it again.
The prediction for this game is that Carrick engineers Manchester United to take all three points, without any surprises.
Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur finished 17th back-to-back times in the Premier League. The club has been in the trenches for the past two seasons, and at the tail end of last season, De Zerbi pulled off a miracle to ensure the club doesn’t get relegated.
Brentford, on the other hand, nearly held onto a European spot and, given their fine form last season, expectations for this season will be high.
Tottenham have spent this window massively to bring in players to make sure they don’t repeat the mistakes of the last two seasons, and all eyes will be on them this season, especially on opening day.
A win against Brentford will be a good sign for fans who still undoubtedly back the club. However, Brentford won’t make it easy, and my prediction is that Tottenham end opening day with a draw.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
City’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal has been the talk of the town, and Maresca has surely had an earful over his team’s performance.
A first piece of silverware for @Arsenal this season! 🔴
The Gunners defeat Man City 3-0 to win the Community Shield 🏆 pic.twitter.com/nCcYhma2TV
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 16, 2026
It wasn’t the Manchester City we were used to, and it is expected that the team has a new look and philosophy this season given that Pep is no longer at the helm. As City fight to take back the Premier League crown, it is quite ironic that they begin where their hopes crashed last season: against Bournemouth.
City would’ve taken the title race to the final day if they hadn’t lost to Bournemouth. Starting the season against a team that has been a thorn in their side won’t be an easy task for Enzo Maresca’s team.
Yes, Bournemouth have a new coach, but it’s still the same players, and if Manchester City aren’t careful, they could lose their opening game.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool
This game feels very open to the neutral fan. Both teams have lost key players and sacked their managers. Their pre-season games have left a lot of talking points, and it seems like the 2026/27 season is going to be a journey of discovery for both teams.
For this fixture, Liverpool have the upper hand. They have played more pre-season games, new players have played a lot longer with the existing ones, and Iraola is no rookie to the dictates of the Premier League.
Again, it still feels like an open game with a lot of goals, but Liverpool should win this one.
Fulham vs Chelsea
What a way to begin your tenure as a Premier League manager. A derby against your most stubborn rivals. Xabi Alonso has his work cut out for him, but he’s not the only one with homework to do.
Fulham also have a new manager in Arbeloa, which means that two former Real Madrid managers will be at loggerheads on the opening weekend of the Premier League. This is already quite the story.
Xabi Alonso has the better crop of players, and the pressure will be on him to deliver from the get-go. Chelsea’s pre-season games have shown that the new season is going to be an exciting one, but there are fears that his system could be exposed by Premier League sides.
Fulham is the perfect testing ground for him. The result? Chelsea could narrowly take all three points.
