The English Premier League 2026/27 campaign begins tomorrow night, and it's kicking off at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will be opening the new season there on Friday 21 August at 8:00 pm BST against Coventry City. It is the end of a long, unusual pre-season, marked by a new manager at Manchester City (and Liverpool & Chelsea) and major transfer activity all round the league. Here's our final Matchweek 1 preview and predictions before a ball is even kicked.
Heading into Matchweek 1
Arsenal go in as defending champions. They open at home against newly promoted opposition for the season opener - a good start on paper - and will be looking to become the first club in a long time to win back-to-back Premier League titles under Mikel Arteta's wing.
Three clubs start the season with new managers. Since the end of last season, Manchester City (Enzo Maresca), Liverpool (Andoni Iraola) and Chelsea (Xabi Alonso) have all appointed new managers. There is real doubt, however, in all three opening games as none of the new head coaches has been able to lead a competitive Premier League side.
It is Newcastle vs Liverpool on Sunday. Iraola's first competitive game as Liverpool manager is at Newcastle – where no new manager has ever had an easy start.
Three promoted clubs make their return. After 25 years apart, Coventry City have returned, too, as well as two other promoted teams all looking to just get through their first season in the top flight.
Storylines worth following from day one
When starting a season like this, it is not just the results that are important, but also some of the larger questions that will drive this weekend, and ultimately the season. How fast can Maresca, Iraola and Alonso get to their new squads with their ideas? Will Coventry's well drilled defence that won the Championship so handsomely be able to go up a level in the Premier League? But will Arsenal be able to deal with the pressure of being the team all the others are trying to catch?
Of these questions, none can be fully answered in one weekend, but our predictions and the early data can provide some clues.
Conclusion
After the first weekend, Matchweek 2 is almost on the horizon and the Champions League league phase draw is to follow later in the month. But now it's all about Friday night, the Emirates Stadium, and our predictions for how it all begins.