⚽ Premier League 2026/2027 Discussion Thread ⚽

[DYOR+BTC]

I'm not sure I agree on Man City here. They are definitely weaker now that the last season and still going through major changes. So doubt they could be serious competition to Arsenal.

Though they won their matches and currently lead, I don't believe they will stay in the championship race for too long.

But Arsenal aren't the same team this year as they were last season, either. I remember that in the first third of last season, Arsenal's defense was incredible and they hardly conceded any goals, one clean sheet followed another, and now they have conceded 3 in one game. Bookmakers have already significantly changed their opinion on the title race:

Arsenal - 2.05

City - 2.40

I am certain that if the points gap remains unchanged over just two or three rounds, City's chances will be significantly reassessed upwards.

This high defensive efficiency last season only happened because teams did not understand their tactics then but now it will be very difficult because most teams have found possible means of penetrating there defense this season. It will be a difficult season for arsenal because their weakness have been understood especially that of the defense that made them one of the best team last season.  From now hence forth, we should be ready to see the downfall of arsenal because all teams will start penetrating their defense more then how it was last season.

[Cyber_warrior]

I'm not sure I agree on Man City here. They are definitely weaker now that the last season and still going through major changes. So doubt they could be serious competition to Arsenal.

Though they won their matches and currently lead, I don't believe they will stay in the championship race for too long.

If current Man City is weak then I wonder how a strong Man City side will look like. City is yet to lose a game after week five and they have  scored 13 goals and conceded just 5 goals. Gunners also had a good start of the season but the way they lost game against Brighton have raised concerns that whether they will be able to defend their title this time or not. Still a long way to go and both clubs need to work hard to take an early lead which will help them in winning the title.   

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team, even if nothing have improved, I believe defensively they have improved than last season. A lot of things still need to be worked on but so far Manchester city should be considered a serious team, and if they win the premier league this season I won’t even be surprised at all.

Maresca is a good coach, he have gained a premier league experience with Chelsea, so he knows how to win matches in the league now. Their reinforcements in that midfield after they lost Rodri is top notch, the 3 players they signed are really good, I believe they have a team that can win the premier league.

[Solodoski]

The reason is simply that with the absent of pep in Manchester city, there is a degree of doubt that fans has towards Enzo maresca and quite a lot of fans don't think him capable of doing what Pep did while at Manchester city or that is is capable of being a worthy opposition to Arsenal. The 3:0 defeat that arsenal suffered came as a surprise to most persons and we can not conclude that city are now in better shape compared to arsenal. At least, it is getting clear that winning the league is not guaranteed for anyone and that anyone that will eventually get there will show an high level of consistency in her wins. Arsenal being the defending champions cant afford to continue dropping any further point.

Arsenal lose to Brighton definitely came as a shock to a lot of football fans, because they all see Arsenal as the favorite for the title, especially after Pep Guardiola left Manchester City. I still see them as the favorite despite losing to Brighton,  so I don't think the loss changes anything in my opinion.  Manchester City have also been good this season, but a lot of football fans still have doubts about Maresca's ability to guide them to the title.  I think he is a good manager with potentials, but he can never be Pep and I also don't think he can achieve as much as Pep with this Manchester City team, although I also believe they are the closest contender to Arsenal.

[Jewan420]

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team, even if nothing have improved, I believe defensively they have improved than last season. A lot of things still need to be worked on but so far Manchester city should be considered a serious team, and if they win the premier league this season I won’t even be surprised at all.

Maresca is a good coach, he have gained a premier league experience with Chelsea, so he knows how to win matches in the league now. Their reinforcements in that midfield after they lost Rodri is top notch, the 3 players they signed are really good, I believe they have a team that can win the premier league.

The reason why Manchester City are underrated this season is because of the coach and player changes. We cannot judge a team or manager based on the performance of just a few matches. A manager's true effectiveness is felt in the middle of the season when the main squad has to be rested due to injuries or player fatigue. How he maintains the continuity of the team in such critical moments is his effectiveness. We can judge him based on how effective he is during these times. Manchester City are still getting a chance to play with the starting XI, so they should not be looked at too highly right now.

[Stormisover]

I'm not sure I agree on Man City here. They are definitely weaker now that the last season and still going through major changes. So doubt they could be serious competition to Arsenal.

Though they won their matches and currently lead, I don't believe they will stay in the championship race for too long.

But Arsenal aren't the same team this year as they were last season, either. I remember that in the first third of last season, Arsenal's defense was incredible and they hardly conceded any goals, one clean sheet followed another, and now they have conceded 3 in one game. Bookmakers have already significantly changed their opinion on the title race:

Arsenal - 2.05

City - 2.40

I am certain that if the points gap remains unchanged over just two or three rounds, City's chances will be significantly reassessed upwards.

This high defensive efficiency last season only happened because teams did not understand their tactics then but now it will be very difficult because most teams have found possible means of penetrating there defense this season. It will be a difficult season for arsenal because their weakness have been understood especially that of the defense that made them one of the best team last season.  From now hence forth, we should be ready to see the downfall of arsenal because all teams will start penetrating their defense more then how it was last season.

That will really be a problem to them, because they have noticed their weak poin, the high defensive game play and the set piece tactics, if you observe you will get to understand that, the set piece pattern is not really working this season, because no team want to give them that room this time, so if Mikel Arteta wants to keep to this glory he should think of another tactics to add to the one at han, else he's definitely gonna have some big problem with the teams that has studied his last season tactics.

[Floczy]

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team,

Same thing man..

At this point they aren't looking down at the team they are just hating, because tell me how a team with one man down on red card, not just any man one of their major players gone, and they still manage to win a team that finish top 5 last season, and still yet someone will one say this..

and Manchester City staying on top of the league table looks to be temporary, their performance is not yet able to hold them all along the season without dropping important points, not enough to consider them the best candidate in the competition.

I don't know man, but some fans really have to stop being sentimental.

[Umulala-alala]

I'm not sure I agree on Man City here. They are definitely weaker now that the last season and still going through major changes. So doubt they could be serious competition to Arsenal.

Though they won their matches and currently lead, I don't believe they will stay in the championship race for too long.

If current Man City is weak then I wonder how a strong Man City side will look like. City is yet to lose a game after week five and they have  scored 13 goals and conceded just 5 goals. Gunners also had a good start of the season but the way they lost game against Brighton have raised concerns that whether they will be able to defend their title this time or not. Still a long way to go and both clubs need to work hard to take an early lead which will help them in winning the title.  

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team, even if nothing have improved, I believe defensively they have improved than last season. A lot of things still need to be worked on but so far Manchester city should be considered a serious team, and if they win the premier league this season I won’t even be surprised at all.

Maresca is a good coach, he have gained a premier league experience with Chelsea, so he knows how to win matches in the league now. Their reinforcements in that midfield after they lost Rodri is top notch, the 3 players they signed are really good, I believe they have a team that can win the premier league.

Man city is still the best club in the English premier league as it stand they are currently playing unbeaten and this prove that they aren't doing bad. Anybody looking down on them is just underestimating Man city, Arsenal that we thought will be playing undefeated recently lost to Brighton 3-0. Man city is still what they are despite that pep guardiola is no longer in the team but they still play like team that is been coach by Pep Guardiola.

I think can continue this wonderful display for a long time i don't also think they will be losing match soon and from the display of other clubs in the premier league Man city may likely win the title.

[Jaycoinz]

The reason is simply that with the absent of pep in Manchester city, there is a degree of doubt that fans has towards Enzo maresca and quite a lot of fans don't think him capable of doing what Pep did while at Manchester city or that is is capable of being a worthy opposition to Arsenal. The 3:0 defeat that arsenal suffered came as a surprise to most persons and we can not conclude that city are now in better shape compared to arsenal. At least, it is getting clear that winning the league is not guaranteed for anyone and that anyone that will eventually get there will show an high level of consistency in her wins. Arsenal being the defending champions cant afford to continue dropping any further point.

Arsenal lose to Brighton definitely came as a shock to a lot of football fans, because they all see Arsenal as the favorite for the title, especially after Pep Guardiola left Manchester City. I still see them as the favorite despite losing to Brighton,  so I don't think the loss changes anything in my opinion.  Manchester City have also been good this season, but a lot of football fans still have doubts about Maresca's ability to guide them to the title.  I think he is a good manager with potentials, but he can never be Pep and I also don't think he can achieve as much as Pep with this Manchester City team, although I also believe they are the closest contender to Arsenal.

But looking at the numbers and the stats so far, I think he is doing pretty well and I won't be surprised that he takes Manchester city to getting the trophy 🏆 but it won't be an easy task because Arsenal so far, are the favourite in winning the premier league title even if they have lost a game against to Brighton, it doesn't mean they are going to fall out of the premier league title because so far they are still the best in the league even in their defensive play..

[Oluwa-btc]

Manchester United fans are currently fuming for the past four days online and offline. There's a massive boycotting going on effectively with the speed of light. Fans are disappointed with the glazers and the same time ineos who they thought bought the footballing aspect of the club to make things right and correctly. TV subscription, shopping online, cancellation of season long tickets and many more are going down as we speak. It feels good to see the Manchester United fans United on on objectives and it is that, both the glazers and ineos will have to sit up or improve to win the Premier League Competition 

[Sammysmart001]

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team, even if nothing have improved, I believe defensively they have improved than last season. A lot of things still need to be worked on but so far Manchester city should be considered a serious team, and if they win the premier league this season I won’t even be surprised at all.

Maresca is a good coach, he have gained a premier league experience with Chelsea, so he knows how to win matches in the league now. Their reinforcements in that midfield after they lost Rodri is top notch, the 3 players they signed are really good, I believe they have a team that can win the premier league.

Manchester City shouldn’t be judge only by their charges made in the team, familiarity among themself is very important. New players need to understand themselves and it mangers system.
The most interesting part I found is how the midfield changes can affect the whole team, as season goes on Manchester City can become more balance if new players become more comfortable with their roles. When they face tougher games, having to keep up with same level it an important thing now.

[HyperCodexV]

Manchester United fans are currently fuming for the past four days online and offline. There's a massive boycotting going on effectively with the speed of light. Fans are disappointed with the glazers and the same time ineos who they thought bought the footballing aspect of the club to make things right and correctly. TV subscription, shopping online, cancellation of season long tickets and many more are going down as we speak. It feels good to see the Manchester United fans United on on objectives and it is that, both the glazers and ineos will have to sit up or improve to win the Premier League Competition 

The fans should blame the players, they are targeting the wrong people because the lazy and overpaid players on the pitch every weekend are the ones who deserve to be boycotted. The management can spend all the millions in the world during transfer windows but if the star players refuse to commit 100 percent on the pitch, the club will just continue to fail. So, sucking the club's finances dry by boycotting tickets will only make things much harder for the management to get better players next summer. If the fans want to see real and fast change, then they should start booing those uninspired players whenever they step onto the pitch.

[B-BossMan]

I'm not sure I agree on Man City here. They are definitely weaker now that the last season and still going through major changes. So doubt they could be serious competition to Arsenal.

Though they won their matches and currently lead, I don't believe they will stay in the championship race for too long.

If current Man City is weak then I wonder how a strong Man City side will look like. City is yet to lose a game after week five and they have  scored 13 goals and conceded just 5 goals. Gunners also had a good start of the season but the way they lost game against Brighton have raised concerns that whether they will be able to defend their title this time or not. Still a long way to go and both clubs need to work hard to take an early lead which will help them in winning the title.   

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team, even if nothing have improved, I believe defensively they have improved than last season. A lot of things still need to be worked on but so far Manchester city should be considered a serious team, and if they win the premier league this season I won’t even be surprised at all.

Maresca is a good coach, he have gained a premier league experience with Chelsea, so he knows how to win matches in the league now. Their reinforcements in that midfield after they lost Rodri is top notch, the 3 players they signed are really good, I believe they have a team that can win the premier league.

We can't actually judge the Manchester City by thier own performances our how dominant they were, particularly this season. I believe most of the clubs went though some little challenges and make changes, but what truly matters the most is, either the Guardiola can get new some new players settled  and make thier Midfielders works themselves, without relaying on a single player to take control of everything on every match, if we could also remember, yhe Chelsea's actually suffered some little challenges under the Maresca, exepecially when meeting with bigger teams, but if at all there's consistency it will be more better, though the premier leagu requires much competitives to prove anything, well I still like the facts that the table may experience huge challenges  after next 2 or 3 matches

[JiiBs]

The reason why Manchester City are underrated this season is because of the coach and player changes. We cannot judge a team or manager based on the performance of just a few matches. A manager's true effectiveness is felt in the middle of the season when the main squad has to be rested due to injuries or player fatigue. How he maintains the continuity of the team in such critical moments is his effectiveness. We can judge him based on how effective he is during these times. Manchester City are still getting a chance to play with the starting XI, so they should not be looked at too highly right now.

I don’t think people actually do underrate this Manchester City this season. We might not hold them to same standards and rightly so due to the change in manager. We all know how Pep can be so demanding and influential on his team, same can’t be said for Enzo Maresca so, it’s easier to expect whom has managed Chelsea and did nothing with the team, along with the fact that the change in management would need some getting used to.
Even then, Manchester City is arguably the second most performing team in the league this season thus far, might be topping the table but, I’m not sure I would rate them above Arsenal for now.

[Zoomic]

Manchester United fans are currently fuming for the past four days online and offline. There's a massive boycotting going on effectively with the speed of light. Fans are disappointed with the glazers and the same time ineos who they thought bought the footballing aspect of the club to make things right and correctly. TV subscription, shopping online, cancellation of season long tickets and many more are going down as we speak. It feels good to see the Manchester United fans United on on objectives and it is that, both the glazers and ineos will have to sit up or improve to win the Premier League Competition  

The club fans are obviously frustrated and if you consider what they've been going through all these years, you'll agree with me that their frustrations are very much valid.

The club management has largely contributed to the club's poor results over the last one decade. You don't expect these fans who were once used to enjoying exciting football and winning trophies to accept what's currently happening at the club.

If boycotting will help the club management sit up or allow a change in management, then I think it'll be a good one for them.

[Richbased]

This high defensive efficiency last season only happened because teams did not understand their tactics then but now it will be very difficult because most teams have found possible means of penetrating there defense this season. It will be a difficult season for arsenal because their weakness have been understood especially that of the defense that made them one of the best team last season.  From now hence forth, we should be ready to see the downfall of arsenal because all teams will start penetrating their defense more then how it was last season.

Arsenal's defense was very solid last season but it didn't mean that they never lost any match, they lost some matches and it is normal to lose a match regardless of how effective your defense is. Arsenal only lost one match this season, it's not a big deal to them because they know when they meet at the Emirates Stadium they will retaliate this defeat. Arsenal still has a very strong defensive mechanism, we should understand that the team they lost to is also a very difficult team in the EPL. They also have advantage over Arsenal since they played from their own home. Arsenal is not going to experience any downfall as you wish for them so stop dreaming about that.

There are still many matches to play, and Arsenal has been in a winning streak before they reached their Waterloo against Brighton. I even see it that Arsenal will come back stronger  because they were humiliated by Brighton. Arsenal's next opponent should be prepared because Arsenal is going to unleash their anger on the next opponent.

[len01]

-snip

I’m sure the BTTS market had such high odds because bookmakers were banking on Arsenal’s defensive reliability rather than Brighton’s performance in that regard.

As far as I remember, the BTTS (no) odds were around 1.47, which was actually a sign from the bookmaker. I also believe the bookmaker was more confident that Arsenal would keep a clean sheet, but I chose BTTS (yes) because Arsenal had a consistent attack, and I also thought Brighton would score at least one goal at home. But it turned out that both the bookmaker and I were fooled by the performances of Arsenal and Brighton.

[KTChampions]

I’m sure the BTTS market had such high odds because bookmakers were banking on Arsenal’s defensive reliability rather than Brighton’s performance in that regard.

As far as I remember, the BTTS (no) odds were around 1.47, which was actually a sign from the bookmaker. I also believe the bookmaker was more confident that Arsenal would keep a clean sheet, but I chose BTTS (yes) because Arsenal had a consistent attack, and I also thought Brighton would score at least one goal at home. But it turned out that both the bookmaker and I were fooled by the performances of Arsenal and Brighton.

Judging by your screenshot, where BTTS is priced at 2.05, we can assume that BTTS No was around 1.80. But even these odds are unusual, since the BTTS Yes option is typically the favorite - sometimes with laughably low odds around 1.40 - 1.50 or even lower, making them hardly worth betting on.
By the way i looked at the Brighton manager's reasoning, he's some kind of demon, I'm not surprised that they play so well, but he has a tough approach and it won't work at any top club, the players will quickly get rid of him. All in all, knowing what I know now, I would place that BTTS Yes bet at odds of 2.05 every single day without hesitation.

[Berry2d]

-snip

I’m sure the BTTS market had such high odds because bookmakers were banking on Arsenal’s defensive reliability rather than Brighton’s performance in that regard.

As far as I remember, the BTTS (no) odds were around 1.47, which was actually a sign from the bookmaker. I also believe the bookmaker was more confident that Arsenal would keep a clean sheet, but I chose BTTS (yes) because Arsenal had a consistent attack, and I also thought Brighton would score at least one goal at home. But it turned out that both the bookmaker and I were fooled by the performances of Arsenal and Brighton.

The same way you where fooled was i also fooled on that game, at first it looked promising with the possibility of success but turned in an opposite direction when Brighton did the unexpected by leading in three different occasions without a single reply from arsenal.
To start with i won't stop by commenting Brighton's performance on that game,  although they made me lose money but what they did at last did surprised all especially me that was waiting for it to turn both teams to score so I can go home with the reward for the passion I have for football (win). With that result and others I have seen,  I am convinced that prediction can not be accurate if we follow the conclusions of bookmakers.

[KTChampions]

But Arsenal aren't the same team this year as they were last season, either. I remember that in the first third of last season, Arsenal's defense was incredible and they hardly conceded any goals, one clean sheet followed another, and now they have conceded 3 in one game. Bookmakers have already significantly changed their opinion on the title race:

Arsenal - 2.05

City - 2.40

I am certain that if the points gap remains unchanged over just two or three rounds, City's chances will be significantly reassessed upwards.

This high defensive efficiency last season only happened because teams did not understand their tactics then but now it will be very difficult because most teams have found possible means of penetrating there defense this season. It will be a difficult season for arsenal because their weakness have been understood especially that of the defense that made them one of the best team last season.  From now hence forth, we should be ready to see the downfall of arsenal because all teams will start penetrating their defense more then how it was last season.

So, how exactly can opponents break down Arsenal's defense? Personally, I haven't seen any difference compared to last season so far: Arsenal plays a possession-based game, so the underdog easily cedes possession and sits deep, closing down spaces and hoping for counter-attacks. A very effective tactic against a favorite that is obliged to secure three points and for whom a draw is not an acceptable outcome. Brighton turned out to be a slightly different story, but this club is dangerous for any favorite, and they often spoil things for them.

[Plutomanian]

I still don’t get why a lot of people still look down at this Manchester city team, even if nothing have improved, I believe defensively they have improved than last season. A lot of things still need to be worked on but so far Manchester city should be considered a serious team, and if they win the premier league this season I won’t even be surprised at all.

Maresca is a good coach, he have gained a premier league experience with Chelsea, so he knows how to win matches in the league now. Their reinforcements in that midfield after they lost Rodri is top notch, the 3 players they signed are really good, I believe they have a team that can win the premier league.

Why is Enzo Maresca underestimate at the Etihad stadium? He's one of the favorite manager to lead Manchester City to glory days as of Pep Guardiola. He already send bold statement to oppositions and Manchester City is yet to lose any game this season, they're thrashing any team that come their path, this is what Manchester City do, winning games as if they're playing friendlies. Pep Guardiola left a hugh void in the club when he decided to step down and Enzo Maresca filling in those shoes, everyone thought he's incapable but it seems they've let his past cloud their judgement.