REUTERS/Molly Darlington
Peter Crouch has revealed his top four prediction for the 2026-27 Premier League season - and has made a big call with his former club, Liverpool.
The new Premier League campaign gets underway on Friday, August 21. Frank Lampard’s newly-promoted Coventry City, back in the top-flight for the first time since 2001, take on champions Arsenal in the opening game of the new season.
The Gunners have strengthened this summer with the £75 million arrival of Newcastle United and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. While Mikel Arteta’s side boast one of the strongest squads on paper, winning back-to-back Premier League titles isn’t straightforward and they’ll face stiff competition from the usual suspects.
Manchester City are beginning the post-Pep Guardiola era under former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. They’ve lost long-serving stalwarts Bernardo Silva and John Stones, but have bolstered their starting XI with club-record signing Elliot Anderson, who arrived in a £116 million move from Nottingham Forest in July.
Manchester United finished third last season after Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. The Red Devils have signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa so far this summer.
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Aston Villa finished fourth and will be looking to challenge for a similar position this term, while Liverpool (fifth in 2025-26) are starting a new chapter under ex-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola after Arne Slot left Anfield in May.
Far more will be expected from Chelsea (10th last season) and Tottenham, who survived relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth. Can either of the London clubs seriously challenge the top four this term?
Peter Crouch's Top Four Prediction
Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch
Former Premier League star Crouch has predicted what the top four will look like come the end of the season. He’s backing Arsenal to successfully defend their title and believes his old club Liverpool will finish outside the top four spots for the second year running. The Liverpool cult hero said on That Peter Crouch Podcast:
On Liverpool, Crouch said: “I think the manager’s great but losing the players they’ve lost in the past couple of seasons has hurt them. Have they been replaced? I’m not so sure. I don’t think they can win the league this year.”
But under Iraola, Crouch predicted: “A couple of windows and they’ll be challenging again.”
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On Arsenal, the former England striker added: “Interesting season, this one. I think Arsenal are the best team in the league.”
Crouch’s podcast co-host Chris Stark shocked the former professional footballer-turned-pundit by claiming Manchester United will finish the season as champions.
“To win the league?” Crouch asked. “Listen, I don’t want them to win the league, but I think they have improved. Is it different now Michael Carrick has got the job full-time?”
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2026-27 Premier League Top Four Predictions
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Arsenal and Manchester City officially get the 2026-27 campaign underway at Wembley on Sunday, August 16, when they go head-to-head for the Community Shield in the annual curtain-raiser.