Premier League 2026/27 Winner without Arsenal and Manchester City odds: Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea prospects assessed
James Hilsum
The first round of Premier League fixtures after this latest extended international break has taken place, and given us a better idea of who could be battling it out at the top end of the table.
Arsenal and Manchester City - putting any potential punishment for breaching financial rules aside - are the two favourites to win the title this season.
The Gunners can be backed at 1/2 to retain the trophy for the first time in their history, while Man City are at a slighter longer 7/2.
But this market discounts last season’s top two, as we delve into who could finish highest in the table when taking Arsenal and Man City out of the equation.
Chelsea
Chelsea top this market after a reasonable start to the season under Xabi Alonso.
The Blues currently sit sixth in the table with 10 points after most recently thrashing Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge.
It ended a run of three games without a win for the west Londoners, as Jordan Henderson scored his first two goals for the club in the rout.
A title push may be somewhat optimistic this season, but a Blues side boasting an attacking line-up including the likes of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Estevao, should be confident of making a strong challenge for UEFA Champions League qualification.
What may also help their cause is the lack of fixture congestion after failing to secure European football last season.
And with approximately £350 million spent on new players in the summer, Chelsea will be confident of having a much-improved campaign in 2026/27.
With that in mind, these odds look quite short for good reason.
Chelsea - Winner without Arsenal and Man City odds @5/4
Liverpool
Andoni Iraola's start to life in the dugout at Anfield has been somewhat underwhelming, with their frustrations compounded by a 3-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday.
The Reds' modest haul of nine points from six games currently leaves them ninth in the table, and behind both Leeds United and Hull City.
Iraola has hardly been helped by a lengthening injury list, which was recently added to by the absences of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo for their Champions League game against LASK.
Another potential banana skin away at Brentford in the Premier League follows on Saturday, but if the Reds click once their big hitters return, then they will be confident of at least improving on last season's fifth-place finish.
At these odds, Liverpool are reasonably priced in this market.
Liverpool - Winner without Arsenal and Man City odds @2/1
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion have mostly swept all before them this season after a fine start to the campaign which leaves Fabian Hurzeler’s side third in the table.
A gritty 2-0 win away at Sunderland – after playing more than 30 minutes with 10 men – proved their ability to grind out a result without being at their fluid best, and the Seagulls will be dreaming of bettering their highest-ever Premier Legue finish in 2022/23.
The Seagulls finished sixth that season and continuing in this vein of form will leave Albion fans dreaming of gatecrashing the Champions League places.
However, the remainder of October looks set to be particularly gruelling for Brighton, with back-to-back trips against Man City in the Carabao Cup and league respectively, and a trip to Anfield all coming after a clash with bitter rivals Crystal Palace on October 18.
Their squad will also be tested by a return to European football, with their Conference League campaign beginning this week.
But Brighton's progress so far means these odds are more than justified.
Brighton - Winner without Arsenal and Man City odds @7/2
Manchester United
The fact that Manchester United have greater odds than Brighton in this market is truly remarkable, with the bubble having seemingly burst on Michael Carrick’s tenure.
They most recently shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last time out, leaving United with a paltry six points from six league games.
That leaves United with their worst start to a season for 40 years, with just one win so far in this campaign.
Carrick is now coming under increasing scrutiny to turn the tide, as he oversees a squad that is still desperately lacking in several areas.
The club’s defence needs a much-needed refresh, and a well-documented failure to sign a left-back epitomised their struggles in the summer transfer window.
And with Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw adding to an already lengthy injury list, there has been little in the way of autumnal cheer at Old Trafford.
With the above in mind, these long odds could certainly favour the braver punters out there.
Manchester United - Winner without Arsenal and Man City odds @11/1
Brentford
Much like Brighton, Brentford’s ability to upset the bigger clubs with bigger budgets can only be admired.
After narrowly missing out on European qualification last season, Keith Andrews’ side sit fourth after the weekend following an entertaining 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa.
The Bees’ fixture list will be considerably lighter than the Seagulls, but the west Londoners will be keen to make that next step and compete on the continent for the first time next season.
Brentford are one of three unbeaten sides in the league this season after six games, and will be confident heading into Liverpool's visit on Saturday after already stunning west London rivals Chelsea with a 3-0 win before the international break.
At these odds, it could be worth a cheeky punt on Brentford.
Brentford - Winner without Arsenal and Man City odds @17/1
Other contenders
Aston Villa are priced at a huge 50/1 in this market, in a price which has probably been skewed by their poor start to the season.
Leeds United and Newcastle United are also priced at 50/1, while Everton and Tottenham Hotspur both come in at 70/1.
Team | Winner without Arsenal and Man City odds |
|---|---|
Chelsea | 5/4 |
Liverpool | 2/1 |
Brighton | 7/2 |
Manchester United | 11/1 |
Brentford | 17/1 |
Aston Villa | 50/1 |
Leeds United | 50/1 |
Newcastle United | 50/1 |
Everton | 70/1 |
Tottenham | 70/1 |
