Carragher and Neville in the Premier League Predictions: Both Back Arsenal
Carragher’s and Neville’s Premier League predictions are in, and the two Sky Sports pundits agree on the team they expect to win the 2026/27 Premier League title: Arsenal.
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville made their season predictions on Monday Night Football, with both backing the defending champions to finish top of the table again.
Arsenal ended their long wait for the Premier League trophy by winning the 2025/26 title, and both pundits believe Mikel Arteta’s squad is strong enough to retain it.
Carragher had previously considered Manchester City a serious challenger, particularly if Rodri remained at the Etihad. However, following the midfielder’s departure, he now believes Arsenal are the stronger choice.
Neville also selected Arsenal, meaning two pundits famous for disagreeing have reached the same conclusion on arguably the biggest prediction of the season.
Why Jamie Carragher Thinks Arsenal Will Win the League
Carragher’s decision is particularly striking because he had considered Manchester City a potential title winner only a few weeks earlier.
The key issue was Rodri.
Carragher explained that City’s chances depended closely on the Spanish midfielder’s future. With Rodri no longer part of City’s plans, Carragher believes it is much harder to make the case for Manchester City finishing above Arsenal.
That makes sense from a tactical perspective.
Rodri provided Manchester City with much more than defensive protection. He controlled possession, dictated tempo and helped City dominate the centre of the pitch.
Replacing that influence is extraordinarily difficult.
The city still possesses enormous attacking quality, but Carragher sees Arsenal as the more complete title proposition.
Gary Neville Also Backs Arsenal
Neville reached the same conclusion.
The former Manchester United defender also selected Arsenal as his 2026/27 Premier League champions.
That is notable because Neville has repeatedly discussed Arsenal’s title prospects during recent seasons.
This time, however, Arsenal are not chasing the trophy.
They are defending it.
The psychological situation is therefore entirely different.
Arteta’s players have already demonstrated that they can survive the pressure of a title race and finish the job. That removes one of the biggest questions that surrounded Arsenal during their previous challenges.
The challenge now is whether they can do it twice.
Can Arsenal Really Retain the Premier League Title?
The evidence suggests they have an excellent chance.
Arsenal entered the new season with a squad that had already proven capable of winning the league, and the club strengthened further during the summer.
The defending champions have added significant quality, including Bruno Guimarães, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis.
Those additions provide Arteta with greater depth across several areas.
Depth becomes particularly important when a team is simultaneously competing in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.
A championship usually requires more than 11 outstanding players.
It requires replacements who can maintain performance when injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion arrive.
That may be one of Arsenal’s biggest advantages.
Arsenal Have Already Started With a Win
Arsenal’s title defence has begun positively.
The champions won their opening Premier League fixture, immediately strengthening their position among the early favourites for the trophy. Current title markets also have Arsenal ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Of course, one result tells us almost nothing about an entire season.
But defending champions want to avoid giving challengers encouragement during the opening weeks.
Winning immediately removes that possibility.
Arsenal can now concentrate on building momentum rather than answering early questions about whether last season’s success has changed their hunger.
Chelsea’s Attack Could Still Make Them Dangerous
There is plenty to like about Chelsea going forward.
Cole Palmer remains central to their attacking play, while João Pedro and Morgan Rogers provide additional quality.
That gives Alonso several different ways of hurting opponents.
Chelsea’s challenge is turning that attacking excitement into consistency.
If they tighten defensively, they could make the title race considerably more interesting than Carragher and Neville expect.
If they continue conceding avoidable goals, Arsenal and Manchester City are likely to punish them over 38 matches.
Carragher and Neville Also Make Top-Four Predictions
Their predictions went beyond simply choosing the champions.
Both pundits expect Manchester City and Chelsea to feature prominently near the top of the table, although they differ on exactly how the Champions League positions will eventually look.
That reflects how competitive the Premier League appears this season.
Arsenal may be favourites, but behind them several major clubs can make legitimate arguments for finishing inside the top four.
Manchester City have pedigree.
Chelsea have attacking talent.
Liverpool have experience.
Manchester United have strengthened.
One or two disappointing months could therefore transform the entire Champions League race.
Why Arsenal Are Different This Season
The biggest change is psychological.
For several seasons, Arsenal had to answer the same question:
Can they actually finish the job?
They no longer need to answer it.
They did.
Winning the 2025/26 Premier League title proved that Arteta’s project could turn sustained improvement into the biggest domestic prize.
That changes how opponents view Arsenal too.
They are no longer simply talented challengers.
They are the champions everyone wants to beat.
The pressure is different—but so is the confidence.
Retaining the Premier League can be harder than winning it.
History shows that defending a championship is incredibly difficult.
Once a team becomes champion, every opponent has additional motivation.
Managers spend the summer studying how to exploit weaknesses.
Players become targets.
Expectations rise.
And anything short of another title can suddenly be described as disappointing.
Arsenal will therefore need to demonstrate the same hunger they showed while chasing Manchester City in previous seasons.
That may be Arteta’s biggest management challenge.
Winning creates belief.
It can also create complacency.
Elite teams avoid the second part.
Who Are the Current Premier League Favourites?
Early betting markets broadly support the pundits’ view.
Arsenal currently sit at the front of the 2026/27 Premier League title market, ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Odds obviously change throughout the season and should not be treated as predictions of certainty.
But they provide an insightful comparison.
Carragher believes Arsenal.
Neville believes Arsenal.
And the early market currently agrees.
That creates a clear favourite as we head into the opening phase of the campaign.
The Pressure Is Now on Arsenal
Being the favourites brings its own difficulties.
Every dropped point will attract attention.
Every defeat will produce questions about whether the title race has reopened.
Every strong performance from Manchester City or Chelsea will immediately draw comparisons with Arsenal.
That is the reality of defending a championship.
But Arteta may prefer that pressure.
For years, Arsenal were trying to prove they belonged at the top.
Now everyone else is trying to knock Arsenal off their perch.
Conclusion
The Carragher and Neville Premier League predictions have produced a rare moment of agreement between two of English football’s most famous pundits.
Both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville believe Arsenal will win the 2026/27 Premier League title, successfully defending the trophy they captured last season.
Carragher’s reasoning is particularly revealing.
He had considered Manchester City but believes Rodri’s departure significantly weakens their case. Arsenal, meanwhile, have retained the core of their championship-winning side and strengthened the squad further.
Neville has reached the same conclusion.
That does not mean the title race is predetermined.
Manchester City remain dangerous. Chelsea possess enormous attacking talent. Liverpool have championship experience, while Manchester United will be looking to make further progress.
But Arsenal currently have something none of those teams possess:
the Premier League trophy and a squad that already knows exactly how to win it.
Carragher and Neville believe they are going to do it again.
Now Arsenal have 38 matches to prove them right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Jamie Carragher think will win the 2026/27 Premier League?
Carragher has selected Arsenal to retain the Premier League title. He believes Rodri’s departure makes it harder to back Manchester City.
Who does Gary Neville think will win the Premier League?
Neville has also predicted Arsenal will finish as 2026/27 Premier League champions.
Who won the Premier League last season?
Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League title, ending their long wait for another English championship.
Are Manchester City still title contenders?
Yes. The city remains among the leading contenders, although Carragher believes Rodri’s departure makes Arsenal the stronger choice.
Could Chelsea challenge Arsenal?
Chelsea have considerable attacking quality, but Carragher and Neville have raised concerns about their goalkeeper and defensive stability.
Who are the current favourites to win the Premier League title?
Early 2026/27 title markets currently have Arsenal ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
