The players may be on their summer holidays, but the Premier League never truly stops. While those who perform on the pitch enjoy their rest, predictions are busily being made for the upcoming season.
One group with a vested interest in accurately gauging what’ll unfold during the 2026/27 Premier League season is the bookies. Preseason odds are already available, with reigning champions Arsenal the favourites at around 6/4.
Pep Guardiola may have left Manchester City, but the Citizens are still the second favourites with Enzo Maresca taking over at around 5/2. Liverpool are then third at about 11/2, with the bookies thinking Andoni Iraola will be a significant upgrade on Arne Slot.
Manchester United are fourth favourites, with strong preseason odds in the region of 6/1.
This is a significant cut on the 28/1 that the Red Devils opened the 2025/26 season at, and demonstrates the remarkable work that Michael Carrick has done since first taking over. More importantly for fans looking to back the team to lift the title, it’s the first time in a long time that the odds project a sense of confidence.
Man Utd’s preseason odds rollercoaster
Some teams’ odds remain remarkably stable year after year. Chelsea, for instance, have averaged 16/1 to win the league three times in the last five years. The two exceptions were in 2024/25, when they went out to 20/1, and the 10/1 they are this year. Clearly, the bookies have faith in Xabi Alonso.
Others, meanwhile, follow strong logic. Arsenal entered the 2022/23 season as far out as 66/1 outsiders. After sitting on top of the table for 248 days, only to wilt at the end of the year and come second, the Gunners opened the 2023/24 season at 9/1.
The one team who has always been on a rollercoaster, however, is Manchester United. This is why it’s so nice to see the team at a stable and realistic 6/1, with better odds potentially available from one of Goal.com’s list of UK best betting apps.
Historically, United’s odds have been something of a rollercoaster. Man Utd were 28/1 for the title in 22/23 in the wake of a lacklustre spell under Ralf Rangnick. After Erik ten Hag unexpectedly led the team to third in the league, though, United started 23/24 at 11/1. A dismal season subsequently saw the Red Devils start 24/25 at 22/1, and so the cycle went on.
This is what makes the 6/1 odds offered for the 2026/27 season all the more important.
Short odds the reward for stability
The huge fluctuations in Manchester United’s odds are a direct reflection of the turmoil the club has so often found itself in. The post-Sir Alex Ferguson era has been beset with manager turnover, high profile transfers falling flat, and a fractured locker room.
With the ownership issues mixed in, it was never a recipe for success. The last decade has seen United swing from 7/2 after finishing second under Jose Mourinho, to 40/1 for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s subsequent first full season in charge.
The discussion as to how the club is currently being run is one for another day. What matters is that Manchester United now have a dedicated football management team in place making effective transfers. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, for reasonable fees and on manageable contracts, are testament to this.
The club has also done well to cut its wage bill, and was measured in its approach when promoting Carrick from interim to permanent manager.
A stat fans love to point out is that, between Carrick’s appointment on 13th January and the end of the season, Manchester United earned the most points in the league. This, combined with the strong third placed finish, would justify a shortening of the odds.
The price of 6/1 is more than that, though. It is a sign that Manchester United are, finally, being taken as serious contenders again. There is no more room for the bookies to play games with United’s odds. The team are properly back in contention.
Please note that odds mentioned in this article are indicative and accurate at the time of writing. They are subject to change. |
