The 2026/27 Premier League season is here, and predicting the Matchday 1 starting XIs is never easy.
Our predicted line-ups consider last season’s selections, each manager’s preferred style and formation, player fitness and injuries, and summer transfer activity. For teams with new managers, their previous tactical preferences are also taken into account.
Matchday 1 carries the most uncertainty, but the predictions should become increasingly accurate as the season progresses and each manager’s preferred XI and rotation patterns become clearer.
Here are our predicted line-ups and formations for all 10 Matchday 1 fixtures.
Arsenal vs Coventry CityArsenal predicted line-up (4-3-3):
Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Tzolis.
Coventry City predicted line-up (4-3-3):
Rushworth; van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Jay da Silva; Yirenkyi, Grimes, Onyeka; Tchaouna, Simms, Thomas-Asante.
Hull City predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Tzolakis; Coyle, Ajayi, Mendy, Giles; Slater, Crooks; Belloumi, Hjertø-Dahl, Stroud; McBurnie.
Manchester United predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Tielemans, Andrey Santos; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo.
Ipswich Town predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Scherpen; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Núñez, Lukic; Fatawu, Egeli, Maeda; Emersonn.
Sunderland predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Roefs; Meunier, O’Nien, Ballard, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey.
Everton predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Hackney, Armstrong; Röhl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry.
Crystal Palace predicted line-up (3-4-2-1):
Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Riad; Mingueza, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell; Ismaila Sarr, McNeil; Strand Larsen.
Nottingham Forest predicted line-up (3-4-2-1):
Sels; Diomande, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, Schlager, Sangaré, Williams; Ndoye, Gibbs-White; Igor Jesus.
Leeds United predicted line-up (3-4-2-1):
Trafford; Rodon, Bijol, Muharemovic; Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Justin; Wilson, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin.
Brentford predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Sangaré, Janelt; Dango Ouattara, Jensen, Schade; Thiago.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Kinsky; Gray, van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson; Tonali, Mateus Fernandes; Moore, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison.
Manchester City predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Donnarumma; Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Marc Guehi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Kovacic; Semenyo, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Bournemouth predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Petrovic; Smith, Hill, António Silva, Truffert; Cook, Scott; Rayan, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Brighton predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Vuskovic, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Ayari, Groß; Gómez, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Rutter.
Aston Villa predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Barkley, Kamara; McGinn, Buendía, Garnacho; Watkins.
Newcastle United predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Hornícek; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Lewis Hall; Steur, Bamba; Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Touré; Wissa.
Liverpool predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Fulham predicted line-up (4-2-3-1):
Leno; Castagne, Cuenca, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Palacios; Gonzalo García.
Chelsea predicted line-up (3-4-2-1):
Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Neto; Palmer, João Pedro; Rogers.
Predicted line-ups are subject to change ahead of the Matchday 1 deadline, particularly following the final round of manager press conferences and late injury updates.
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