Premier League 2026-27: the story after 5 matchweeks

Published on October 1, 2026

The Premier League is on an extended break this season, due to an unusually long international window. After five matchweeks, the English top flight has already given us plenty to talk about: a relentless Manchester City, defending champions caught out, and promoted sides finding life tough in the top flight. Here is the full picture ahead of the return on Saturday 10 October.

A summer of big changes

The 2026-27 season began with major changes in the dugouts:

Manchester City: Pep Guardiola left the club and was replaced by Italian coach Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool: Arne Slot was sacked, with Spaniard Andoni Iraola taking over.
Arsenal start the season as defending champions, having won the Premier League in May 2026 for the first time in 22 years.

This season's promoted clubs are Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City.

Top of the table

Pos	Team	Played	Points	Goals
1	Manchester City	5	15	13 scored, 5 conceded
2	Arsenal	5	12	8 scored, 4 conceded
3	Brighton	5	10	–

Liverpool, on 9 points (two wins and three draws), are one of five teams still unbeaten, alongside Manchester City, Brentford, Everton and Leeds United.

Manchester City: a perfect start

In their first season without Guardiola, Manchester City have made the ideal start: five wins from five games. They won the Manchester derby against United (1-0), then produced a thriller against Sunderland (5-3), the highest-scoring game of the season so far. Enzo Maresca could hardly have asked for a better beginning.

Arsenal: the champions stumble

The defending champions had also won their first four games, before a heavy 3-0 defeat at Brighton in Matchweek 5. A first slip that has allowed Manchester City to open up a three-point lead.

Brighton: the surprise package

Brighton are the in-form side of the early season. The Seagulls have recorded the two biggest wins of the campaign so far: 4-0 against Aston Villa and 5-0 away at Coventry. Their win over Arsenal has taken them into the top three.

Clubs under pressure

Several teams are still without a win after five games, including Tottenham, Bournemouth and Fulham. Promoted Coventry City struggled badly before finally earning their first win of the season away at Nottingham Forest.

Top scorers

Erling Haaland (Manchester City): 5 goals
Alexander Isak (Liverpool): 4 goals

The duel between the two strikers looks set to be one of the stories of the season, and it continues as soon as the league returns.

Matchweek 6 fixtures

Saturday 10 October: Arsenal vs Leeds United, opening the weekend. The champions need to respond after the Brighton defeat, against a Leeds side that is still unbeaten.
Sunday 11 October: Liverpool vs Manchester City, the pick of the weekend. The unbeaten leaders travel to Anfield, with a Haaland versus Isak showdown to look forward to.
Monday 12 October: Coventry City vs Newcastle United.

Find our predictions for the biggest Premier League games in our Today's tips section, starting in the week of the return.

Who will win the title?

Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool or a surprise like Brighton? Share your prediction in the comments below 👇

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your opinion!