The Premier League season commences this Friday, meaning the punditry circuit is in full prediction mode, with Paul Scholes the latest to offer his verdict.

Champions Arsenal host newly promoted Coventry City in the curtain-raiser on Friday night at the Emirates, before the full weekend of fixtures ensues. The Gunners will be looking to make a statement prior to their rivals kicking off their respective campaigns.

Mikel Arteta’s men will look to take advantage of transitional periods for their competitors and win back-to-back league titles for the first time since the 1930s. New eras begin at Stamford Bridge, the Etihad and Anfield with Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Andoni Iraola all taking charge of the contenders.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi will commence their first full seasons in charge of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. Nine months of blood, sweat and tears are upon us, and Scholes has chimed into the pre-campaign discourse.

Paul Scholes Reveals His Top Six Premier League Predictions For 2026/27 Season

Ed Sykes via Reuters

Arsenal are heavy favourites to retain their crown, and the summer arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis have only boosted their chances of doing so.

Speaking on the Good, the Bad & the Football YouTube channel, Scholes tipped the Gunners to prevail once again. “They look strong. They look too strong. They’ll win it again,” he said.

Despite losing legendary manager Pep Guardiola, the former Manchester United midfielder backed City to finish second. He also claimed that Chelsea could finish second if they were to sign a goalkeeper.

“I think I’d probably still go City second,” Scholes revealed.

“I think they [Chelsea] could possibly [finish second]. If I were them, I’d have a look at the [Aston] Villa goalkeeper [Emi Martinez]. I know Juventus have just pulled out of the deal for him, but I think he’d be a good signing for Chelsea.”

Speaking about his former club, Scholes placed the Red Devils third, expressing concern over their lack of defensive solidity in the middle of the park.

Initially placing Liverpool fourth, Scholes then reversed this take in favour of Chelsea. He bravely picked the Reds to finish just outside the top four, before backing Spurs to complete the top six.

“Fourth for me, Liverpool. Actually, I’m going to say Chelsea. Liverpool, fifth. Tottenham sixth, yeah.”

Watch Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Nicky Butt make their predictions

Paul Scholes’ Relegation Picks For 2026/27

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

After years of underwhelming battles at the other end of the table, an enthralling relegation dogfight played out in 2025/26. Tottenham narrowly avoided losing their Premier League status, sending London rivals West Ham United to the Championship instead.

The drop-zone drama isn’t expected to be quite as exciting this time around. The credentials of the promoted sides have been heavily questioned, and while many have tipped all three to go straight back down, Scholes sprung a surprising prediction.

While the former England international does think Hull City and Ipswich Town will return to the second tier immediately, he believes Newcastle United’s disastrous summer will take its toll, and that the Magpies will lose their status as a top-flight club for the first time since the 2015/16 season.

“I think Newcastle are going to struggle, big time,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised [if they went down]. Newcastle have been there before, not too long ago.”

Having lost Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, the Tynesiders are fancied to struggle. That said, having played in the Champions League as recently as last season, this call from Scholes is certainly being viewed as brave.

US actress Hayden Panettiere passed away on Sunday in South Carolina at the age of 36, and the emotional reason behind her decision to give full custody of her daughter to former fiance Wladimir Klitschko has been revealed.

Panettiere, who starred in the shows Heroes and Nashville, died late last week, with the tragic news first broken by US broadcaster ABC News on Monday morning. The cause of death has not been given.

The actress was involved in a public relationship with former heavyweight boxer Klitschko between 2009 and 2018. In 2013, the couple announced their engagement, while a year later Panettiere gave birth to their daughter, Kaya Evodkia.

Hayden Panettiere Made a Painful Decision Over Custody of Her Daughter

Ina Fassbender via Reuters

After first becoming involved with each other in 2009, Panettiere and Klitschko split up in May 2011 due to the long-distance nature of their relationship. However, the pair rekindled their union in 2013, and just six months after reuniting, they announced their engagement in October of that year.

Just 14 months later, Panettiere gave birth to their daughter. The couple enjoyed four years together with Kaya, before splitting up again in 2018. Panettiere relinquished full custody of her child in the process, stating that this decision was related to her battle with substance addiction and postpartum depression.

“It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, nor was it a decision I even wanted to make,” she told parenting outlet Mome for its July edition.

“I was going through a really challenging time in my life… I knew I needed to be able to put her first so that I could get the help I needed and be the mum she needed me to be.”

Delving into her dependency on alcohol, she said: “I turned to wine, which ultimately ended up leading to an alcohol dependency. It was how I would get through each day.”

Writing in her memoir, ‘This Is Me: A Reckoning‘, which was released earlier this year, Panettiere described how difficult she found being separate from her daughter.

“Not being under the same roof with her every day has been the most gut-wrenching experience of my life, and it’s hard to describe the layers of emotion – including sadness, resentment, and anger – I’ve felt because of it.”

Back in 2024, the actress detailed the close relationship she had with her daughter at the time.

“I love my daughter, and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming,” she said (via the Manchester Evening News).

“I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her. She’s like a mini-me.”

Profound tributes have flooded in from Hollywood co-stars, family and friends since news of her passing, honouring the actress’ legacy and talent.

Manchester United are holding talks with West Bromwich Albion over a possible transfer for midfielder Toby Collyer, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

Collyer spent last season on loan with the Baggies, but a calf injury saw him return to Old Trafford during the winter. He then headed back out on loan to their EFL Championship rivals Hull City but found game time hard to come by.

The 22-year-old’s United future has been in doubt since the start of the summer, with expectations that he’d depart, either temporarily or permanently. He looks likely to be handed the chance to return to the Hawthorns as the transfer window reaches its closing stages.

Man Utd in Talks to Sell Collyer

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that talks between United and West Brom are centered on a permanent exit rather than another loan. He is headed for the exit door despite featuring under Michael Carrick during pre-season, including in last week’s draw against Leeds United at Croke Park.

Collyer isn’t a product of the Red Devils’ academy as he joined their youth system from Brighton & Hove Albion in early 2022. He has failed to earn regular senior first-team football since making his debut under Erik ten Hag back in September 2024.

Man Utd transfer targets

Whether the English midfielder’s sale will result in a third midfield signing is unclear but there has been no indication that INEOS are preparing to move for a player in the middle of the park. Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arrived in July and they are the only two major additions to Carrick’s squad.

Collyer’s Time at Man Utd Is Up

Collyer showed glimpses of promise in the few opportunities he was handed at the senior level for United. He’s at a stage of his career where he needs more football, and it doesn’t seem likely he’ll receive minutes in Carrick’s team this season.

Another loan would just be delaying the inevitable given he’s already spent time developing elsewhere. The chance to realise his potential at West Brom, a club that could put up a decent fight for promotion, will surely appeal.

United’s decision might not appease Bruno Fernandes, who had talked glowingly of Collyer back in January 2025. He told MUTV:

United may be factoring in their interest in Leicester City’s Louis Page, whom they are said to be growing more confident of signing. While he’s still only 18, he is expected to be given a route to first-team football, much like Ayden Heaven.