Arsenal may have claimed victory in what amounts to little more than a warm-up match, and their supporters are already celebrating a league triumph they assume is inevitable. Their conviction is understandable from their perspective, yet football rarely follows such a straightforward narrative. Manchester City have their sights set firmly on reclaiming the trophy they recently held, and the responsibility for steering them back to the summit falls to Enzo Maresca.
Our Manchester City reporters have offered their assessments of how the campaign might unfold, highlighting individuals likely to make waves and sharing one forecast they acknowledge may raise eyebrows (and indeed, we actively invite readers to revisit these predictions in the coming weeks when they may appear rather wide of the mark).
Where will City finish in the Premier League?
Simon Bajkowski: Second place appears to be within their reach. A significant decline in quality seems unlikely, and with five members of the traditional powerhouses appointing new bosses, there is little evidence any side positioned below City last term can overtake them. They possess the capability to challenge Arsenal for first place, though I maintain doubts about their ability to sustain such a challenge throughout the campaign.
Alex James: Arsenal clinching the championship appears almost inevitable, though the transfer window remains open and circumstances could shift. City retain considerable talent, yet the substantial overhaul at the Etihad raises legitimate concerns about maintaining consistent standards. Nevertheless, constructing a compelling argument for Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and similar clubs surpassing the Blues proves challenging. Second place it is.
Ross Jackson: An straightforward opening query. The downturn many across the league have been anticipating and hoping for following Guardiola’s departure simply will not materialise. That said, the playing squad upheaval this summer presents cause for concern. City have lost numerous influential figures from their dressing room, meaning overtaking Arsenal could prove tricky. Nevertheless, I expect them to finish as the best of the rest, with another runners-up position likely.
How far will City progress in the Champions League?
Simon Bajkowski: Further than Guardiola managed during his final two or three years at the club. Failing to build on their 2023 continental triumph represented one of the most significant shortcomings of Guardiola’s concluding seasons, and Maresca boasts a reputation for crucial decisions in pivotal matches. City ought to place within the top eight of the initial phase before advancing to at least the last eight, potentially further.
Alex James: City enjoyed domestic success last term with a double but once again fell short in Europe’s elite competition. Maresca arrives having secured the Conference League and Club World Cup during his Chelsea tenure, and there is optimism he can guide strong cup campaigns. PSG command respect on the continent while Bayern Munich and Barcelona possess more than sufficient quality, setting aside City’s domestic competitors. I am predicting quarter-final qualification.
Ross Jackson: Reaching the last eight on just one occasion across their previous three Champions League attempts makes for concerning reading. Remaining competitive through the league phase should pose few problems for any respectable side, and I anticipate City placing in the top eight. From there, their fate depends on the draw. Securing a semi-final spot appears achievable, though I expect them to fall at that hurdle.
Will City claim silverware during the 2026/27 campaign?
Simon Bajkowski: Confidence remains high. Their quality should secure at least one trophy from their four-pronged assault, and they retain an intimidating presence in domestic cup competitions where rivals struggle to compete. Obviously, their performance across all fronts will determine outcomes, but failing to collect any silverware would likely be viewed as underwhelming.
Alex James: Uncertainty clouds this prediction. While entirely plausible, envisioning them lifting the Premier League or Champions League proves difficult, leaving only the domestic cups. The Blues secured both last term and have long prioritised the Carabao Cup, making it their most realistic opportunity. However, should they advance further in Europe than previously while integrating a new squad under unfamiliar leadership, suffering two domestic cup defeats becomes far from unrealistic. Judging City purely on trophy success this campaign may prove misguided.
Ross Jackson: Having dismissed Premier League and Champions League prospects, conviction remains the City trophy room will receive additions. Declaring both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup defences feels overly ambitious, though at least one will surely remain at the Etihad. The Carabao Cup is my selection.
Which City player should supporters monitor closely during 2026/27?
Simon Bajkowski: Having previously highlighted Tijjani Reijnders as a potential surprise package early in 2026, my judgement clearly carries limited weight. Nonetheless, Jeremy Doku appears primed for his most impressive season. He elevated his contribution last term, delivering match-winning performances in crucial fixtures, and harbours genuine ambition to establish himself among the world’s elite wide forwards. Should he maintain fitness, Maresca’s tactical setup seems designed to allow him to flourish.
Alex James: Among the established squad members, Doku offers the most scope for advancement and should prosper within Maresca’s winger-centric approach. However, Ryan McAidoo possesses the capacity to make genuine waves and potentially enjoy a breakthrough season. Glimpses of his ability have emerged, and his display against Inter Milan during pre-season demonstrated a player entirely comfortable competing against Europe’s leading names. Premier League opportunities may prove limited, though impactful substitute appearances and cup competition performances appear likely.
Ross Jackson: Hardly an unfamiliar face, though Antoine Semenyo is my selection. Pre-season displays suggested real promise, and despite a subdued showing against Arsenal in the Community Shield, that outcome was shared by his colleagues so reading little into that result feels appropriate. Semenyo adapted swiftly following his January arrival and discussed with the Manchester Evening News during City’s Asian tour regarding his enjoyment of the responsibilities Maresca assigned him. The 2026/27 campaign could witness him elevate his game significantly.
Share one City forecast for 2026/27 that may invite mockery, yet you genuinely believe could occur…
Simon Bajkowski: Erling Haaland finding the net between 40 and 50 times across all competitions, only for the reaction to be dismissive indifference, while those who ought to know better persist in measuring his impact through possession statistics. Surely greater awareness would have dawned by now.
Alex James: City will secure their opening five fixtures and occupy first place ahead of the September international hiatus. The prevailing mood suggests their prospects have crumbled following the Community Shield performance. While that display proved genuinely poor, it merely constituted the Community Shield, with half the squad having only just resumed training. The Blues retain exceptional quality, and figures such as Haaland and Elliot Anderson will benefit considerably from a full week of preparation before the opening match. The fixture list presents favourable conditions: three home encounters, a transitional Crystal Palace outfit, followed by a Manchester United side I believe receives excessive credit.
Ross Jackson: Rayan Cherki will eclipse the single-season Premier League assist record. Admittedly, the previous mark fell mere months ago courtesy of Bruno Fernandes, though Cherki possesses the talent to surpass that achievement within twelve months. The Frenchman managed 12 assists during his inaugural Premier League campaign despite making only 19 starts, meaning establishing himself as a regular starter with appearances exceeding 30 league games could realistically see him rewrite the record books.
All forecasts were formulated prior to City’s Premier League curtain-raiser, with two weeks of the transfer window still outstanding.