Manchester City 2026/27 Premier League preview: Can Maresca deliver the title?

Manchester City have embarked on a new era this summer, with Enzo Maresca replacing legendary manager Pep Guardiola in the dugout.

That seismic change creates uncertainty at a club accustomed to winning major silverware.

Read on as we look at the 2026/27 Premier League season from a Manchester City perspective and assess how they will fare under their new manager.

Manchester City Premier League fixtures 2026/27

Manchester City summer transfers 2026

IN: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest, £116m), Jeremy Monga (Leicester City, £10m), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed), Mathys Detourbet (Troyes, undisclosed), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille, undisclosed)

OUT: James Trafford (Leeds United, £40m), Nathan Ake (Fenerbahce, £7m), Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (Koln, £4.7m), Reigan Heskey (Koln, £2.1m), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid, free), John Stones (released), Oliver Whatmuff (Stockport County, loan), Isaac Smith (Barnsley, undisclosed), Tomas Galvez (Go Ahead Eagles, undisclosed), Pierce Charles (Queens Park Rangers, loan), Sverre Nypan (Lommel, loan), Mathys Detourbet (Monaco, loan), Christian McFarlane (Leicester City, loan), Kalvin Phillips (Sheffield United, loan), Divin Mubama (Southampton, loan)

(Information correct on August 14).

Manchester City Premier League season 2026/27 preview

Man City are the second favourites behind Arsenal to win the title, but will feel that the oddsmakers have made a misstep with their calculations.

City finished seven points behind the Gunners last season and will be desperate to set the record straight after failing to claim top spot for the second consecutive campaign.

The Abu Dhabi-owned club have won eight Premier League titles since their takeover in 2008, and it would be a brave move to back against them adding to their tally this term.

City have made just one major signing to date, paying £116 million to sign England international midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

They are also trying to snap up Argentina star Enzo Fernandez, although Chelsea are reluctant to sanction the sale of a player who is crucial to their team.

If City get a deal for Fernandez over the line, you would be hard-pressed not to imagine them missing out on the title for the third consecutive season.

City begin the season with three relatively favourable games against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry City, giving them a chance to make a flying start.

By contrast, Arsenal face some tricky fixtures early in the campaign and must navigate that period without centre-back William Saliba.

City’s star-studded squad should help them to mount a sustained title challenge, but history shows that elite-level football is rarely that simple.

Guardiola’s exit bears plenty of similarities to Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United in 2013, and everyone knows how they unravelled in the aftermath.

Maresca should be a good stylistic replacement for Guardiola, but his penchant for falling out with people makes him a risky appointment.

If Rodri leaves the club this summer, Anderson will face additional pressure to perform. That will be easier said than done.

The 23-year-old failed to live up to expectations with England at the World Cup this summer, and it will be intriguing to see how he handles playing for City.

With Erling Braut Haaland leading the line, City have the firepower to destroy teams. If everything clicks under Maresca, they will be a formidable force.

However, there are too many imponderables to confidently predict they are a good bet to win the Premier League this season.

Read more: Premier League 2026/27 season preview.