B/R's Guide to Picking a Premier League Team for Casual Soccer Fans

Soccer has historically been a hard sell for American sports fans. At least, that was the case until the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which gave everyone football fever for just over a month. (Yes, it's called football. Deal with it.)

While the World Cup is sadly over after Spain's 1-0 victory over Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final, the European football season is just about to get started.

England's Premier League is perhaps the most successful, most exciting club division on the planet. Americans who are looking to get their football fix outside of MLS should turn their gaze across the pond.

But with 20 teams to choose from, which is the best option?

Here, we've looked at every club in the 2026-27 Premier League season and outlined the reasons why they might be worth following (or not).

If You're a Glory Hunter: Arsenal

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Arsenal are the reigning Premier League champions and are the favorites to win it again in 2026-27. If glory is what you're looking for, the Gunners are your best shot.

Boasting the finest squad depth in the division, one of the world's best midfielders in Declan Rice and a near-impenetrable defense, Arsenal are well equipped to dominate English football for the next half-decade. 

You might have to sit through a few more 1-0 wins than you would with other Premier League sides (they had eight in 2025-26). But in the end, it doesn't matter as long as the three points are earned.

If You Love a Dark Horse: Aston Villa

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The so-called Premier League "Big Six" might not be a thing anymore. But if any club were to push that number to seven, Aston Villa would be it.

The Villans (not a typo) finished fourth last season and won the UEFA Europa League. Manager Unai Emery has proven himself a master of European competitions, and he's made his team a tough opponent domestically. 

If you needed any further convincing, stamps of approval don't come much better than from the British royal family. Prince William, heir to the throne, regularly turns up at Villa Park to cheer on the team in the most awkward way imaginable. 

The West Midlanders have to adapt after losing a handful of key players, but they've strengthened well and should again be considered dark horses for a title push.

If You Love a Plucky Underdog: Bournemouth

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Bournemouth, lovingly known as the Cherries, are from a small seaside town on England's south coast. Their home ground, Vitality Stadium, has the lowest capacity among the current crop of Premier League sides. 

In their last four seasons in the English top flight, Bournemouth have had to compete with teams with significantly larger budgets to spend on talent. Still, through excellent recruitment and an admirable attacking philosophy, the club has performed well above expectations. 

You might not want to get too attached to the players, since bigger clubs often pluck them away. But you can watch the progression of those talents and flaunt your knowledge of them when they step up to the big time. 

If You Want to Save the Bees: Brentford

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One for the environmentalists here. If you have an affinity for bees and understand the importance of protecting them, supporting a team with a winged pollinator as its mascot is a great option. 

Just like their fuzzy insect talisman, Brentford are having an outsized impact on a wider ecosystem. Despite playing in one of the division's smallest stadiums and operating on one of the tightest budgets, the Bees reached a remarkable ninth in the Premier League last season, coming within inches of a place in European competition.

Pleasingly, they also have a "no dickheads" transfer policy, and two of their players even came to the defense of a man who was racially abused earlier this year. 

Brentford are an impossibly likable club, so you won't even get a lot of grief from rival fans. 

If You Want to Discover Up-and-Coming Talent: Brighton & Hove Albion

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The talent factory at Brighton & Hove Albion is the envy of many Premier League sides.

The Seagulls have a habit of signing rising stars, developing them into top-quality players and selling them on for a hefty profit. Players like Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool and Argentina), Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid and Spain), Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea and Ecuador) and João Pedro (Chelsea and Brazil) have all passed through Amex Stadium on the way to bigger things.

Of course, that makes Brighton a highly competitive team, picking up fine results against the league's big guns with regularity. 

If finding the next big thing in football sounds like the best way to enjoy the game, Brighton is the way to go.

If You Love to be Hated: Chelsea

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While the hatred for certain Premier League clubs among fans can wax and wane depending on success, managerial appointments or players, the vitriol for Chelsea is reasonably consistent.

Part of that stems from the fact that the Blues effectively heralded the era of billionaire owners using English clubs as playthings.

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and proceeded to spend heavily on star players. That started a period of dominance that brought a bucketload of major trophies over the next decade-and-a-half. 

While other clubs have taken a similar pathway in the ensuing years, the collective annoyance towards the West Londoners persists, even if it's not quite as strong as it once was. 

Now, under Todd Boehly, Mark Walter and Clearlake Capital, the club is mocked for its scattergun spending that hasn't delivered much tangible success. 

If you love playing a villain or enjoy being a source of irritation, put on a Chelsea shirt. 

If You Love a Good Comeback Story: Coventry City

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Coventry City are back in the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 season. The Sky Blues took a long and winding road to get back in.

Amid financial difficulties and a poor ownership structure, they slipped to the fourth tier of English football (League Two) following the 2016-17 campaign. All that turmoil came while they didn't have a secure home ground.

CBS Arena had been built for Coventry City, but because of complicated ownership agreements over the stadium, they were often forced to play elsewhere. According to the BBC, they played at four "home" grounds after leaving their previous stadium, Highfield Road, in 2005.   

But CBS Arena has finally been brought under club ownership, and the future looks bright for the West Midlanders. 

If a redemption arc is what you're looking for from your chosen team, they don't come much better than Coventry City's. 

If You're a Philadelphia Eagles Fan: Crystal Palace

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For Philadelphia Eagles fans looking for their round-ball team, Crystal Palace should be on your radar. Both sports teams have an eagle as their mascot, but the connection runs deeper than that. 

Over the years, eagles named Challenger and Lincoln have flown around Lincoln Financial Field on game days. Each bird has also been present for Crystal Palace's pre-season tour events in the United States. 

While the Philadelphia Eagles have Swoop, who rallies the crowd during home games, Crystal Palace have Pete and Alice. Crystal Palace is also training a bald eagle, Phoenix, to be its next live mascot, replacing Kayla, who died in 2020.

Selhurst Park would feel like a home away from home for Eagles fans, and it also served as the filming location for stadium scenes in Ted Lasso.

If You're a Noisy Neighbor: Everton

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While many sports fans will be familiar with Liverpool, they may be less aware of their Merseyside neighbors.

Everton have actually been around longer than their Red rivals, founded in 1878. By contrast, Liverpool was only formed in 1892.

Historically, though, the younger side have had more success, with Liverpool winning 20 top-flight titles compared to Everton's nine. 

The club's home grounds used to be less than a mile apart, but since the Blues moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium before the 2025-26 season, that distance has extended to over two miles. That hasn't made the rivalry any less heated, though.

The pair of matches between the sides in a Premier League season, known as Merseyside derbies, are always appointment viewing. Everton love nothing more than depriving their neighbors of valuable points. 

If you love to get the upper hand on the folks next door, Everton will suit you nicely. 

If You Love AEW: Fulham

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Connections between professional wrestling and football aren't difficult to find. 

Former WWE star Sheamus is a huge Liverpool fan, while Drew McIntrye isn't shy about his love of Scottish side Rangers. 

Premier League legend Wayne Rooney famously slapped King Barrett at a WWE Raw recording in November 2015, while Declan Rice and Mason Mount were filmed imitating Edge at an England training camp in 2021. 

But AEW has the largest presence in the Premier League as it stands. The promotion's president, Tony Khan, serves as the vice chairman and director of football operations for London club Fulham. In fact, AEW is the shirt sponsor for the Fulham women's team. 

For those who have pledged their allegiance to the upstart wrestling brand, Fulham is the logical choice for picking a football team. 

If You're Not Scared of the Drop: Hull City

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Hull City have returned to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-17 season, earning promotion following a dramatic victory in the Championship playoff final. 

However, the Tigers have never stuck around for more than two seasons in their previous trips to the top flight, and their last visit lasted only one. 

If you like living on the edge and aren't scared of the prospect of your team dropping down to a lower division, the Yorkshire side could be worth a follow. You're likely to see a lot of goals scored in Hull's matches; they just might not be coming from the team wearing orange and black. 

If You Love Ed Sheeran: Ipswich Town

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That headline alone might have already cost us most of you. However, Ipswich Town are the team of the ginger song-machine's heart, and he's even a minority stakeholder in the club. 

After the club's promotion to the Premier League in May, he was filmed giving an, erm, delightful(?) rendition of his hit song "The A-Team" in the team's dressing room, along with the squad.

Sheeran's Mathematics Tour logo even donned the club's shirts for the last four seasons, although a new sponsor will be in place for 2026-27 and beyond. 

So if you're a fan of the "Shape of You" singer, Ipswich could be a "Perfect" fit.

If You're a 49ers Fan: Leeds United

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49ers Enterprises, the investment arm behind the San Francisco 49ers, took full ownership of Leeds United in 2023. That was the same year that the Niners lost the Super Bowl final to the Kansas City Chiefs, so read into that what you will. 

Bad omens aside, Leeds successfully stayed in the Premier League last season after rising up from the league below, finishing in a comfortable 14th position. 

The club is steadily building on that success with a handful of smart signings. A push into the top half of the table wouldn't be out of the question this time around. 

Leeds actually won the last English top-flight title before the division was rebranded as the Premier League in 1992. While another trophy might be a while away yet, the club is clearly on an upward trajectory. 

If You Love LeBron James: Liverpool

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According to a 2025-26 Men in Blazers survey, Liverpool was named the top supported Premier League team among U.S. fans, picking up a hefty 22 percent share.

The club already has plenty of U.S. connections, with owners Fenway Sports Group also having the Boston Red Sox and NASCAR'S RFK Racing under its umbrella. 

But perhaps the most notable link is NBA legend LeBron James, who owns a stake in the team. The Philadelphia 76ers star is regularly seen donning Liverpool shirts and other merchandise, and he even launched a collaborative fashion collection with the club in 2023. 

For fans of The King, rooting for Liverpool is an easy decision. 

If You Love Robot Goal Machines: Manchester City

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If you were among the many Americans captivated by the 2026 World Cup, one particular Norwegian likely grabbed your attention. 

Erling Haaland didn't just win over fans for his embracing of U.S. culture or his fantastic choice in souvenirs. He also scored a ton of goals.

Despite exiting at the quarterfinal stage, Haaland managed to find the net seven times in just five games, including a pair of strikes in a 2-1 victory over Brazil in the round of 32.

Haaland has developed a reputation as being a footballing cyborg, mechanically scoring goals whenever and however he likes. He has won the Premier League Golden Boot award, given to the player with the most goals in a season, in three of his four years in the English top flight. 

Manchester City is the club that pays his wages, so if you want to see more of his goalscoring exploits and merciless trolling, tune in to the Citizens' matches.

If You Love a Fallen Icon: Manchester United

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Manchester United were once the undisputed best team in English football. Under the leadership of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the club won 13 league titles in 21 seasons, as well as a host of other honors.

But since the Scotsman's departure in 2013, the silverware has dried up, with no Premier League trophies since.

The Red Devils are tied with Liverpool for the most English league titles with 20. While another looks to be a bit out of reach at the moment, there's still hope for United fans that another period of dominance is just around the corner. 

If you want to follow a fallen icon as it charts a course back to the top, look no further than Manchester United.

If You Love a Passionate Fanbase: Newcastle United

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The fans are what really make football great, and Newcastle United have some of the very best.

Even in the coldest winter temperatures, you're bound to see at least one hardened Geordie with their shirt off in St James' Park. Whatever the situation, the stadium is always raucous, with inventive chants and limited respect for the opposing team. Even when the Magpies have dropped down a division, the ground is still packed to the rafters.

It might be a tough year in the North East, with the club going through a transitional period following the departure of manager Eddie Howe and a handful of star players. But that effectively gives new supporters a clean slate, allowing them to build relationships with the incoming crop of talent alongside the long-time fans as Newcastle heads into a new era. 

No matter what happens, the crowd will be behind the team all the way. 

If You Love Mad Club Owners: Nottingham Forest

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If you like the owner of your favorite sports team to have an air of Bond villain about them, look no further than Evangelos Marinakis and Nottingham Forest. 

The Greek would not look out of place plotting world domination from a remote island, and he's a man who knows how to get his own way.

In a crucial game against Leicester City in 2025, Marinakis left his seat in the director's box and stormed down to the pitch to confront then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo. A few months later, the Portuguese was out of a job. 

In the 2025-26 season, Forest went through four different club managers, including Nuno. One of them, Ange Postecoglou, lasted just eight games after failing to pick up a win. 

Marinakis also fought a highly contentious battle with Crystal Palace to demote the Eagles from the Europa League in favor of his Forest side, with the 59-year-old eventually winning. He is now suing the London club for defamation over a banner that Palace fans unfurled accusing him of corruption and other crimes, per the BBC. 

Despite his eccentricity, he guided Forest back to the top flight in 2022-23 and has helped them stay there for the last four years. You can't argue with results, right?

If You Think Black Cats Bring Good Luck: Sunderland

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For the superstitious sports fan, a black cat as a mascot might represent either good or bad luck. If it's the former, Sunderland is the team to pick. 

Fortune shone on the Stadium of Light last season, with the club making a remarkable run to seventh place despite only just earning promotion to the top flight. Whether that luck holds as we enter the new campaign is another matter.

For now, though, new fans can look forward to the club's first foray into European competition in over half a century, a fierce local rivalry with Newcastle United, and a squad that boasts Switzerland legend Granit Xhaka, who guided his nation to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal.

Haiti's Wilson Isidor, who scored one of the best goals of the tournament against Morocco, is also on the books. 

If You're a Masochist: Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham Hotspur fans won't be shy to tell you that supporting the club has been a trial for some time now. Despite a Europa League title in 2024-25, the club has flirted with relegation from the Premier League over the last two seasons. 

The North Londoners also have a bit of a reputation for choking on the big stage, although the criticism was at least partially nullified by that European trophy. 

Still, rival supporters revel in giving Spurs fans grief, often quoting a famous Sir Alex Ferguson quip, "Lads, it's Tottenham," to dismiss the threat the team poses. 

If you're a glutton for punishment, Spurs could be the team to pick. This is a safe space, so no shaming here if you're into that sort of thing. 

Having said that, things are looking good ahead of the 2026-27 season, with smart transfer activity and a renewed hope of challenging for the top four. But Tottenham does often find new and interesting ways to disappoint, which is good news for the masochists.

Worldwide Options

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If English football really isn't for you, there is still plenty to love about American soccer—including that it's much closer to home and doesn't come with awkward time-zone issues. 

In fact, Major League Soccer hosts a number of former Premier League players. At LAFC, Tottenham Hotspur legend Heung-Min Son is among the Black and Gold's ranks. Over at Atlanta United, ex-Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almirón is dictating proceedings. Down in Miami, Luis Suárez is still carrying on his goalscoring exploits that he honed while at Liverpool. 

There are stars from the World Cup that you should recognize, too. Son and Almiron played for South Korea and Paraguay, respectively. Meanwhile, Argentina's Lionel Messi (the GOAT) and Rodrigo de Paul are lighting it up for Inter Miami, and Canada's Richie Laryea is turning out for Toronto FC. Steven Moreira, who was in the squad for Cape Verde, everyone's favorite underdogs, is on the books at Columbus Crew.

But Spain's La Liga, France's Ligue 1, Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A are other places to go for your football fix.

In La Liga, you'll find many of the players who lifted the World Cup title, including Pau Cubarsí, Dani Olmo, Pedri and Lamine Yamal at Barcelona. 

In Ligue 1, France's Ousmane Dembélé and Desire Doué are ripping it up at Paris Saint-Germain. 

Over in Germany, England's Harry Kane and France's Michael Olise are smashing in goals with Bayern Munich, and in Italy, Argentina's Lautaro Martinez is racking up numbers with Internazionale.