Context of the Premier League

A high-stakes round of festive fixtures is upon us, and teams are scrambling for crucial points as they gear up for the season’s business end.

Arsenal remains the favorite for the title, with Manchester City pushing hard for the top spot. The season has been filled with unpredictability, highlighted by Sunderland’s rise and Liverpool’s unexpected downturn after their recent title victory.

This past weekend added further intrigue - despite a win over Tottenham, Liverpool’s performance was lackluster. On Sunday, Aston Villa solidified their third-place standing with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, showcasing individual brilliance from Morgan Rogers.
As Christmas approaches, the competition intensifies among the 20 Premier League teams, charting the ongoing race for the title and the challenge of avoiding relegation. Here’s how the rankings break down as the midway point of the season approaches.

1. Arsenal (39 points)

Arsenal has become a formidable contender this season, maintaining impressive performance despite some injuries and the underwhelming start of Viktor Gyokeres. They are undoubtedly the team to beat. Grade: A

2. Manchester City (37 points)

Entering the season in a rebuilding phase, Man City displays vulnerability but has managed to maintain relevance in the title race. Their dependency on Erling Haaland raises questions about their long-term sustainability this season. Grade: A

3. Aston Villa (36 points)

Despite some luck, Aston Villa finds themselves in a strong position thanks to Morgan Rogers’ impressive form. Grade: B+

4. Chelsea (29 points)

Chelsea is treading water at fourth place but struggle with injuries and off-field issues. Grade: B

5. Liverpool (29 points)

Once champions, Liverpool now face a crisis with manager Arne Slot struggling to achieve cohesiveness among the squad. Grade: D

6. Sunderland (27 points)

Sunderland is currently defying expectations, showing remarkable resilience this season. Grade: A

7. Manchester United (26 points)

Manchester United has stabilized under manager Ruben Amorim, becoming a notable attacking force. Grade: A+

8. Crystal Palace (26 points)

Under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace is progressing, establishing themselves in the top half of the table. Grade: A-

9. Brighton and Hove Albion (24 points)

Brighton is maintaining a steady mid-table position, showing consistency without significant progress. Grade: B

10. Everton (24 points)

Everton appears settled in mid-table, having achieved recent success. Grade: B

11. Newcastle United (23 points)

Newcastle has lost form, potentially jeopardizing their previous season’s success. Grade: D

12. Brentford (23 points)

Brentford demonstrates solid form with standout player Igor Thiago making waves. Grade: B

13. Tottenham Hotspur (22 points)

Spurs have improved from last season, but their conservative style hindered performance. Grade: D

14. Bournemouth (22 points)

Bournemouth’s improvement has been steady, though they still sit in mediocrity. Grade: B-

15. Fulham (20 points)

Fulham is at risk amid average performances, although defensive reinforcements might change this. Grade: C

16. Leeds United (19 points)

Leeds sits above relegation, showcasing some promise but also needs improvement. Grade: B

17. Nottingham Forest (18 points)

Forest is struggling under a new manager, attempting to find their identity this season. Grade: D

18. West Ham United (13 points)

Currently in the relegation zone, West Ham’s issues grandly reflect on recent seasons. Grade: F

19. Burnley (11 points)

Burnley’s struggles define their season as they find themselves at the bottom. Grade: F

20. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2 points)

Wolves are on track to set a new low for Premier League history, with struggles abounding. Grade: F