The Premier League 2025-26 season has reached its midway point, and the table is beginning to take shape. With 19 matches played, the top teams are starting to pull away from the pack, while the relegation battle is heating up at the bottom. In this article, we'll analyze the latest standings and implications for the title and relegation battles.
Current Standings
As of the latest update, the top six teams in the Premier League table are: Manchester City (43 points), Liverpool (39 points), Arsenal (36 points), Chelsea (34 points), Manchester United (32 points), and Tottenham Hotspur (31 points). At the bottom of the table, the relegation zone is currently occupied by: Burnley (15 points), Sheffield United (16 points), and Nottingham Forest (17 points).
The table is incredibly tight, with only 10 points separating the top six teams. This competitiveness is reflected in the expected goals (xG) table, which shows that the top teams are not dominating games as much as they have in the past. According to data from Opta Sports, the average xG per match for the top six teams is 1.8, down from 2.1 last season.
Title Implications
The title race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years, with four teams still in contention. Manchester City are currently in the driver's seat, but Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all within striking distance.
"We're taking it one game at a time," said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in a recent interview. "We know that the Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to stay focused and keep working hard to achieve our goals." (Source: Manchester Evening News)
A key factor in the title race will be the fixtures that the top teams have coming up. Manchester City face a tough run of games, including matches against Liverpool and Chelsea, while Arsenal have a slightly easier schedule. According to data from FiveThirtyEight, Manchester City have a 40% chance of winning the title, followed by Liverpool (30%), Arsenal (20%), and Chelsea (10%).
Relegation Battle
The relegation battle is also heating up, with several teams still in danger of going down. Burnley, Sheffield United, and Nottingham Forest are currently in the relegation zone, but other teams such as West Ham United and Crystal Palace are not safe yet.
"We're not looking at the table, we're just focusing on our own games," said Burnley manager Vincent Kompany. "We know that we need to start winning games to get out of the relegation zone." (Source: BBC Sport)
A key factor in the relegation battle will be the form of the teams involved. Burnley have been struggling to score goals, while Sheffield United have been conceding too many. According to data from Whoscored, Burnley have the lowest xG per match in the league (0.8), while Sheffield United have the highest xG conceded per match (1.9).
Conclusion
The Premier League 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years, with the title and relegation battles hanging in the balance. As the season enters its final stretch, the top teams will need to stay focused and keep working hard to achieve their goals. Meanwhile, the teams at the bottom of the table will need to start winning games to avoid relegation. With so much at stake, the final few months of the season are sure to be thrilling.
As Jamie Carragher noted in a recent column, "the Premier League is a league of fine margins. One win or one loss can make all the difference." (Source: The Telegraph) With this in mind, the Premier League 2025-26 season is sure to be an exciting conclusion to the year.