Last season's Premier League proved to be more competitive than recent years. While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the 38‑game average (63), the real shift happened in mid‑table. Since the league shrank to 20 teams in 1995‑96 the gap between the top four and bottom three had been widening, but last season that gap fell from 44 points in 2024‑25 to just 26 points – the smallest for 23 years.

European places became more attainable. Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification two spots higher than the year before, and Liverpool earned the bonus fifth‑place spot with 60 points – the lowest for a fifth‑place side in 19 years. Bournemouth and Sunderland qualified for Europe for the first time ever and for over half a century, respectively. Bottom‑half teams also finished with more points than in previous seasons, meaning position alone is a poor gauge of strength.

Thirteen of the 20 clubs finished between 40 and 60 points – the most since 2003‑04. Whether this stems from weaker top sides or stronger lower ones is unclear, but the rise of promoted sides like Sunderland and Leeds, who outscored their predecessors by 64 points, suggests the league is entering a new, fiercely competitive era.

However, the bottom has tightened. The average points for the second‑bottom side now sits at 31, with many clubs falling behind early. Promoted teams such as Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will aim to match the heightened competitiveness this season.