As we reach the second international break of the season, each side has played seven matches in the Premier League. With wildly contrasting starts this season, I’ll be ranking each club’s start to the campaign based on several factors.
Each team’s points total, performance level, difficulty of fixtures, injury issues, and pre-season expectations will all come into play as I give each team a rating out of 10.
With this ranking system, ratings are not linear; teams with higher point totals do not equate to a better rating. I will split the teams into several different categories in accordance with how they’ve performed.
The Pace-Setters
Liverpool
Position: 1st – | Points: 18 | GD: +11
Replacing the iconic Jürgen Klopp was supposed to be a tricky feat. But so far, Arne Slot has had an incredible effect on the squad, as the Reds look to be the standout team so far. A 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United helped Slot settle in, and key away victories in recent weeks show that the team has not lost that steely resilience they showcased under Klopp.
A blip at home to Forest is the only blemish on an otherwise spotless record, and Arne Slot has already become a fan favorite.
Rating: 9/10
Manchester City
Position: 2nd | Points: 17 | GD: +9
The Champions are looking to make it five titles in a row, and Erling Haaland is in imperious form. 10 goals in the first five games is another record he can add to the many he’s broken. The last three games have been shakier for City, with two draws and a narrow win over Fulham.
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury sustained by star midfielder Rodri has huge ramifications for the way they play. Under Pep Guardiola, City are still huge favourites for the title but they’ve seen better starts to a league campaign.
Rating: 8.5/10
Arsenal
Position: 3rd | Points: 17 | GD: +9
Having already gotten trips to Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Tottenham out of the way, Arsenal have gotten some of their toughest games out of the way. They came within a minute of securing a historic win away at the champions and look a much more solid outfit in tough away games.
A brilliant win against PSG has boosted morale, but there has been one significant issue for the Gunners. Captain Martin Ødegaard has been injured for a month and it’s unclear to see when he’ll return. Injuries to Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino have also been problematic. Yet Arsenal should be confident of challenging for the title for the 3rd year running.
Rating: 8.5/10
Ones To Watch
Chelsea
Position: 4th | Points: 14 | GD: +8
Todd Boehly’s scattergun approach in the transfer market looks to finally be paying off as the Blues thrive under new boss Enzo Maresca. Unbeaten since the opening day, Chelsea has been thriving, and talisman Cole Palmer continues to blow the league away game by game. Noni Madueke has hit goalscoring form, and Marc Cucurella is continuing his excellent 2024 style.
A couple of draws at home to weaker teams shows there is much room for improvement, yet there is so much to be optimistic about after a couple of inconsistent and miserable years.
Rating: 8/10
Aston Villa
Position: 5th | Points: 14 | GD: +3
The reinvention of modern Villa continues to develop, and they’ve balanced Europe and the Premier League brilliantly so far. Super-sub Jhon Duran has been a revelation off the bench, with key winners against Leicester, West Ham, and Everton. A historic win against Bayern has ensured their start to the campaign has been excellent on both fronts.
However, a couple of draws in their last two games have halted their winning start in the league. Despite this, they are well on track for another season of Continental football and that’s Unai Emery’s primary goal.
Rating: 8.5/10
Brighton
Position: 6th | Points: 12 | GD: +3
31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler has taken like a duck to water in his first job in the Premier League. The superb comeback victory against Tottenham showcased incredible fighting spirit, and the Seagulls have already played four of the so-called ‘big six.’
However, defensively, there were big questions, and Chelsea dismantled them with ease. Injury to Jan Paul van Hecke has hampered them at the back, and hopefully, they can build some stability in the coming months.
Rating: 7.5/10
The Over-Performers
Fulham
Position: 8th | Points: 11 | GD: +2
The Cottagers continue to show progression under Marco Silva, and they’ve been thoroughly impressive. They just lost midfielder Joao Palhinha but have recruited well, and Emile Smith-Rowe looks to be a coup for £35million from Arsenal.
Fulham went toe-to-toe with Manchester City at the Etihad and took plenty of positives despite their narrow loss. With favorable fixtures to come, they’ll be quietly positive about pushing the elite this season.
Rating: 8/10
Nottingham Forest
Position: 10th | Points: 10 | GD: +1
Since their return to the top flight, they’ve recorded 16th and 17th-placed finishes and have consistently been in a relegation dogfight. Yet Nuno’s first full season in charge has started brilliantly. A sensational win at Anfield against leaders Liverpool is the pinnacle of their campaign so far, but with significant investment paying off, displays of grit and determination are becoming much more frequent.
One defeat in the first seven matches is incredibly impressive, and with Chris Wood, they have an experienced striker who is well-proven at the top level. With many expecting them to be dragged down into a relegation scrap, Nuno has got fans hoping for a more steady year, which they can build on.
Rating: 8/10
Reliable Starters
AFC Bournemouth
Position: 13th | Points: 8 | GD: -2
Andoni Iraola led the Cherries to record points total last season, and they’ve started with encouraging performances so far. The stunning comeback win against Everton has been the highlight of their campaign. Antoine Semenyo has been the crown jewel in Bournemouth’s four-pronged attack.
Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie have been ever-present in midfield and can compete with most teams in the league. However, they’re still yet to keep a clean sheet, and a damaging loss to newly-promoted Leicester means they remain in the bottom half. They need to turn these performances into results if they wish to improve on last year.
Rating: 6/10
Brentford
Position: 11th | Points: 10 | GD: 0
The early goal-scorers have made an excellent start to matches. Yet keeping those leads has been a challenge, and they find themselves in mid-table. Bryan Mbuemo has been electric with six Premier League goals so far, yet an injury to Yoane Wissa has him sidelined until December. The Bees should steer well clear of relegation and will manage a couple of big scalps along the way.
Rating: 6.5/10
Newcastle
Position: 7th | Points: 12 | GD: +1
They’ve enjoyed a fantastic start this year and have picked up big results against Spurs and Man City. However, their performances need to improve if they wish to challenge for European places again. Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak provide real quality in attack, whilst Bruno Guimarães is the lynchpin in midfield they desperately rely on.
Under Eddie Howe, they have built solid foundations over the last few years, and the fans will ensure St. James’ Park remains fierce and raucous throughout the year. If they manage this, there’s no reason they can’t mount a charge for the top seven.
Rating: 7/10
The Underachievers
Crystal Palace
Position: 18th | Points: 3 | GD: -5
After an excellent run at the end of last season, Palace fans had the right to start dreaming of improvement after 10 years of mid-table finishes. However, the start of the season has been appalling. Losing captain Joachim Andersen to Fulham and star Michael Olise to Bayern hampered pre-season.
But their replacements are yet to step up and there is no sign of cohesion throughout the team. Oliver Glasner needs to turn things around quickly; otherwise, he could come under immense scrutiny very quickly.
Rating: 2/10
Everton
Position: 16th | Points: 5 | GD: -8
Despite a couple of promising displays in recent weeks, Goodison Park is still a negative hotbed full of supporters. Disgraceful displays at the start of the campaign, where they blew up leads or were completely outclassed, mean another season of looking over their shoulder awaits.
In Sean Dyche, they have a manager with experience staying in the division. But how much can they really progress with him at the helm?
Rating: 3/10
Manchester United
Position: 14th | Points: 8 | GD: -3
A dismal season last year saw United crash out of the Champions League group stage and finish 8th, yet their FA Cup victory bought Erik Ten Hag another campaign. They spent £215million in the summer. But this year’s start has been so much worse. Amassing a record-low points total after seven games in the club’s history is bad enough.
But the performances have lacked cohesion, any form of defensive unity, and attackers who linger on the periphery of matches far too often. Each loss brings further questions about Ten Hag’s leadership, and it’s hard to think of many more toxic clubs in the world right now.
Rating: 1/10
Tottenham Hotspur
Position: 9th | Points: 10 | GD: +6
One step forward, one step back? That’s not quite the saying, but that’s the mood in North London right now. An excellent win at Old Trafford followed by a disgraceful second-half collapse at Brighton. Ange Postecoglu has them playing scintillating football at times, and they’ll believe they can challenge for the top four again. But there is a lack of a winning mentality at Spurs, something that has preceded Ange all the way back to 2008, the last time they won a major trophy.
Ange has famously proclaimed he always was something in his second year, but can he really achieve it at Spurs? A team that produces bipolar performances, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Only time will tell. But for now, results need to come quick before Spurs fans are demanding more change.
Rating: 5.5/10
West Ham
Points: 12th | Points: 8 | GD: -1
Julen Lopetegui has overseen a big rebuild as West Ham manager and made exciting signings which got neutrals wondering whether West Ham could secure a return to continental football. However, two wins against struggling sides have masked their overall performances, which have been dire for the large part.
Losing the first three home league games stings, no matter how tough the opponent may be. Pre-season hopes among supporters will have been high, but right now, fans are on edge and are demanding better performances quickly.
Rating: 4.5/10
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Position: 20th | Points: 1 | GD: -12
Lastly, Wolves find themselves at rock bottom and have no real positives on which they can lean. A horrific defensive display against Chelsea saw them ship six, and chucking away a win against Newcastle hurt even more. They’ve had incredibly tough fixtures, which can be the only real form of excuse, but no league clean sheet in 19 league games is a massive concern.
Rating: 1/10
The New Boys
Ipswich
Position: 17th | Points: 4 | GD: -8
The Tractor Boys are back in the big time after 22 years, and they’ve spent a lot of time ensuring they remain at this level. Striker Liam Delap has been a star in the making for many years at Manchester City, and now he finally has a club that’s suited for him. Despite this, they are yet to register a win and that needs to come fast.
With games against teams in the bottom half coming up, they’ll have a great chance of getting that long-awaited victory. Having shown fighting spirit in draws against Brighton and Aston Villa, the fans will be encouraged that they won’t have to wait much longer.
Rating: 5/10
Leicester
Position: 15th | Points: 6 | GD: -3
The Foxes have been well drilled under Steve Cooper, and competitive in every game they’ve played. The win against Bournemouth just before the break has lifted the mood in the camp. With exciting wingers and club legend Jamie Vardy in attack, the Foxes should be confident at the front end of the pitch. However, they’ll need spirited defensive performances should they wish to stay in the division.
Rating: 5/10
Southampton
Position: 19th | Points: 1 | GD: -11
Southampton’s style of play in the Championship proved too good for the league last time out. But since their return to the top flight, they have been outgunned and outrun. Russell Martin insists this is the way they’ll continue to play, but the season already looks bleak for the Saints as they lack star power in both defense and attack.
19-year-old star Tyler Dibling has been a bright spark, and he is one to keep an eye on for the future. But if things don’t change quickly, the Saints will be back in the Championship all too quickly.
Rating: 1.5/10
With 31 games to go, which teams will up their standards, and which teams will become embroiled in a dreaded relegation battle?
