As of MW10, Arsenal currently lead the Premier League title race with a six-point advantage over second-placed Man City, who sit on 19 points. The Gunners saw off Burnley with a 2-0 victory at the Turf Moor, while the 2023 Treble Winners eventually overcame a tricky Bournemouth side who currently sit at fourth-placed placed behind defending English champions, Liverpool. The Reds bounced back from their poor form, after losing six out of their last seven matches, to defeat Aston Villa in a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Tottenham sit at fifth place after an embarrassing 1-0 defeat at home to local rivals Chelsea as they bounce back to enter the potential contention of the Premier League title, after an unexpected 2-1 defeat to newly promoted side, Sunderland, who currently sit behind the World Champions at sixth position.
Man United were briefly second in the Premier League after they went 1-0 up against Nottingham Forest through a controversially given corner kick, which was then headed past by Casemiro. The hosts started the second-half with all their might which saw them score twice and lead the match 2-1 through goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savonna. The match ended in a 2-2 draw after Amad equalised to put his team in eighth position.
What The Bookies Say
Arsenal are the current favourites to lift the league title, making them Champions of England after 21 years since their last title in the 03/04 season that saw them go thirty-eight league games without losing. So has been the story of the last three seasons where each time Arsenal have led the league table until the second-half of the season eventually to lose it all. Liverpool and Manchester City started the season as title contenders from day one, until an unexpected run of poor form saw the Gunners gain a huge advantage.
Chelsea, after being crowned World Champions after their 3-0 victory over European Champions, PSG, in the FIFA Club World Cup Final, were being considered a dark horse to challenge for the title. The assumptions were put on a brief halt as conceding red cards became a habit instead of a momentary setback.
All of the original ‘Big 6’ are in contention to lift the title in an eight-horse race for the first time since the 2016-17 season, where all the ‘Big 6’ were involved until January.
Surprise Participants
While some may not recognise it, with most not even anticipating it, Bournemouth and Sunderland have had far better starts to their seasons than one could’ve guessed. Andoni Iraola’s side have generated 18 points in 10 games which sees them sit fourth, separating most of the big six from each other.
The shock of the season, however, remains this newly promoted Sunderland side, who won the EFL Championships’ Play-Offs Finals in an emphatic 2-1 comeback against Sheffield United at Wembley. After overcoming the reigning World Champions, Chelsea, the Black Cats made a strong statement to the Premier League, asserting their presence among the league’s top contenders.
Betting Odds
Arsenal: 1.44
Manchester City: 5.00
Liverpool: 7.50
Chelsea: 31.00
Manchester United: 36.00
Tottenham Hotspur: 151.00
Sunderland: 201.00
Bournemouth: 201.00
Relegation Contenders
Wolverhampton Wanderers currently sit at the bottom of the table with just 2 points after a winless start to the 25/26 campaign, followed by Nottingham Forest and West Ham with 6 and 7 points, respectively. All 3 promoted sides currently sit out of the relegation zone and given the current form of the bottom 3 teams, the newly promoted sides could all potentially stay up. This would be a historic repeat of the 17/18 and 11/12 seasons where all 3 promoted teams avoided relegation from the top flight.
Burnley and Leeds United are just out of the relegation zone, however, that does not guarantee them staying up as any team in that position is just a few bad results away from a full blown relegation battle. The next five or six gameweeks could prove decisive. For teams fighting to stay up, survival depends not only on collecting points but also on rebuilding confidence, tightening their defensive structure, and capitalising on favourable fixtures.
Odds for relegation:
Sunderland: 1.02
Leeds United: 1.36
Burnley: 1.34
West Ham: 1.89
Nottingham Forest: 3.35
Wolves: 1.16
Matches to Look Out For (MD11)
Right before the international break begins, MW11 will see six of the top eight teams compete with each other as there is huge potential that the table might change its current shape.
Man City play Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium to go closer to the top of the table in hopes of catching Arsenal before it’s too late. The Gunners who currently lead the Premier League, will play at the Stadium of Light against a tough and tricky Sunderland side who refuses to back down from a challenge.
Manchester United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium seeking revenge against the Lilywhites, who crushed their European dreams in last season’s Europa League Final, which was one of four defeats the Red Devils have suffered to Spurs across all competitions in the 24/25 season.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Man United
November 8, Saturday
12:30 GMT (18:00 IST)
Sunderland vs Arsenal
November 8, Saturday
17:30 GMT (23:00 IST)
Man City vs Liverpool
November 9, Sunday
16:30 GMT (22:00 IST)
