Every August, we set our sights on the Premier League clubs, analyzing their prospects for the upcoming campaign. Our enthusiasm was so palpable that we revisited these predictions in January, eager to observe how the landscape had evolved during the first half of the season.
With the season now fully concluded, it’s an ideal moment to assess which teams emerged as genuine contenders and which ones, like Manchester City and Arsenal, faced different realities. Here, we revisit initial ambitions and provide mid-season updates, offering a fresh perspective on their journeys.
Arsenal: From Aspirations to Reality
Pre-season ambitions:
- Compete for the league title throughout the season
- Secure silverware
Mid-season reflections:
- Silverware remains elusive
Back in January, we criticized Arsenal for not fully embodying their title challenge, suggesting that their efforts resembled Arne Slot’s Liverpool rather than Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable Manchester City. Their pursuit of the league crown was faltering, marred by a series of draws that ultimately saw their title hopes fade, prompting a strategic shift towards the Champions League.
Despite a notable victory over PSG in the XG Cup, silverware in the domestic league or cups remained out of reach. The season’s lack of trophies, coupled with a modest league regression, left Arsenal fans with a sense of disappointment-especially considering Tottenham’s trophy win, which now casts a shadow of mockery over Arsenal’s trophy drought.
Looking ahead, our predictions for next season remain confident, especially with Ange Postecoglou at the helm, whose track record suggests a promising future for the Gunners.
Aston Villa: Consistent Progress
Pre-season goals:
- Reach the Champions League knockout stages
- Finish in the top six
Mid-season achievements:
- Advance deep into the Champions League knockout rounds
- Maintain a top-six league position
Villa’s season was marked by clear milestones. Their failure to qualify for the Champions League in the final moments was frustrating, especially after a poor display against a depleted Manchester United, and a costly red card for Emi Martinez that contributed to a controversial refereeing decision.
Nevertheless, their overall campaign was a success, managing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals-pushing PSG close-and maintaining a solid domestic form. Their ability to balance European commitments with league performance was commendable, and securing a European spot for next season is a significant achievement.
The next logical step is to aim for silverware, though a potential shift to the Europa League might be a silver lining, offering a realistic chance at silverware without the intense competition of the Champions League.
Bournemouth: From Hope to Reality
Pre-season goal:
- Finish in the top half of the table
Mid-season review:
- Finish in the top six
Our initial optimism about Bournemouth was justified during their unbeaten streak in January, where they convincingly defeated teams like Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. At that point, even a top-six finish seemed within reach, and a Champions League qualification was not out of the question.
However, their form declined sharply afterward, a pattern familiar to their supporters. Despite this, they managed to finish a respectable ninth, slightly ahead of Aston Villa, demonstrating resilience and a solid campaign overall.
Brentford: Maintaining Stability
Pre-season goal:
- Avoid relegation struggles experienced last season
Mid-season achievement:
- Consistently perform well at home and away
By January, Brentford had successfully avoided the relegation fears of the previous season, thanks to a balanced mix of strong home and away performances. Their mid-season efforts, initially seen as a light-hearted attempt, turned serious as they won four consecutive matches-against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Ipswich-while also earning draws against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Steady Growth
Pre-season and mid-season goals:
- Finish in the top half of the table
Brighton’s consistent performance throughout the season was impressive. They finished comfortably in the top half, just outside European qualification spots, with a late-season surge that saw them collect 13 points from their final five games, including a victory over champions Manchester City. Their ability to hit streaks of excellent form underscores their potential for future European campaigns.
Chelsea: From Ambition to Achievement
Pre-season ambitions:
- Win the Europa Conference League and complete the set of UEFA trophies
Mid-season milestones:
- Secure Europa Conference League victory
- Finish in the top four
Despite a shaky start in the Europa Conference League, Chelsea managed to clinch the trophy and secure a top-four league finish on the final day. Their journey to becoming the first team to win all four major UEFA trophies is historic, though their European dominance remains a work in progress, especially as they contend with powerhouse clubs like Arsenal.
Crystal Palace: Steady and Reliable
Pre-season and mid-season goals:
- Achieve 50 points
Palace’s season was marked by consistency, reaching the 50-point mark early and maintaining it through the season. Their stable performance, coupled with an FA Cup run, provided a sense of stability and hope for future progress, with Oliver Glasner’s management promising further development.
Everton: Battling Relegation
Pre-season goal:
- Accumulate enough points to avoid relegation
Mid-season assessment:
- Ensure safety from the bottom three
Everton’s season was a rollercoaster, with their initial goal of simply avoiding relegation becoming more pressing as the campaign progressed. Under Moyes’ departure, the team focused on survival, ultimately securing safety by the skin of their teeth, thanks to strategic wins over teams like West Ham and Manchester United.
Fulham: A Season of Highs and Lows
Pre-season goal:
- Maintain stability in the Premier League
Mid-season outlook:
- Finish in the top half
Fulham’s season was marked by a remarkable achievement-defeating champions Manchester City-despite losing six of their last nine games, which saw them drop from European contention to 11th. Their mid-season performance was impressive, though their late decline raises questions about consistency and resilience.
Ipswich Town: From Hopeful to Realistic
Pre-season goal:
- Become the new Luton
Mid-season reality check:
- Stay clear of relegation
Ipswich’s early ambitions seem distant now, especially after a tough January. Their primary focus has shifted to avoiding the bottom, with the realistic target being to stay ahead of Luton and other relegation-threatened teams, rather than challenging for higher honors.
Leicester City: Struggling to Survive
Pre-season and mid-season goals:
- Maintain Premier League status
Leicester’s season was marred by inconsistency, with both pre-season and mid-season targets to stay afloat in the top flight remaining unfulfilled. Their struggle to accumulate points highlights the challenges faced by newly promoted sides.
Liverpool: Champions and Contenders
Pre-season goal:
- Finish the season confidently without doubts about Arne Slot
Mid-season aspiration:
- Win the league title
Liverpool’s season was a masterclass in dominance, securing the league title with ease and spending the final month relaxing. Their lead was so substantial that no significant challenge emerged, cementing their status as champions. However, their late-season form, including a winless streak, hints at potential vulnerabilities that could impact next season’s start.
Manchester City: A Season of Disappointment
Pre-season ambitions:
- Win the league without penalties or setbacks
Mid-season outlook:
- Claim the Champions League trophy
City’s season was marred by unprecedented setbacks-they failed to win the league, the Champions League, the FA Cup, or any major trophy for the first time under Guardiola. Their inability to meet pre-season goals underscores the unpredictable nature of football, even for the most dominant teams.
Manchester United: A Season of Uncertainty
Pre-season expectations:
- Prove progress under Erik Ten Hag
Mid-season prospects:
- Show progress under Ruben Amorim
United’s season was characterized by instability, with early hopes of improvement under Ten Hag giving way to doubts. Their mid-season target of impressing with Amorim’s approach remains unfulfilled, and the club faces an uncertain future, with some suggesting a potential shift back to Gareth Southgate’s management.
Newcastle United: From Promise to Achievement
Pre-season goal:
- Return to European competitions
Mid-season success:
- Secure European qualification and win silverware
Newcastle exceeded expectations, securing a return to the Champions League and claiming a major trophy, marking a historic season. Their journey has inspired other clubs like Crystal Palace and Tottenham, who are now chasing their own trophy successes. Interestingly, despite finishing fifth, Spurs qualified for the Europa League, highlighting the quirks of league positioning and European qualification rules.
Nottingham Forest: From Ambition to Reality
Pre-season goal:
- Accumulate points to avoid relegation
Mid-season achievement:
- Qualify for European competitions
Forest’s season started with a straightforward goal of survival, which they achieved comfortably. Their mid-season target of European qualification was ambitious but ultimately out of reach, though their overall campaign was a step forward from previous struggles.
Southampton: A Season of Struggles
Pre-season goal:
- Avoid heavy defeats like Burnley’s
Mid-season goal:
- Prevent a heavy loss to Derby
Southampton’s early season was marked by heavy losses, leading to managerial changes. Despite efforts to improve, results remained inconsistent, and their season was characterized by a series of setbacks, including a sacking and a last-minute effort to stay afloat.
Tottenham Hotspur: From Hope to Reality
Pre-season goal:
- Win a trophy, any trophy
Mid-season achievement:
- Secure a trophy and avoid relegation
Postecoglou’s tenure culminated in a historic achievement-winning a trophy, fulfilling their season’s primary goal. His narrative arc has become legendary, transforming Spurs’ fortunes and inspiring hope among fans. However, club chairman Daniel Levy’s cautious approach and the potential for future instability cast a shadow over their long-term prospects.
West Ham: A Season of Transition
Pre-season goal:
- Achieve similar results with better football
Mid-season outlook:
- Maintain consistent performance
West Ham’s season was a period of transition, with hopes of better football but limited results. After parting ways with Moyes, the team showed some signs of improvement, though their overall performance remained inconsistent, with a handful of wins against lower-tier teams and a few notable victories.
Wolves: From Struggles to Momentum
Pre-season goal:
- Start strongly and avoid managerial upheaval
Mid-season progress:
- Build on late-season momentum
Wolves finished strongly, with 19 points from their last 10 games, indicating a positive trajectory. Their late-season form suggests that with a stable start and no managerial changes, they could build on this momentum in the upcoming season, making their mid-season push a promising sign for fans.
