Ahead of the international break, we provide a grade for all 20 Premier League sides, 12 games into the 2023-24 EPL campaign.
Arsenal: B+
Have shown brilliance at times and signs that they’ve stepped things up from last season — highlighted when they defeated Man City on home turf. However they’ve still dropped points where they shouldn’t have, and there’s still work to do. Their title price has only marginally shifted from $6.00 into $5.50.
Aston Villa: A
Unai Emery continues to deliver at Villa Park, and with eight wins from twelve (and just a point outside the EPL top four), has shown that a European campaign won’t slow down their efforts. A genuine top four hope.
“Unai Emery is possibly the third best manager in this Premier League.” @Carra23 ranks the Aston Villa boss highly! 📈 pic.twitter.com/1teMkCofnU
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 12, 2023
Bournemouth: C
Their grade improves significantly having won two of their last three games, which has somewhat got things back on track. But the decision to sack manager Gary O’Neill continues to baffle, and their start (just three points from the first nine games) could come back to haunt them.
Brentford: B
Pound for pound one of the most impressive clubs in the EPL. Manager Thomas Frank continues to play attractive football that entertains their dedicated fan base. Dealt a huge blow with the long-term suspension of Ivan Toney but the Bees have weathered that as well as they could’ve.
Brighton: C
An absolute rollercoaster season to date from Brighton. The highs have been high, like defeating European heavyweight Ajax in Amsterdam. But the lows have been low, like being hammered 6-1 by Aston Villa. Winless in six EPL games, Roberto de Zerbi now has issues he needs to fix quickly.
Burnley: E+
Prior to the season kicking off, there was hope and expectation Burnley could bring the pulsating football that got them promoted from the Championship into their return to the EPL. And at relatively long odds to be relegated — $4.33, with six clubs considered better chances of going down — the markets reflected that. However Vincent Kompany’s side have struggled from the outset and with just four points in 12 games, their relegation odds have shortened into $1.57.
Chelsea: C
One of the hardest clubs to grade. Without doubt, the club is on an upward trend after a torrid 18 months, their improvement under Mauricio Pochettino underlined by a thrilling 4-4 draw with Man City in their last EPL outing. Home defeat to Brentford just a fortnight beforehand, however, shows they’ve got much to do. Whichever way you spin it, a club with their resources shouldn’t be sitting in 10th.
🔵 Pochettino: “I’m happy and proud”.
“We still need to improve, yes… but it’s the process when you want to build a project, build a journey”.
“This type of experience will improve our team, now we need to use and translate to the future”. pic.twitter.com/4XXSXvbWdD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 13, 2023
Crystal Palace: C+
Pretty much where most expected they would be, no? Palace have too much quality to be near the relegation mire. But they don’t have enough to challenge for the European spots. They’ve finished between 10th and 15th for the last 10 EPL seasons, and it looks very much like we’re heading that way again.
Everton: C
Sean Dyche has weathered huge pressure after a poor start to the season, and Toffees are now getting results to — at the very least — get them out of the relegation conversation again. Away wins at West Ham and Palace in recent weeks has been promising.
Fulham: C
Just one point in the last four EPL games leaves Fulham, with a more favourable run to come in the next month, needing to pick up the pace. Their issue remains goal-scoring ability, having lost Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer.
Liverpool: B+
Have somewhat flown under the radar in terms of their title credentials, but should be viewed alongside Arsenal as genuine challengers. A strange start to the season, mixing crazy wins (at Newcastle) with strange games dropping points (at Luton). What is clear, is that Mo Salah is back to his devastating best. Manager Jurgen Klopp has also realigned his midfield — after huge off-season change — nicely.
Mohamed Salah in the Premier League this season 👑 pic.twitter.com/5RUE0ExDuf
— GOAL (@goal) November 12, 2023
Luton Town: C
It was a fairytale story for Luton to even make the EPL ranks, and they’ve by no means disgraced themselves, currently in 18th. A home draw against Liverpool and away win at Everton have been highlights. But let’s make no mistake — the Hatters are very, very likely to go back down.
Manchester City: B+
Last year’s treble winners look every bit like winning their sixth EPL title in seven seasons, and unsurprisingly have already shortened into $1.45 favourites. Defeat at The Emirates showed the Gunners will again challenge, and a loss at Wolves was a clear shocker. But Pep Guardiola’s enviable depth — highlighted by the new addition of Jeremy Doku — should have things covered.
Manchester United: D
A torrid start to the season has seen the first genuine calls for Erik ten Hag’s head as manager, as United look every bit the mid-table side. Admittedly gutted by key injuries, which have only served to reiterate the club’s lack of depth. Which, considering the Dutchman’s spend to date, is seen as unacceptable by most of the Old Trafford faithful.
Newcastle: C+
The upward trajectory Newcastle has surfed for the last 12 months is beginning to plateau. Many expected this point to arrive, but it’s perhaps come sooner as the club looks to navigate the toughest group in the Champions League with a huge injury list. Defeat at Bournemouth over the weekend was worrying.
Nottingham Forest: B
Forest have exceeded pre-season expectations and, without doubt, have put in some improved performances compared with last season. They’ve knocked off Villa and Chelsea, and if they continue their form shouldn’t be a relegation chance this EPL season.
Sheffield United: E
A fortnight ago the Blades were very much being graded an ‘F’ with a record low one point after 10 games. But with four points from the past two match days have resurrected things slightly. Still, very much look a relegation prospect as things in this premier league season
Tottenham: A
This grade only comes down from an A+ due to back-to-back losses. But aside from that, Spurs start to the season under Aussie manager Ange Postecoglou has been nothing short of revolutionary. Big Ange has revitalised a frustrated club and fan base. And he’s quickly positioned them back to playing attacking, entertaining football.
Ange Postecoglou joins Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte as the only managers to win the Premier League Manager of the Month award three times in a row 🥇🇦🇺
Simply incredible.
📷 premierleague/X#PL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/pqCzQS70HA
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) November 10, 2023
West Ham: C
While the Hammers have been superb in the Europa League, their form on the home front has been patchy. They’d won just one of their past seven EPL games prior to victory against Forest on the weekend.
Wolves: C+
A shaky start to the season had many positioning Wolves as potential relegation chances. In fact, at one stage they’d shortened into $3.30 chances to go down in 2023-24. But they’re now looking dangerous again, and new manager Gary O’Neil deserves credit for victories against champions Man City and Tottenham.