Premier League Power Shift: Which Clubs Improved and Which Fell Behind This Season

The 2025-26 campaign in the Premier League is approaching its decisive stage with only a handful of matches remaining. The battle for the title remains intense, with Arsenal currently leading the race while still facing strong pressure from Manchester City. Behind them, teams such as Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool remain determined to secure places in the UEFA Champions League.

At the opposite end of the table, the fight to avoid relegation is equally dramatic. Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently facing the most serious threat after a disappointing campaign that has placed them at the bottom of the standings. Meanwhile, Burnley, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leeds United are also caught in a tense battle to stay in the top division.

Several clubs have experienced a noticeable drop in performance compared with last season. Wolverhampton have struggled significantly, collecting far fewer points than they managed in the previous campaign. Nottingham Forest have also suffered a sharp decline after once competing near the top of the table last year, while West Ham and Tottenham have failed to replicate their earlier consistency.

In the middle of the standings, teams such as Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United have also fallen behind their previous results. Newcastle, who secured a Champions League place last season, now sit with a noticeably reduced points total. On the other hand, Everton and Brentford have managed to show improvement, collecting more points than they did at the same stage last year.

One of the most striking changes involves Liverpool, whose performance has dropped sharply after winning the title last season. Meanwhile, Manchester United have recorded the biggest improvement in points compared with the previous campaign, while Aston Villa and Manchester City have also progressed well. Arsenal, despite only a modest increase in points, have maintained strong consistency and remain firmly in the title race as the season nears its conclusion.