FOR some teams, there are eight games left to glory. For others, there are nine games left to salvage something from the season. This is week 29, and for comparison, at this stage last year, Liverpool had accumulated 70 points, while Arsenal currently have 67 points in the 2025-2026 season.
Many claimed Liverpool triumphed last season because the league was weak. Compared with this season, however, one could argue that this campaign has been even more competitive.
So the question arises: if Arsenal win the title, will it be considered a weak Premier League season?
Personally, I disagree. Claiming this season is weaker is simply daft. It undermines the effort teams have made to improve. Examining the current league table reveals uncertainties everywhere.
The title race remains open, the battle for Champions League qualification is fierce, and even the relegation fight is far from settled.
Seven points separate Arsenal and Manchester City, with everything still to play for. City have a game in hand and will host the Gunners at the Etihad. If results go Pep Guardiola’s way, the gap could shrink to just one point between the top two teams. That alone reflects the league’s continued competitiveness.
It also feels like a throwback to previous seasons when Liverpool lost the title to City by a single point. With the final two game weeks scheduled for simultaneous kickoffs, plenty of drama still lies ahead.
Manchester United are in a strong position to return to the Champions League. However, Michael Carrick’s first defeat against Newcastle in midweek could derail the feel-good atmosphere around Old Trafford.
Can the Red Devils recover and achieve the objectives set by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group?
The competition will not be easy. Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool are all chasing the same places.
With English teams performing strongly in Europe again this season, the Premier League is expected to receive five Champions League spots for next year.
There is also the possibility of backdoor entry into the competition. Teams such as Newcastle and Tottenham are still active in European tournaments. Aston Villa could even finish sixth and still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League.
All of this highlights the strength of English clubs and the competitive advantages they currently hold over many of Europe’s biggest sides.
Arne Slot needs Champions League qualification to strengthen his position at Liverpool.
Chelsea require it to justify the close to £2bil spent since Todd Boehly took control of the club.
Aston Villa need it to sustain their current business model. Failure could see Unai Emery and several key players go elsewhere.
You cannot even rule out Brentford or Everton. A strong run of results, combined with dropped points from teams above them, could see either club sneak into European contention. There are still many storylines waiting to unfold. At the bottom of the table, the relegation battle remains intense. Teams that show grit and determination could survive, while those unwilling to fight may find themselves dropping into the Championship.
West Ham and Nottingham Forest are showing resilience, while Tottenham are in unfamiliar territory. Spurs rarely find themselves in this position. Whether their squad have the mentality for a relegation fight remains uncertain.
If Arsenal were to win the Premier League while Spurs are relegated, it would create one of the most dramatic seasons North London has ever experienced. People would talk about it for years!
Wolves were considered favourites for relegation just a few weeks ago.
However, back-to-back victories against Aston Villa and Liverpool have significantly improved their outlook. The club sit in 20th place, with the gap narrowing to 17th spot.
Could Wolves achieve the impossible? Credit must go to Rob Edwards. He has convinced the players to keep fighting. With a World Cup approaching, many players are motivated either to secure their place in national squads or attract interest from other Premier League clubs.
Spurs’ supporters must be honest with themselves. Their team are in a relegation fight. Only one point separates them from West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
The Lilywhites were fortunate that Forest managed only a draw against City. Otherwise, Forest could have overtaken them in the table.
The fixtures ahead do not get easier for Spurs, with Liverpool next on the schedule. Matches against Forest and Leeds could ultimately determine whether Tottenham survive or go down.
Fans will always undermine the achievements of their rivals, and this season is no different.
Some may claim the league is weaker, but the evidence suggests the opposite. The competition remains fierce, with multiple narratives still unfolding.
More twists and turns are inevitable. For some teams, the season will end in celebration. For others, in heartbreak.
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