At first glance, the 2021/22 Premier League table looks almost exactly as you would expect. The teams occupying the top four positions after seven games – Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United – are the same four teams who finished there last season. However, there is much more going on here than meets the eye. And despite seeing familiar names at the top, this is far from a procession for those teams.
Mid-October is always a good point to reflect on the outlook of a Premier League season. Players set off to play for their countries during the international break. It is, in fact, the second international break of the season. The first, which comes in early September, usually feels too sudden to make any conclusions. But now that teams have found their rhythm, the break acts as a time to take stock.
Watford first to wield managerial axe
Unfortunately for some coaches, taking stock in the boardroom means getting sacked. Watford was the first club to act, firing head coach Xisco Munoz. The club has seven points from seven games – not at all bad for a newly-promoted team – but the Watford board seems to want more. At the time of writing, Claudio Ranieri – the Italian coach who delivered the title to Leicester City in 2016 – is expected to take the reins.
As for those four teams at the top, Manchester United fans seem to be the most restless. The Red Devils, who started the season with a spring in their step after signing Cristiano Ronaldo, occupy fourth place on 14 points, but have stuttered of late. While they are in touch with the top (three points behind leaders Chelsea), they have had the easiest schedule and are yet to play any of the teams above them.
United’s post-international break fixtures are: Leicester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. It’s daunting, to say the least, and it’s the kind of schedule that could make or break a manager’s career. Current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is coming in for a lot of criticism from fans, will be well aware that this could be his last chance as United boss.
Man City favourites for title
While Chelsea lead the table, it is Man City who are deemed the betting favourites for the title. The Mr Green betting site in Canada puts the odds at 10/11 for Pep Guardiola’s team to win yet another Premier League crown. Chelsea (5/2) and Liverpool (9/2) are not far behind, though. Whatever happens, fans, pundits and bookmakers are in agreement that one of that trio will be crowned in May next year.
As for teams doing better than expected, Brighton & Hove Albion have been the most eye-catching of all., The Seagulls operate on a much lower budget than the majority of Premier League teams, but shrewd transfers and hard work seem to be paying off. Brighton’s coach Graham Potter is building a reputation as an astute operator, and that might lead to one of the bigger clubs calling.
West Ham, too, have continued to defy logic by picking up from where they left off last season. The Hammers can even point to a rare victory at Old Trafford, albeit in the secondary EFL Cup, this season. But special mention has to go to Brentford. Like most newly-promoted teams on a budget, expectations were low for Brentford. However, The Bees have really taken to the Premier League, and find themselves just a few points off the Champions League qualification positions. A thrilling 3-3-3 draw with Liverpool ensured that Brentford won the hearts of neutral fans.
Of course, there are also those teams who are disappointing their fans. Arsenal had a horrendous start to the season, losing the first three games. While things have picked up since then, it is clear that the “project” envisioned by coach Mikel Arteta still has a long way to go. On the other side of North London, Tottenham Hotspur started well, but fans were soon faced with some disappointing results, including an embarrassing derby loss to Arsenal. Fans have not yet warmed to new boss Nuno Espirito Santo, and it’s not altogether clear how long he will be given to win them over.
Norwich looking up at rest of the division
Down at the bottom of the table, Norwich City, Newcastle United and Burnley occupy the three relegation spots. There is a long way to go, of course, but Norwich, in particular, looks like a team in deep trouble. Burnley and Newcastle have been in this position before, so neither club will be too worried yet. But there is already a gap appearing between the so-called basement clubs and the rest, so both Newcastle coach Steve Bruce and Burnley’s Sean Dyche will be nervous.
Thirty-one games remain this season, and there is only a nine-point gap between Crystal Palace in 14th and Chelsea at the top, so nobody should be celebrating or hitting the panic button just yet. But the early season dust has settled somewhat, and we are getting an indication of the narrative for the Premier League season. For some fans, that means an exciting run ahead. For others, a long hard winter awaits.
