Premier League 2025–26: Early Signs After Four Rounds

This weekend marked the end of the fourth round of games in the 2025–26 Premier League season. While it’s far too early to make firm predictions, the outlines of the campaign—both at the top and bottom of the table—are beginning to emerge.

The Title Race

Before a ball was kicked, most observers expected the title race to be a three-horse race between defending champions Liverpool, perennial runners-up Arsenal, and Manchester City. Their Club World Cup triumph may have even swayed some to include Chelsea. 

So far, Arsenal has looked the most convincing of the challengers. Despite their defeat to Liverpool before the international break, Mikel Arteta’s side have won their other three matches comfortably and in some style. The summer acquisitions of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, and Victor Gyökeres already look like money well spent, as they aim to help break down deep-lying, stubborn defenses—a cause of many vital dropped points over the last few seasons. 

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Their sole loss this season, at Anfield, seemed to owe more to Arteta’s strangely cautious approach than a lack of quality. If he can find a way to unshackle his undoubted attacking talent in the biggest games, Arsenal could be formidable in both domestic and European competition this season.

Liverpool, on paper, has made the perfect start with four wins from four. Yet beneath the results lie concerns. Red cards for their opponents in the final minutes saved two of their victories—against Newcastle and Burnley. The way Liverpool lost control of the Newcastle game, in which they led two-nil with a man advantage, was particularly ominous. Even in their statement win against Arsenal, Arnie Slot’s side relied on a single moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai rather than sustained dominance. 

For some, Liverpool’s knack for grinding out results is proof of their inevitability and a positive sign of things to come. However, there is the opposing view that Liverpool’s results are flattering them, and if they do not improve quickly, the results will soon match their level of performance.

City, meanwhile, has continued its inconsistent form from last season. Tottenham and Brighton outplayed them, but a commanding derby victory over Manchester United demonstrated their ability to play in a more direct style. If that performance becomes the norm, they will surely push Liverpool and Arsenal deep into the season.

Relegation Battle

While it is somewhat premature to discuss the teams at the top of the table, it is ludicrously early to do the same for the teams at the bottom. The Premier League's unpredictable nature means that even after Christmas, a dozen teams may still be closely monitoring each other.

Wolves, with four defeats from four, sit rooted at the bottom of the league as the only side yet to register a point. Narrow margins may explain three of those losses, but without results, the climb back to safety begins to look steep.

West Ham’s record is slightly better, with one emphatic win at Nottingham Forest, but their three heavy defeats—to Sunderland, Chelsea, and Tottenham—raise serious alarm bells. 

They appeared disorganized and uninspired against the Spurs on Saturday. Graham Potter is under mounting pressure, and questionable tactical calls—like asking 5’9” Kyle Walker-Peters to mark Tottenham’s main aerial threats at set pieces—will surely only increase scrutiny.

 Still, West Ham's problems extend beyond the dugout; years of limited investment and ambition from the board have left the squad unprepared for the league's intensity. Given that, surely it would not be a surprise to anyone to see West Ham relegated this season.

Two of the three teams promoted last season—Burnley and Leeds—have had difficult starts to the season, and both sit just outside the relegation zone. While both, particularly Burnley, will argue their performances have merited more than they have received, it won’t be lost on either set of fans that history suggests at least one promoted club usually returns swiftly to the Championship. 

And with a growing chasm between the Premier League and the Football League, there is the very real possibility that the relegation places, once again, will be dominated by newly promoted clubs.

Early Surprises

Whether it constitutes a surprise is unclear, but Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola deserves huge credit for the start his team has made to the season. Despite losing his entire first-choice defense over the summer, Iraola has led Bournemouth to three wins, including a superb victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham itself has looked much improved under Thomas Frank. Barring the Bournemouth setback, they appear more compact and disciplined than last year, while still retaining the high-pressing, adventurous football that endeared fans during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure.

Finally, Everton’s revival under David Moyes is worth a mention. The veteran manager has injected steel into a drifting side. If Jack Grealish stays fit, his creativity could provide the spark that ensures Everton’s first season at their new stadium is a memorable one.