It is only August and this Premier League season is already heating up. This week saw Manchester City drop their first points of the season, Arsenal win their first game and Watford keep their perfect record intact. Now with 3/38ths of the season completed, let’s where every team stands as the league heads into Champions and Europa League draw later this week.
Premier League Power Rankings – Week 3
Biggest Winners: Fulham (+4)
Their first of the season came at a great time. New signings Jean-Michel Seri and Andre Schurrle scored their first goals for the club and Aleksandar Mitrovic had a brace against a Burnley defence that was stout last year. Fulham will need results like this to stay in the Premier League, but this weekend will be a much-needed confidence boost.
Biggest Losers: Burnley (-5)
Burley could crash out of a very hard-fought Europa League spot, as well as start winless after four games, all in the span of four days. This weekend is a huge test for Sean Dyche and the club.
The Rankings
1. Liverpool (+1)
The first change of the campaign at the top, Liverpool were backed early on as the favourite to dethrone Manchester City. A flawless start has shown exactly why. No goals against and a seemingly impenetrable defence has Liverpool fans feeling good. They will concede eventually, and drop points as well, but for now, things are peachy. The Reds travel to a Jamie Vardy-less Leicester City for the early game this Saturday. Can they keep it up?
2. Manchester City (-1)
In their first 19 games last season, City only drew once. The result at Wolves isn’t earth-shattering, but it showed flaws in their team. Pep Guardiola will need to make sure this sort of result does not happen often if they want to repeat as champions. A penalty non-call plus a goal that should have been disallowed are tough pills to swallow, but Manchester City have enough quality not to rely on those calls going in their favour.
3. Tottenham Hotspur (-)
Lucas Moura looks like a new player! Three goals in three games alongside Harry Kane makes Tottenham look very dangerous. Their win against Manchester United is huge, but they travel again on Sunday, this time to undefeated Watford. If they can prove the better team, Spurs will be off to a dream start before hosting Liverpool two weeks after.
4. Chelsea (-)
Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho seem to have transformed this team, and their record shows it. A first league start for Eden Hazard capped off with a penalty goal was just too much for Newcastle, who had been difficult to break down for the majority of the match. The Blues host undefeated Bournemouth this Saturday and could prove as big a test as Arsenal last week.
5. Watford (+2)
Could Watford knock on the door of the top six? Their squad is actually quite solid on paper. Only two goals against as well, including one from Wilfried Zaha against Crystal Palace. If Watford can get a result at home against Tottenham, more people will start taking them seriously.
6. Arsenal (-)
While their lone win has come against last-place West Ham, Arsenal dominated the game. 62% possession and ten shots on target is a lot for any game. They also came from behind after a Marko Arnautovic goal in the 25th minute. Losses against Chelsea and Manchester City are okay, for now. The Gunners will have two more opportunities to climb against Cardiff City and Newcastle.
7. Manchester United (-2)
Where to even start? Players out of position, a manager that rips into United players and fans, and a collective spirit that looks defeated. Manchester United are in trouble. The 3-0 loss to Tottenham looks bad, and upcoming games against Burnley, Watford, and Wolves all of a sudden feel like must wins. This club needs help, and they aren’t exactly sure from where -or when- it’s coming.
8. Everton (-)
Everton were given their second red card when Richarlison was sent off for a headbutt this weekend. It can again be argued, if they had kept 11 men on the field, three points seemed within reach. Now without their star player, Everton host Huddersfield which should still be an easier match. They did concede two goals to Bournemouth after going up and will need to close out games better if they truly think they deserve 7th in May.
9. Bournemouth (+2)
Their first true test of the weekend, Bournemouth seemingly passed. After going down two goals, they were able to battle back and draw Everton in a game that finished 10v10. They will need everyone’s best game when they travel to Chelsea on Saturday.
10. Leicester City (-1)
Jamie Vardy sat out his first of three games, and Leicester looked miserable without him. They conceded first to Southampton and required an injury-time strike from Harry Maguire to pick up all three points. The Foxes host Liverpool in what surely will be a test for their squad. James Maddison has also stepped into the role of playmaker, something the club was hoping for after the departure of Riyad Mahrez.
11. Wolverhampton Wanderers (+3)
What a result against Manchester City*. A draw at home is a huge accomplishment, and will surely give the club some confidence going forward. They could prove a very tough team to beat, especially when they have all of the decisions going their way!
*If that Willy Boly handball is called a no-goal, Wolves would be lower. But, oh well.
12. Fulham (+4)
Jean-Michel Seri, take a bow! His first Premier League goal was quite a finish. This side looked more competent than the games prior, and a win against Burnley is a win well earned. Fulham will need to shore up their defence, if they allow Brighton to score two next week, it will be a very tough match.
13. Crystal Palace (-)
Back to back losses won’t look great. But Liverpool and Watford sit at the top of the table. Wilfried Zaha got his goal, it just wasn’t enough for a point. They have a great match-up this Saturday with Southampton at home and will look to rebound. Six points from four games would be a decent start, something Palace did not have last season.
14. Brighton and Hove Albion (-2)
Following their fantastic win against Manchester United, Brighton put in a good shift at Anfield. Liverpool struggled at points to break down their defence and against better teams, Brighton could dominate. Unfortunately, Liverpool are a really good team and punished Brighton for being lackadaisical in their own third. Good chance for three points next weekend when Fulham visit.
15. Burnley (-5)
The Europa League campaign is not going so well. They have advanced to the play-off round against Olympiacos but lost 3-1 in Greece. It is no doubt taking a toll on the squad and they are winless in the Premier League thus far. Burnley must now host Olympiacos on Thursday with their Europa League qualification on the line, and turn around and host an ailing Manchester United on Sunday.
16. Newcastle (-1)
So close. SO CLOSE. Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle were within minutes of a fantastic draw against Chelsea. They sat deep and prevented Chelsea from getting any real looks on goal, until an own goal gave Chelsea the well deserved win. It was quite the defensive effort and they will need to replicate that performance against Manchester City this Saturday.
17. Southampton (-)
A game against Leicester who was missing their star player was a great opportunity for their first win. Nathan Redmond’s strike was a highlight from the game, and he may be one of the only highlights from the club this season.
18. Cardiff City (-)
Cardiff don’t look much better than Huddersfield or West Ham United, but have been able to turn matches into points. They are still winless, but Sunday’s match against Arsenal should prove tougher than their draw against Huddersfield.
19. Huddersfield (-)
Tying against arguably the worst team in the league isn’t great. David Wagner needs to raise his team and start getting results. Huddersfield travel to Everton in search of their first win.
20. West Ham United (-)
So much money spent, so much money wasted. So far their investments don’t seem to be paying off, as West Ham sit bottom of the table. They host Wolves this weekend, and need a good result to get their season off the mark.
Main Photo
