The 2025-26 Premier League season has delivered one of the most compelling title races in years. As we reach the February international break, three clubs remain in genuine contention for the championship, the European qualification picture is far from settled, and the relegation battle involves several clubs with realistic ambitions of survival. Here is our comprehensive breakdown of the standings and what they tell us about the rest of the season.
The Title Race: A Three-Horse Battle
Arsenal: The Frontrunners
Arsenal entered the 2025-26 season as many pundits’ favourites after two consecutive second-place finishes behind Manchester City. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have built one of the most defensively solid sides in Europe, and this season they have added a new dimension of attacking fluency that has made them formidable at the Emirates Stadium and dangerous on the road.
The back line, marshalled by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, has been outstanding. Saliba in particular has developed into one of the finest centre-backs in world football, reading the game with a maturity that belies his age. David Raya has been consistent between the posts, and the full-backs Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have provided width and defensive security in equal measure.
In midfield, Declan Rice has continued his trajectory as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders. His partnership with Martin Odegaard has given Arsenal a balance of industry and creativity that few teams can match. When Odegaard orchestrates play from the right half-space, Arsenal are at their most lethal, and the Norwegian’s fitness throughout the campaign has been a key factor in their consistency.
The attacking line has been bolstered by Bukayo Saka’s continued brilliance on the right wing. Saka remains Arsenal’s most important attacker, capable of producing match-winning moments against any opponent. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have rotated through the centre-forward position, with both contributing goals and assists in different ways.
Arsenal’s consistency has been their greatest asset. They have suffered only two league defeats heading into the break, and their ability to grind out results in tight matches has set them apart from previous seasons where dropped points against lower-half sides proved costly.
Liverpool: Slot’s System Takes Hold
Liverpool’s transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot was always going to be one of the defining storylines of the season, and the Dutch manager has handled it with remarkable composure. While the emotional energy of the Klopp era has given way to a more methodical, tactically structured approach, the results have been impressive.
Mohamed Salah has been the outstanding individual performer in the league. At 33, the Egyptian forward has shown no signs of slowing down, with his goal and assist numbers putting him firmly in contention for the Premier League Golden Boot . His ability to cut inside from the right and finish with either foot remains one of football’s most predictable yet unstoppable moves.
Slot has also gotten the best out of Virgil van Dijk, whose leadership at the back has been indispensable. The midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai has found a rhythm that provides both solidity and forward thrust, with Gravenberch in particular enjoying a superb campaign in the deep-lying role.
Liverpool’s Anfield form has been near-perfect, with the atmosphere under Slot retaining the intensity that made it a fortress under Klopp. Their away record, while good, has occasionally let them down in matches where they have failed to control possession against well-organised opponents.
The question hanging over Liverpool concerns Salah’s contract situation and whether the uncertainty has affected team cohesion. On the evidence of results, it has not, but the whispers in the background remain a talking point that could become more significant as the season reaches its climax.
Manchester City: Pep’s Rebuild in Progress
Manchester City’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title has not gone according to plan. While Pep Guardiola’s side remain firmly in the title conversation, this has been a season of transition rather than domination.
The departure of several key players over recent seasons has forced Guardiola to rebuild on the fly, and the integration of new signings has not been entirely seamless. Erling Haaland continues to score at a remarkable rate, his physical presence and finishing instinct making him the most feared striker in the division. But the creative supply line to Haaland has not always functioned with the precision of previous seasons.
Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness has been a persistent concern. When the Belgian is available, City look like champions. When he is absent, they can appear disjointed and overly reliant on individual brilliance from Haaland or Phil Foden. The depth that once made City the benchmark for squad management in English football has been tested this season.
That said, writing off City would be foolish. Guardiola’s tactical acumen, combined with Haaland’s goal threat, means they are never more than a winning run away from the summit. Their Champions League commitments may ultimately prove decisive in determining whether they have the stamina for a sustained title challenge in the final months.
The European Qualification Battle
Below the top three, the fight for Champions League and Europa League places is remarkably open. Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, have continued their upward trajectory and occupy fourth place, their pressing game and tactical discipline making them a difficult opponent for anyone in the division.
Newcastle United are also in contention for European football. The Saudi-backed project at St. James’ Park has entered a new phase, with Alexander Isak leading the line brilliantly and scoring prolifically throughout the campaign. Eddie Howe’s side have the firepower to finish in the top six, though defensive inconsistency has cost them points at key moments.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, have shown improvement after a turbulent period. The young squad is beginning to coalesce, and players like Cole Palmer have demonstrated that the investment in emerging talent can pay dividends. A top-four finish remains within reach, though the competition from Villa, Newcastle, and Tottenham makes nothing certain.
Tottenham Hotspur have had an inconsistent season under Ange Postecoglou. The Australian’s attacking philosophy has produced some breathtaking performances, but also some chastening defeats when the high defensive line has been exploited. Son Heung-min continues to deliver at the highest level, but Spurs will need a strong run of results after the break to solidify a European place.
Manchester United’s season has been one of continued frustration. Despite investment in the squad, the Red Devils have struggled to find the consistency needed for a top-four challenge, and a more realistic target may be Europa League qualification through a strong finish.
The Relegation Battle
At the bottom of the table, three or four clubs face a genuine fight for survival. The promoted sides have found the step up in quality challenging, as is often the case, and several established Premier League clubs have been dragged into the scrap by poor early-season form.
Leicester City’s return to the top flight has been difficult, with the Foxes struggling to compete consistently against sides with greater Premier League experience and financial muscle. Ipswich Town have also found life in the top division demanding, though Kieran McKenna’s tactical organization has given them a fighting chance of staying up.
Southampton’s season has been a battle from the start. The Saints have shown spirit in several matches, taking points from games they were expected to lose, but they have also suffered heavy defeats that have damaged their goal difference. Their position heading into the final stretch of the season is precarious.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are the established side most at risk. Wolves have struggled for form and goals throughout the campaign, and a change in management has not yet produced the uplift in results that the board hoped for. Their remaining fixtures will test their resolve, and the final weeks of the season could determine whether Molineux hosts top-flight football next year.
The relegation battle often comes down to fine margins: a late equaliser here, a penalty decision there. With the gap between the bottom five sides measured in just a handful of points, every remaining match takes on enormous significance.
Key Trends and Talking Points
Set Pieces Remain Decisive
The influence of set-piece coaching continues to grow in the Premier League. Arsenal, in particular, have been devastating from corners and free kicks, with their rehearsed routines producing a significant proportion of their goals. Liverpool and Manchester City have also invested heavily in set-piece preparation, and the data shows that the teams with the best set-piece records are disproportionately represented in the upper half of the table.
Youth Development Bearing Fruit
The 2025-26 season has seen a number of academy graduates make a meaningful impact in the first team. Chelsea’s emphasis on youth, Arsenal’s integration of young talent into a title-challenging squad, and Brighton’s continued production line of capable professionals all point to a league that is increasingly willing to trust young players in high-pressure situations.
Tactical Evolution
The tactical landscape of the Premier League continues to evolve. The high press, once the dominant approach, is being countered by teams who sit in a mid-block and play on the transition. Sides like Aston Villa and Newcastle have found success with a hybrid approach, pressing selectively and using pace on the counter-attack to devastating effect. This tactical diversity is one of the reasons the league remains the most competitive in the world, a point explored further in our global league rankings .
The Impact of European Competition
The 2025-26 season has once again demonstrated the challenge of competing on multiple fronts. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City are all involved in the Champions League , and the additional fixtures and travel demands of European competition have tested squad depth and physical resilience. The reformed Champions League format, with its increased number of league-phase matches, has placed an even greater burden on English clubs competing at the highest level.
The correlation between European progress and domestic form is a subject of ongoing debate. Some managers argue that the rhythm and confidence gained from Champions League football is beneficial, while others point to the fatigue and injury risk that accompanies a congested schedule. What is clear is that the clubs with the deepest squads — those capable of rotating players without a significant drop in quality — are best placed to sustain challenges on both fronts.
For the clubs fighting relegation, the absence of European distractions is a double-edged sword. On one hand, they have more time for preparation and recovery between matches. On the other, the financial rewards of European qualification — which could help fund squad improvements — remain out of reach, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.
What Happens Next
The remaining months of the season promise drama at both ends of the table. The title race may not be decided until the final day, and the relegation battle could go to the wire. For neutral fans, this is the Premier League at its best: unpredictable, intense, and endlessly compelling.
Our predictions piece breaks down the most likely outcomes based on fixture difficulty, squad depth, and historical trends. Whether you back Arsenal’s consistency, Liverpool’s attacking brilliance, or Manchester City’s winning experience, the 2025-26 Premier League season has something for every football fan.