Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland celebrates his goal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, on October 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The 2025/26 football season is well underway, and the final international break of the year presents an opportunity to evaluate team performances across the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL). With nearly a third of the season completed, league tables are taking shape, prompting reflection on pre-season predictions and the surprising trajectories of various clubs.
Teams Meeting Expectations
Among the clubs performing as anticipated, Manchester City stands out. The team currently occupies second place in the Premier League, bolstered by the prolific scoring of Erling Haaland, who has netted 14 goals in just 11 league matches. This aligns with pre-season predictions, which positioned City as a runner-up for the title.
Similarly, Aston Villa has met expectations, recovering from a rocky start to sit in sixth place. After only securing three points from their opening five games, Villa has surged back into contention under the guidance of manager Unai Emery.
Other teams are close to their predicted positions: Arsenal leads the table, although predictions had them finishing third. Chelsea is currently third, while Tottenham Hotspur sits fifth, both slightly above their forecasted positions. Manchester United and Bournemouth are also within striking distance of their predicted finishes, currently ranked seventh and ninth, respectively.
In the Championship, the unpredictable nature of the league has emerged, but three teams find themselves exactly where they were expected. Sheffield Wednesday sits at the bottom, grappling with ownership issues and a recent 12-point deduction, leaving them with a total of minus four points. Watford and Oxford United also occupy their predicted positions of 15th and 21st.
In League One, only Barnsley is positioned as anticipated in 11th place, while Cambridge United and Oldham Athletic are in similar mid-table spots. Interestingly, predictions for the bottom five teams in League Two have proven accurate, although the order has varied.
Teams Exceeding Expectations
Among the most surprising performances this season, Sunderland has emerged as the biggest positive surprise in the Premier League. Predicted to finish 19th after their promotion from the Championship, the Black Cats currently sit fourth, a remarkable 15 places higher than anticipated.
Another team exceeding expectations is Brentford, now positioned 12th, surpassing the predicted 16th place. The transition from former head coach Thomas Frank to Keith Andrews has been more successful than many anticipated.
In the Championship, Preston North End has made headlines by rising to fourth place. Last season, they narrowly avoided relegation but have turned their fortunes around under manager Paul Heckingbottom, currently sitting an impressive 18 places higher than the predicted 22nd position. Other notable mentions include Hull City and Charlton Athletic, both significantly outperforming their forecasts.
League One has its share of surprises, most notably Bradford City, who are second despite being predicted to place 18th. Similarly, AFC Wimbledon is enjoying a strong season, currently seventh, where they were expected to finish at the bottom of the table.
In League Two, Walsall is topping the table, a significant rise from a predicted finish of 10th. They share this achievement with Crewe Alexandra, who are also performing well, currently sitting in eighth place after being forecasted to finish 17th.
Underperformers in the Spotlight
On the flip side, several clubs are failing to meet expectations, most notably Newcastle United. The team, currently sitting 14th, is struggling to replicate last season’s Champions League form, falling well short of the predicted fourth-place finish.
Another disappointing performer is Liverpool, now eighth in the standings despite a substantial summer investment of £450 million. Expectations were high for the team to retain their Premier League title, but five defeats in six matches have left them with much to prove.
In a similar vein, Nottingham Forest has encountered difficulties, sitting 19th and already on their third manager of the season, Sean Dyche. The club is far from the predicted 13th place, indicating a turbulent start.
Over in the Championship, Sheffield United is facing a grim season, currently languishing in 22nd place, a staggering 17 positions below their predicted fifth place. Following a disastrous start, the club parted ways with head coach Ruben Selles as they attempt to recover.
The situation is dire for Norwich City and Southampton, who have both dismissed their managers after underwhelming performances. The Canaries are at 23rd, while the Saints find themselves in 17th, a sharp contrast to their predicted second-place finish.
In League One, Plymouth Argyle has been notably disappointing, currently at the bottom of the table despite expectations of a fourth-place finish. Blackpool is also struggling, sitting 21st compared to an expected eighth place.
As teams prepare for the winter months, the landscape of English football continues to shift, with surprises and disappointments shaping the narrative of the ongoing season.
