Stats that show Premier League is getting more competitive

What the report says

BBC Sport’s football analysis argues that the Premier League has become notably more competitive, especially in the middle of the table. The piece says last season’s gap between the top four and bottom three narrowed to 26 points, the smallest in 23 years, while 13 of the 20 clubs finished with between 40 and 60 points, matching a level last seen in 2003-04. It also notes that the spread between the league’s strongest and weakest groups has generally tightened after years of widening since the division was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96.

The article highlights several examples of how tighter margins affected the standings. Aston Villa secured Champions League qualification with fewer points than the previous season, Liverpool took the extra Champions League place with 60 points, and Bournemouth and Sunderland reached European competition for the first time in their histories or in decades. By contrast, some lower-half clubs finished with points totals that would previously have looked stronger, suggesting league positions alone can understate performance.

BBC Sport also points to a possible shift in balance between established clubs and improving smaller sides such as Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth, alongside the impact of promoted teams like Sunderland and Leeds exceeding recent expectations. At the same time, the article says the bottom of the table has become less competitive in another sense, with teams now more often being cut adrift early. It adds that this season’s European commitments could further reshape the usual order.