The aim for each Premier League season is to improve from the one prior, but which teams have gone backwards in 2023/24 so far?
After reaching the halfway point of the Premier League campaign, we’ve looked at the five teams with the greatest downturn in their points total from the same stage of last season.
The Premier League teams who have regressed this season:
5. Brentford (-7 points)
Brentford’s first two seasons in the Premier League have seen the Bees cement themselves as a top-tier team, with Thomas Frank’s over-performing outfit ending last season in ninth.
Brentford have found things rather trickier this time around, however, with the absence of the suspended Ivan Toney having hit the West Londoners hard. Toney scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season, but has not featured so far this season after breaching betting rules.
Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo, who has impressed in filling the void with seven Premier League goals, has been ruled for three months after undergoing an operation on his ankle. Brentford are seven points worse off than at this stage last season, and just four points above the drop zone.
4. Manchester United (-8 points)
Erik ten Hag’ first season at Manchester United was largely positive despite some damaging defeats, with a top three finish and EFL Cup success judged as satisfactory in season one.
However, the Dutchman has struggled to build on that foundation this time around. United crashed out of Europe in the Champions League’s group stage, while the Red Devils have lost eight of their opening 19 games of the Premier League campaign.
Improvement is required and quickly, if Ten Hag’s team are to remain in contention for Champions League football.
3. Newcastle United (-9 points)
Newcastle performed above all expectations last season to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in two decades.
Eddie Howe’s side ended the campaign fourth, to secure a place at Europe’s top table for the first time since the 2002/03 season. The Magpies have struggled to replicate that form in 2023/24 so far, with a wealth of injury issues having contributed to the club’s patchy form.
Howe’s side have struggled on the road, with only Sheffield United having taken less points in away games so far this season. In contrast, Newcastle have the second-highest points return on home soil.
Eddie Howe on current form:
“We have tough games coming up but they’re games we relish. We’re not daunted by it, we will attack it and give it our best shot. Recent results have been a challenge for us and the last couple of performances haven’t been as good as they can be so… pic.twitter.com/Qn2znGA5n4
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 29, 2023
=1. Arsenal (-10 points)
Arsenal raced out of the traps last season to take an unexpected lead in the Premier League title race, amassing 16 wins from their opening 19 games of the campaign.
The Gunners led the title race for a record-breaking 248 days without being crowned champions, as faltering form during the run-in allowed Manchester City to come from behind and claim the title.
Arsenal’s start this season has not been quite as explosive, with Mikel Arteta’s team 10 points worse off as we reach the halfway point. However, the North Londoners remain second and two points from leaders Liverpool, as Arsenal look to mount another challenge for a first title since 2003/04.
=1. Fulham (-10 points)
Fulham share with Arsenal an unwanted status as the Premier League team with the biggest decrease on their points total from the same stage of last season.
The Cottagers lost leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic to the Saudi Pro League in the summer, and have struggled to score for much of the campaign. Three consecutive defeats without scoring have left Marco Silva’s side looking nervously over their shoulder, with their buffer from the drop zone reduced to just six points.
The January transfer window might have arrived at an ideal time for the West Londoners.
Read – The most improved teams in the Premier League this season
See more – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend
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