A Guide to the Premier League Teams Who Have Surpassed or Fallen Short of Expectations

The Premier League season is now well underway, with much already clear. It looks like Liverpool is poised to sit atop the table, and there have been some shocking results. Fans of Brighton have enjoyed relative stability this season, but there are several fanbases who have had to struggle through shocking seasons.

Below, we’re providing a look at some of the teams that have either surpassed or fallen short of preseason expectations. These are squads who were favorites entering the year and have fallen flat, or squads who no one expected to make noise but have performed at a high level.

Surpassed Expectations:​

A.F.C Bournemouth​

Most sportsbooks would not have projected Bournemouth as a team that was likely to remain in the top half of the table. Last year, they finished 12th in the Premier League, and some saw them as unlikely to even replicate that outcome. However, Bournemouth has managed to consistently get points this season, and they are currently sitting at 8th on the table. They have one of the better goal differentials in the Premier League and are showing their competence. Justin Kluivert remains an underrated star for the roster.

Nottingham Forest​

There is certainly no group that has defied expectations more than Nottingham Forest. This historic club was not expected by fans or betting sites to come remotely close to the top of the table. Last season, they were fighting to avoid relegation, and most sportsbooks would’ve given them odds to do the same thing this year. Instead, they look likely to secure a place in the Champions League. They are currently sitting third on the Premier League table, ahead of far more expensive rosters. Players like Chris Wood have established themselves as major talents.

Brighton​

Brighton had a difficult season last year but had positioned itself as one of the more competitive teams in the Premier League, consistently doing good business and playing at a high level. However, last year, Brighton finished 11th in the Premier League, a disappointing result after finishing 6th the year before. This season has been a return to form. Brighton is back in 6th in the league and riding a hot streak. The major European tournaments are very much in reach, and players like Joao Pedro have brought solid results.

Fallen Short of Expectations:​

Manchester United​

Manchester United seems to be bottoming out. They were a roster that had plenty of talent but also a lot of controversy and drama entering the season, but they still had solid odds on most betting sites to compete for the league. That has certainly not been the case this year. Manchester United sits 14th in the Premier League. They have sacked their manager, hired a new one, and seen a wave of protests from fans. They have provided doses of hope and excitement, but this has still been an unacceptable performance from one of the world’s most beloved clubs. Relegation talks should never be acceptable.

Manchester City​

Manchester City has been a well-oiled machine in the Premier League for around a decade now, seemingly winning or competing for the top spot in the table every year. This has not been the case this season. Manchester City sits 5th on the Premier League table despite being the clear favourite to win the league on betting sites entering the season. An injury to Rodri has hurt them, but this is a team that many would have thought would be talented enough to weather that storm. However, Pep Guardiola's side has looked despondent at points this season, something we haven't seen from City in some time.

West Ham​

West Ham is a proud, historic club that has had mixed results over the past several seasons. Many expected them to be a feisty roster that would compete for the upper half of the table. But that has not been what fans were treated to this year. West Ham, after finishing 9th last season, sits at 16th this year. They are comfortably out of relegation territory just because of how poor the bottom three have been this year. But this is certainly not the position fans were hoping this team would wind up in this year.

Tottenham​

Tottenham played well in the first year under Ange Postecoglou, finishing 5th in the Premier League. They were seen by some sports betting sites as an underdog to improve and reach the next level. That has not been the case this season. Tottenham has slipped all the way back to 13th on the table, but there is still reason for optimism. They have a goal differential that suggests they have been victim to some bad luck, although inconsistency is certainly a factor, too. Still, fans are not happy with this year's showing.