The 2025-26 Premier League season in alternative tables

What if the Premier League adopted a different set of criteria to determine its champion?

While Arsenal may have concluded a 22-year quest for a title victory, one might wonder if there exists a metric under which the Gunners could potentially be considered undeserving of their newfound glory.

Few would dispute Arsenal's worthiness as champions; however, examining the performances of all 20 teams through alternative metrics might yield additional insights.

For an engaging analysis, BBC Sport, in collaboration with Opta, has meticulously analyzed the relevant data.

How would the Premier League table look based on expected points?

You might be thinking, "It's actual points that matter, not expected ones!"

Indeed, you are correct—points are what ultimately lead to success, which is why the conventional league standings hold significance.

Nonetheless, expected points (xPTS) serve as a valuable tool for football analysts, providing insight into whether a team has either exceeded or fallen short of expectations throughout the season.

Expected points are derived by assessing the quality of scoring opportunities a team creates (xG) and allows (xGA) in each match during the season, illustrating how these elements might have influenced a team's total points.

In essence, this metric reflects the genuine strength of a team's offensive and defensive displays.

Several notable discrepancies emerge from the expected points analysis; for instance, Sunderland would have faced relegation had their point tally aligned with their statistical expectations.

Similarly, Aston Villa would have found themselves in the lower half of the table, while Chelsea would have secured a spot in the Champions League.

As the next season unfolds, keep an eye on whether Sunderland and Villa's performances decline significantly; it could provide clarity on the applicability of expected data in evaluating team performance.

What about home and away form?

Let us explore another classic alternative league table concept.

Which teams have established themselves as formidable at home? Which teams struggle when traveling? Let's delve into the results.

A notable finding is Tottenham, who seemingly found difficulty playing in front of their home supporters, yet amassed sufficient points on the road to qualify for the Europa League based solely on away matches.

Everton and Nottingham Forest also demonstrated stronger performances in away games, which may come as a surprise given the enthusiastic support of their home fans.

Conversely, Fulham excelled at home, with their Craven Cottage ground embodying a traditionally welcoming atmosphere that significantly boosted their home results.

Who did best from set-pieces?

The 2025-26 Premier League season was marked by an emphasis on set-pieces—highlighted by goals stemming from such opportunities, controversial non-calls, and the rise of specialized coaches, many of whom became notable figures.

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal ranked among the top performers in the set-piece category, a topic that sparked considerable discussion throughout the season.

Will top-tier clubs invest in honing their set-piece strategies during the summer transfer window by acquiring adept free-kick specialists and towering players for aerial threats? Or will teams revert to a more traditional style of goal-scoring?

Who won the long shots?

Shifting gears from tactical complexities, let's focus on the spectacular goals.

Here’s how the Premier League table would appear if only goals scored from outside the box were taken into account for the 2025-26 season.

And which teams had the most English goalscorers?

Have you donned your St George's cross yet? Is your face paint safely tucked away, ready for the match against Croatia?

If not, you might consider yourself a less-than-enthusiastic supporter!

As the Three Lions aspire to reclaim the trophy, imagine how the Premier League standings would adjust if they were ranked exclusively on goals scored by English players throughout the season.