Seven weeks in, the Premier League has seen lots of drama, great matchups and even late transfers. We are on track for a great season and a possibly close race to the top.
Here are six teams to watch out for. Some for the top, and some to finally make a name for themselves at the top of England’s Grand Old League.
- Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal is coming into this season with high hopes and prized transfers including Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. The Gunners have started the 2025-26 season with a 5-1-1 slate, with some impressive wins against Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and West Ham United. Although the hardest matchups are yet to come, Arsenal is looking promising. After three straight years of being the runner-up, Arsenal is definitely a team to watch for in the race to the top of the Premier League — but for real this time.
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
The Spurs have started the 2025-26 season positively with four wins, two draws and one loss. The wins include matches against Manchester City and West Ham. This shows immediate improvement from last season, in which Tottenham performed abysmally, finishing 17th — just one place above the relegation zone. It was the team’s worst season since 1976-77.
Even with winning the Europa League, the Lilywhites’ first trophy since 2008, the results were not good enough for manager Ange Postecoglou to remain in charge. As a result, Thomas Frank was hired from fellow London club Brentford to lead Tottenham. Known for his flexible, tactical approach and ability to get the most out of young players, it seems like the change has made the Spurs a better team. With new signings Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and João Palhinha, the Spurs look to reclaim their spot among the top six teams in the Premier League and claim a Champions League spot for next season.
- AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth has certainly been one of the most surprising teams to start the season well, as it ranks fourth in the table. Its biggest win so far this season came at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur in Week 2, claiming the match 1-0. With forward Antoine Semeyo and promising midfielders like Alex Scott and Ryan Christie leading the way, the Cherries could be on pace to improve from their ninth place finish last season and finally make a statement to the league that they could be possible contenders in the near future, able to fight for a place in either the Europe League, Europa Conference League or even the Champions League spot.
- Crystal Palace F.C.
Despite losing star Ebechi Eze to Arsenal, the Eagles have shown promise with their sixth place standing, currently ahead of Chelsea in seventh and Manchester United at 10th. Ismaïla Sarr leads the Eagles in scoring with three goals and is proving to be the top option at Crystal Palace. With the promise Crystal Palace has shown in the last year by winning its first trophies, including the FA Cup — a domestic English knockout tournament — against star-studded Manchester City and the Community Shield against Liverpool, the Eagles look to finally make a statement in the top league of England with hopes of securing a top six finish in one of the European leagues
- Sunderland A.F.C.
It has been over eight years since the Black Cats were relegated to the English Football League, or EFL, Championship April 29, 2018. Sunderland then was rather embarrassingly relegated again to EFL League One the following season. Being one of North England’s biggest clubs, this was devastating. Finally, Sunderland was promoted to the Premier League once again after a dramatic 95th minute winner in the playoff final against Sheffield United F.C. May 24.
So far, Regis Le Bris’ team has had a bright start to the Premier League season with a 3-2-2 record. This has been achieved in part by its 14 summer signings, including 2023-24 Bundesliga winner and former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka, who has already contributed three assists as a defensive midfielder. Sunderland hopes to be the first promoted team in three seasons to not be relegated its first season back in the Premier League — and after its performances against teams like Nottingham Forest and Brentford, it might happen.
- Chelsea F.C.
On paper, a start of three wins, two draws and two defeats does not look like a bad start to the season for the Blues. However, the team set incredibly high expectations by winning the Club World Cup in July, dismantling Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain F.C. A 95th minute winner from 18-year old Brazilian winger Estêvão Willian against Premier League champions Liverpool shows the potential Chelsea possesses. Moisés Caicedo has been one of, if not the best, defensive midfielder this season, with three goals already. Once the attacking additions of Alejandro Garnacho, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens are fully integrated into the team, and star Cole Palmer returns from injury, Chelsea will be looking like a team challenging for a Champions League place, if not higher.
From Arsenal’s title-winning ambitions and Chelsea’s hopes of challenging for the title, to Tottenham’s reemergence as a Champions League-caliber team, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace’s push for European placement, and Sunderland’s quest to remain in the Premier League – these six teams promise plenty of entertainment for the remaining 31 weeks of the most-watched soccer league in the world.
Keep in touch with these teams during Week 8 of the Premier League. On Saturday, Oct. 18, Nottingham Forest will host Chelsea, Crystal Palace will host Bournemouth, Sunderland will host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham will host Arsenal. On Sunday, Oct. 19, Tottenham Hotspur will host Aston Villa and, as a bonus, Liverpool will host Manchester United in a huge Big Six clash.
