What have we learnt from the 2022/23 Premier League season so far?

We are six matches into the new Premier League season so naturally it is time to look at what we have learnt from the season so far, what has surprised us and what hasn’t.

What have we learnt

Money really isn’t everything

For traditional fans of the beautiful game this will be very rewarding to hear. Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital came in as owners of Chelsea they have spent over £1 billion on players in just three transfer windows. It is spending on a scale never seen before in, not just the Premier League, but football in general. 

So, what do they have to show for it? Well, they have won just five games in 2023 and currently find themselves in 14th having only beaten Luton this season. They haven’t even found the back of the net since August 25. Leicester City, who now play in the Championship, have scored more Premier League goals than them in 2023. They are truly in relegation form. 

On the opening day of the season, Chelsea were 3.1 to finish in the top four, they’ve since drifted to 6.8.

Brighton are just really good

Down on the south coast Brighton are becoming a serious player in the Premier League. Flash in the pan success, they are not. Despite losing most of their team, manager and senior staff to Chelsea and other clubs in the last 18 months they are still going strong. 

They are currently third in the Premier League (winning six games and losing one) and have scored more goals (18) than any other team in the league. They are not only finding hidden gems anymore, they are also attracting star names like Ansu Fati. The Seagulls are a fantastic example of what a well run club can achieve on a small budget, it is great to see and they are fast becoming everyone’s second favourite team. 

Off the back of a stellar start to the season, they are now just 3.4 to finish in the top four, having been available to back at 7.8 at the start of the season.

What has surprised us

Tottenham are back

After a very disappointing season last year Spurs have raced out of the blocks. The player and fans have been galvanised by the arrival of Australian manager and all-round quality bloke, Ange Postecoglou. This has all come about despite the loss of record goalscorer Harry Kane who moved to Bayern Munich in the summer. 

Fresh off a heartening 2-2 draw in the North London Derby, Spurs are fourth and most importantly above Arsenal on goal difference. Under Postecoglou, they are playing a brave and exciting brand of football that enthuses their fans and is a complete contradiction to what they were like under previous managers Antonio Conte, Nuno Esperito Santo and Jose Mourinho. 

They started the season at 4.6 to finish in the top four and now find themselves at 2.86.

Liverpool are revitalised

It was a tricky summer for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as they missed out on first Jude Bellingham and then Moises Caicedo. Despite this the Reds have started brilliantly and are hot on the heels of leaders Manchester City in second. Dominik Szoboszlai who has been one of the signings of the summer, the 22-year-old midfielder joined from RB Leipzig for £60 million, and has become the engine of the Red’s midfield. They are also currently in possession of the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League having not tasted defeat in their last 17 games, since a 4-1 loss at the Etihad on April 1. 

On the opening day of the season Liverpool were third favourites for the title at 9, but now find themselves as 8 and second favourites. They’re still not back to the pedal-to-the-metal, rock-and-roll team they were a few years ago but there are signs of improvement. 

What hasn’t surprised us

Erling Haaland and Manchester City

Yes, you guessed it, they are at it again. Six wins from six for City who look as imperious as ever.  

Haaland hasn’t changed much over the summer either. Eight goals so far for the Norwegian international who hasn’t shown any signs of slowing up after last season’s record-breaking 38-goal haul. 

City started the season with odds of 1.86 to win the title and their impressive start hasn’t shifted the needle that much, now finding themselves at 1.42. In similar vein Haaland started the season as 1.65 favourite to win the golden boot and is now 1.29.

Luton and the promoted teams struggling

It has been a tough start to life in the Premier League for the newly promoted sides. In the 16 games they have collectively played so far this season they have won three points, one each. Sheffield United got beaten 8-0 by Newcastle on Sunday and Luton failed to beat 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers at home. 

We expected this though, Luton were 1.44 for the drop on the opening day and Sheffield United were 1.65. Neither’s price has drastically changed since, Luton are now at 1.21 and United 1.33. Burnley, the other team to be promoted, have also struggled despite playing some attractive football they now find themselves third favourite for the drop at 3.3.