The 2023/24 Premier League season has reached its midpoint, with some teams blossoming and others regressing.
There have been upsets along the way, while some teams might have enjoyed a purple patch.
The 9-month long season has delivered in massive density, but there is still more to be unboxed from a season as spicy, intriguing, and fascinating as the Premier League.
Being the halfway point of the campaign, it is important to assess how most of the teams have fared this campaign.
Note that this article will focus primarily on the performance of the traditional “top 6” teams in the first half of the 2023-2024 Premier League season alongside other notable teams in the league, including those in the relegation zone.
*Arsenal*
The Gunners came close to winning the league title last term but ultimately lost the trophy to Manchester City.
However, they likely would have learned from their outing last season, and the quality they have should also spur them to success in 2024.
They have had an impressive first half of the campaign and they will be hoping to continue in that manner in 2024.
Rating: A
*Manchester City*
The Cityzens, who are defending champions of the Premier League, have had a wishy-washy first half of the season.
Pep Guardiola's side would have been tipped by many to be at the summit of the log now, but their season hasn't gone as smoothly as they would have loved.
Despite not being in top gear, Manchester City will be two points off the top spot if they win their outstanding game in the league.
They are still favorites for the title but their showing so far leaves more to be expected by the fans.
Rating: B
*Liverpool*
The Reds finished 5th in the league last season, with their performance being poor for most parts of the campaign.
However, Liverpool have improved this campaign, with Jurgen Klopp's side sitting at the summit of the log, with 19 matches gone.
Jurgen Klopp's side are leading halfway through the season and no one can put it past them to sneak the title off the noses of Manchester City.
Rating: A+
*Manchester United*
Erik Ten Hag's side have been poor halfway through the season, as they haven't shown the guts that they put out last campaign.
They ended the 2022/23 season in 3rd position, but in the 2023/24 season, there is less to say about their display.
Manchester United sit 7th on the log, with 31 points from 19 league matches, and it is difficult to predict where their fortunes are headed.
Anyway, they cooked up a 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, and that should spur them towards positivity going forward.
Rating: C
*Tottenham Hotspur*
Spurs started the 2023/24 season on a ruthless note, defeating teams with ease and displaying brilliance.
However, Tottenham Hotspur began stumbling when they suffered an injury crisis, with some key players unavailable for action.
Spurs finished 5th on the Premier League table, and securing a top 4 berth at the end of the season will be laudable.
Rating: B
*Chelsea*
The Blues have been abysmal this season despite spending huge to better their fortunes of last campaign.
Chelsea were woeful in the 2022/23 season and ultimately ended the season in 12th position.
This season it was expected that they should up their performance a notch higher, but it appears that their showing has been equally bad.
Rating: F
Meanwhile, the teams that were promoted from the Championship to the top-flight; Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United have not been able to match up to the big boys.
*Luton Town*
Luton Town have been the best of the teams that were newly promoted, ruffling feathers and showing that they can bite if underestimated.
However, they will need to do more to stay up in the Premier League. The Hatters have what it takes to stay in the top-flight and they have to put in a better display in the second half of the season.
Rating: C
*Burnley*
They were sublime in the Championship last term, but it appears either the idea of playing fascinating football in the top tier or having a manager who might not know how to swim through the relegation zone has affected them.
They have secured some great results this term like a 5-0 mauling of Sheffield United, and a great win over Fulham on December 23, 2023.
However, they must do better to also remain in the Premier League.
Rating: E
*Sheffield United*
The most underperforming of the newly promoted sides, with a dismal showing under former Boss Paul Heckingbottom and current gaffer Chris Wilder, since the commencement of the 2023/24 season.
They have mustered just 2 wins this term, against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford.
The 1897/1998 English top-flight league champions will have to improve significantly if they want to miraculously beat the drop.
Rating: E
Selected teams and their outing this campaign
*Aston Villa*
The Villains are enjoying life under Unai Emery, as they have picked up massive wins and occupy the 3rd spot on the log, with 39 points from 19 matches.
Some are also fancying them to have an outside chance of winning the Premier League and you can put it past them, with their devastating showing so far halfway through the season.
They recently lost to a spirited Manchester United, as they lost their guard allowing the Red Devils to roll back to a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
However, you likely feel that is a minor bleep and as such they should come good in the coming games.
Rating: A+
*West Ham United*
The Hammers are also another side having a sublime season, as David Moyes continues to stir the club towards great heights.
Despite losing captain Declan Rice, they have been amazing in the Premier League, as they sit 6th on the log halfway through the season.
Moyes guided the club to the UEFA Europa Conference League title last season, and this term it appears he has set his side for bigger successes.
Rating: A
*Everton*
Following their 10-point deduction in November, many thought they would sink into the dark abyss.
However, they are floating above the relegation zone, and if they were not deducted 10 points, they would be level on points with 10th-placed Chelsea.
Sean Dyche has been able to galvanize his side from the dungeon to a place of hope that all certainly will be Okay at the end of the season.
Rating: B
There have been upsets along the way, while some teams might have enjoyed a purple patch.
The 9-month long season has delivered in massive density, but there is still more to be unboxed from a season as spicy, intriguing, and fascinating as the Premier League.
Being the halfway point of the campaign, it is important to assess how most of the teams have fared this campaign.
Note that this article will focus primarily on the performance of the traditional “top 6” teams in the first half of the 2023-2024 Premier League season alongside other notable teams in the league, including those in the relegation zone.
*Arsenal*
The Gunners came close to winning the league title last term but ultimately lost the trophy to Manchester City.
However, they likely would have learned from their outing last season, and the quality they have should also spur them to success in 2024.
They have had an impressive first half of the campaign and they will be hoping to continue in that manner in 2024.
Rating: A
*Manchester City*
The Cityzens, who are defending champions of the Premier League, have had a wishy-washy first half of the season.
Pep Guardiola's side would have been tipped by many to be at the summit of the log now, but their season hasn't gone as smoothly as they would have loved.
Despite not being in top gear, Manchester City will be two points off the top spot if they win their outstanding game in the league.
They are still favorites for the title but their showing so far leaves more to be expected by the fans.
Rating: B
*Liverpool*
The Reds finished 5th in the league last season, with their performance being poor for most parts of the campaign.
However, Liverpool have improved this campaign, with Jurgen Klopp's side sitting at the summit of the log, with 19 matches gone.
Jurgen Klopp's side are leading halfway through the season and no one can put it past them to sneak the title off the noses of Manchester City.
Rating: A+
*Manchester United*
Erik Ten Hag's side have been poor halfway through the season, as they haven't shown the guts that they put out last campaign.
They ended the 2022/23 season in 3rd position, but in the 2023/24 season, there is less to say about their display.
Manchester United sit 7th on the log, with 31 points from 19 league matches, and it is difficult to predict where their fortunes are headed.
Anyway, they cooked up a 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, and that should spur them towards positivity going forward.
Rating: C
*Tottenham Hotspur*
Spurs started the 2023/24 season on a ruthless note, defeating teams with ease and displaying brilliance.
However, Tottenham Hotspur began stumbling when they suffered an injury crisis, with some key players unavailable for action.
Spurs finished 5th on the Premier League table, and securing a top 4 berth at the end of the season will be laudable.
Rating: B
*Chelsea*
The Blues have been abysmal this season despite spending huge to better their fortunes of last campaign.
Chelsea were woeful in the 2022/23 season and ultimately ended the season in 12th position.
This season it was expected that they should up their performance a notch higher, but it appears that their showing has been equally bad.
Rating: F
Meanwhile, the teams that were promoted from the Championship to the top-flight; Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United have not been able to match up to the big boys.
*Luton Town*
Luton Town have been the best of the teams that were newly promoted, ruffling feathers and showing that they can bite if underestimated.
However, they will need to do more to stay up in the Premier League. The Hatters have what it takes to stay in the top-flight and they have to put in a better display in the second half of the season.
Rating: C
*Burnley*
They were sublime in the Championship last term, but it appears either the idea of playing fascinating football in the top tier or having a manager who might not know how to swim through the relegation zone has affected them.
They have secured some great results this term like a 5-0 mauling of Sheffield United, and a great win over Fulham on December 23, 2023.
However, they must do better to also remain in the Premier League.
Rating: E
*Sheffield United*
The most underperforming of the newly promoted sides, with a dismal showing under former Boss Paul Heckingbottom and current gaffer Chris Wilder, since the commencement of the 2023/24 season.
They have mustered just 2 wins this term, against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford.
The 1897/1998 English top-flight league champions will have to improve significantly if they want to miraculously beat the drop.
Rating: E
Selected teams and their outing this campaign
*Aston Villa*
The Villains are enjoying life under Unai Emery, as they have picked up massive wins and occupy the 3rd spot on the log, with 39 points from 19 matches.
Some are also fancying them to have an outside chance of winning the Premier League and you can put it past them, with their devastating showing so far halfway through the season.
They recently lost to a spirited Manchester United, as they lost their guard allowing the Red Devils to roll back to a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
However, you likely feel that is a minor bleep and as such they should come good in the coming games.
Rating: A+
*West Ham United*
The Hammers are also another side having a sublime season, as David Moyes continues to stir the club towards great heights.
Despite losing captain Declan Rice, they have been amazing in the Premier League, as they sit 6th on the log halfway through the season.
Moyes guided the club to the UEFA Europa Conference League title last season, and this term it appears he has set his side for bigger successes.
Rating: A
*Everton*
Following their 10-point deduction in November, many thought they would sink into the dark abyss.
However, they are floating above the relegation zone, and if they were not deducted 10 points, they would be level on points with 10th-placed Chelsea.
Sean Dyche has been able to galvanize his side from the dungeon to a place of hope that all certainly will be Okay at the end of the season.
Rating: B