Premier League Entertainment Rankings: A Season Overview

Unsurprisingly, the team currently at the bottom of the Premier League table also finds itself at the bottom of this entertainment ranking. Unless you are a West Bromwich Albion supporter eager for a hearty hate-watch, it is hard to fathom who would tune into Wolverhampton Wanderers matches with anticipation.

Perhaps new manager Rob Edwards will conjure some magic and revive the team he once played for. Maybe Jorgen Strand Larsen will find his scoring touch again, or one of their many South American players will emerge as a reincarnation of Pele. However, it is wise not to hold one’s breath.

As we approach and then exit the season’s third international break, Burnley sits above the relegation zone—a surprising fact that might warrant a double-check. Scott Parker has a history of his teams being overmatched at the top level, yet he has somehow molded Burnley into a relatively respectable outfit in the Premier League. Unlike the newly-promoted teams of recent seasons, they at least stand a chance of avoiding relegation.

However, this newfound compactness has come at a cost. Unlike the Burnley team managed by Vincent Kompany that faced relegation in the 2023-24 season, this iteration is more defensively solid. They are likely to accumulate points in the real world, even if their style does not shine through in these rankings.

From an outsider’s perspective, one might assume that Daniel Farke has adhered to his high-energy tactics that served him well in the Championship. Yet, in a bid to retain his position in the Premier League, he has reverted to a more conservative style of play.

Elland Road boasts one of the most formidable crowds in the country, yet the team playing there could benefit from enhanced ball-handling skills to ascend the rankings, reminiscent of the days under Marcelo Bielsa.

Marco Silva deserves recognition for his achievements with Fulham, yet he often seems to lack the necessary backing in the transfer market to elevate the team further. His squads are largely perceived as defensive—a stark contrast to his previous reputation as a forward-thinking manager at Hull City, Watford, and Everton. Nevertheless, they still possess talent in players like Alex Iwobi and youth product Josh King.

Unfortunately, the squad has become somewhat stagnant, though this is hardly Silva’s fault.

It is somewhat miraculous that West Ham ranks this high. Are they genuinely more entertaining than four other Premier League teams? In isolation, probably not, but they do have a couple of star players to support their case: Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.

The Hammers are embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation, and new manager Nuno Espirito Santo may need to lean on this left-footed duo’s brilliance to steer them clear of the Championship. The Portuguese coach has previously relied on individual talent to achieve success, so this strategy is a familiar one for him.

Nottingham Forest’s ranking is tricky to determine. They began the season with a direct, counter-attacking identity under Nuno, abandoned it for an unsuccessful attempt at expansive play under Ange Postecoglou, and now hope that Sean Dyche’s pragmatism will guide them to safety.

On paper, Forest has enough talent, speed, and goal-scoring ability to remain engaging; we simply wish to see more of them under their third manager of the 2025-26 season.

In the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, Tottenham may have topped these rankings. However, time is relentless.

Spurs have traded the excitement of Postecoglou’s strategies for a more sensible approach under Thomas Frank. Unfortunately, this shift has rendered them rather dull for fans who pay some of the highest ticket prices in Europe. The one-man show of Mohammed Kudus has provided moments of brilliance, and the anticipated returns of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski should add depth, but the transformation in N17 has been stark.

Ironically, Brentford—Frank’s former team—has become more captivating to watch, partly due to his departure. Entering the 2025-26 season, many doubted their ability to survive after losing their manager and two principal goal-scorers, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

Keith Andrews, their set-piece coach turned manager, has reverted to basics. Like their initial Premier League season, the Bees now rely heavily on set-pieces, including the amusingly long throw-ins from Michael Kayode and quick transitions. Their direct play, particularly against top teams, has reestablished them as lovable underdogs.

The curious case of Arsenal inspired both this ranking and the discussions surrounding it. The Gunners are now favorites to claim the Premier League and are among the elite in the Champions League, but this success has cost them their reputation as one of football’s pure teams. The legacy of Arsene Wenger has been overshadowed by ‘set-piece again’ chants as they struggle to create meaningful attacks from open play.

Does this matter? Not if the season concludes with silverware. You could argue it has intensified the pressure to achieve some form of success.

Aston Villa has moved past their dismal start to the season and appears to be rekindling their status as top-four contenders. However, they no longer possess the eye-catching style they once did.

During Unai Emery’s first two and a half seasons, Villa overwhelmed visitors to their West Midlands home. They would launch relentless attacks until opponents succumbed to their pressure. Except for the match against Bournemouth before the November international break, they have lacked that same ruthlessness. The attacking potential remains, ensuring they rank highly despite their current form.

Chelsea’s peculiar squad structure, featuring an abundance of attacking midfielders and wingers lacking distinctiveness, has arguably diminished their entertainment value. Enzo Maresca’s team has faced boos and jeers from their own supporters for slow build-ups, which stem from both tactical issues and the bloated nature of their roster and schedule.

Maresca’s envisioned Chelsea is one of the Premier League’s most entertaining teams, but they must consistently reach those heights. Fortunately, the return of Cole Palmer from injury is imminent, and Estevao Willian is making waves.

In life, as in football, we are often slaves to the moment. This is particularly true for Everton, whose dynamic duo of Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye has made them more appealing to the average fan than ever.

The Toffees feature two of the Premier League’s best dribblers, players capable of dazzling their opponents and eliciting excitement from the crowd. These talents truly embody the phrase ‘worthy of the price of admission.’ David Moyes’ once thrilling Blues at Hill Dickinson Stadium have returned.

Speaking of ‘prisoner of the moment,’ it is hard to overlook Sunderland’s heartwarming story this season. After enduring a tumultuous decade, the club has quickly reestablished itself in the top flight.

With an array of youthful talent and the seasoned experience of Granit Xhaka, they have become one of the most compelling narratives in the Premier League, showcasing plenty of last-minute thrills.

Brighton has earned its place in these rankings. You may not know which wonderkid will play each week, and you might only see the veteran Danny Welbeck finding the back of the net, but their commitment to playing thrilling football is commendable.

This does not always equate to smoothly executing prime Barcelona-style play. Occasionally, they find themselves scrambling after over-committing in attack or overplaying from the back. Nonetheless, the Seagulls offer excellent entertainment value regardless of who their manager is—thanks to the vision of Tony Bloom.

When visiting St James’ Park for a Super Sunday showdown, opponents essentially start the match a goal down. Eddie Howe has transformed Newcastle into an aggressive, relentless squad capable of overwhelming adversaries in an instant.

Replacing a consistent goal-scorer like Alexander Isak with the more flamboyant Nick Woltemade has not lessened their appeal, particularly at home. However, the German striker could benefit from more support from his fellow forwards. The stark difference in Newcastle’s performance at home versus away raises some concerns.

Now, returning to our earlier point about the impact of a team’s jeopardy on their ranking, Manchester United serves as the perfect case study. Consider this: United is a monumental club. They are ‘hated, adored, never ignored.’ If they win, fans proclaim, ‘Man United is back,’ and if they lose, they find themselves in a relegation battle. The emotional highs and lows surrounding their matches ensure that each game is laden with stakes.

Ruben Amorim, after nearly a year of deeming his team the worst in United history, appears to have them performing again. The summer signings of Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have revitalized an attack that previously struggled to score. While they may not be the best team in the Premier League, they are undoubtedly among the most captivating.

When Pep Guardiola eventually bids farewell to Manchester City’s cloudy skies, he may reflect on his ideal team as the ‘centurions,’ featuring midfield maestros like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, with Fernandinho anchoring the defense and Ederson orchestrating play from the back.

Today, City has shifted this intricate approach to one that simplifies life for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian sensation’s relentless quest for goals has become the defining narrative at the Etihad Stadium this season as they aim to reclaim their title. However, defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of midfield control since Rodri’s ACL injury have added to their list of imperfections, which bodes well for viewers without a vested interest.

Arne Slot’s inaugural season at Liverpool was, in essence, too straightforward. They cruised to the Premier League title, nearly securing it by Christmas, showcasing a maturity sometimes absent in the chaotic years under Jurgen Klopp.

However, their lavish summer signings have completely altered that narrative. The Reds have returned to a high-risk, high-reward style, now infused with comedic elements and increased pitfalls. It is up to Slot to devise a new winning formula, and like United, the outcomes can often be humorous.

There is an undeniable charm to Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner. The south London identity, the blue-and-red color scheme, and the passionate fanbase combine to create a team worthy of attention, regardless of individual allegiances.

Even after the departures of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, the Eagles retain a wealth of top talent, from Jean-Philippe Mateta to Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr to Yeremy Pino. Their FA Cup triumph last season was a fitting tribute to their journey, although they now settle for the runner-up spot in our rankings—a true testament to their capabilities.

Congratulations to Bournemouth, the inaugural winners of GOAL’s Premier League entertainment rankings! Andoni Iraola has crafted a compelling identity on the south coast, with his Cherries playing at breakneck speed. His players are encouraged to exert all their energy before being substituted for fresh legs.

This relentless approach has endured despite the departures of three key defenders: Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Iliya Zabarnyi. Meanwhile, Antoine Semenyo has emerged as the best player in the Premier League outside the traditional top six this season. The footballing gods have capped this Bournemouth side with the smallest stadium in the top flight—adding a raucous home-field advantage to Iraola’s already potent mix would have been overwhelmingly dynamic.