Stats that show Premier League is getting more competitive

Last season, the Premier League experienced a notable level of competitiveness, with the gap between the top four and the bottom three teams shrinking to just 26 points – the smallest distance in 23 years. This shift in dynamics can be attributed to a combination of factors, such as smaller clubs improving their performance, top teams potentially underperforming, and the financial advantages available to even mid-table clubs.

Aston Villa, for instance, secured Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher than the previous season, despite collecting fewer points. Similarly, Bournemouth and Sunderland achieved European competition for the first time in over half a century, thanks to meeting the required points threshold. In the lower half of the table, teams like Everton, West Ham, and promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds demonstrated stronger performances, finishing with more points than they had in recent years.

This season, Bournemouth, Brighton, and Sunderland will compete in European competitions, while Chelsea, Tottenham, and Newcastle will not. Whether the Premier League will bounce back to a more traditional order or continue its new, fiercely-competitive era remains to be seen. However, it's worth noting that relegation battles have become more intense, with an increasing number of teams struggling to reach the final spot in the bottom three.