EPL Standings

Q: What happens if two teams have the same number of points in the EPL?

In case of a tie in points between two or more teams, the EPL uses tiebreaker rules to determine the standings. The tiebreakers are goal difference (the difference between goals scored and goals conceded) and goals scored. If the teams still cannot be separated, head-to-head record and away goals in head-to-head matches are considered. In rare cases where teams are still tied, a special one-off play-off game at a neutral venue may be required.

English Premier League Standings

Understanding English Premier League Rankings

The English Premier League follows a similar format as the other top European soccer leagues, with 20 teams competing in a home-and-away, double round-robin format. The league typically takes place between August and May, with a break during the summer months. Each team plays a total of 38 matches, both home and away, resulting in a total of 380 matches in a season.

The current EPL standings operate as follows: Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. There is no extra time in any standard league fixture, so the result at the end of a 90-minute match plus stoppage time is final.

At the end of the EPL season, the team with the most points is crowned league champion. All ties between two or more teams in any place in the table are broken by goal difference and the number of goals scored. Unlike American sports, the Premier League uses a promotion/relegation structure.

EPL Rankings

Each season, the Premier League relegates the bottom three teams in the standings to the second-tier league, called the Championship, for the following year.

Meanwhile, the top two teams in the English Championship standings are automatically promoted to the Premier League. The third team promoted from the second tier is determined by a two-round promotion playoff between the teams that finish third to sixth.

Late-season English Premier League scores and standings are not just important for EPL teams competing for the title. Avoiding relegation is the main objective of teams near the bottom while the top six teams can qualify for standalone UEFA competitions based on their league position.

The top four teams in the English Premier League qualify for next season’s Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in Europe. The fifth-place team qualifies for the Europa League and the sixth-place team earns entry into the third-tier UEFA Conference League. Teams can qualify for the Europa League by winning the standalone FA Cup.

Among other factors, point spreads will take into account each team’s respective place in the current EPL standings table and recent form.

Premier League Standings & Format

Tiebreakers

In case two or more teams finish the season with the same number of points in the EPL ranking, the following tiebreakers are applied sequentially to determine their ranking:

a. Goal Difference: The team with the better goal difference (the difference between goals scored and goals conceded) is ranked higher.
b. Goals Scored: If the goal difference is the same, the team that has scored more goals is ranked higher.
c. Head-to-Head Record: If the teams still cannot be separated, their performance in head-to-head matches is considered.
d. Away Goals: If the head-to-head record is inconclusive, the team that scored more goals away from home in head-to-head matches is ranked higher.

Previous Champions:

Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, there have been seven different champions: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, and Liverpool. Manchester United holds the record for the most titles, with 13 wins.

Notable Achievements:

Some notable achievements in the Premier League include Arsenal’s unbeaten season in 2003/04, where they won the title without losing a single match, and Manchester City’s record-breaking 2017/18 season, where they finished with a 19-point lead over the second-placed team.

EPL Standings FAQs

How are the EPL standings determined?

The EPL standings are determined based on the number of points earned by each team throughout the season. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a defeat. The team with the most points at the end of the season tops the standings.

What happens if two teams have the same number of points in the EPL?

n case of a tie in points between two or more teams, the EPL uses tiebreaker rules to determine the standings. The tiebreakers are goal difference (the difference between goals scored and goals conceded) and goals scored. If the teams still cannot be separated, head-to-head record and away goals in head-to-head matches are considered. In rare cases where teams are still tied, a special one-off play-off game at a neutral venue may be required.

How often are the EPL standings updated?

The EPL standings are updated after each matchday. As matches are played throughout the season, the standings reflect the most recent results and points earned by each team.

What are the criteria for EPL teams to qualify for European competitions?

The top four teams in the EPL standings at the end of the season qualify for the UEFA Champions League, which is the most prestigious club competition in Europe. These teams earn direct entry into the group stage of the tournament. The fifth-placed team usually qualifies for the UEFA Europa League, another European club competition.