Tag: contenders

Brighton: Are free-scoring Seagulls genuine Premier League title contenders?
19 October 2026 Off

Brighton: Are free-scoring Seagulls genuine Premier League title contenders?

By Total Football News

There are only seven previous instances of a team scoring 23 or more goals after seven games of a Premier League season. All bar one have gone on to finish in the top three, with Manchester City winning the title in 2011-12 and 2022-23.

The outlier? Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United team of 1994-95, who faded and finished sixth. Comparisons have already been drawn between that side, dubbed ‘The Entertainers’, and

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Premier League title race: Are Arsenal and Man City the only contenders?
14 September 2026 Off

Premier League title race: Are Arsenal and Man City the only contenders?

By Total Football News

Arsenal and Manchester City are the only two teams with 12 points from four games.

They are already four points above third-placed Hull City – who despite their brilliant early form may not consider themselves in any kind of title equation – and five above the rest.

Arsenal are the defending champions and pre-season title favourites.

Under manager Mikel Arteta they ended a 22-year title drought last season with what

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Derby County: Supporters have their say on what the Rams need to become promotion contenders
7 May 2026 Off

Derby County: Supporters have their say on what the Rams need to become promotion contenders

By Total Football News

Clive: For me, it just requires more of the same. It would be great to bring in Bobby Clark, David Ozoh and Jayden Banel on permanent deals. Over and above that: more building, more strength in depth, more quality through the spine of the team and probably more invention in the final third. But make no mistake, this season was a huge step forward. This needs to be a summer

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Derby County: Have your say – What do the Rams need to become promotion contenders next season?
6 May 2026 Off

Derby County: Have your say – What do the Rams need to become promotion contenders next season?

By Total Football News

It has been a year of incredible change for Derby County.

In the space of 12 months, the Rams went from battling to avoid relegation on the final day of the 2024-25 season to falling just short of the play-off places this term.

In his final post-match interview of the campaign, head coach John Eustace was quick to say the club will work hard to establish itself as a top

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Wrexham: Championship promotion contenders coming into their own before Chelsea FA Cup tie
5 March 2026 Off

Wrexham: Championship promotion contenders coming into their own before Chelsea FA Cup tie

By Total Football News

They are far from the finished article, but since losing to Swansea in the last weekend before Christmas, Wrexham have taken more points than anyone else in the Championship.

“If you look at the group since that Christmas period you can really feel a change in the group,” added Dobson. “There’s a real togetherness, a confidence and there’s a belief too.

“We’ve got to keep that going, try not to

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West Bromwich Albion fan views: Slaven Bilic, Derek McInnes and James Morrison among favoured contenders
25 February 2026 Off

West Bromwich Albion fan views: Slaven Bilic, Derek McInnes and James Morrison among favoured contenders

By Total Football News

After Eric Ramsay was sacked as West Bromwich Albion head coach just 44 days on from his appointment, we asked for your views on whether it was the right decision and who should be the next Baggies boss.

Here are a selection of your responses:

Kieran: Honestly I think it is the right call for Eric to go. Unsure why the club hired him to begin with. If we can

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Premier League title race: Are Aston Villa title contenders as Arsenal look vulnerable?
7 December 2025 Off

Premier League title race: Are Aston Villa title contenders as Arsenal look vulnerable?

By Total Football News

Villa had an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.27 on Saturday, the highest by any team against the Gunners in the Premier League this season, and created five big chances, including the goals for Matty Cash and Buendia.

They have have scored 5.45 more goals [22 in total] than their xG [16.55] and conceded 5.83 fewer goals [15] than their xGA [20.83] in the Premier League this season.

The latter

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Chelsea vs Arsenal: Are Blues genuine title contenders?
30 November 2025 Off

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Are Blues genuine title contenders?

By Total Football News

In simple terms, Chelsea are playing well – but not well enough to be champions.

Chelsea’s attack, even after losing Cole Palmer for more than two months through injury, is on the same level as Arsenal’s.

However, Arsenal’s incredible defensive statistics set them apart.

Historically, to win the title a team needs to average a +1 non-penalty expected goals (npXG) difference per game – meaning you are creating substantially more

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Wolves manager: Rob Edwards and Gary O’Neil among contenders
3 November 2025 Off

Wolves manager: Rob Edwards and Gary O’Neil among contenders

By Total Football News

Rob Edwards and Gary O’Neil are two of the early names in the frame to replace Vitor Pereira as manager of Wolves.

Pereira was sacked on Sunday following the team’s 10-match winless start to the Premier League season.

And Edwards and O’Neil – both of who have historic links to the club – are among the names to be considered by the Wolves ownership.

Edwards is currently at Middlesbrough, which

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Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss expected Chelsea to be title ‘contenders’ this season
14 March 2025 Off

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss expected Chelsea to be title ‘contenders’ this season

By Total Football News

Chelsea had briefly looked like being the closest challengers to Liverpool in December when they moved to within two points of top spot following a five-game winning run.

Yet they have managed just four victories in 12 games since, with a number of frailties, particularly in defence, exposed.

While Chelsea’s style of play and recurring problems have drawn criticism from their own supporters, Arteta has backed former Leicester manager Maresca

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