By Ryan Rosenblatt
The Premier League season is 20 percent done. Well, almost. They'll cross that threshold when they come back from the international break. But with seven matches in the bag and two weeks off upon us, let's see how the Premiership's teams stack up.
20
Sunderland
The Black Cats surged under Sam Allardyce to stay in the top flight a year ago, but then he left for England, only to lose the job after one match, so things are going pretty poorly for him. They're not going much better for Sunderland under new manager David Moyes. They're dead last in the league and one of only two teams that are still winless. Photo: Ian Horrocks
19
Stoke City
This is the other winless team in the league, and it's surprising considering how strong they were for stretches last season. They have the league's worst goal difference, which is down largely to their meager five goals in seven matches. It's hard to win if you don't score. Photo: Lynne Cameron
18
Swansea City
One win from seven matches got Francesco Guidolin fired and now Bob Bradley is the Swans manager. Six goals in seven matches won't do it, which is why it's good that Fernando Llorente finally got on the scoresheet in his last match. Even so, there isn't a ton of attacking firepower on this team, so Bradley will have to be a little creative about how he kickstarts the attack. Photo: ARP4387746/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
17
Hull City
The Tigers did next to nothing in the summer to strengthen the team and were a popular pick to finish last. They've definitely exceeded expectations so far, winning each of their first two matches, but they've lost four and drawn one in their five matches since. Things are looking pretty miserable for Hull, and they're looking like a good bet to keep dropping. Photo: Shaun Botterill
16
West Ham
How do you go from a top four contender to a place in the bottom three? In West Ham's case, it's having the worst defense in the Premier League. Conceding 2.4 goals-per-game isn't a great way to stay in the top flight. The good news is the Hammers have way too much talent to continue conceding goals left and right, plus Dimitri Payet can save them when need be (as he has been doing to this point). Photo: AFP_GP5UM/GLYN KIRK
15
Middlesbrough
It's been nearly a month since Middlesbrough last won a match, and going out of the League Cup to Fulham wasn't great, but Boro are playing well. They should have beaten West Ham and could have snagged a point against Crystal Palace too. They'll need to take the points available to them, though, because they've played a relatively easy schedule so far so there won't be as many opportunities for results going forward. Photo: Mike Hewitt
14
Burnley
The Clarets have beaten Liverpool and would have drawn Arsenal if not for a missed handball. They're looking like a tough team to beat at Turf Moor, but their away form leaves a lot to be desired. Just racking up points at home might be enough to keep them from the drop, though, and that's the only goal for Burnley. Photo: Mark Runnacles
13
West Brom
They play ugly but effectively, and that should keep them from relegation. It might as well be the name of Tony Pulis' biography. Photo: Ross Kinnaird
12
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe is still sending Bournemouth out to be aggressive and attacking against even the best teams in the Premier League. You might want to see some more practicality from the Cherries, but so far Howe's approach has worked. Now, Bournemouth are hoping that England don't agree and try to hire him as their next manager. Photo: Dan Mullan
11
Leicester
The Foxes may be defending champions, but nobody really expected them to contend again. They were a popular mid-table pick and look just like a mid-table team so far. That will probably be especially true when the rigors of the Champions League begin to catch up with them. Photo: Plumb Images
10
Crystal Palace
There's a lot to like about Crystal Palace and it's tempting to believe in them, but Alan Pardew's team started strong then faltered last season. They have Christian Benteke this time around, but Pardew might also leave for the England job. Let's call Palace very much TBD for now.Photo: Half Length/Matthew Lewis
9
Watford
The transition to Walter Mazzarri was never going to be easy, but the Hornets have made it as well as could be expected. They've shown flashes for a great attack and flashes of a strong defense, but have struggled to put together both in a single match. Once they do, and it should come before long, Watford will be a very good team. Photo: Richard Heathcote
8
Southampton
The Southampton machine just keeps running. Mauricio Pochettino leaves, no problem because Ronald Koeman comes in. Koeman leaves and now Claudio Puel has the Saints humming. They'll have to do more to find the back of the net, but their defense is terrific. Photo: AFP_GH25N/BEN STANSALL
7
Everton
There is so much to like about Everton and, at times, they look like a team that can challenge for a top four spot. But it's hard to get past the fact that they are, well, Everton. And following up five straight wins with a loss to Norwich in the League Cup, a loss to Bournemouth and then draw with Crystal Palace doesn't do much to remove the stigma. Photo: Richard Heathcote
6
Manchester United
Many of us got way too excited about Manchester United's fast start and we're probably a little too down on them after their recent struggles. Balance it all out and they look like a fringe top four team, which isn't too bad considering how much better the top of the Premier League looks than it did a year ago. Photo: Matthew Ashton - AMA
5
Chelsea
There's still a lot to like about Chelsea, even if their recent problems may make you want to jump off the bandwagon. With a new, very different manager like Antonio Conte, the Blues were always going to need patience. They'll get better as the season goes on -- the defense will begin to function and Eden Hazard might wake up -- while they'll be able to rest as their competitors wear down with European competitions. The best is yet to come for Chelsea. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
4
Arsenal
Arsenal have won their last five matches in the league and their dropped points have come to Liverpool and Leicester, so there's plenty of reason to like what you've seen from the Gunners. Needing a late uncalled handball to beat Burnley wasn't exactly inspiring, but Arsenal are still running off wins and the signing of Shkordran Mustafi is looking like a bit of genius right now. Photo: David Price
3
Liverpool
Take away the loss to Burnley and Liverpool are nearly flawless -- five wins plus a draw at Tottenham. That's incredible and Jurgen Klopp looks like a wizard. With no European competition to distract them, the Reds have to feel good about getting back in the top four. Photo: AFP_GP5M8/GEOFF CADDICK
2
Tottenham Hotspur
A year after Mauricio Pochettino's rebuilt squad finished third, Spurs are looking to do one better this season. They're second in the table right now and are coming off of a thrashing of Manchester City in what was probably the most impressive performance any Premier League team has put on this season. Now we'll see whether they can balance the EPL and Champions League, but Pochettino has already gone to his depth and been just fine. There's reason to believe Tottenham can stay in the top two all season. Photo: Laurence Griffiths
1
Manchester City
So they were badly beaten by Tottenham. And yes, it came after the Citizens looked shambolic in a draw against Celtic. Those two matches ended a run of 10 straight wins to start the season in all competitions. City still have the best squad in the league and have already shown how good they can be, plus only figure to get better as Pep Guardiola gets more time with them. There's no doubting who the favorites are. Photo: Gareth Copley
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