Power Rankings: Alternative PL table after midweek games

Mark Holmes
Liverpool: Joint biggest Power Rankings winners from midweek

Liverpool: Joint biggest Power Rankings winners from midweek

Liverpool and Tottenham were the two biggest Power Rankings winners in midweek as West Ham edged closer to the inaugural title.

In Power Rankings, we award points from 0.5 to 10, decided by an algorithm based on bookmaker odds and winning margins.

It rewards teams scoring lots of goals and also those defying expectations but sees odds-on favourites penalised for sneaking past inferior opponents by the odd goal.

West Ham continue to lead the way, helped in no small part by their early-season wins at Arsenal and Manchester City, which earned them 20 points alone. Chelsea on the other hand remain second from bottom as they continue to pay the price for their under-achievement, while the rest of last season’s top four battle it out in the top half having also failed to hit their targets.

Week 34 – Midweek games

Liverpool – 5: Considering it was a derby, the bookmakers looked a little miserly in making Liverpool odds-on to beat Everton on Wednesday night. Or perhaps not! The Reds blew away Roberto Martinez’s struggling side to continue their late-season assault towards the upper echelons of the Power Rankings.

Tottenham – 5: We have been wondering if Leicester could catch West Ham at the top of the Power Rankings, but could Spurs make a late push? It’s a big ask, but carry on putting teams to the sword like they did Stoke on Monday night and Mauricio Pochettino’s side might just stand a chance.

Arsenal – 3: Despite being third in the Premier League, Arsenal are still only ninth in the Power Rankings after Thursday night’s win over West Brom. The Gunners were expected to do great things this season but have won only five league games by more than two goals all season – and only one since October as title hopes have disappeared.

Manchester United – 3: Louis van Gaal may point to the fact that United are only two points behind Manchester City in the Premier League and argue his side have been judged a little harshy at times this season. But the Power Rankings is arguably a truer reflection of a season which has been short on sparkling performances – they have won only three league games by more than two goals.

West Ham – 3: They’re not quite there yet, but a 3-1 win over Watford leaves West Ham in a great position to hold on to the spot they have held since the very first day when they won at Arsenal. Eight points from the Emirates, Etihad, Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge were worth far more in Power Rankings terms. Does that suggest a flaw in the algorithm? Perhaps, but the Hammers have enjoyed a great season regardless.

Newcastle United – 2.5: Despite still being two points off safety in the Premier League, Newcastle are well clear of the bottom three in the Power Rankings. Why? Because they have shown great quality on occasions, even winning at Tottenham in December. Those occasions have been too few and far between, but a midweek draw against Manchester City could prove crucial come the end of the season.

Manchester City – 0.5: You could argue Manchester City’s failure to win the Premier League title is a bigger crime than Arsenal’s, yet the Blues could well move up to fourth in the Power Rankings this weekend with a big win over Stoke. They have chalked up some big wins this season to claim plenty of extra points, but a lack of consistency has cost them a shot at both titles.

 

Power Rankings

Team Power Rankings Points Official Points
1. West Ham 98 56
2. Leicester City 90 73
3. Tottenham 81 69
4. Stoke City 75 47
5. Man City 72 61
6. West Brom 68 40
7. Liverpool 66 54
8. Man Utd 63.5 59
9. Arsenal 62.5 63
10. Southampton 62 51
11. Crystal Palace 60.5 39
12. Watford 58.5 41
13. Everton 57.5 41
14. Sunderland 56 30
15. Newcastle 55.5 31
16. Bournemouth 54 41
17. Swansea City 51 40
18. Norwich City 47.5 31
19. Chelsea 46.5 44
20. Aston Villa 27 16