What Would The 2020/21 Premier League Table Look Like Without The Big Six?

The proposals of the European Super League, which involved England’s ‘Top Six’ left millions of football fans around the world outraged and many calling for heavy sanctions to fall on the clubs.

Many ideas were shared across all forms of media, with one being to exclude those English sides involved from the Premier League. If this were the case, what would the current 2020/21 table look like if these clubs were hypothetically not involved?

 

14. Sheffield United – R 

Played: 21, Won: 3, Drawn: 2, Lost: 16, Goal Difference (GD): -24, Points: 11

It’s been no secret that the Yorkshire outfit have struggled in their second season in the Premier League, and despite the absence of the ‘big six’ the dismal looking league standings remain.

The only big result that has been slashed for the Blades this season is the 3-2 triumph away at Manchester United in late January.

Rooted to the bottom of the table all season, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are the only side to be officially relegated from the league.

 

13. West Bromwich Albion 

Played: 21, Won: 4, Drawn: 5, Lost 12, GD: -21, Points: 17

The Baggies have five games to save themselves. In recent weeks, Albion’s form would suggest that the escape is possible, but the Premier League run-in period throws up some huge surprises each year so it may not be as easy as it looks.

The Black Country outfit find themselves nine points from survival with a possible 15 points to play for.

West Brom’s 5-2 victory at Stamford Bridge is now irrelevant due to Chelsea being excluded from the league. Other notable games axed are the well earned draws against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

 

12. Fulham 

Played: 23, Won: 4, Drawn: 9, Lost: 10, GD: -8, Points: 21

Scott Parker’s hard working side have everything to play for too. Five points from safety and odds for survival are surely in their favour?

The Cottagers have played 23 games, more than any side in the league, and only have three games remaining to achieve survival. A relegation six pointer against Burnley is their next fixture, followed by a tough trip to St. Mary’s to face Southampton, before a home match against Newcastle United on the final day.

If the West-London outfit are lose against Burnley and other results don’t go their way, they will be the second side to be mathematically relegated from the Premier League.

 

11. Burnley

Played: 21, Won: 6, Drawn: 8, Lost: 7, GD: -1, Points: 26

The winners of the EFL Championship in 2015/16 are teetering on the edge of the drop. Burnley have had a relatively equal season, only the 2-1 loss against Newcastle a week ago putting them on a negative goal difference and a negative win to loss ratio.

The only big result for Burnley being torn out of the record books is the 1-0 win away at Anfield, which ended Liverpool’s historic home unbeaten record.

Sean Dyche’s men have a crucial relegation six-pointer on the horizon where a win would near enough seal their Premier League status for another season.

 

10. Brighton and Hove Albion 

Played: 22, Won: 5, Drawn: 11, Lost: 6, GD: 0, Points: 26

The Seagulls soar to their highest Premier League finish since returning to the top flight in 2017. Graham Potter’s men will be disappointed with how wasteful his side has been throughout this season, resulting in the highest draw tally in the division so far.

The South-Coast side could seal survival if they pick up points way to Sheffield United this weekend.

 

9. Wolverhampton Wanderers 

Played: 22, Won: 8, Drawn: 6, Lost: 8, GD: -1, Points: 30

Wolves are another side who will be disappointed with their showing this season. After winning the league in their first season back in the Premier League in 2019, Wolves have suffered with injuries which has derailed their campaign.

The Midlands side are only four points away from European qualification with four games to go, including fixtures against relegation battling Burnley and West Brom, odds of a Europa League return could well be in Nuno Espirito Santo’s men’s favour.

 

8. Southampton

Played: 21, Won: 9, Drawn: 3, Lost: 9, GD: 1, Points: 30

Southampton are another side with their teeth firmly stuck into a battle for European football. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have been inconsistent this season, holding them back for being a frontrunning challenger for the Europa League.

Thankfully for the Saints, their 9-0 hammering away at Old Trafford has been erased from the records.

 

7. Newcastle United 

Played: 23, Won: 9, Drawn: 5, Lost: 9, GD: -4, Points: 32

The Magpies are the side who have benefited from the exclusion of the ‘big six’ the most as they shoot up to half way in the Premier League

Whilst supporters have made their views on manager Steve Bruce known; Newcastle only find themselves two points off the Champions League qualification spots.

 

6. Crystal Palace 

Played: 22, Won: 9, Drawn: 5, Lost: 8, GD: 0, Points: 32

The South-London outfit have had mixed successes this season. Palace have done the business against the sides below them, however are just falling short of the teams above them.

Roy Hodgson will be satisfied with his side’s season, and to be only a handful of points off Champions League qualification is an outstanding feat for the Eagles.

 

5. Everton (+3)

Played: 21, Won: 10, Drawn: 4, Lost: 7, GD: 4, Points: 34

The early front-runners of the Premier League season are only out of the Champions League spots on goal difference.

Despite a small blip over the Christmas period, Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffies could be a smart bet to qualify for Europe as they face Wolves and Sheffield United after two tough tests against Aston Villa and West Ham, but if they take their chances in these fixtures there should be no reason why Everton can’t leap-frog Aston Villa into the Champions League spots.

 

4. Aston Villa 

Played: 22, Won: 10, Drawn: 4, Lost: 8, GD: 7, Points: 34

Unfortunately for Aston Villa, their heroic 7-2 victory against Liverpool in October is now void.

Despite this, Dean Smith’s rebuild project has taken an almighty twist as the Birmingham side look to qualify for Europe. The Villains narrowly survived in the Premier League last season, and now are on the cusp of Champions League football. A fantastic turnaround!

 

3. Leeds United 

Played: 22, Won: 13, Drawn: 0, Lost: 9, GD: 11, Points: 39

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently on track to qualify for the Champions League. Leeds have been fantastic to watch this season; their prowess in attack certainly shows as they have the third highest goal difference in the league.

Another interesting stat is that the Yorkshire side are yet to register a draw this season. As previously mentioned, Leeds’ games are often entertaining with goals guaranteed at both ends.

 

2. Leicester City 

Played: 22, Won: 12, Drawn: 4, Lost: 6, GD: 15, Points: 40

The outright 2015/16 Premier League champions could’ve a second title to their cabinet if not for some ill timed injuries to key players like Harvey Barnes and James Maddison.

Whilst there are still four games to play, the league leaders have a game in hand on the Foxes and a better goal difference,

1. West Ham United

Played: 21, Won: 15, Drawn: 4, Lost: 2, GD: 21, Points: 49

The Hammers have been outstanding this season and are currently top of the Premier League table which does not feature the big six.

Thanks to influential players like Tomas Soucek, Jesse Lingard and Declan Rice as well as David Moyes’ tactical nous, West Ham are on track to win their first top division, an outstanding turnaround after finishing 16th in the table last season. It could realistically be wrapped up when the Irons face Burnley in just over a week..

 

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