In the modern Premier League, success is no longer defined solely by goals and points.
Tactical intelligence, data-led planning, and structural clarity have become essential in differentiating genuine progress from surface-level performance.
This data analysis report utilises a combination of progressive metrics, possession models, and underlying performance data to examine the evolution of England’s top flight between the EPL 2023/2024 and EPL 2024/2025 seasons.
Progressive carries and passes are at the heart of this analysis—two crucial indicators of a teams attacking philosophy and ability to control territory.
By comparing these metrics across two seasons, we can uncover subtle yet significant shifts in team dynamics, shape, and build-up strategies.
Did Manchester City truly decline, or have they rebalanced their approach?
Was Liverpools drop in progression a tactical trade-off or a structural issue?
How did Fulham and Bournemouth quietly enhance their positional play?
The investigation goes beyond individual teams and aims to evaluate broader league trends.
Are Premier League sides becoming more carry-reliant?
Has the verticality and tempo of build-up play increased or faded?
And how do these trends intersect with each clubs xGD, final points, and overall performance trajectory?
By answering these questions, the Premier League analysis offers a more nuanced perspective on tactical evolution in the Premier League, one that acknowledges the complexity of the modern game.
Readers will gain a clearer understanding of how structure and progression underpin team identity and why these elements are just as vital as goals in building long-term success.
Whether it’s a top-four side managing transition or a mid-table team redefining their style, this piece will shed light on the processes shaping the game’s future in England’s elite competition.
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EPL Point Swings Across Two Seasons
The Premier League standings from the 2023/2024 to 2024/2025 season tell a compelling story of tactical evolution, surprising regression, and emerging resilience.
At the forefront of the decline are Man City and Arsenal, both of whom dropped more than fifteen points compared to the previous campaign.
Premier League Point Swings Across 2023/2024 & 2024/2025
Manchester City
Manchester Citys fall from 91 to 71 points reflects a combination of fatigue, tactical predictability, and a noticeable drop in attacking sharpness.
Although their structure remained intact, the decrease in goals and expected goals suggests a lack of efficiency in the final third, possibly due to diminished individual brilliance or less incisive movement.
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