As the Premier League simulation whirlwind continues, Matchweek 17 has brought fresh drama to our projections. Liverpool remains as steady as Anfield’s famous atmosphere, perched comfortably at the summit with 86 points predicted. But the storylines brewing beneath them? Pure Premier League theater.

Arsenal’s Charge, City’s Slip

The Gunners are showing no signs of retreat in the title chase. Stubbornly sitting second, Arsenal’s 78-point projection has them refusing to let Liverpool out of sight. Meanwhile, Manchester City (72 points) slips to fourth, trading places with Chelsea (75 points), who decided it was time to remind everyone of their “big club” credentials. Pep Guardiola’s crew has had a wobble, but don’t write them off just yet—City slipping usually means they’re setting up a storm.

Villa’s Resurgence, Spurs’ Freefall

Matchweek 18 also brings the spotlight to Aston Villa’s tenacity. From Matchweek 14’s sixth spot to Matchweek 18’s fifth, Unai Emery’s squad is on a mission. Their consistent rise (63 points) pushes Tottenham Hotspur to gulp seventh. Spurs fans must feel like they’re on one of those North London rollercoasters again. They peaked at fifth in Matchweek 14 but have since lost their grip faster than an overzealous striker misjudging a shot.

Brighton & Newcastle: A Tale of Two Climbs

Brighton’s journey has been one of quiet consistency. Their Matchweek 12 projection of fifth (69 points) has settled them into seventh by Matchweek 18 (60 points), showing a slight drop but a steady European push nonetheless. Newcastle, on the other hand, briefly hit reverse before recovering to sixth with 61 points—just edging past Spurs. Eddie Howe must be preaching patience and perseverance on Tyneside.

The Midtable Shuffle

Bournemouth are in the spotlight after rising from 12th in Matchweek 12 to an impressive ninth by Matchweek 18. The Cherries are buzzing! Fulham (10th to 11th) and Nottingham Forest (12th to 10th) continue their tug-of-war, while Manchester United’s (ninth to 12th) fall is as bewildering as a poorly judged VAR call. Erik ten Hag has some questions to answer.

The Basement Battle

At the wrong end of the table, Leicester City’s desperate attempts to avoid the drop seem futile. Falling from 18th in Matchweek 14 to 18th in Matchweek 18, the Foxes are locked in a grim three-way fight with Ipswich Town and Southampton. Wolves, meanwhile, cling to 17th with the resilience of a team that simply refuses to go down.