Arsenal, Sunderland, and Manchester United are among the top teams in the Premier League because they are performing well under their respective managers to start the 2025-26 campaign. According to the latest Premier League 2025 odds, the Gunners are the favourites to win this year’s title, barring any unforeseen circumstances, such as a late-season choke.
Sunderland are not supposed to be among the Top 4 teams, but here they are. The Black Cats are currently fourth in the table with 19 points, but are winless in their last two games.
Elsewhere, Manchester United are seventh in the English top-flight table with 18 points, level with fifth-seeded Tottenham, sixth-seeded Aston Villa, eighth-seeded Liverpool, and ninth-seeded Bournemouth. The Red Devils are undefeated in their last five games heading into the November international break.
Without further ado, SBOTOP pays homage to the men behind the scenes in today’s feature.
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United
Before their recent winless run, it was all smiles for Manchester United in October. They won all three games versus Sunderland (2-0), Liverpool (2-1), and Brighton (4-2), and the Red Devils were deservedly rewarded, as Ruben Amorim and Bryan Mbeumo won the Manager and Player of the Month awards.
This was Amorim’s first-ever Premier League Manager of the Month award, which is quite a turnaround, considering his poor start in his Red Devils tenure. After finishing 15th in the table and missing out on trophies last term, Manchester United have made steady progress under the Portuguese boss, and the team’s future is suddenly looking bright.
INEOS also deserves plaudits for backing Amorim last summer, as they completed the additions of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Senne Lammens. Lammens, by the way, has yet to lose as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper (W3, D2). Sesko and Cunha have also had their share of Premier League 2025 highlights.
The squad is far from perfect, as the Red Devils’ midfield remains vulnerable, especially whenever the evergreen Casemiro leaves the pitch. But Amorim has shown that he is willing to be flexible with his tactics to get the necessary results. A few more marquee signings will help the team make a push for European football next year.
Regis Le Bris, Sunderland
Regis Le Bris has come a long way with Sunderland in the past few months. After securing the Black Cats’ Premier League promotion by beating Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, the team is suddenly making a run for European football next year.
A major reason for their success is the backing of the team’s owners, as Sunderland made a handful of key additions last summer to support Le Bris. Some of them include Enzo Le Fee, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra, Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele, Lutsharel Geertruida, and Brian Brobbey.
Since their 2-0 setback against Manchester United, Sunderland have picked up points against Wolves (2-0), Chelsea (2-1), Everton (1-1), and Arsenal (2-2). Their recent draw against Arsenal was particularly impressive, as they salvaged a point despite squandering an early one-goal lead. Daniel Ballard scored the first goal before Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard turned things around for the Gunners. Brobbey came to the rescue by scoring the equaliser during stoppage time, and Roefs had a wonderful late-game save.
As of today, Sunderland’s best-case scenario is surviving their December slate, which includes matches against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United in three straight weeks.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
Mikel Arteta faces a make-or-break year with the Gunners, and his team is in a familiar place so far this season. Arsenal are at the top of the pack and are undefeated in their last 14 games across all competitions since a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool last August.
Arsenal’s defence has picked up during their unbeaten run. Save for last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland, Mikel Arteta’s men didn’t concede a goal in eight consecutive matches and a whopping 812 minutes in total. Overall, they’ve only conceded five league goals so far this season. Gabriel and William Saliba have arguably been the best centre-half pairing in England, with David Raya looking great between the sticks.
And the Gunners aren’t slouches on the other side of the pitch. Viktor Gyokeres is finding his feet, leading the team with four goals. Bukayo Saka has three goals, and Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Leandro Trossard have two goals apiece.
Now that they’re back in the driver’s seat, Arteta’s men have to keep their feet on the gas to put an end to Arsenal’s Premier League drought that has lasted for more than two decades.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
