The 2021-22 English Premier League season has reached the halfway point and with it a clearer idea of how every club stacks up.
While plenty of twists and turns remain this campaign, a handful of clubs have proved they are a cut above the rest, while an unfortunate few are battling to retain their top-flight status.
Sporting News brings you a mid-season report card for every Premier League club with future odds courtesy of BlueBet...
Manchester City: A+
After losing their opening league game against Tottenham, the current league leaders and defending champions have barely put a foot wrong since.
Pep Guardiola's side have won nine straight games in the Premier League and conceded just 12 goals from 19 matches.
Despite lacking a true number nine, City continue to fire in front of goal with a variety of players stepping up in the final third as shown in their Boxing Day rout of Leicester City that ended 6-3.
They have improved as the season has gone on and if they continue on that trajectory, it will be hard to deny them another league title.
Liverpool: A
With Mohamed Salah in fine form, the Reds have shown their attacking edge so far this season with 50 goals from just 18 Premier League matches.
Liverpool have only lost one of their first 18 games but drawn five of those as they allow Manchester City to build a slender lead in the title race.
Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled to see out contests at times with late draws against the likes of Brentford and Brighton looming as potentially costly slip-ups.
Chelsea: B
After winning the UEFA Champions League last season, expectations were high that the Blues would be able to back that up in the league.
Thomas Tuchel's men have, however, struggled to get going and look like they may struggle to keep pace with the top two.
The goalscoring return of Romelu Lukaku on Boxing Day could prove pivotal moving forward as Chelsea can't afford to drop many more points if they are to challenge for the title.
Arsenal: B+
Though they started the new Premier League season in shocking fashion with three straight defeats, the Gunners seem to have found their feet.
Arsenal's 5-0 win over Norwich on Boxing Day was their fourth consecutive league win with the side scoring 14 goals during that span.
While dropped captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been making headlines for the wrong reasons, the rest of Mikel Arteta's squad has stepped up with youngsters like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe suggesting the future could be bright for the Gunners.
After finishing eighth last season, a top-four finish would be a brilliant result this campaign.
Tottenham: B
Despite starting the season with a statement win over Manchester City, Spurs struggled under manager Nuno Espirito Santo with Antonio Conte ultimately brought in to replace him.
Tottenham have responded well under the former Chelsea coach and haven't lost in the league since October - even drawing with Liverpool.
If Harry Kane can fully rediscover his scoring touch, Spurs will back themselves to finish in the top four having finished seventh last season.
One-touch pass ➡️ one-touch cross ➡️ one-touch finish. pic.twitter.com/rdNr4v8RDD
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 26, 2021
West Ham: B
The Hammers have enjoyed a rollercoaster 2021-22 season to date but deserve credit for continuing to show they can compete with the best in the Premier League.
While winning just one of their last five league games, West Ham have beaten both Liverpool and Chelsea in the competition this season.
Defence looms as David Moyes' main issue moving into 2022 with their attack often asked to compensate for continued leaks at the back.
Manchester United: C+
A damaging slump across October and November saw the Red Devils finally pull the plug on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Despite luring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, Man Utd have looked fragile defensively and relied too often on their Portuguese star to salvage results.
The club have steadied somewhat under interim coach Ralf Rangnick with three straight league wins and remain firmly in the race for a top-four spot this season.
Wolves: B+
Having lost their previous manager Nuno to Tottenham, Wolves have done well to find their feet this season after losing their first three games.
The return of striker Raul Jimenez has helped matters but the club's real strength is in defence with the side conceding just 14 times across 18 matches.
A lack of goals remains a concern for Wolves though with the side only finding the back of the net 13 times this season with a better balance between attack and defence needed.
Brighton: B
Like Wolves, Brighton have been holding their own defensively this season but struggling to score freely.
While they'll be happy to be sitting in the top half of the table going into 2022, they failed to capitalise on a bright start, with a Boxing Day win against Brentford ending an 11-game winless run in the league.
The Seagulls have drawn the majority of their games so far this season - matches they need to find a way to turn into wins if they are to end the season strongly.
Leicester City: C-
After finishing fifth in the Premier League the past two seasons, the Foxes have failed to meet expectations so far this campaign.
Brendan Rodgers' side have won just six of their first 17 league games and conceded a concerning 33 goals in the process.
Leicester City have struggled for consistency so far this season and must rediscover it if they are to avoid a disappointing finish.
What. A. Match! 🤯🤯🤯
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 26, 2021
⚽ 5’ de Bruyne
⚽ 14’ Mahrez
⚽ 21’ Gundogan
⚽ 25’ Sterling
⚽ 55’ Maddison
⚽ 59’ Lookman
⚽ 65’ Iheanacho
⚽ 69’ Laporte
⚽ 87’ Sterling
A nine-goal thriller on Boxing Day! 🎁#OptusSport #PL #MCILEI pic.twitter.com/ns76zw4mve
Aston Villa: B-
Five straights defeats made life hard for Villa in the Premier League this season and saw manager Dean Smith moved on.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was brought in as his replacement and seems to have the club back on track for a solid season.
Having lost star player Jack Grealish over the off-season, Villa have done well to paper over the cracks and won four of their last seven league games to suggest they are capable of finishing in the top half of the table.
Crystal Palace: B
They might have only won four league games this season, but the Eagles have pulled off some impressive results including a 2-0 win over Manchester City in October.
Patrick Vieira's side have proven they are capable of punching above their weight and seem set for another stable season in the top-flight.
Brentford: B+
Despite only making it to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs last season, Brentford have so far proven to be the best of the promoted trio.
Averaging more than a point per game, the Bees have shown they can survive in the top-flight with a 3-3 draw with Liverpool in September early proof they are capable of stinging any team.
Southampton: B-
The Saints have become Premier League battlers in recent seasons and that trend has continued this campaign.
With only four league wins to their name, Southampton look short on quality at times but have tightened things up defensively after conceding 68 goals in their last campaign.
Rounding off a perfect move: @Moielyo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yYaSbjUItJ
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 26, 2021
Everton: D
The controversial appointment of former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has so far failed to pay off for the Toffees with the club closer to relegation than a place in Europe.
Everton have shown signs of life though, with draws against Chelsea and Manchester United suggesting they are capable of turning things around.
Leeds United: D-
Conceding an average of two goals per game this season in the Premier League, Leeds have fallen victim to their adventurous style of play.
To make matters worse, they've scored just 18 goals from 18 matches with only three wins to their name.
A recent 7-0 loss to Manchester City has cast doubt on the future of manager Marcelo Bielsa with better results needed to keep his job safe and ensure Leeds avoid relegation.
Current relegation odds: $3.75
Watford: C-
Despite returning to the top-flight with a win, an early lack of results saw Watford replace manager Xisco with Claudio Ranieri.
The Italian coach has since helped the Hornets to wins over Everton and Manchester United but the club have now lost four straight games.
Watford have drawn just one league match this season and need to find a way to pick up more regular points if they are to stay up.
Current relegation odds: $1.80
Burnley: C
Although currently in the relegation zone, Burnley have games in hand and seem the closest of the struggling sides to turning things around.
They've drawn eight of their first 15 league matches this season and have lost the same number of matches as fourth-place Arsenal (six).
If Sean Dyche's side can work out how to win games again, they should have the quality and experience to dodge relegation once again.
Current relegation odds: $1.90
Newcastle United: F
While they've got rich new owners and a talented new manager in the form of Eddie Howe, Newcastle face an uphill battle to salvage their season.
Having conceded a league-high 41 goals from 18 matches, it's no surprise the side have picked up just one win so far this campaign.
Expect one or two big signings in January, but those players will need to hit the ground running if the Magpies are to avoid the drop.
Current relegation odds: $1.70
Norwich City: F
From winners of the Championship to bottom of the Premier League, it's been a tough transition to the top-flight for the Canaries.
With only eight goals to their name from 18 matches, Norwich have failed to fire too often and don't look likely of a mid-season revival having lost their past four games without scoring.
Current relegation odds: $1.15