Dark horses challenge the Big Six: Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace soar high

The 2025/26 Premier League season is stirring excitement with Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace appearing together in the top 6. Especially, Palace stands out as the sole team maintaining an unbeaten streak this season.

The 2025/26 Premier League campaign is witnessing an unexpected scenario as three teams, Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace, who were not highly rated, are now among the league leaders. After the opening rounds, all three sit within the top 6, ready to compete fairly with the giants for a European competition spot.

Bournemouth's explosive rise

Bournemouth currently holds 2nd place on the table with 14 points from 7 matches, just one point behind Liverpool. The South Coast club has displayed impressive consistency with a 5-game unbeaten streak, including a recent 3-1 victory over Fulham and a win against Tottenham in London. Bournemouth's attack has been productive with 11 goals scored, while their defense remains solid. Once a team fighting relegation, Bournemouth has transformed into a serious contender for the top positions.

Crystal Palace, the only unbeaten side

Crystal Palace has also surprised by sitting 4th with 12 points from 6 games. Remarkably, they are the only Premier League team this season to maintain an unbeaten record, with 3 wins and 3 draws. The team stands out due to a strong defense, conceding only 3 goals, combined with sharp counterattacks. Highlights include a 2-1 victory at West Ham and a major upset by defeating Liverpool 2-1. With this form, Palace has become a name every opponent must respect.

Sunderland, the resilient newcomer

Returning to the Premier League after 8 years, the Black Cats have immediately shown remarkable toughness. After 6 matches, they have earned 11 points, currently 6th, surpassing both Manchester City and Chelsea. Wins against West Ham, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest have helped establish their standing. Notably, Sunderland will face a struggling Manchester United on the evening of October 4th. This match is both a challenge and an opportunity for coach Regis Le Bris’s team to continue their rise and prove they can compete at the top level.

The presence of Bournemouth, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace in the leading group has made the Premier League race more thrilling and unpredictable than ever. If they maintain their consistency, these three “dark horses” could break the Big Six’s dominance, opening up a historic chance to qualify for European competitions at the end of the season.