Why Having the Lead After Ten Games Doesn’t Guarantee the Title

Despite securing top spot after their first ten matches, teams in the Premier League are far from certain to end the season as champions. The data shows that in the past 33 campaigns just 14 of those early-leaders went on to lift the trophy.

That means in 19 seasons the side ahead at game 10 slipped somewhere — overtaken by rivals, hit by a slump, or simply ran out of steam. While starting strong is helpful, this illustrates that momentum alone doesn’t seal the deal.

Deep squads, form across the long haul, injuries and mental stamina all play crucial roles in converting early promise into title glory. In short: being No. 1 in early autumn is an encouraging sign but far from a guarantee.