Premier League 2017-18 Season Review: The Essential Context

The account of any Premier League season is fixed: 20 clubs, 38 matches each, 380 total. A Premier League 2017-18 season review is the record of that fixed account, with the table sorted by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head. The bottom three go down to the Championship, and three clubs come up, two automatically and one through the play-off.

The Premier League has used this shape since 1995-96, but not forever. The FA Premier League was founded on 20 February 1992, when First Division clubs broke away to negotiate their own broadcast deals. The first season, 1992-93, had 22 clubs. It dropped to 20 for 1995-96, and every season since has been a 20-club, 38-match campaign.

Premier League 2017-18 season review: the mechanism

The mechanism is simple. Twenty clubs play 38 matches each, home and away, for 380 matches in a season. A win earns three points and a draw earns one. The bottom three are relegated to the Championship, with three clubs promoted in their place, two automatic and one via the play-off.

The table is ordered by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head record. If teams are still level and the position decides the title, relegation, or European qualification, a play-off at a neutral venue may be used. This is the part of the mechanism that matters most when a season review is decided by a fraction of a goal.

Squad rules add a layer of detail. A club must name a 25-player squad list for players over 21, and at least 8 of those players must be homegrown. A homegrown player is one trained in England or Wales for three years before turning 21. Under-21 players do not count against the 25, so a club can name a larger group when its young players are included. Substitutions allow five per match, made in a maximum of three windows plus half-time.

History: from 22 clubs to 20

The Premier League began on 20 February 1992 as the FA Premier League. It was a breakaway by First Division clubs who wanted to negotiate their own broadcast deals. The first season, 1992-93, contained 22 clubs, which meant a different fixture calendar. The league reduced to 20 clubs for 1995-96, and every season since has used the same 38-match format.

That history matters when reading a season review. The change from 22 to 20 clubs did not just change the size of the league. It set the arithmetic that still defines survival, with 38 matches per club and 380 total. By 2017-18, that structure had been in place for over two decades, so the season could be compared directly with every Premier League campaign since 1995-96.

Edge cases and common confusions

The most common mistake is to compare goal difference before checking points. Points come first. Only after points are equal does goal difference decide, followed by goals scored, then head-to-head. For most neutral observers, goal difference is the headline separator, but the official order matters if two clubs finish level at a season-defining position.

The homegrown rule creates another confusion. The requirement applies to the 25-man squad list for players over 21. A player counts as homegrown if trained in England or Wales for three years before turning 21. Under-21 players do not occupy a place in the 25, so a club can name a larger group when its young players are included.

Substitutions are also misunderstood. A team can make five substitutions per match, but they must be made in a maximum of three windows plus half-time. The limit is on the number of windows, not on the total number of stoppages, which is why managers often use several changes at once. That rule often shows up in post-match summaries, and a season review uses it to explain tactical decisions.

European qualification has its own edge cases. The top four clubs qualify for the Champions League league phase. Fifth place and the FA Cup winner qualify for the Europa League, and the League Cup winner enters the Conference League play-off. Additional Champions League places can be earned through UEFA coefficient performance. If a cup winner has already qualified through league position, the place passes down. It does not disappear.

A season review also crosses over into fantasy football, where the scoring rules create their own common confusions. A Fantasy Premier League manager starts with a 15-player squad, 11 starters, and a £100.0m budget, with a maximum of 3 players per club. Goals are worth 6 points for a goalkeeper or defender, 5 for a midfielder, and 4 for a forward. An assist is worth 3 points. A clean sheet is worth 4 points for a goalkeeper or defender and 1 for a midfielder.

Appearance points reward minutes: 1 point for under 60, 2 for 60 or more. Bonus points go 3, 2, 1 to the top three BPS scorers in each match. Yellow cards cost 1 point, red cards cost 3, own goals cost 2, and a penalty miss costs 2. Goalkeepers gain 1 point per 3 saves and 5 for a penalty save. Defenders and goalkeepers lose 1 point for every two goals conceded. The captain scores double, and a transfer beyond the free allowance costs 4 points.

Those scoring details do more than settle fantasy arguments. They give a season review a second layer of meaning, because the same match events drive both the table and the fantasy points. That is the difference between a loose match report and a useful Premier League 2017-18 season review.

Key takeaways

• A Premier League 2017-18 season review is the record of 380 matches: 20 clubs, 38 each, home and away.
• The table is sorted by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head, with a possible neutral play-off for a decisive tie.
• The Premier League has used 20 clubs since 1995-96, after launching with 22 clubs in 1992-93.
• Squad rules require at least 8 homegrown players in the 25-man over-21 squad list, with under-21 players excluded from that count.
• Five substitutions are allowed per match, made in a maximum of three windows plus half-time.

FAQ

How many games are in a Premier League season?

There are 380 matches in a Premier League season. Each of the 20 clubs plays 38 matches, one home and one away against every other club.

What happens if teams finish level on points?

The first tiebreaker is goal difference. If that is level, the next tiebreaker is goals scored, then head-to-head record. If the position still cannot be decided and it affects the title, relegation, or European qualification, a play-off at a neutral venue may be used.

Who gets relegated from the Premier League?

The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Championship. Three clubs come up in their place, two automatically and one through the play-off.

How many homegrown players do Premier League clubs need?

A club must include at least 8 homegrown players in its 25-man squad list for players over 21. A homegrown player is one trained in England or Wales for three years before turning 21.