Sports
'Nobody was going to beat the 10th pick:' How the Bengals wooed the Giants into trading vet Dexter Lawrence
Bengals acquire Dexter Lawrence II from Giants for No. 10 pick
ESPN News1 min read
Soccer
Premier League tiebreaker rules 2026: Goal difference, head-to-head record, how it works
TL;DR
The Premier League may require tiebreakers for the 2025-26 title due to Manchester City and Arsenal potentially finishing with the same points. The tiebreaker rules include goal difference and head-to-head records.
Key points
- Premier League may need tiebreakers for 2025-26 title
- Manchester City and Arsenal could finish with same points
- Tiebreaker rules include goal difference and head-to-head records
Manchester CityArsenal
Manchester City and Arsenal are on pace for the same amount of points, and the Premier League could see tiebreakers needed to decide its 2025-26 title winner.
Wow.
MORE — How to watch Premier League in USA
City have beaten Arsenal and could well erase a nine-point deficit to sit level with the Gunners within just a few days.
So what's the order for tiebreakers and who holds the advantage?
Below are all the details you need when it comes to tiebreaker rules.
Premier League tiebreaker rules 2026: Goal difference, head-to-head record, how it works
What are the Premier League tiebreaker rules? How are things decided after goal difference?
Each position in the Premier League table is decided by the following tiebreakers if teams finish on the same number of points.
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Team who collected the most points in head-to-head series
- Away goals scored in head-to-head games
If teams could not be separated by the above criteria and they are fighting for the title, European spots or relegation, a one-off play-off game at a neutral ground will be scheduled to decide who finishes higher.
But that won't happen this year.
How does the Premier League head-to-head tiebreaker work?
The team who collected the most points in head-to-head games will finish higher. If teams are level after that the team who scored the most away goals in head-to-head games will finish higher. If teams are level after that then a one-off playoff game will be needed.
Man City beat Arsenal 2-1 and win the season series with the Gunners. If goal difference and goals scored are equal, City will win the title.
Has Premier League title ever been decided by goal difference?
Yes. Once. The famous 2011-12 season, when Sergio Aguero scored a winner on the final day of the season for Manchester City in the 94th minute against QPR, was the only time the title has been decided on goal difference. Manchester City and both finished the season on 89 points but City had a goal difference of +64 and United were on +56.
Q&A
What are the Premier League tiebreaker rules for 2026?
The Premier League tiebreaker rules for 2026 include goal difference and head-to-head records to determine the winner if teams finish with the same points.
How does goal difference affect Premier League tiebreakers?
Goal difference is the first criterion used in Premier League tiebreakers, where the team with the higher goal difference ranks higher if points are equal.
Which teams are likely to need tiebreakers in the Premier League 2025-26 season?
Manchester City and Arsenal are currently on pace to potentially finish with the same points, making them candidates for tiebreakers in the 2025-26 season.
