The 2022/23 English soccer season is finally complete. The playoff finals in the English Football League’s (EFL) Championship, League 1, and League 2 divisions have been contested, with promotions and relegations now decided for the 2024/24 campaign.
As the curtain falls on another enthralling season in the EFL – and indeed the English Premier League (EPL) – the time is right to look back at the biggest success stories of the last nine months.
One of the most popular metrics to use when comparing the most dominant teams in a soccer season is the Football League Power Rankings (FLPR). The FLPR data utilizes data from game results, strength of opposition, winning and losing margins, clean sheets, away wins, and much more to determine the teams statistically deemed untouchable.
Below, we’ll explore the top five teams in the 2022/23 FLPR league table, which features clubs from the first, second and third tiers of the English soccer pyramid.
Ipswich Town – 2nd League One (FLPR Score: 572.454)
It’s quite remarkable that a team in the English third tier would rack up such a dominant FLP score. It’s even more impressive when you consider that Ipswich Town didn’t even finish top of the 2022/23 League One table. The Tractor Boys finished runners-up to Plymouth Argyle, who narrowly missed out on the top five of the FLPR 2022/23 league table.
Under the management of former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna, Ipswich have embraced a new, intoxicating style of play. Dominant both territorially and in possession, Town suffocated their opponents at both ends of the pitch – and it shows in the FLPR data.
Ipswich finished the season with a +66 goal difference, notching 101 goals and conceding just 35. This gave them the league’s most potent strike force and its most watertight backline. Given the sheer dominance of their League One counterparts, it’s no surprise that the sportsbooks are tipping them to adapt to life in the Championship with ease. FanDuel Sportsbook rate Town as ninth favorites (+2300) to win the EFL Championship in 2024/24. This operator is one of the top five recommended sports betting platforms at OddsChecker, based largely on its strong welcome offer for first-time customers.
Burnley – 1st Championship (FLPR Score: 571.861)
Burnley secured an immediate return to the EPL after beating all before them in the 2022/23 EFL Championship. The Clarets shrugged off the disappointment of their relegation from the top flight to regenerate – and in some style. Under new boss Vincent Kompany, Burnley have erased their previous reputation as a direct team that’s far from easy on the eye. Kompany’s decision to adopt a considered, possession-based style has paid dividends.
Like Ipswich, Burnley were practically untouchable throughout the Championship season. The Clarets tasted defeat just three times, winning 29, scoring 87 goals and conceding 35. They eventually finished with 101 points, ten points clear of second-placed Sheffield United and an eye-watering 21 ahead of third-placed Luton Town.
After such an impressive first season managing in English football, Burnley’s biggest challenge in the close season will surely be to hold onto Kompany at the helm. However, the Belgian did sign a new five-year contract in May, which must surely include clauses allowing him to speak to some of Europe’s elite-level clubs if ever they come knocking.
Manchester City – 1st Premier League (FLPR Score: 568.200)
At one stage of the season, it looked like Manchester City would have to settle for a runners-up medal. However, an impressive run of form has ensured Pep Guardiola and his troops have landed a fifth domestic title in six campaigns.
Arsenal started the 2022/23 EPL season like a house on fire. By the turn of the New Year, they had opened up an eight-point lead over their Manchester rivals. However, Guardiola quickly galvanized his team to almost total dominance in the final third of the campaign. 11 successive EPL victories – including a comprehensive dismantling of title rivals Arsenal – saw City storm back to the top of the table.
Under Guardiola, City have always been known as one of the most statistically superior teams in English football. However, the addition of out-and-out goal-getter Erling Haaland has added an extra dimension to this City squad.
Arsenal – 2nd Premier League (FLPR Score: 547.929)
Arsenal also make the top five of the FLP rankings and it’s no surprise given how strong the Gunners have been for most of the 2022/23 EPL season. The North London club were bidding to win their first EPL title since 2003/04 and, under boss Mikel Arteta, they have never been closer to emulating Arsene Wenger’s stars of 03/04.
Arsenal’s youthful side was athletic, dynamic and incredibly efficient at both ends of the pitch. The team surpassed all expectations among supporters and pundits alike. This season’s Arsenal team racked up the most league points in a season since Wenger’s so-called “Invincibles”. They also scored the most goals in a season in over half-a-century.
At the heart of Arsenal’s improved goal output was the creative genius of captain Martin Odegaard. The Danish midfielder scored 15 goals and registered seven assists. By doubling his goal involvement tally year-on-year, he immediately became indispensable to the Gunners’ forward play.
Sheffield Wednesday – 3rd League One (FLPR Score: 535.020)
For much of the 2022/23 League One season, it looked like Sheffield Wednesday would be a shoo-in for a top two finish and automatic promotion back to the EFL Championship. However, despite a stunning 23-game unbeaten run, the Owls were pipped to automatic promotion by Ipswich and eventual champions Plymouth. Some inexplicable results in the season run-in, including away losses at Forest Green and Burton, proved Wednesday’s undoing.
Manager Darren Moore was able to rely on a very experienced squad to help the Owls through a grueling playoff campaign, culminating in a playoff final victory over near neighbors Barnsley at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Wednesday’s style of play differed to Ipswich and Plymouth. It was much more direct, relying on pace from wide areas and the aerial prowess of their center forwards. However, they were notoriously strong in defensive situations. They limited opposing teams to very few chances, which is one of the main reasons why Wednesday scored so highly in this season’s FLPR data.
Other notable mentions in the FLPR table include sixth-placed Plymouth, who upset the odds to win the third-tier title, and eighth-placed Leyton Orient, who romped to the League Two title.
