As the 2024–25 Premier League season approaches its crucial conclusion, VAR’s function remains a contentious issue that affects results and ignites discussions among both supporters and commentators. Questions are being raised about how the league table may seem without the intervention—or alleged mistakes—made by the contentious technology now that season 29 games have begun.
If VAR hadn’t been used, London World would have created a different Premier League table. An alternate table based on the results indicates which teams’ supporters will be scolding VAR and which fan groups will be quietly relieved that the 20 top division clubs decided against voting to eliminate the much-maligned system.
There are already a lot of talking points about VAR this season, despite the PGMOL stating that the technology fixed more than 100 errors last season. If Premier League executives had never used the technology in the first place, let’s examine the table more closely.
Premier League Table (as of March 19, 25) without VAR
Place
Club
Points
Differences in Points
1.
Liverpool
67
-3
2.
The Arsenal
64
+6
3.
Forest of Nottingham
55
+1
4.
The Bournemouth
50
+6
5.
Chelsea
49
0
6.
Albion, Brighton & Hove
48
+1
7.
City of Manchester
46
-2
8.
Newcastle United
43
-4
9.
Brentford
43
+2
10.
Fulham
43
-2
11.
Villa Aston
42
-3
12.
The Crystal Palace
41
+2
13.
United Manchester
41
+4
14.
Everton
36
+2
15.
Tottenham Hotspur
34
0
16.
United West Ham
30
-4
17.
Wanderers of Wolverhampton
27
+1
18.
Town of Ipswich
17
0
19.
City of Leicester
14
-3
20.
Southampton
10.
+1
Liverpool Just Three Points Clear of Arsenal
Bournemouth also in Champions League qualification spots
Even if a supercomputer has predicted that Arsenal would place second in the Premier League this season, London World’s study indicates that the Gunners shouldn’t be that far behind champions-elect Liverpool. After three contentious red card decisions went against Mikel Arteta’s team, VAR intervened to change William Saliba’s opening yellow against Bournemouth to a straight red. They would only be three points behind without the technology, as opposed to the 12-point deficit they are currently struggling to overcome.
In the meantime, Liverpool would have lost three points from their current total if VAR hadn’t been in place, but they would still have won the English championship for the twentieth time. With 70 points from their first 29 games, Arne Slot’s team has only lost once, at home against Nottingham Forest, 1-0. In their most recent match against Manchester United, a penalty was given following VAR intervention. They defeated Southampton 3-1 despite winning a penalty as well.
The fact that things could have been much worse—the Citizens would have fallen to seventh place if VAR hadn’t been in their favour so frequently this season—should give Pep Guardiola some comfort after Manchester City’s run of poor play from October to December sent them all the way down to fifth place in the league table. One instance of this occurred when they won all three points at Molineux thanks to a late header from John Stones that was first disallowed for offside against Bernardo Silva but was later awarded by VAR since it was decided the Portuguese did not impede Jose Sa.
Bournemouth is one team that would undoubtedly wish VAR didn’t exist. Even though Andoni Iraola’s team has performed admirably, finishing in the top 10 and only four points away from a Europa League qualifying spot, the Cherries could have done even better because, in the absence of VAR, they would have been six points ahead of Enzo’s Maresca’s Chelsea, who have recently had a wild run of results.
Aston Villa, West Ham, and Newcastle One of the Greatest Gainers from VAR
Without VAR, the Carabao Cup winners would be four points worse off.
According to the new standings, Newcastle United and West Ham are the clear winners of who VAR has benefited the most. They are currently six points ahead of where London World would be if it weren’t for the judgements that have gone their way. Among the largest recipients of Stockley Park’s video assistance are Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Leicester City.
Newcastle would be seven points away from qualifying for the Champions League if it weren’t for VAR, but the recent Carabao Cup winners won’t complain because they won their first trophy in 70 years and now appear to have some chance of doing so. Only when VAR stepped in to throw out a late home team goal did the Magpies secure a point against Bournemouth. VAR also disallowed Everton’s goal against Eddie Howe’s team. In order for Newcastle United to defeat Nottingham Forest 3-2, VAR had to give them a penalty, which Alexander Isak scored.
Each and every modification made to VAR for the 2024–2025 Premier League season
The Premier League is constantly debating VAR, and the rulemakers have changed a few things before the 2024–2025 campaign.
This time around, West Ham has also benefited from the implementation of VAR in the 2020–21 campaign. Actually, the east London-based team’s seasonal total would drop by four points. Jarrod Bowen’s late penalty kick against Manchester United helped them secure an additional two points through VAR. Lucas Paqueta scored from a penalty that was also granted during the 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth. Last weekend, VAR also stepped in against Everton to rule that a disputed penalty awarded for a foul by Max Kilman on Beto should not stand.
Since Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio were hired in January, Aston Villa has appeared to be a much better team, but they have also benefited from the use of VAR. The Midlands team is now in ninth place, just four points outside the top four, but according to a report by London World, they would be closer to eight points behind in the absence of VAR.
Additional Notable Winners and Losers
VAR hinders Manchester United’s hopes of a comeback.
Manchester United, led by Ruben Amorim, is one of the other teams that can feel unfairly treated. In contrast to the one that has favoured them, the Red Devils have witnessed a long list of VAR-led rulings go against them. They would be four points better off and much more prepared for a top-half finish even though their standing in the table would remain unchanged if those decisions had not been made. In Erik ten Hag’s last game as manager, West Ham United won 2-1 thanks to a contentious penalty kick that was converted by Jarrod Bowen. That doesn’t alter the fact that their campaign has been a complete failure.
In their fight to remain afloat, Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and relegation-bound Southampton would all be at least one point ahead. In other places, the usage of technology has hindered the previously stated Arsenal and Bournemouth team.
A card with red and yellow on it
Associated Premier League Suspensions Tracker for 2024–2025
We have listed the current record. Players are suspended following five yellow cards or a red card.
On the other end of the spectrum, in addition to the previously stated lucky stars, Liverpool and Leicester City can also count theirs. This is because, in England’s top division, which is widely considered to be the most difficult league in the world of football, the Foxes would have also lost points—three, to be exact—had VAR technology not been in place.
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