The Premier League is often praised for its quality and competitiveness. Therefore, it often happens that low-ranked teams triumph over huge favorites. Yet, only seven teams have won the title since the league's foundation. Furthermore, a vast majority belong to Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Thus, upsets are incredibly rare, but Blackburn and Leicester managed to make them. Many would even argue that the biggest surprise is that it took Liverpool almost 30 years to win one! Yet, other world-famous English clubs are still waiting for their first Premier League titles. In our top 10 list, we'll rank them based on their historical success and current status.

10. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

Founded in 1877, Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. has a long tradition and many famous moments. However, they also spent more than 50 years in lower leagues. Still, they are the first English club to win all four professional divisions. Furthermore, they also won every major title in English football! This includes even the lower division crowns like Football League Trophy.

They entered the Premier League in 2003, only to finish last and even drop to League 1. However, in their typical fashion, they bounced back. Thus, they were excellent in 2018-19 and 2019-20, finishing seventh in the Premier League. Wanderers now don't even dream about the title, as even a spot in Europe is a massive achievement. Hence, every season in the top division is a success.

9. Sunderland A.F.C.

Sunderland was the second-best English club near the end of the 19th century (behind Aston Villa) when they won three league titles. Before WWII, they already had six, with five second places. However, they've never reached such heights again. Still, the club won the FA Cup and Football League Cup multiple times. Once, they even did it while not playing in the top division!

While the club finished seventh a few times, they mostly struggled to stay in the Premier League. Numerous times they ended dead last and even sank to League 1. Therefore, even the most optimistic fans don't dare dream about something other than staying in the top division.

8. Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

Sheffield Wednesday F.C. is the second oldest club in England, but they are way more successful than the oldest one - Notts County. Wednesday collected all the major trophies in English football, including four league titles. Interestingly enough, they won them in pairs in the first half of the 20th century. Since then, their role has diminished, as they rarely managed to stay near the top. Instead, the club suffered many relegations, sometimes for a more extended period.

Still, Wednesday was among the founding members of the Premier League. Furthermore, they stayed up for almost a decade, even earning a spot in the UEFA Cup. Yet, the club struggles in the 21st century, as they are yet to return to the top league. Furthermore, they even have trouble surviving in the Championship! This must be frustrating for fans, as it's impossible to predict when things will get better.

7. Nottingham Forest F.C.

Nottingham Forest F.C. was a massive hit at the end of the 70s, as they dominated England and Europe! The team even won the European Cup (now Champions League) twice in a row. The eighties were also decent, as they collected several cup trophies and top 3 league finishes. Forest also had a few nice runs in Europe, including the semi-final of the UEFA Cup.

In the 90s, "The Reds" could still fight for European spots. Then shockingly, they were dead last in the first Premier League season! Yet, they bounced back twice and even finished third in the 1994-95 Premier League. However, they sank as low as League 1 before they were back in the 2022/23 season. Yet, their relationship with the Premier League remains turbulent, with staying up as the only ambition. 

6. Aston Villa F.C.

Unsurprisingly, some smaller clubs won the English top division. Still, some might be shocked that Aston Villa did it seven times! Near the end of the 19th century, they won five, proving they were the best in the country and probably Europe. Interestingly, their last triumph was in 1980/81, 70 years after their previous title! Furthermore, they won the European Cup and the UEFA Super Cup the following year. Add a dozen FA Cups and League Cups, and you'll realize the reputation that Villa created.

Yet, things weren't always great, as they sank two levels below the top one. However, Villa was still a founding member of the Premier League, sensationally taking second place in the first season! Yet, after that, the team had only a few decent showings, with several joints in European football. Today, Villa is far from a title contender, with only their oldest fans remembering that things were much better.

5. West Ham United F.C.

Compared to all other clubs on the list, West Ham never won the league title. In fact, they could never do better than 3rd place, even though they are among the best London clubs. Still, the team mostly played in the top division and collected several FA Cups and League Cups. Furthermore, they have European trophies, including the Cup Winners' Cup. Therefore, at times, they were the best club in London, which is now hard to imagine. 

Unluckily, West Ham was relegated in the last season before the formation of the Premier League. However, they bounced back quickly and are rarely out of it. Yet, they are also far from title contenders, as they usually stay in the middle of the table. It doesn't seem that the club's ambitions will change anything soon, but fans seem pretty happy.

4. Everton F.C.

No other club played as many seasons in the top division as Everton! Thus, it's unsurprising that they won nine titles before the Premier League. Still, the club has only one European trophy - the Cup Winners' Cup. With several more English cups won, they are still among the most decorated clubs in the country. Yet, the problem is that their iconic reputation is now only a distant memory.

As a founding member of the Premier League, Everton was never relegated, but their seasons weren't spectacular. In fact, they put much hate on themselves as a club that's just there and usually rolls over and dies when playing Liverpool and other top teams. Their best came in 2004/05 when they somehow finished fourth. We say "somehow," as they won only 18 of 38 games and had a negative goal difference! To no one's surprise, Villareal eliminated them in the Champions League qualifiers in their only attempt so far. Being an Everton fan is a frustrating experience - they are a hard team to love for decades, and not many take them seriously. 

3. Leeds United F.C.

Although it was founded in 1919, it took Leeds United almost half a century to peak. Yet, from the mid-sixties to mid-seventies, they were often one of the best clubs in Europe. During that period, they won two league titles while finishing as runners-up five times! Leeds also added a pair of cup titles while losing three more finals. Unfortunately for them, they also lost the European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup. Despite mostly second-place finishes, they were a mighty force, rarely out of the top division.

Unsurprisingly, Leeds was a founding member of the Premier League and one of its top teams near the end of the millennium and the beginning of the next. During that time, the club continually played in Europe and even reached the semi-final of the Champions League in 2001. Yet, they soon dropped to League 1 and almost became defunct, and it took them almost 20 years to get back among the best teams. Now Leeds' ambitions are modest, as staying up is all they dream about.

2. Newcastle United F.C.

Like some other teams on our list, Newcastle United peaked early. Therefore, while they won four league titles before the Premier League, they all came at least a hundred years ago! Yet, the club was rarely out of the top division, and they have a fine collection of FA Cups. Therefore, they are still among the English clubs with the most trophies. Still, they need more success in Europe, with only Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and Intertoto Cup in their collection.

Newcastle had a strong Premier League debut, as in the first four years, they finished as runner-ups twice. Yet, the 1995/96 season remains extremely painful, as the team lost a 12-point lead over Manchester United. They collapsed in the last 15 games, collecting 16 points less than their main rival. The pain is even bigger as the club never got so close to the title again. Instead, they were primarily fighting relegation battles, and only sometimes successfully. However, as big money entered the club, it looks like better years are coming.

1. Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

As Tottenham is the only club of the "Big six" never to win the Premier League, they must be on top of the list! The team has a long and glorious past, as they were the first English squad to win a UEFA competition. Yet, while they won everything on a domestic level, Tottenham is always branded as underachievers. Mostly, that comes from the fact that they won only two league titles! Since then, Tottenham is often named as one of the title favorites, but they rarely are worthy contenders.

Like Everton, Hotspurs played every Premier League season, but with varying success. During the first decade, they mostly struggled, but things gradually improved. The 2016/17 season was their best by far, as they finished second, only behind Chelsea. Tottenham collected an impressive 86 points, and two years later, they lost the Champions League final. There's no doubt that the club needs a league title badly; once they get it, everyone will be relieved.

Winning the Premier League is a dream of almost every professional football player, as it's so tough to do it. While the title race almost always features the same clubs, occasionally, miracles happen. Still, it seems that only Newcastle and Tottenham can do it in the next ten years. If they succeed, the league will ultimately benefit from it, taking its unpredictability to a higher level.

What is your favorite among these teams? Which one will win the title first, and could it happen soon?

Cover photo: TopTens.fun/Midjourney