We’re now in December. The festive season is upon us. You know what that means? Mince pies galore and Premier League football on TV almost every single day. This period can make or break a campaign. So here’s a look at the key fixtures from matchday 14.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
An opportunity for Arsenal
The Gunners are a point clear at the top of the Premier League and they are one of three 3pm kick-offs on Saturday as they host Wolves at the Emirates. A win for Mikel Arteta’s side guarantees them first place heading into the mid-week round of matches, regardless of what happens elsewhere.
On paper, this should be a routine win for the league leaders. Arsenal are unbeaten at home and have taken 17 points from a possible 21. Gary O’Neil’s side aren’t great on the road and have scored just nine times on their travels this term. And yet, Wolves have beaten Spurs and Manchester City this season. They took the lead against Liverpool and were unfortunate not to get something from a trip to Old Trafford.
They may be mid-table right now but had a few questionable VAR decisions gone their way, they would be in the mix for a Europa League place. Interestingly, they have conceded five penalties this season, the most of any team in the Premier League. Arsenal have been awarded the most penalties (6) in the English top flight. Would you really be surprised if these tallies were added to this weekend?
A sticky situation for Everton
Whereas in previous campaigns, Everton’s home form has kept them in the Premier League, their away form has been key this time around. The Toffees are five points off safety right now following their 10-point deduction but of the 14 points they have won this season, 10 have come away from Goodison Park.
In fact, Sean Dyche’s side have won more points on their travels (10) than their hosts, Nottingham Forest have won at home (nine).
Forest aren’t in the best of form either having won just one of their last five Premier League outings. They have conceded a minimum of two goals in four of these matches and they have lost their last two games 3-2.
This should be a game filled with goals. A win for the Toffees could be monumental for their season after the points deduction. A loss would heap all kinda of pressure on the team.
Saturday night at St James’ Park
Newcastle United host Manchester United in the late kick-off on Saturday evening. A win for the Magpies would see them leapfrog the Red Devils in the Premier League table with just a single point separating them right now.
Either team could finish the weekend in fifth spot if results go their way.
Erik Ten Hag’s side are going a little under the radar, probably because of their European performances. They have won four of their last five in the English top flight. In fact, over the last six games, they are the form team in the league having taken the most points. They are also one of the best teams in the league on their travels having taken 12 points from six matches away from Old Trafford. Only Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal have picked up more.
On home turf, Newcastle have won six from seven this season. So this should be an interesting match-up. They are also one of the most potent teams in the Premier League, averaging 2.4 goals per 90. An average that only Man City (2.5) can better.
This match pits two of the best creative players in the league against one another. Kieran Trippier has registered six assists this term, a figure only Pedro Neto (seven) can better while Bruno Fernandes leads the way for Expected Assists with 4.2. Second on that list is Trippier with 4.1.
Jekyll and Hyde Chelsea
Chelsea impress one week and things appear to be clicking for them under Mauricio Pochettino before a humbling defeat arrives in their next outing. That seems to be the pattern for the Blues this term. A 4-1 loss against Newcastle United last weekend brought them back down to earth with a real bump following the 4-4 draw with Man City.
Now they entertain Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls have been just as erratic this term. Their win over Nottingham Forest last weekend was their first since September and, as detailed in a recent feature, they are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League.
Again, everything seems to point towards there being goals in this gam, so expect a drab 0-0.
A win for Brighton could lift them as high as sixth while all three points for the hosts could see them cut the gap to Roberto De Zebri’s men to just three.
A tough test for Tottenham
Spurs don’t have a bad record against Man City over recent seasons. They have won five of their last 10 against the reigning champions and have lost on just four occasions. Considering how dominant Pep Guardiola’s side are, this is an unbelievable record.
However, Spurs head to the Etihad this weekend in freefall having lost their last three Premier League outings. Heading into their match against Chelsea, they were unbeaten and looked like genuine title challengers. Now though, they have lost three on the bounce, conceding eight goals and scoring just three.
They’re coming up against an in-form City side who came from behind in the Champions League to defeat RB Leipzig. Depending on how other teams get on this weekend, a win on Sunday afternoon could be enough to take them back to the summit.
This is Ange Postecoglou’s toughest test as Spurs boss. He’s taking his depleted side to the champions. If he gets something, it will be their best result of the season, all things considered.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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