The second round of Matchday 21 fixtures is now upon us. Yet again, these games are to be split across three days and all five are televised in the UK. Hopefully, the tiered matchdays won’t become the norm but I could get used to having every single game on TV. Here’s your review for the upcoming matches.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Can Arsenal get back on track?
We kick things off at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon with Arsenal looking to return to winning ways. The Gunners are without a win in over a month now and have lost three successive matches. Mikel Arteta’s men are level on points with fifth-placed Spurs and trail leaders Liverpool by five points despite sitting top of the table on Christmas Day.
Arsenal host Crystal Palace in what, on paper at least, appears to be a formality for the Gunners. Roy Hodgson is under pressure following a terrible run of form which has seen them win two of their last 10, losing on five occasions. However, they did claim a draw against Manchester City while also causing Liverpool problems in an eventual 2-1 defeat.
They do have the ability to cause Arsenal some issues and they will want to take advantage of the current situation. The hosts are lacking confidence and haven’t, despite their best efforts, been able to convert the chances they have carved out. Arteta’s side have just two goals across their last four outings and they have conceded two in each of their last three games.
This might not seem like a big one for the title hopefuls on Saturday, but it would well set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Another six-pointer?
At first glance, Nottingham Forest against Brentford doesn’t scream big game, does it? It is 15th versus 16th in the Premier League. Look a little closer and you’ll realise Forest are just four points clear of the relegation zone while the Bees have just a three-point safety net. A win here for either side gives them breathing space. A win for one of these teams would lift them into 14th position if Palace fail to pick up any points against Arsenal.
Forest have won their last two in the English top-flight and are putting up a fight under Nuno Espírito Santo. Brentford are in freefall. Thomas Frank’s side have lost five on the bounce and seven of their last eight.
The return of Ivan Toney could be the spark they need to get their season back on track though. The prolific forward is available once again following his eight-month suspension and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him named in the starting XI. It would be a bold move, but Brentford need that right now. They have just four goals in their last five matches. In fact, they have scored more than one goal in just one of their previous eight Premier League games.
Toney could prove to be the difference-maker and the match-winner, just as he was last season on countless occasions.
The Blades and The Hammers
Bottom of the table Sheffield United host West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. A win for the Blades won’t outright lift them off the bottom of the table but it would see them move to level on points with Burnley and to within four points of Luton Town.
By comparison, victory for David Moyes’ men would see them cut the gap to fifth place to just three points.
West Ham had been in good form prior to their shock FA Cup defeat to Bristol City in mid-week. The Hammers went into that game having won four and drawn two of their last seven. Their only defeat during that run was the Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool at Anfield. They had actually won nine of their previous 14 games across all competitions before the 1-0 defeat at Ashton Gate. They will be hopeful that it was nothing more than a blip rather than a sign of things to come.
The Hammers have issues in attack with Lucas Paquetá and Michail Antonio both ruled out while Mohammed Kudus is away at AFCON. If there is ever a time to play them, it would be now. Sheffield United are due a win too after positive performances against Aston Villa and Luton. The Blades will need to turn those performances into points if they are to avoid the drop.
Do Liverpool have the depth?
Liverpool make the trip to Bournemouth for the late kick-off on Sunday. The Reds will remain top of the Premier League table, regardless of the scoreline, but know anything other than a win gives Manchester City the chance to displace them at the summit when they play their game in hand.
Jürgen Klopp has an impressive record against the Cherries. He’s won nine of the previous 10 clashes against them and the Reds are two for two against Andoni Iraola’s side this term.
However, the Premier League leaders are down to the bare bones now. Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo are away on international duty while Thiago, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Joel Matip and Stefan Bajčetić are all ruled out. With the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to be played in mid-week, Klopp might be forced into making changes to keep certain individuals fit for that. It isn’t something you want to be doing against one of the form teams in the Premier League.
Since Matchday 10, the Cherries have played nine games (two fewer than most) but have picked up 19 points. Only Manchester City, West Ham, Aston Villa and Liverpool have won more during this period and all have played more games than Iraola’s men.
In Dominic Solanke, they also possess one of the form strikers in the league and he will be a threat against his former side.
Monday night football
Brighton host Wolves on Monday night to round off the action. This is a game that could have a big impact on how the Premier League looks. A win for the Seagulls would see them potentially climb to sixth whereas all three points for Wolves would see Gary O’Neil’s side move level on points with their hosts. Who would’ve had that on their bingo card at the start of the season?
Both sides head into this game unbeaten in three but it is Wolves who are the form team having won three on the spin. Roberto De Zerbi’s side, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five.
It could be a fascinating match-up between the sides and a fitting way to round off what has been a unique Matchday across the English top-flight.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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