A lot could change this weekend in the Premier League. When Matchday 24 comes to an end on Monday evening, one of three clubs could top the table while one of four clubs could join Burnley and Sheffield United in the relegation zone. We’re getting to the point of the campaign where a single point can make a huge difference. Here’s our preview of the key fixtures.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The champions can go top
Manchester City had a bit of a wobble in November. They drew three games on the bounce before a loss to Aston Villa. This patch of form arrived just a month after back-to-back defeats in the English top-flight.
Some started to doubt whether they had the desire or the fight to go again following their treble success of 2022/23. They’ve answered that, rather emphatically, over recent weeks and are currently on a five-match winning streak in the Premier League. They host Everton on Saturday afternoon knowing a win would see them leapfrog Liverpool into top spot.
Pep Guardiola’s men are unbeaten against Everton in their last 14 meetings, with 12 wins and two draws. They are going to be firm favourites heading into this game against the out-of-form Toffees. Sean Dyche’s side haven’t scored in their last three away fixtures and are six games without a win in the Premier League. A win, however, would temporarily lift them out of the relegation zone. Stranger things have happened this season.
Brighton plagued by inconsistency
Believe it or not, but Brighton have won just two of their last eight matches in the Premier League. Yet a win here could see them move up to sixth in the table. Roberto De Zerbi’s side recorded a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace in their last outing. Prior to that, their last win in the English top tier was in December and it arrived against Spurs, with the Seagulls romping to a 4-2 win.
The two sides meet again on Saturday with Brighton making the trip to London.
Tottenham would move into fourth spot with a win and do head into this game in decent form, although they did draw their most recent game against Everton. This game sees two in-form strikers face off in Richarlison and João Pedro. These two could be the deciding factors in this game, as has been in the case in a number of matches recently.
Interestingly, there hasn’t been a draw between these two teams in their last 12 meetings. Perhaps that record comes to an end on Saturday.
A real six-pointer
Luton host Sheffield United knowing a win keeps them out of the relegation zone with a game in hand. Rob Edwards’ side will be full of confidence too following a 4-0 win over Brighton and a 4-4 draw with Newcastle United. The Hatters are currently on a three-match unbeaten run and this form has seen them leapfrog their way out of the bottom three.
By comparison, Sheffield United are winless in seven matches in the Premier League now following their 5-0 loss to Aston Villa last weekend. Their last win arrived in December and they are finding it difficult defensively.
Chris Wilder’s men have conceded 18 goals in their previous seven games in the English top-flight and have just one clean sheet to their name all season.
A loss doesn’t condemn them to the drop but it does leave them in a precarious predicament with just 10 points from 24 matches. You could argue that this is a must-win for the Blades. Luton have a bit of breathing space but will want to extend their good run and further distance themselves from the bottom three.
Can Arsenal deal with the pressure?
Are the celebration police going to be making another appearance this weekend?
Arsenal travel to West Ham United this weekend looking to make it four wins on the spin in the Premier League. The Gunners dismantled Liverpool last Sunday and, if results go their way over the weekend, they could finish Matchday 24 in top spot. They could also end joint-top or even in third place. It shows how tight it is right now.
The Hammers have caused Mikel Arteta’s side some problems in recent meetings. In fact, they have won the last two clashes between the two teams. They were humbled by Manchester United in their last outing though. And Arsenal do have an impressive away record, ranking third for points won away from the Emirates this season.
The Gunners have had no issues stepping it up in big games this term, their problem has been in games they are expected to win. This might actually be more of a test for them, at least mentally, than it was to face Jürgen Klopp’s men last weekend. If they pick up maximum points, they might have the mental fortitude to go the distance this season.
Boxing day revenge
Aston Villa stunned Old Trafford on Boxing Day, taking a 2-0 lead in the first half only to lose 3-2. Unai Emery’s side will want to exorcise some demons in this clash as they welcome the Red Devils to Villa Park on Sunday.
Their last outing at home wasn’t a memorable one as their 17-match unbeaten run at Fortress Villa Park came to an abrupt end against Newcastle United. They’ll be looking to kickstart a new run and doing so against Manchester United would be quite a statement. It would also allow them to keep pace with what is going on at the top of the Premier League table.
United have won back-to-back games in the English top-flight and now find themselves in sixth position. Remarkably, they are just eight points behind Villa. Erik Ten Hag has actually won his previous three clashes with the Villans, so it might not be as straightforward as some people expect it to be.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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