Though Arsenal and Brentford played on New Year’s Day, Matchday 20 is the first of 2025 in the Premier League.
By Sam McGuire
The random fixture generator has treated us all to a bumper edition too with some must-not-miss clashes spread across Saturday, Sunday and Monday. What should you be keeping an eye on though? Here at FotMob, we’ve got you covered.
A problem for Postecoglou
Tottenham are closer to the relegation zone than they are the top four. Spurs find themselves just nine points clear of 18th-placed Ipswich Town but are 11 points behind Chelsea, the team currently sat in fourth place in the Premier League.
This was supposed to be the year Ange Postecoglou’s side kicked on after narrowly missing out on a top four finish last term. Spurs spent over £120million in the summer. They added Dominic Solanke to their ranks to finally replace Harry Kane with a centre-forward. They trimmed their squad too, getting rid of players who simply did not fit into the way the Australian tactician wanted to play. This was his squad with players he wanted.
Yet Spurs find themselves in 11th position having lost (nine) more games than they have won (seven).
They are winless in their last three in the Premier League. During this particular run, they have conceded nine goals. They conceded an equaliser against Wolves in the 87th minute in their last outing.
Postecoglou’s men are entertaining and have the fourth highest Expected Goals haul in the Premier League this season but only five teams have given up more Expected Goals Against. There’s no balance to the team.
On Saturday afternoon, they face one of the form teams in the league in Newcastle United.
The Magpies have surged up the table recently, with four successive wins in the English top-flight, and they’re scoring goals for fun having found the back of the net on 13 occasions in these matches. They have also kept four successive clean sheets.
In their possession is one of the best attackers in the Premier League this season – Alexander Isak. The Sweden international has eight goals and two assists in his last six appearances for the Magpies.
A win away in London could momentarily see Newcastle displace Chelsea in the final Champions League place. A loss could see Spurs finish the weekend as low as 14th if results don’t go their way.
Advantage Arsenal?
Arsenal make the trip to the Amex on Saturday evening looking to cut the gap at the top to just three points.
Mikel Arteta’s men play before Liverpool host Manchester United on Sunday afternoon and it gives them an opportunity to heap pressure onto the league leaders.
The Gunners have won three on the spin in the Premier League and seem to be handling the loss of Bukayo Saka fairly well. Gabriel Jesus has, from out of nowhere, become one of the team’s most important players. He scored again in the 3-1 win over Brentford on New Year’s Day to make it six goals in four appearances.
Arsenal showed great resolve on Wednesday evening to come from behind against the Bees. They’ll no doubt be confident heading into the game with Brighton this weekend.
Believe it or not, the Seagulls are without a win since November. That is a run of seven matches without a win. This has been made up of five draws and two losses but they have just one clean sheet in their last 12 outings and find themselves in 10th position.
They do retain the ability to cause problems though. They held Arsenal to a draw earlier in the season, had the lead against Liverpool at Anfield and beat Manchester City. They have the players to cause an upset. It just depends on whether or not they’re able to show up. If they are, it might be a tricky fixture to navigate for Arteta and his players. However, if the hosts aren’t on it, Arsenal are going to cut the gap at the summit, it is as simple as that.
The Reds versus the Red Devils
On paper, this should be an easy three points for Liverpool.
Manchester United lost five of their seven Premier League matches in December. They head to Anfield on a three-match losing streak in the English top-flight having been defeated by Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle United recently. Rúben Amorim’s side conceded seven goals without response in those fixtures.
The Red Devils are 14th in the Premier League, just seven points above the drop zone.
Liverpool, meanwhile, find themselves six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. Their only defeat of the campaign came in September and they’re currently on a three-match winning streak in the league. They have scored 14 goals in these three outings and Mohamed Salah is playing some of the best football of his career. He’s on 30 goal involvements in just 18 appearances.
A win for the Reds at Anfield should be a formality. However, we know that form goes out of the window in these clashes. Heading into the Anfield clash in 2023, a game Liverpool won 7-0, the visitors were the form side. Last season, Jürgen Klopp’s team were on song but failed to beat United in the league and were knocked out of the FA Cup by their old rivals.
Arne Slot can’t afford to be complacent here. His players need to be focused. If they pick up three points here, it’ll be a big statement in their push for the title.
A resurgent Wolves
Nottingham Forest have been the surprise package of the season.
We’re halfway through the campaign and Nuno Espírito Santo’s side sit third on 37 points. They’ve won as many matches as Arsenal (11) and are currently on five successive wins in the Premier League, their best run of form in the English top-flight since 1995.
On Monday night, they travel to Molineux to take on a Wolves side in the midst of a new manager bounce. Vítor Pereira’s appointment has seen his side win two matches and claim a 2-2 draw with Spurs in their third. They went from being a shoo-in for relegation in the eyes of many to being outside of the bottom three in the space of a few weeks.
They’re scoring goals and not giving up many chances. The hosts will be a real test for Nottingham Forest. If Nuno can get one over on his former employers, and bring Pereira’s unbeaten start to an end, they might be genuine contenders for a European finish.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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