Preview

Jan

2025

Preview: Old rivals clash in the Premier League as Liverpool face Man United

Manchester United travel to Anfield on Sunday to take on the rampant Premier League leaders Liverpool.

By Sam McGuire

If form played a part in this fixture, it would very much be a case of David versus Goliath as these old rivals meet for the second time this season. However, we know that form counts for very little when the Red Devils take on the Reds.

The season so far

Liverpool are riding high at the top of the Premier League with 14 wins from 18 matches. Their only defeat in any competition this season arrived back in September. Since then, the Reds have been almost flawless under new manager Arne Slot.

Following back-to-back draws with Newcastle United and Fulham, Liverpool have won three on the bounce in the Premier League and have scored 14 goals in the process. Ahead of Saturday’s fixtures, the Merseyside club had a six point advantage at the top of the table with a game in hand (the postponed Merseyside derby) over nearest rivals Arsenal.

They have the player of the season at their disposal in Mohamed Salah. The 32-year-old has racked up 30 goal involvements in his 18 appearances and have either scored or assisted in 11 successive English top-flight matches. He is the form player, not just in the league but perhaps in the world.

The supporting cast are pulling their weight too with Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz being amongst the goals recently.

The Reds top the charts for goals scored (2.5) per game and have conceded the joint-fewest (0.9 per game). They’ve kept the joint-most clean sheets (eight) and have carved out the most big chances (81). Slot’s side have been the best in the Premier League and deserve their place at the summit.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have had a season to forget. Erik Ten Hag was dismissed earlier in the campaign and was replaced by Rúben Amorim. The Portuguese tactician guided his new club to a 2-1 win over Manchester City recently but that is their only win in their last six Premier League matches. They’ve lost the other five.

They find themselves in 14th position and are without a clean sheet since the 4-0 win over Everton on December 1st. The Red Devils are averaging just 1.1 goals per 90 and are conceding 1.4 goals. Their underlying numbers are just as worrying, with an expected goals total of 26.9. For context, Liverpool’s xG this term is 42, and United have played a game more.

Arguably the most enlightening stat to highlight the incredible gap between these two sides this term is that Liverpool have missed (47) almost as many big chances as United have carved out (48).

Previous encounters

Liverpool won the first clash of the season between these two teams at Old Trafford. A Salah-inspired showing earned the Reds a 3-0 win. Things have changed since then though. There’s a new man in the dugout for the Red Devils and the pressure isn’t on him to beat Liverpool at Anfield. They’re going to want to frustrate the hosts and dent their title challenge. A draw would go a long way here for Amorim and United. Ten Hag, meanwhile, had to have a go at Liverpool in August.

The dynamic is different. The pressure is on the Reds so it will be interesting to see how they break down a United side who will want to soak up pressure. It was the same tactic deployed by the Red Devils last season as they went unbeaten against Liverpool and knocked them out of the FA Cup. Again, though, it was different. That was Jürgen Klopp versus Ten Hag. This is Slot versus Amorim.

The injury situation

Liverpool are without centre-back duo Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté for the clash while Conor Bradley is still ruled out following an injury he sustained against Real Madrid in November. The Reds are also without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai after he picked up a fifth booking of the season in a brief cameo against West Ham United.

United are expected to be without Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount for the visit to Anfield. Bruno Fernandes is set to return to the starting XI having missed the defeat to Newcastle United following his red card against Wolves.

On paper, Liverpool are missing two starters while United will be without one.

Prediction

It has to be a Liverpool win, doesn’t it? If they are serious about winning the title, this has to be three points on Sunday. They need to be breezing past struggling sides like United. We’re go with a 3-1 win for the Reds.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Premier League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Man City aiming to maintain momentum against West Ham

Manchester City host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Pep Guardiola’s side look to gather some momentum after a win last time out. Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui will be feeling the pressure as he hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool.

By Matt Smith

West Ham have little success at City

The Hammers haven’t won at the Etihad since 2015, with City winning 12 of the 13 times they’ve faced each other in Manchester in the Premier League. The last three games between the two teams have seen Guardiola’s men secure 3-1 victories, with City winning the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.

Dias yet to return

Guardiola has confirmed that Rúben Dias is ‘getting better’, but he’s set to be unavailable to face West Ham on the weekend. Ederson has returned to training, and the City boss hopes he will back soon.

It’s looking like City will have a similar squad against West Ham as they did versus Leicester last time out. Providing a small update on Rodri, Guardiola hopes that he will be ready at the end of the season.

Haaland back among the goals

Despite scoring 14 Premier League goals so far this season, Haaland hasn’t hit the heights expected of him in recent weeks. With the Norwegian being City’s only out-and-out striker, when he’s struggling to find the back of the net, Guardiola’s side find it difficult to pick up results.

*Haaland shooting stats, Premier League 2024/25*

His attacking numbers still look freakish, but before the win over Leicester City last time out, the former Borussia Dortmund man had scored just once in seven games. He was back among the goals last time out, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him scoring with ease in the coming weeks.

Star man Bowen on the treatment table

Julen Lopetegui has confirmed that it’s ‘not good news’ for Jarrod Bowen, who is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Hammers will now be without their captain for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Elsewhere, Tomáš Souček and Guido Rodríguez are back in contention after suspension, but Łukasz Fabiański will be unavailable.

Time for Füllkrug to step up

It’s been a disappointing start to life at West Ham for Niclas Füllkrug, but without their top goalscorer Bowen, he’s going to have to step up. Michail Antonio is also on the treatment table, meaning Füllkrug can make the centre-forward spot his own.

The German international hasn’t been given much of a chance to impress, but the Hammers are going to need someone to carry the burden left by Bowen. It could be his time to stamp his authority.

Prediction

Without Bowen, it’s difficult to see the Hammers getting a result at a place they notoriously struggle. Carrying on the trend, we’re going for a fourth 3-1 victory in a row for Manchester City.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Chelsea look to put their festive form behind them at Palace

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn’t look particularly jolly after seeing his side fall to a shock 2-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Ipswich town in their last game of 2024, while Crystal Palace secured a much-needed win over Southampton.

By Alex Roberts

Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson made sure Chelsea’s shocking Christmas form continued, leaving them winless in their last three games over the hectic festive period. So much for good will to all men.

Palace, on the other hand, weren’t gifted their win over Southampton and had to come back from 1-0 down after Tyler Dibling’s 14^th minute opener to secure all three points and put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Bah humbug

Chelsea’s poor run of form over Christmas has seen them fall down to fourth and talk of a potential title charge become nought but a whisper.

Sean Dyche was their very own ghost of Christmas past, warning Maresca’s side of what was to come as they failed to beat his struggling side, drawing 0-0 in the first game of their three-game winless streak.

Then there was Marco Silva, the ghost of Christmas present. Chelsea went 1-0 up, and everything seemed right in the world for the Stamford Bridge crowd, but it soon soured, and two late goals secured Fulham’s first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.

Liam Delap acted as the ghost of Christmas future. The man Chelsea see as a potential new striker tore them apart, later showing them a grave that had “Chelsea’s 2024-25 title hopes” engraved upon it.

It’s not all bad for the eagles

Oliver Glasner’s lads had a rough start to the season after looking so promising at the back end of 2023-24, failing to secure a Premier League win in their first eight, including a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the reverse fixture.

They have since picked up some form, losing just two of their last 11 league games, winning four and drawing five in the others. With games against Leicester City and West Ham, clubs in similar kinds of positions as Palace, coming up in January, they have every opportunity to start 2025 with a bang.

Eberechi Eze also seems to be back to his best, scoring a belter to beat Southampton after struggling with a few little injuries in the first half of the season.

A timely Reece James return

Axel Disasi seriously struggled in the defeat to Ipswich, failing to win a single tackle and ultimately being responsible for their second goal. It’s not entirely his fault; he simply isn’t a right-back.

Reece James is back from injury, making the bench in both defeats to Fulham and Ipswich but Maresca is airing on the side of caution when it comes to giving him serious game time again.

The right-back still has the ability to be a key player for Chelsea, the game against Palace may well be his rebirth.

Trevoh Chalobah will be missed

The lanky centre-back won’t be allowed to feature against his parent club on Saturday and he will be a huge miss for Palace after scoring the equaliser in their win over Southampton.

As a matter of fact, Chalobah is their third highest Premier League goal scorer so far this season on three goals, just one behind Ismaïla Sarr and the second highest scoring defender in the competitions all together.

His presence at both ends of the pitch will be a huge miss for Palace.

Prediction

While Chelsea haven’t been fantastic, Palace’s struggles in front of goal will likely be a factor. We’re going to go with a 1-1 draw in South London.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Jan

2025

Preview: History repeats itself as Barca face Barbastro test

Barbastro and Barcelona meet in the Copa del Rey for the second season in-a-row with Hansi Flick’s team in desperate need of a positive result to build some momentum.

By Graham Ruthven

Familiar foes

It was only a year ago that Barcelona travelled west to face fourth tier Barbastro in the Copa del Rey round of 32 and the Catalans will make the same journey to take on the same opponent in the same competition this weekend.

Last season, Barca won 3-2, edging a match that was more competitive than many had predicted. Indeed, the lower league side made a good impression against a strong Barcelona team that included most of their big names.

Barbastro will enter Saturday’s cup match on the back of a four-game unbeaten run and having already knocked out Espanyol in this season’s Copa del Rey. They could make it a Catalan double by shocking Barcelona.

A Barbastro win would be one of the biggest upsets in Copa del Rey history and there is belief around the fourth tier club that they can at least push Barca. A sold out crowd of 6,000 supporters will make this a difficult experience for Flick and his players.

Key players

While Barcelona will have a sizeable talent advantage on Saturday, Barbastro have a number of key players who could hurt the top flight team.

Andres Barrera is enjoying an excellent season at left wing back, registering seven goals and two assists in 18 appearances. Marc Prat will also pose a threat in the centre forward position with Javier Albin and Ander El Haddadi also expected to feature in the attack.

Flick is expected to field a strong lineup as Barcelona look to move on from a challenging period which saw them relinquish control of the title race at the top of LaLiga. The Catalans must build momentum again.

Nonetheless, the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski could be rotated out of the team with the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia just around the corner. Ansu Fati, however, could be given an opportunity to make an impact.

Gerard Martín, Eric García, Pablo Torre, Ferran Torres and Fermín López could all be in line for a start with Barcelona fresh after a two-week winter break.

Team news

Reports claim Ronald Araújo could make his first appearance of the season after returning from a long-term injury while Wojciech Szczesny could also be handed a Barcelona debut after joining the club as a free agent two months ago.

Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Marc-André Ter Stegen remain unavailable for Barcelona while Dani Olmo will miss out due to the messy registration saga that is still playing out. Pau Víctor is also caught up in that situation.

Lamine Yamal will soon be back in training, but the Euro 2024 winner is still some way off featuring on the pitch for Barcelona who are desperately missing the creativity of their teenage prodigy.

Prediction

We know that Flick’s high defensive line is vulnerable and likely to concede, but just like last year, we believe the Catalan giants will have enough firepower to see off the plucky upstarts from the fourth tier: Barbastro 1-3 Barcelona.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Copa Del Rey with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Gunners aiming to continue positive run at Brighton

While Arsenal are on a winning run of three Premier League matches, Brighton are struggling for form amid something of an injury crisis. Saturday’s match has plenty riding on it for both teams.

By Graham Ruthven

Contrasting fortunes

It wasn’t so long ago that Brighton were flying high near the top of the Premier League table. Indeed, the Seagulls lost just one of their opening nine fixtures as Fabian Hürzeler made a strong start as the club’s new manager.

Now, though, Brighton are on a winless run of seven matches, although Monday’s 2-2 away draw against Aston Villa could give the south coast side a platform to build on as they enter 2025.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have breathed new life into their title challenge with successive wins over Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Brentford.

The away victory over Brentford on New Year’s Day was particularly impressive given the recent injury suffered by Bukayo Saka. Missing their most productive winger, the Gunners were able to produce a 3-1 win after falling behind.

Key players

With Saka sidelined through injury for the foreseeable future, Gabriel Jesus is expected to once again start in Arsenal’s forward line at the Amex Stadium. The Brazilian’s return to scoring form has come at a good time for the Gunners.

Ethan Nwaneri also caught the eye against Brentford and it’s possible the teenager could keep his place in the lineup, giving Arsenal dynamism on the right side of the attack. Gabriel Martinelli will likely start on the left.

Declan Rice could return to the lineup after starting on the bench against Brentford while Myles Lewis-Skelly may come in at left back having forced his way into the first team in recent weeks.

Predicting the Brighton lineup is trickier given the number of injuries being suffered by the Seagulls, but Hürzeler will probably build his attack around João Pedro who registered a brace of assists in the recent draw against Villa.

Simon Adingra and Georginio Rutter will also give Brighton threat in the final third with Carlos Baleba crucial to Brighton’s chances of stopping Arsenal finding rhythm in the centre of the pitch.

At the back, Bart Verbruggen will have to be in top form to keep out the Arsenal attack with Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke expected to start in front of the Dutch goalkeeper.

Team news

Brighton have a long lost of injury absences and concerns for Saturday’s match with no fewer than six first team players expected to miss out.

Evan Ferguson, Danny Welbeck, Mats Wieffer, James Milner, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Jack Hinshelwood will all be sidelined with wing back Pervis Estupiñán also a doubt. Brighton’s squad depth is being tested at the moment.

Kai Havertz could miss another match through illness while Jurrien Timber is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Brentford.

Raheem Sterling, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will also be sidelined through injury as Arsenal emerge from a hectic Christmas schedule.

Prediction

The Seagulls may have to wait another week to break that run without a win, with the Gunners most likely to extend their run on the South Coast: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: In form Newcastle travel to Spurs for the early kick-off

Spurs begin 2025 out of form and with a patchwork defence, which is not the ideal state in which to be facing an in-form Newcastle United.

By Ian King

Two sides heading in opposite directions?

Spurs enter the new year with their Premier League season already running out of gas. They’ve only won once in the League since beating Manchester City six weeks ago and there were few signs of improvement in their last match, with yet another two points dropped from a winning position against Wolves.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have recently recovered their poise after an underwhelming autumn, during which they won just two of eleven League matches. They arrive in North London having won their last four in a row, having scored 13 goals and conceded none whatsoever.

History suggests a goal fest!

Historically speaking, when these two meet there tend to be goals and big wins. Their last eight meetings have brought 37 of them, including 6-1 and 4-0 wins for Newcastle and 5-1 and 4-1 wins for Spurs. Spurs supporters with longer memories may shudder at the memory of a 7-1 defeat at St James’ Park in December 1996, a 6-1 defeat there in the FA Cup in 1999 or their 5-1 loss there in May 2016.

Key players

As with some other clubs, Spurs’ 2024/25 has thus far been partly defined by who’s been absent rather than who’s been fit. There haven’t been too many bright spots, but the performances of Dejan Kulusevski have become increasingly important to them.

Alexander Isak is the form player for Newcastle, having scored six goals in their recent four-game winning run, including a hat-trick at Ipswich and their opening goal at Old Trafford on Monday night. But the supply line is equally important; Jacob Murphy, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon have 14 assists between them so far this season.

Team News

Destiny Udogie is the latest name to be added to the Spurs injury list. He has a hamstring injury, while Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Guglielmo Vicario remain injured, and Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended.

For Newcastle, Fabian Schär is suspended after picking up another yellow card against Manchester United (Lloyd Kelly is likely to replace him), while Kieran Trippier was withdrawn and is doubtful. Sven Botman is understood to be close to returning, but Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles all remain injured.

Prediction

Somewhat surprisingly, Spurs’ recent 6-3 defeat against Liverpool was the first time they’d lost a league match by more than a single goal this season. Couple that with them being the second-highest goalscorers in the Premier League and their position going into this match might not quite be as hopeless as it at first appears.

But in recent weeks Newcastle have found the much-cherished equilibrium of scoring a lot of goals while conceding very few, and considering the dark clouds that have settled over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium of late and that history of big wins, a 3-0 Newcastle win would only turn the heat up further under Ange Postecoglou.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Carlos Corberan’s Valencia debut against Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be looking to return to top spot in LaLiga in their rescheduled fixture against Valencia, for whom the new year marks a new beginning with a new head coach.

By Neel Shelat

Valencia facing the threat of relegation again

Valencia are one of the most storied clubs in Spanish football. Founded over a century ago, they have lifted 15 top-flight league and cup titles besides a couple of continental trophies. Those heights seem worlds away at the moment, though, as the club’s fortunes have taken a sharp downward trajectory over the last decade or so.

They started work to create a Nou Mestalla to replace their now-century-old home ground all the way back in 2007, but funding issues have left that project in limbo for the last 15 years. Indeed, the club’s ownership situation is one of their biggest pain points as Peter Lim is overwhelmingly unpopular among fans but has no plans to sell the club.

His perceived lack of interest and investment are cited as the biggest factors in Valencia’s downfall, causing the club to constantly get sucked into relegation battles. After a promising top-half finish last season, for example, they only made three permanent summer signings and barely invested over €1 million on transfer fees.

Could Carlos Corberán be the man to rescue Los Che?

Rubén Baraja’s nearly two-year-long spell in charge of Valencia made him the club’s second-longest serving coach for nearly twenty years. They have long been stuck in a vicious cycle whereby they bring in a relatively bigger name but fail to back them and drop into a relegation battle, at which point they decide to bring in a firefighter who steadies the ship before the loop repeats.

Carlos Corberán might just be the man who breaks that cycle, though. A boyhood fan of the club, he also came through their academy as a goalkeeper but failed to establish a strong senior career and quickly switched to coaching. He initially did not enjoy a lot of success but seemed to turn a page after working with Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United. Since then, he has led Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion to promotion pushes in the English Championship.

Corberán will certainly fight tooth and nail to avoid Valencia’s second-ever relegation, and he also has the tactical nous to potentially kick on from there.

Another outing for Real Madrid’s first-choice front four

Real Madrid’s first-choice front four of Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé have only started six matches together so far this season as various injuries have kept them apart. They should all be ready to go for this match as Los Blancos’ injury list is now down to three defenders. Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are out for the season, while David Alaba may return sooner.

The attacking quartet could have a field day against a Valencia side who are missing as many as seven players. The absences of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby and full backs José Gayà and Thierry Correia will surely have weakened their defence.

Prediction

Valencia could trouble Real Madrid with their new head coach bounce and potential for tactical surprises, but Los Blancos should have enough quality to come away with all three points.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jan

2025

Preview: Arsenal targeting second in 2025 opener at Brentford

Arsenal’s Premier League campaign is back on track, but insofar as the title fight goes, that challenge may have already fallen by the wayside and a trip to Brentford to kick off 2025 might show why.

By Karl Matchett

Fortress Gtech

Up until recently, the Bees enjoyed a near-perfect home record at the Gtech Community Stadium. Thomas Frank’s side have been poor on the road, without a win all season, but on home soil they have been nothing short of excellent: seven wins from eight games up until they lost to Nottingham Forest in their most recent match. Given Forest sit second in the table, above even the Gunners, that’s nothing to be ashamed about and they’ll have every reason to hope they can trouble Arsenal too.

The Gunners’ own recent record at the stadium is impressive though; after being overwhelmed in 2021, with Brentford making their Premier League bow on a Friday night in front of super-noisy home fans and winning 2-0, Mikel Arteta’s team have since won 3-0, 1-0 and 1-0 across league and cup in the ground. At the Emirates it has also been almost all Arsenal’s way, so six in a row unbeaten against this opposition – and the promise of second place being theirs if they win – means the Gunners have both motivation and reason for optimism, even if their away form has wavered this term. Still, two wins and two draws on the road from the last four shows they’ve steadily improved there too – but eight points fewer than leaders Liverpool away from home is a big indicator of where they’ve fallen short.

Recent form

A big win at Crystal Palace and a narrow one over Ipswich mean Arsenal have second place in their own hands, given Man City’s ongoing decline and Chelsea’s Christmas hangover. A battle with Nottingham Forest was unexpected, but consistency and experience should see Arsenal win that battle over the longer term, with even a point enough to go second here.

As for the hosts, Brentford were on a very decent run up until mid-December, but Frank’s side looked to have run out of steam a little of late. Three straight defeats to Chelsea, Newcastle (League Cup) and Nottingham Forest were a tough run in fairness, and a stalemate at Brighton was a show of defensive resolve and a return to taking points.

Team news

The Bees’ fine winter form was all the more notable because of an ongoing injury crisis, which goalkeeper Mark Flekken looks to have joined. He’s among 11 possible absentees: Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer and Sepp van den Berg are big defensive absences, but Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Thiago, Ben Mee and others could all be starters too.

The Gunners remain without Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Ben White but otherwise look strong.

Key player

Martin Ødegaard took four shots and created two chances against Ipswich but hasn’t been as electric since returning from injury. His team need the captain to shine again, given he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders in Europe’s top leagues for creativity. He’s overdue a goal.

Prediction

A noisy and enjoyable way to kick-start the league in 2025, with both teams going at each other and the goals flowing freely: 2-2.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Premier League game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Dec

2024

Preview: Chelsea look to round off the year in style at Ipswich

Winless in their last two Premier League games, perhaps Enzo Maresca was right regarding Chelsea’s title hopes. The West London club travel to East Anglia to face Kieran McKenna’s struggling Ipswich.

By Alex Roberts

Fulham earned their first win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era on Boxing Day, with Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz both scoring late goals to cancel out Cole Palmer’s opener and leave Maresca visibly furious at full-time.

Ipswich’s luck wasn’t much better. Unsurprisingly losing to Arsenal, who leapfrogged Chelsea into second (now third following yesterday’s games), as their hopes of Premier league survival are dealt another major blow.

An audition for Liam Delap

The 21-year-old has been a standout performer for Ipswich since leaving Man City in the summer, scoring six goals and providing a single assist in his 16 Premier League appearances.

*Delap shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

His fine form has earned him some admirers amongst the more established sides, including Chelsea. Maresca’s side have had immense success from former City academy graduates in recent years, with Cole Palmer being the obvious archetype.

Delap hasn’t made a goal contribution since their 2-1 win over Tottenham, but he has every opportunity to steal the show against Chelsea.

Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles

The old adage sums up Chelsea’s season so far pretty well. Maresca’s side have no issues putting the ball in the back of the net, they’re the second highest scorers in the league, but they struggle to keep it out of their own.

Some of it could be put down to youthful exuberance, the West Londoners do have the youngest squad in the Premier League after all, but most of it is just straight up naivety.

Robert Sánchez has made three errors that have led to a goal this season, thankfully for Chelsea, Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric tops the charts with five.

Omari Hutchinson has a point to prove

The young playmaker will face his old club for the first time this season after being shipped out in the summer, feeding Chelsea’s need for ‘pure profit’ to help satiate PSR’s never-ending hunger.

Hutchinson, who played a key role in Ipswich’s promotion last season, has struggled to recapture that form since making the move permanent, scoring just one goal, and providing one assist in his 16 Premier League games.

Like many before him, Hutchinson will face Chelsea with a point to prove, and he will doubtless be intent on making them regret letting him go.

The cracks are starting to show

Chelsea’s immense squad depth is both a blessing and a curse for Maresca. While he has the ability to field entirely different teams for different competitions, keeping all the players happy is a full-time job in and of itself.

Not only that, but the Italian has to field multiple questions about why he decided against playing any one player at any one time. His press conference after the defeat to Fulham was no different.

Maresca has made just three substitutions in his last two Premier League games, is that a simple tactical decision or does he not trust his squad players? Only Maresca knows, but if it continues, players such as João Félix and Christopher Nkunku may come knowing on his door.

Prediction

A game against Ipswich is the perfect Christmas pallet cleanser for Chelsea after a frustrating couple of games. While McKenna’s side have had their moments, the visitors have too much firepower. We’re going to go with a 3-1 Chelsea win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Dec

2024

Preview: Newcastle visit Old Trafford looking for a fourth win on the bounce

Two games, two goals conceded directly from corners for Rúben Amorim’s side, as Manchester United’s baffling lack of a ‘new manager bounce’ continues. They head into their final game of 2024 against Newcastle on Monday with much to ponder.

By Alex Roberts

Amorim would have had an inkling about the situation at Old Trafford but it’s hard to imagine he knew it was this bad. Someone tell Sir Jim Ratcliffe that sacking dinner ladies and scrapping Christmas bonuses isn’t helping as they fall to 14^th following their 2-0 defeat to Wolves.

Newcastle United, on the other hand, are flying towards the Champions League spots, comprehensively beating fellow top four hopefuls Aston Villa 3-0 to go above them into fifth on Boxing Day. Yesterday’s results have since seen the Toon drop back down to seventh.

Bruno, Bruno, Bruno

United will be without their talismanic captain for the game against Newcastle after he was given a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Nelson Semedo in the defeat to Wolves.

Fernandes has been a standout for United since Amorim took over, making five goal contributions in the ten games across all competitions under his new manager, but his nasty side once again got the better of him.

His red card against Wolves was his second of United’s Premier League campaign, not the kind of disciplinary record you’d want your captain to have. Although, he’s no Roy Keane.

Isak’s on fire, your defence is terrified

Alexander Isak might be the best Scandinavian striker in the Premier League after all. With seven goals from his last five games and 11 in the league altogether, he’s catching up to Erling Haaland.

The Swede used his feet rather than his suede to double Newcastle’s lead in the win over Villa, timing his run perfectly to tap Jacob Murphy’s low cross past Emiliano Martínez.

Man United’s defensive frailties are clear having conceded nine goals in their last three league games. At least Isak doesn’t take corners.

How to solve a problem like Maguire

Speaking of defensive frailties, Harry Maguire isn’t one of them and with Fernandes suspended, he could wear the armband once again. The big centre-back was the best of a bad bunch against Wolves, ending the game having won 100% of his tackles, made 12 defensive actions, and won 2/3 of his ground duels.

Amorim’s 3-4-3 system requires a rock at the centre of his three-man back line, Sebastián Cortes was once his guy at Sporting, and Maguire appears to have stepped up at United.

There was a few rocky moments in the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, but he could hardly be blamed for the loss. With positives few and far between for Amorim, Maguire’s redemption arc would be a huge feather in his cap.

Newcastle United: Reinvented

Anthony Gordon cited a ‘mindset shift’ for Newcastle’s impressive uptake in form that has seen them win their last three Premier League games, having previously gone four without a victory.

The rivalry between Newcastle and Man United can trace it’s origin all the way back to the 90s, with memories of Kevin Keegan scream “I would love it!” still fresh in the memories of both sets of fans.

Newcastle lost out the last time these two faced off, falling to a 3-2 defeat at the end of last season. There has been a seismic shift since then, not just in the mind, but on the pitch.

Prediction

The Manchester derby suddenly feels like a long time ago as Man United continue to struggle. It’s hard to see anything other than a win for Newcastle here, we’re going to go with 2-0 to the visitors.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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