Preview

Dec

2024

Preview: Second meets fourth as Madrid travel to Athletic in LaLiga

All of a sudden, Real Madrid have the initiative in the LaLiga title race.

By Graham Ruthven

Madrid hot on Barca’s tail

Barcelona’s recent slip-ups have handed a slight advantage to Carlo Ancelotti’s team who, following Barca’s win at Mallorca on Tuesday, now have two games in-hand over their Catalan rivals ahead of kick off against Athletic Club on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid have struggled for top form this season, but have built momentum in the league by winning nine of their last 11 matches with their only two slumps coming in games against Atlético Madrid and Barcelona.

Athletic Club have also hit a rich vein of form recently, winning four of their last five games in all competitions. The Basque outfit haven’t suffered defeat since losing to Girona in early October and will be difficult opponents for Los Blancos.

Ernesto Valverde’s team boast one of the best home records in LaLiga this season with San Mames a notoriously difficult place for away teams to visit. Despite this, Real Madrid have won their last five league games there.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé has come under intense scrutiny since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, but the French forward produced arguably his best performance in all-white against Getafe on Sunday.

This came with Vinícius Júnior watching from the sidelines, meaning Mbappé could operate in his preferred position on the left wing. Without Vinícius occupying the same area, Mbappé looked more like the player Real Madrid expected to be when they signed him.

Jude Bellingham has recently found goalscoring form, netting three times in his last four appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions. The Englishman is once again a driving force for the Spanish giants.

At the back, Raúl Asencio has emerged as the answer to Real Madrid’s defensive prayers following injuries to David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão.

Oihan Sancet scored both goals in Athletic Club’s 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and is expected to be a key figure once again for the Basque outfit when Real Madrid visit San Mames. He will pose a threat.

Brothers Iñaki and Nico Williams have the ability to decide a match while Alex Berenguer is a good bet to start Wednesday’s match after impressing in the weekend victory over Rayo Vallecano.

Team news

Vinícius missed Sunday’s victory over Getafe due to a hamstring injury and is a doubt for Wednesday’s trip to the Basque Country.

Eduardo Camavinga is also expected to miss out through injury with Alaba, Carvajal and Militao all sidelined for the long-term. Despite their injury troubles, Real Madrid are finding solutions to their problems.

Beñat Prados will return from suspension after missing Sunday’s match against Rayo through yellow card accumulation. Yuri Berchiche is Athletic Club’s only injury concern at the present moment.

Valverde must decide whether to stick with Julen Agirrezabala as his first-choice goalkeeper or bring Unai Simon back into the lineup after a lengthy period out of action.

Prediction

Will stick with the recent historical trend on this one, and the fact that Ancelotti’s side are finding ways to win at the moment, so Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Dec

2024

Preview: Chelsea visit a depleted looking Saints side

Bottom placed Southampton welcome Enzo Maresca’s impressive Chelsea to St Mary’s side on Wednesday seeking vindication after VAR’s frustrating intervention in their 1-1 draw with Brighton in the previous round.

By Alex Roberts

Last Friday at the AMEX, Cameron Archer had his goal chalked off after teammate Adam Armstrong was deemed to have influenced play while in an offside position. Not only did it rob Russell Martin’s side of a valuable three points, but a Southampton win would also have impacted the gap between Chelsea and Brighton at the top end of the table.

As it was, Chelsea’s win over Aston Villa on Sunday was arguably their best performance of the season so far, with star man Cole Palmer once again stealing the show, keeping his side within touching distance of Liverpool, despite Enzo Maresca’s insistence that the Blues are not in the title race.

How much longer can Russell Martin last?

With just five points from their opening 13 Premier League games, the writing is already starting to appear on the wall for Southampton. Much like Burnley last season, Martin’s insistence on sticking with the style that got them promoted has seen them struggle in the top-flight.

Not only are they leaking goals, but the Saints also hold the worst attacking record in the league, scoring just 10 goals – underperforming their xG by 4.40 – despite creating more big chances than Everton, Leicester City, and Wolves.

Something drastic is going to have to happen for Southampton to stay in the Premier League come the end of the season. If results keep going this way, Martin is either going to get sacked or, like Vincent Kompany, somehow end up as the next boss of Bayern Munich!

Nicolas Jackson… You are for reeeeal

Whisper it quietly, but Nicolas Jackson is very good at football. Eleven goal contributions so far this season has him in the league’s top five, behind Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, and Erling Haaland.

Jackson has cemented his status as a forward with elite potential, building on everything that made his game special last season and adding a newfound ability to finish his chances. Yes, there have been some glaring misses, notably one against Brighton, but he is overperforming his xG + xA by 3.40.

Calls for Maresca to start Christopher Nkunku over Jackson have now died down. The Senegal international has put a marker down as Chelsea’s best striker.

*Jackson shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

Tyler Dibling will be missed

Reminiscent of Jack Grealish before Pep Guardiola got his hands on him, with the long hair and low socks, 18-year-old Dibling is having a break-out season at Southampton, impressing against Brighton and running the show against Liverpool.

Versatile enough to play anywhere from central midfield to right-wing, Martin has primarily deployed him in the centre of the park, bagging his first and only Premier League goal in the 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

However, he is suspended for this fixture, as are Flynn Downes, their goalscorer at Brighton, and centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis. All three have impressed so far this season and their absence will no doubt be giving Martin some selection headaches.

Prediction

Nothing in football is ever a foregone conclusion but it’s hard to look beyond Chelsea for this one. Southampton gave Liverpool a good game and were unlucky against Brighton, but we’re gonna go with 2-0 to Chelsea.

(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: Forest out to heap more misery on Man City

Manchester City are in freefall. Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool means Pep Guardiola’s team are now without a win in their last seven games in all competitions with the defending Premier League champions a shadow of their former selves.

By Graham Ruthven

Nottingham Forest could add to City’s recent struggles. Not only have Nuno Espírito Santo’s team emerged as one of the surprise packages of this season, currently sitting sixth in the table, they could have the tactical profile to expose Manchester City as many other teams have in recent weeks.

Forest are at their best when they have open space to burst into on the counter attack with Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White all capable of deciding a match.

City will have the talent advantage at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but with Forest renowned for being difficult to break down another tricky test awaits. There’s no guarantee seven games without a win won’t become eight.

Key players

Rúben Dias’ return from injury was one positive of Sunday’s loss to Liverpool. The hope for City is that the presence of the Portuguese centre back will help steady the defence of the Premier League champions. He could prove integral to any recovery against Forest.

Erling Haaland has failed to score in his last two league outings, representing a relative drought for the Norwegian striker. Nonetheless, Haaland will be a threat against a Forest side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four away games in the Premier League.

Kevin de Bruyne could be handed a start in an attempt to give Manchester City more creativity and guile on the ball. The Belgian hasn’t started a league match since the victory over Brentford in mid-September.

Only Haaland and Mohamed Salah have scored more Premier League goals this season than Chris Wood who netted the winner against Ipswich Town in his last outing.

In Nikola Milenković and Murillo, Nottingham Forest boast one of the strongest defensive pairings in the division right now. Both centre backs will have to be in top form to keep City at bay despite their well-documented recent struggles.

Team news

Rodri and Mateo Kovačić remained unavailable for Manchester City meaning Guardiola will likely have to rely on the likes of İlkay Gündoğan, Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva in the centre of midfield against Nottingham Forest.

John Stones missed Sunday’s trip to Merseyside to face Liverpool and will be assessed before Wednesday’s home match at the Etihad Stadium. Oscar Bobb still isn’t ready to return to first team action.

Danilo and Ibrahim Sangaré are both expected to miss Nottingham Forest’s match against the defending Premier League champions due to injury, but Nuno has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.

Jota Silva could keep his place in the starting lineup over Elanga after catching the eye in the narrow victory over Ipswich. Elliott Anderson is another who could start having impressed recently in central midfield.

Prediction

One week on from the Champions League debacle against Feyenoord, could Wednesday be the day that the poor run comes to an end? Man City 2-1 Nottingham Forest

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Newcastle have the unenviable task of taking on Premier League leaders Liverpool

Just two teams have taken points off of the Reds so far this term and Arne Slot’s men arrive at St James’ Park having beaten reigning European champions Real Madrid and reigning champions of England Manchester City in the past week.

By Sam McGuire

They’re in ominous form. But the Magpies have stepped up in the big games this season. Can they do the same again this week?

The season so far

To say Newcastle have been inconsistent this season would be an understatement.

Eddie Howe’s side find themselves in 11th position having won just five of their 13 encounters in the English top-flight. The Magpies have beaten Spurs and Arsenal while also claiming a point against Manchester City at St James’ Park. Against the big(ger) teams they seem to scale their performances. Against the inferior opposition, at least on paper anyway, they struggle. They’ve drawn with relegation candidates Everton and Crystal Palace this term while also losing to an out-of-sorts West Ham United.

They conceded a 94th-minute equaliser to the Eagles over the weekend too.

A big issue for Eddie Howe and his team this season is their inability to score goals. They’ve found the back of the net just 14 times across their 13 matches and their goal difference currently stands at zero.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been relentless. The Reds are top of the Premier League, nine points clear of Arsenal following the 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

They are currently on a seven-match winning streak across all competitions and have lost just one game all season. This was at home to Nottingham Forest in September. Since that shock defeat, Arne Slot has guided his side to 15 wins in 16 matches.

The Reds are scoring goals (26) and keeping clean sheets (seven). They’re the only team in the Premier League to still be in single digits for goals conceded.

Previous encounters

This has been a one-sided fixture for the best part of a decade. Newcastle last picked up a win over Liverpool in 2015. Since then, the Reds are unbeaten in 15 against the Magpies and have won six on the spin with an aggregate scoreline of 14-5.

Howe doesn’t have the best record against Wednesday’s opponents. The Newcastle boss has faced off against Liverpool on 19 occasions and has just one win and one draw to his name. He’s suffered 17 losses and his teams have conceded 47 goals in the process.

Current form

Right now, Liverpool are the best team in Europe, statistically speaking. The Reds lead the form table in the Premier League with 13 points from 15. During this time, they have scored 11 and conceded on just five occasions.

Newcastle’s inconsistent form can be seen in the mini-form table. The Magpies are 12th with seven points and a goal difference of zero.

The injury situation

Alexander Isak is missing for the Magpies, as is long-term absentee Sven Botman. Isak picked up a knock in the recent draw with Crystal Palace and he’ll be a big loss to the Magpies. He always has a decent game against the Reds.

Liverpool are without Ibrahima Konaté, Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota. Alisson Becker is training again and Federico Chiesa is expected to be fit following a stint on the sidelines. But Slot is going to have to rotate to keep players fresh during this injury crisis.

Prediction

It’ll be a slog but you can’t look past Liverpool right now, can you? Mohamed Salah is the best player in the league and has the ability to single-handedly win games. He’s been doing just that over recent weeks.

(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: Arteta meets Amorim in new chapter for a historic Premier League rivalry

The Premier League have only gone and served up one of the most storied fixtures in the English calendar for you on Wednesday night. North versus South. The longest serving inmates of the English top flight against the club that’s been champions of it more times than anyone other.

By Ian King

A bit of history

Arsenal and Manchester United have played each other 240 times in all competitions with United having won 101, Arsenal 89, and fifty draws. Their first meeting came 130 years ago this year, when they played out a 3-3 draw in what was then the Second Division, as Newton Heath and Woolwich Arsenal.

More recently than that, things got spicy with Arsenal’s return to the ascendency under Arsene Wenger in the late 1990s. Seven red cards were shown between February 1997 and February 2005, a period which also included the league fixture in September 2003 which became known as the “Battle of Old Trafford”. Slightly more recently, of course, came United’s 8-2 win against Arsenal in August 2011.

Recent form

Consistency is turning out to be the key to success this season, and both of these teams are making encouraging moves in this direction. Arsenal have recovered from their end of October mini-wobble by winning their last three matches and scoring 13 goals into the bargain. Manchester United remain unbeaten since they sacked Erik Ten Hag, though how much progress Rúben Amorim has made is somewhat tempered by the modesty of the opposition he’s faced. This is his first serious United test.

Key players

Marcus Rashford has scored three goals in the two league games for which Amorim has been in charge. Is this the beginning of a rebirth for a player who looked for a long time as though he’d fallen out of love with the game?

Regarding Arsenal, the better question is probably who isn’t a key player now Martin Ødegaard is now back to build a side around. They’ve scored eight goals in their last two Premier League matches, and those goals have come from seven different players.

Team News

Gabriel had to be withdrawn against West Ham after an issue that he picked up against Sporting flared up in the first half, though Mikel Arteta described that early withdrawal as ‘precautionary’. There may also be doubts over Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are definitely missing.

Manchester United are sweating on captain Bruno Fernandes, who came off against Everton and was later seen on the bench with an ice pack on his ankle. In addition to this, Lisandro Martínez and Kobbie Mainoo are both suspended. Harry Maguire is fit again, but Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro may all miss out.

Prediction

With so many key participants in both defences absent, both teams having scored goals for fun last weekend, and a history of this being a fairly high-scoring match, we might anticipate a lot of goals from this one. The recent Manchester City implosion will have given supporters of both clubs something to cheer about, albeit for somewhat different reasons. With United looking purposeful again under their new manager, this could end up a high-scoring draw. So let’s go for 2-2 draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Mallorca looking to further dent Barcelona’s league form

Barcelona lost a huge chunk of their advantage at the top of LaLiga after suffering defeat against Las Palmas on Saturday. That was the third consecutive league match they failed to win, and that record may well continue on Tuesday in Mallorca.

By Neel Shelat

Arrasate’s instant impact at Mallorca

Jagobe Arrasate has to be considered something of a mid-table magician. After a successful few years at Osasuna during which he took the club from the second tier all the way to a brief European tour, the 46-year-old Spaniard has picked up right where he left off after a move to Mallorca in the summer.

The Pirates’ squad was naturally quite well-suited to his style of play, so they instantly clicked. Hardworking striker Vedat Muriqi is key in making his direct aerial ball-intensive possession-play work, but the rest of the side have just as much to do in order to ensure that the defence is rock solid. They have been fantastic so far, having conceded the third-lowest xG conceded tally in La Liga.

With such a strong defence and a direct attacking approach, Arrasate’s side are sure to give Barcelona a tough test.

Lack of depth finally catching up to Barcelona

With 11 wins in their first 12 games in LaLiga this season, Barcelona could hardly have gotten off to a better start under new head coach Hansi Flick. There certainly were a lot of positives in that run of results, but as we analysed at the time, their lack of appropriate squad depth always left them susceptible to a drop-off sooner or later.

They seem to be suffering from that already having won their last league match exactly a month ago. After the 3-1 success against Espanyol, they suffered a deserved defeat against a relatively underperforming Real Sociedad, conceded twice late on against Celta Vigo to throw away a two-goal lead after receiving a red card, and were beaten by a more clinical Las Palmas side this weekend.

On the bright side, Barcelona at least have not seen any significant additions to their injury list in this run of fixtures. Left back Alejandro Balde did have to be taken off on the weekend after a hefty collision, but he does not seem to have suffered any long-term damage.

Flick will hope that the imminently returning Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen can help shore up a defence that has kept just one clean sheet in the last six games, though his incredibly high defensive line arguably is to blame for that more than any individual. Either way, those two players are not expected to feature in this fixture, so young Pau Cubarsí will have to deal with another tough test alongside centre-back partner Iñigo Martínez.

Prediction

Even before Arrasate’s arrival, Mallorca have hardly been pushovers for Barcelona of late. They have not beaten the Blaugrana since 2009, though, so a win would certainly be quite a big shock. A score draw or a very narrow Barcelona win are the likeliest results.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Real Madrid get back to domestic action against neighbours Getafe

Real Madrid made unwanted history on Wednesday evening in the Champions League. The 2-0 defeat to Liverpool was the first time the club had lost three matches in the group stage of the competition in their history.

By Ross Kilvington

They currently occupy 24^th place in the convoluted Champions League table having accrued just six points from 15. But, despite the erratic form in Europe, Madrid do head into the clash against Getafe with a decent domestic record, as you might expect.

A victory will get Los Blancos back on track, but can their opponents take advantage of their midweek failure?

The injury situation

Madrid lacked something in the final third at Anfield, missing two big chances while finishing the match with an xG of 1.24.

It was evident that Carlo Ancelotti was missing Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior, who could both miss the clash against Getafe. And potentially the next 2-3 weeks also. Rodrigo has, though, reportedly returned to full training.

Los Blancos’s injury list just keeps growing. Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are both recovering from Cruciate ligament injuries, while Éder Militão suffered a serious injury at the start of November, keeping him out for the rest of the season.

The treatment room isn’t as busy at Getafe, with the club having much better luck with regards to injuries this season.

Real will aim to continue their fine form against Getafe

Since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Madrid have won all four league meetings with Getafe, scoring six times and conceding just once.

Indeed, you have to go back to January 2022 for Getafe’s last victory against Ancelotti’s men. On that occasion, Madrid were by far the better side, recording 15 shots and having 74% possession throughout the tie, but a goal from Enes Ünal (now at Bournemouth) after just nine minutes condemned the side to an unlikely defeat.

The last time Getafe won at the Bernabéu? August 2012, when a certain José Mourinho was in charge. Given the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Madrid’s performances lately, this 12-year wait could, in theory, end on Sunday.

Key players

Kylian Mbappé will again be under the spotlight. The Frenchman hasn’t quite settled in as many expected at the Bernabéu, scoring nine goals across 18 matches, a far cry from his scoring exploits at PSG.

Against Liverpool, he missed a penalty, created zero chances and succeeded with just 50% of his dribble attempts. Ancelotti will be hoping the former PSG star can put this poor showing behind him, hopefully by adding to his seven LaLiga goals already this term.

Jude Bellingham scored in the home clash against Getafe last season and given he has netted in the previous two league matches for the club, it looks as though the Englishman is once again hitting his best form.

After a poor start, Getafe have now won their previous two matches heading into the encounter with big city rivals Madrid and they could prove difficult to break down.

Their 11 goals conceded in LaLiga this season means they actually have the joint second-best defensive record in the top flight.

Getafe’s attacking threat will come from centre-forward Bertuğ Yıldırım and midfielder Mauro Arambarri, who have scored three and four goals respectively this season.

Prediction

Although Getafe are hovering just above the relegation zone, this will be no easy task for Madrid, especially considering the away side’s impressive defensive record.

Despite this, Ancelotti will be determined to bounce back from a third straight Champions League defeat.

Los Blancos will win, but it could be closer than many anticipate. Final score: Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Dec

2024

Preview:

If there is one thing that Tottenham have been consistent of this season, it is being largely inconsistent. For every league win, a defeat is seemingly lurking around the corner and after carrying out a 4-0 demolition job of Manchester City last Saturday, that may not bode well for the weekend.

By Dan Tracey

It’s a frustrating flip flopping of results that Fulham will look to take advantage of on Sunday. But the Cottagers do suffer from a similar complex, and even after taking an early advantage at home to Wolves last weekend, it was still Gary O’Neil’s men who left Craven Cottage with maximum points after a resounding 4-1 away win.

The Form Guide

A look at Tottenham’s last seven league outings has seen them win four and lose the remaining three. At no stage during this run have they suffered back-to-back defeats or picked up successive wins and they also failed to pick up maximum points in Europe after Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Roma.

As for opponents Fulham, they make the short trip across the capital having seen their bid to earn three successive league wins ended by that Wolves game. They started the weekend sitting ninth in the table and although three places behind Spurs (before a ball is kicked), they are only a point further back.

Potential protagonists

As Son Heung-min starts to step into veteran status and can no longer be guaranteed a full 90 minutes playing time, the supporting cast of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski will be on hand to not only score but to also create for the likes of Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke.

*Spurs goal contributions, Premier League 2024/25*

Fulham’s wide options, Alex Iwobi and Adama Traoré will be tasked with causing Tottenham’s full backs plenty of anguish and by drawing their opponents into uncomfortable areas of the pitch, it will allow the impact players like Emile Smith Rowe and Raúl Jiménez the opportunity to get on the scoresheet.

Who’s in and who’s definitely out

The big injury news coming out of the Tottenham camp will be the long-term absence of keeper Guglielmo Vicario and with Fraser Forster the only other senior shotstopper on Spurs’ books, the former Celtic man will keep his place between the sticks after starting against Roma on Thursday. Nominally the Cup keeper these days this will mark a first Premier League start since the 2022/23 season.

Fulham’s only major injury concern is Harrison Reed’s long-term rehabilitation from recent knee surgery. His absence aside, the Cottagers enter Sunday with a clean bill of health.

Prediction

If you follow the pattern that Tottenham have constructed over the past two months, all signs point to Fulham picking up an away win. However, if Spurs are to make inroads on a Champions League invite at the end of the season, they must build on last Saturday’s emphatic win at the Etihad.

The Premier League’s top scorers are going up against an opposition that has scored and conceded the same number of goals this season and with this in mind, I expect both teams to score but Spurs to come out on top.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Dec

2024

Preview: Amorim aiming for more home success against struggling Everton

Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday in what is Rúben Amorim’s first game at home in England’s top flight. The Toffees are struggling near the bottom of the table, but Amorim’s side have endured a few teething problems in his opening few matches.

By Matt Smith

Defensive fitness concerns

Amorim will be sweating over the fitness of Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans ahead of the game against Everton, with all four central defenders missing from the clash against Bodø/Glimt last time out.

Aside from the defensive fitness problems, United could have a fully fit squad to choose from, leaving Amorim with some selection headaches in attack. Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw have all recently returned from injury.

Missed chances are damaging United

Creating opportunities hasn’t been a major issue for United this season, producing 27 big chances in the Premier League, with only Aston Villa and Liverpool managing more. A problem has been their conversion rate, as the Red Devils have missed the same number of big chances this campaign.

Comparing United to Tottenham, Amorim’s men have created 27 big chances while scoring 13 goals, whereas Spurs have struck 27 times despite creating one fewer big chance. Alejandro Garnacho has been one of the main culprits, but he could have his confidence back after getting on the scoresheet on Thursday night.

No injury boost for the Toffees

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti are building up their recovery ahead of this game, and both players featured for the U21s on Friday afternoon. Seamus Coleman has recently returned to training, but Sean Dyche has confirmed that he’s unlikely to be available.

Long-term absentees James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam remain on the treatment table, but Dyche has no fresh injury concerns heading into the trip to Old Trafford.

Long-ball Everton are ineffective

No side in the Premier League has completed more long balls per game than Everton, but their old-school style hasn’t been as effective this season as it was in the previous. The Toffees have created just 13.4 expected goals (xG), the 17^th best in the league.

Dwight McNeil’s drop-off in recent weeks has undoubtedly hampered Everton’s chances of winning games. The English winger has provided six goals and assists combined, but he’s produced just one assist in his last five games. Dyche’s side have remained solid defensively over the last few weeks, but he needs to find a way to be more effective in the final third heading into this game.

Prediction

With Amorim in front of the Old Trafford crowd for the first time in the Premier League, the United supporters are going to be right behind their team on Sunday. They’ve shown some inconsistencies in Amorim’s opening two games, but this is a chance to build some momentum against a struggling side.

We’re predicting a 2-0 win for United at Old Trafford this weekend.

(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: Chelsea meet a Villa side looking to turn their form around

The two Champions League hopefuls meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Unai Emery hoping to mastermind Aston Villa’s first win in seven games across all competitions.

By Alex Roberts

It’s been a remarkable drop in form from Villa, their 1-0 win over Bayern Munich earlier in the season will take some forgetting, but the Spaniard is in desperate need of a good run of results to keep the good vibes flowing.

As for Chelsea, a routine 2-0 Europa Conference League win over FC Heidenheim in midweek will give them a boost, as most of Enzo Maresca’s preferred Premier League eleven got a well-earned rest.

A mini drought for Cole Palmer

Chelsea’s talismanic playmaker is going through somewhat of a drought, with no goal contributions in his last four Premier League games, Palmer is prime for another Brighton-esque four-goal performance.

It’s not like he’s been playing poorly, he would have broken his duck against Leicester in the previous round if it wasn’t for Noni Madueke’s late and unintentional goal-line intervention.

Palmer isn’t having to carry this Chelsea side like he did last season. Nicolas Jackson and the aforementioned Madueke have both made vital contributions to their Premier League campaign. Even Moisés Caicedo has chipped in with three goal involvements so far this season.

*Chelsea goal contributions, Premier League 2024/25*

Goals are hard to come by for Aston Villa

For a side that boasts a wealth of attacking options, including clinical striker such as Ollie Watkins and Jhon Durán, Villa have struggled in front of goal recently, scoring just five goals in their seven-game winless streak.

No doubt buoyed by a nomination for the FIFA Best Awards, a goal every other game isn’t bad for Watkins, but just three in Villa’s last ten games may be setting off some alarm bells in Emery’s head.

Maresca’s insistence on playing out from the back means Villa will get chances, it’s just up to them to put them away.

Poor Reece James

It’s hard not to feel sorry for Reece James. Another injury means he will likely be sidelined until the new year, Maresca admitted as much in his pre-match press conference, admitting he “Doesn’t know” when the Chelsea captain will return.

The right-back has missed 51 games for Chelsea thanks to ongoing hamstring issues since the start of last season but has impressed in the limited chances he’s had, winning 100% of his tackles, 69.6% of his duels, and 75% of his aerial duels in 241 Premier League minutes.

With understudy Malo Gusto also a doubt for the Villa game, Maresca will likely have to rely on either Wesley Fofana or Axel Disasi to fill in on Sunday.

Prediction

Both sides are relatively evenly matched as the race for the top four seriously starts heating up. A defeat would likely see Chelsea fall out with just three points separating the two sides in third and eighth.

Form isn’t on Villa’s side, but Chelsea have been poor against the bigger teams. Expecting goals, we’re going with a 2-2 draw.

(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.