The primary gameweek of 2025 is right here.
We’re now over midway by means of this marketing campaign with sitting high of the desk, six factors clear with a sport in hand. Their place is commanding, however you can not write off but, with the Gunners on a three-match profitable streak and beginning to construct momentum as soon as once more.
The Reds tackle their fiercest rivals on Sunday, hoping to heap extra distress on the Purple Devils, who’re 14th after dropping their final three matches, simply seven factors away from the relegation zone. Earlier than then, Arsenal journey to on Saturday night.
There’s lots extra motion with implications at each ends of the desk and we’ve predicted the scores of all 10 matches.
Tottenham vs Newcastle
haven’t been good in any respect not too long ago and are actually with out a win of their final three video games, slumping to eleventh within the desk and 11 factors adrift of the Champions League locations. Against this, have received their final 4 Premier League video games with out conceding a objective — netting 13 alongside the best way — climbing to fifth, simply three factors behind .
With all of that in thoughts, it’s virtually unattainable to image Spurs taking something from this one. Nonetheless, that’s normally proper once they kick into gear, to not point out when Newcastle frustratingly drop a clanger.
It could take somebody very daring to again a Spurs win right here however they might finish Newcastle’s profitable streak. And given the goalscoring prowess of the 2 groups, you will be pretty assured of some objectives.
‘s promising begin beneath Ruud van Nistelrooy is a factor of the previous, with the Foxes on a four-game dropping run with only one objective scored and 12 conceded. Leicester are actually nineteenth and whereas the hole between themselves and in seventeenth continues to be solely two factors, issues want to enhance shortly.
aren’t precisely firing on all cylinders, profitable simply certainly one of their final 4 video games and blowing a 2-1 lead within the 81st minute in opposition to Brighton final day out. Nonetheless, at dwelling, Unai Emery’s males could have an excessive amount of firepower for his or her fellow Midlanders.
Bournemouth vs Everton
have come right down to earth a bit from their 3-0 win at Outdated Trafford, drawing in opposition to (0-0) and (2-2) of their final two. Nonetheless, that also means the Cherries are unbeaten of their final seven, sitting seventh within the desk and simply 5 factors off the Champions League locations. Dreamland for a membership of Bournemouth’s measurement.
, in the meantime, are certainly one of this season’s most weird sides. Consecutive attracts in opposition to Arsenal, Chelsea and left followers glad that their membership can steer clear of relegation hassle. Nonetheless, Evertonians weren’t impressed with the 2-0 defeat at dwelling to that adopted — regardless of the standard of Nuno Espirito Santo’s males. The Toffees are sixteenth, simply two factors away from the underside three and desperately in need of firepower.
The south coast has traditionally been a poor looking floor for Everton and that received’t change right here.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Enzo Maresca stored warning us that Chelsea aren’t title contenders and he was proper all alongside, together with his aspect taking only one level from their final three video games — not that the Italian can be joyful about that.
Subsequent up for the Blues is a visit to Crystal Palace, who beat 2-1 final day out and have undoubtedly turned a nook, now climbing to fifteenth after a dreadful begin. They’ll make life onerous for Chelsea, however Maresca’s males could have sufficient to get by means of the problem of Selhurst Park.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea ()
Manchester Metropolis received a sport. This isn’t a drill!
On the face of it, Metropolis’s 2-0 triumph away at Leicester was the precise form of routine victory we’ve grow to be accustomed to from this all-conquering aspect. However a peak into the stats reveals a distinct story, with Leicester edging it on Anticipated Targets by 1.30 to 1.27, lacking some large probabilities and forcing some high quality saves from Stefan Ortega.
Nonetheless, it’s a win and a clear sheet for the primary time since December 4th, lifting Metropolis again into sixth place and simply 4 factors off the Champions League spots.
‘s mini four-game unbeaten run was emphatically ended 5-0 by Liverpool final day out they usually may properly provide up back-to-back wins to Metropolis for the primary time since October.
Southampton vs Brentford
Southampton have been aggressive in latest video games, drawing 0-0 away at Fulham, whereas solely dropping by one objective in opposition to West Ham and Crystal Palace. Nonetheless, they’re merely being hamstrung by their lack of ability to attain, sitting joint-bottom for objectives alongside Everton (15 every).
That mentioned, Saints could have their eye on their conflict in opposition to on Saturday, with the Bees dropping 5 and profitable simply certainly one of their final seven matches throughout all competitions. Away from dwelling, Thomas Frank’s aspect have taken simply two factors from 9 video games, scoring six objectives and conceding 16.
With all that in thoughts, this can be a must-win sport for Southampton in the event that they’re to face any probability of closing that 10-point hole between themselves and security. May this be the surprising spark that lights an unlikely flame?
Brighton vs Arsenal
As talked about, Arsenal are again on observe after consecutive attracts in opposition to Fulham and Everton, placing Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Brentford to mattress not too long ago. Mikel Arteta has been boosted by the sudden return to type of Gabriel Jesus, who has scored six objectives in his final 4 matches throughout all competitions and was wonderful in opposition to Brentford final day out.
Brighton are enduring an actual droop, winless of their final seven and tasting victory simply twice of their final 12 throughout all competitions. The Seagulls are actually tenth and are dropping floor shortly on the European race.
Given the momentum Arsenal are constructing, it’s onerous to see them being stopped right here.
can be completely buzzing with their 2-0 win over Chelsea final day out; their first Premier League dwelling victory since April 2002. It was genuinely-earned after they labored so onerous and solely fell 1-0 to Arsenal of their earlier sport.
Up subsequent is a visit to a Fulham aspect unbeaten of their final seven, however with simply two wins throughout that point, changing into draw specialists. Identical once more right here? Fulham’s superior high quality will cancel out Ipswich’s confidence.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
In case you’re on a three-game dropping streak (4 in all competitions) and languishing in 14th, the final place you need to go is Anfield. However that’s the fact dealing with Manchester United this weekend, making ready for a visit to their bitterest rivals, who can be hellbent on heaping extra distress on the Purple Devils and strengthening their already appreciable title declare.
We might sit right here and provides it massive about United gamers standing as much as be counted in a sport like this and it being the event Ruben Amorim must ignite his Outdated Trafford profession. But it surely’s simply not going to occur. The truth is, it might get ugly.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Manchester United ()
Wolves vs Nottingham Forest
Monday, sixth January, 8pm, Sky Sports activities
Wolves have improved no finish beneath Vitor Pereira up to now, taking seven factors from three video games, most not too long ago snatching a late 2-2 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur. Nonetheless, can anybody cease Nottingham Forest proper now? Nuno’s males have received every of their final 5 matches and have stored a clear sheet of their final three, elevating them above Chelsea and into third, simply eight factors off the summit.
It’s been a shocking marketing campaign so removed from the Difficult Timber and also you’d again them to burst Pereira’s bubble and choose up their seventh away win of the season right here.
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