With worldwide soccer now on maintain for 4 months, all eyes flip again to home soccer because the much-loved Premier League Christmas calendar is on the horizon.
Because the temperature goes down, the regularity of fixtures goes up. The winter interval has a knack for making or breaking campaigns for these battling on the prime of the desk or these scrambling for factors on the backside.
Not many anticipated Arne Slot’s Liverpool to be sitting fairly on the prime come this stage of the season. Nevertheless, they’re doing precisely that as they lead champions Manchester Metropolis by 5 factors with 11 video games within the financial institution.
The Reds have solely dropped 4 factors all season with Slot enduring a record-breaking begin to his reign at Anfield, whereas Metropolis’s near-perfect begin to the season hit a stumbling block early in November as they misplaced two Premier League matches on the spin.
In the meantime, 4 factors behind Pep Guardiola’s facet, and 9 behind Liverpool, are London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal. The Gunners are below menace of being reduce adrift from the title race earlier than Christmas presents are even opened.
Nevertheless, with all that being mentioned, there’s nonetheless a method to go earlier than positions within the desk present an actual indication of the way it will look come Might. With that being mentioned, Mail Sport takes a have a look at the highest 4’s fixtures over the following 9 gameweeks and the way the title race might take care of the flip of the 12 months.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool sit prime of the Premier League having gained 9 of their 11 matches to date
Man Metropolis are coming off the again of two league defeats in a row leaving them 5 factors adrift
Chelsea and Arsenal try to remain within the hunt as they occupy third and fourth within the desk
Gameweek 12 (November 23-25)
Chelsea will get the weekend kicked off with a snug win away at struggling Leicester Metropolis, with Cole Palmer returning to the scoresheet, to place themselves inside a degree of Metropolis earlier than they play on Sunday.
After 4 Premier League video games with no win, we count on fourth-placed Arsenal to match their fellow Londoners and decide up three factors towards Nottingham Forest, but it surely will not be a stroll within the park.
The Gunners can be made to combat for the victory by Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest, who sit only one place behind Arsenal on the identical factors. Nevertheless, two late targets from Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard will get them again on observe.
In the meantime, Liverpool can be trying to mount extra distress on Southampton at St Mary’s and go eight factors clear on the summit earlier than Metropolis take to the pitch after them.
And that is precisely what they may do with Mohamed Salah bagging one other aim and help on the south coast. The champions will then observe go well with in what’s the recreation of the weekend towards Tottenham.
Erling Haaland will discover his consistency once more with a aim in a slender victory over Spurs, which can pile extra strain on Ange Postecoglou.
Leicester Metropolis 1-3 Chelsea
Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Manchester Metropolis 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
- Liverpool – 31 factors (17 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 26 factors (10 GD)
- Chelsea – 22 factors (10 GD)
- Arsenal – 22 factors (8 GD)
Arne Slot is trying to do the unthinkable by main Liverpool to the title in simply his first season
Gameweek 13 (November 29 – December 1)
Arguably probably the most important match on this season’s title race takes place as Manchester Metropolis journey to Anfield trying to decide up a uncommon win to shut the hole on their rivals.
Nevertheless, regardless of taking the lead, Metropolis can be pegged again and should accept a degree after a topsy-turvy four-goal thriller towards Liverpool, which means the Reds keep 5 factors clear.
A day prior, Arsenal reap the benefits of the draw between their opponents with a snug win away at London rivals West Ham, in flip ramping up the warmth on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui.
Chealsea is not going to match the Gunners, although, with Aston Villa rocking as much as Stamford Bridge and taking factors off them for a 3rd successive season.
Nicolas Jackson will put the Blues within the field seat for 3 factors earlier than Jhon Duran comes off the bench to save lots of the day for Unai Emery’s facet. You heard it right here first.
West Ham United 0-3 Arsenal
Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester Metropolis
- Liverpool – 32 factors (17 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 27 factors (10 GD)
- Arsenal – 25 factors (11 GD)
- Chelsea – 23 factors (8 GD)
Liverpool and Metropolis have supplied supporters with enthralling battles over the previous decade
Gameweek 14 (December 3-5)
After dropping factors for less than the third time this season, Liverpool will return to successful methods in a troublesome fixture away at Newcastle.
With the group towards them early on, Alexander Isak will ship St James’ Park right into a frenzy inside the primary half-hour. Nevertheless, historical past will repeat itself as Luis Diaz nets a second-half brace to carry all three factors again to Merseyside.
Manchester Metropolis will observe go well with and decide up a commanding victory over Nottingham Forest as Espirito Santo’s facet start to drop to mid-table after an excellent begin to the marketing campaign.
In the meantime, Chelsea will make mild work of Southampton on the south coast with the Blues placing in a five-star show. Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke will each activate the fashion, selecting up braces.
Arsenal face the sternest take a look at of the gameweek with Ruben Amorim’s rejuvenated Manchester United rocking up on the Emirates. They are going to present the Portuguese boss simply how robust the Premier League could be with a dominant show below the lights.
Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool
Manchester Metropolis 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Southampton 0-5 Chelsea
Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United
- Liverpool – 35 factors (18 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 30 factors (13 GD)
- Arsenal – 28 factors (13 GD)
- Chelsea – 26 factors (13 GD)
Arsenal did the double over Man United final season and can attempt beat them once more in Decmeber
Gameweek 15 (December 7-9)
Liverpool’s five-point lead on the prime will lastly be reduce brief and will probably be Everton wielding the axe.
The Reds’ bitter rivals will trigger them issues but once more at Goodison Park, nonetheless, Arne Slot’s robust defence will prevail to earn the leaders a degree in an action-packed stalemate.
Manchester Metropolis will take benefit with a second win on the spin, placing their shedding streak soundly previously, with a slim victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Phil Foden will re-find his scoring type to internet the one aim of the sport.
Arsenal will not observe within the footsteps of the Champions with Fulham holding them to a draw at Craven Cottage as Bukayo Saka’s first-half opener is cancelled out by Raul Jimenez.
The Gunners’ end in west London signifies that Chelsea leapfrog them within the desk as Enzo Maresca’s facet put Tottenham to the sword but once more with a dramatic win on enemy territory because of a last-gasp Nicolas Jackson winner to finish an unbelievable turnaround.
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester Metropolis
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea
- Liverpool – 36 factors (18 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 33 factors (14 GD)
- Chelsea – 29 factors (14 GD)
- Arsenal – 29 factors (13 GD)
Liverpool’s journey throughout Stanley Park to Everton final season spelled the tip of their title hopes
Gameweek 16 (December 14-16)
Arsenal reach what Liverpool didn’t do by beating Everton, and they’ll accomplish that comfortably on the Emirates with Kai Havertz netting a brace.
In the meantime, the Reds face Fulham, who Arsenal dropped factors to the week earlier than. They will not make the identical mistake, although.
After going a aim down, two strikes in fast succession from the boot of Cody Gakpo will ship the Kop into hysteria and maintain Arne Slot’s facet on the prime of the desk.
Manchester Metropolis stay on their coattails, and even a tense Manchester Derby on the Etihad Stadium will not gradual them down. Pep Guardiola’s facet proceed their successful streak after targets from Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mateo Kovacic.
Later that evening, Chelsea endure solely their third Premier League defeat of the season as Brentford win at Stamford Bridge for the fourth 12 months in a row. It brings a well-known feeling again to the followers within the stands.
Arsenal 3-0 Everton
Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
Manchester Metropolis 3-1 Manchester United
Chelsea 0-1 Brentford
- Liverpool – 39 factors (19 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 36 factors (16 GD)
- Arsenal – 32 factors (16 GD)
- Chelsea – 29 factors (13 GD)
Ruben Amorim will lead United right into a Manchester Derby for the primary time in the midst of December
Gameweek 17 (December 21-22)
Within the final matchweek earlier than Christmas each Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis will reward their opponents victories.
For the second 12 months working, Aston Villa stun Pep Guardiola’s facet at Villa Park with Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey placing a cease to the champions’ successful run.
The Jekyll and Hyde nature of Tottenham is then in full impact towards Liverpool as Dominic Solanke polishes off an excellent efficiency to essentially warmth the title race up.
Arsenal show the doubters fallacious by getting themselves again into the title race with a slender win away at Crystal Palace. After Metropolis’s earlier slip-up, Odegaard leads the celebrations in entrance of their supporters because the feel-good issue returns to the Gunners trustworthy.
And their weekend can be topped off when Chelsea lose for the second weekend working. The Blues’ Goodison Park woes can be in full impact when Sean Dyche’s Everton make it a depressing Christmas for Maresca.
Regardless of their defeat, Liverpool will sit on prime of the tree on Christmas Day. Nevertheless, their earlier supremity will seemingly have diminished.
Aston Villa 2-0 Manchester Metropolis
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Liverpool
Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal
Everton 2-0 Chelsea
- Liverpool – 39 factors (17 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 36 factors (14 GD)
- Arsenal – 35 factors (17 GD)
- Chelsea – 29 factors (11 GD)
Chelsea have solely overwhelmed Everton as soon as at Goodison Park previously seven years, again in 2022
A win away at Crystal Palace might be enormous for Arsenal if Liverpool and Metropolis do drop factors
Gameweek 18 (December 26-27)
Metropolis’s disappointment previous to Christmas can be a distant reminiscence come Boxing Day after they take their anger out on Everton on the Etihad.
Erling Haaland scores a hat-trick with Savinho and Matheus Nunes getting in on the act to make sure they keep second.
Liverpool will even run riot and reply to defeat within the capital with a thumping victory over Leicester Metropolis at Anfield. It is going to ease some Christmas issues from the followers.
Arsenal and Chelsea will each observe go well with with victories over Fulham and Ipswich, respectively. No Christmas hangovers will have an effect on this bunch.
Manchester Metropolis 5-0 Everton
Liverpool 3-0 Leicester Metropolis
Chelsea 2-1 Fulham
Arsenal 2-0 Ipswich City
- Liverpool – 42 factors (20 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 39 factors (19 GD)
- Arsenal – 38 factors (19 GD)
- Chelsea – 32 factors (12 GD)
Mikel Arteta wants his Arsenal facet to ship over the winter to maintain them within the title hunt
Gameweek 19 (December 29 – January 1)
A visit to Leicester is up subsequent for Guardiola’s facet and similar to Liverpool a couple of days earlier, they dismantle Steve Cooper’s facet with ease.
There can be no aim for Erling Haaland, however Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, and Bernardo Silva get the job performed as an alternative to maintain the strain on Liverpool within the title race.
The Reds do not buckle below it, although. This time a visit again to the capital proves a fruitful one as Slot’s facet mount extra distress on a struggling West Ham facet on the London Stadium.
Salah does what he does greatest, netting a brace. On the different finish, Liverpool’s stellar defence stand robust to make it back-to-back clear sheets for the Redmen.
As soon as once more, will probably be a clear sweep of victories for the present prime 4 with Chelsea rocking as much as Portman Highway and getting the job performed. Cole Palmer pulls the strings and even baggage a aim for himself.
In the meantime, Arsenal endure a troublesome take a look at at Brentford however go with flying colors 4 wins on the bounce and 9 matches unbeaten.
Leicester Metropolis 0-3 Manchester Metropolis
West Ham United 0-2 Liverpool
Ipswich City 1-3 Chelsea
Brentford 0-1 Arsenal
- Liverpool – 45 factors (22 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 42 factors (22 GD)
- Arsenal – 41 factors (20 GD)
- Chelsea – 35 factors (14 GD)
Anticipate Mohamed Salah to the injury as soon as once more when Liverpool journey to West Ham United
Gameweek 20 (January 4-6)
New 12 months, usual Manchester Metropolis. Within the remaining gameweek of this prediction, the champions make mild work of West Ham United only a matter of days after Liverpool did the identical.
Nevertheless, they may stay three factors behind the leaders after 20 matches. Slot’s Reds face off towards their greatest rivals United with the guests trying to enact revenge after embarrassment at Outdated Trafford.
Diaz does extra injury to Amorim’s facet early doorways, however Bruno Fernandes responds rapidly with a aim on the Kop. The sport appears set to be heading for a 1-1 draw till Salah pops up with an enormous aim to ship Anfield bananas.
Chelsea’s successful burst involves an finish away at Crystal Palace as they play out a boring goalless draw, placing the breaks on the momentum they constructed after Christmas.
Their outcome looks as if an excellent one compared to Arsenal’s, although. The Gunners lastly endure their first defeat since early November as Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton come up trumps towards a title challenger but once more.
If all of it performs out like this, Liverpool can be prime with 18 matches left to play with Metropolis lurking behind them in second. Arteta’s facet can be seven factors adrift, and certainly out of the race, whereas Chelsea can be solely targeted on entering into the highest 4.
Manchester Metropolis 4-0 West Ham United
Crystal Palace 0-0 Chelsea
Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
- Liverpool – 48 factors (23 GD)
- Manchester Metropolis – 45 factors (26 GD)
- Arsenal – 41 factors (19 GD)
- Chelsea – 36 factors (14 GD)
