By Sam McGuire
Final 12 months, for instance, we witnessed 39 objectives throughout 10 matches. Golf equipment didn’t hit the heights of 1963 however a mean of just about 4 objectives per sport isn’t something to take without any consideration.
So, with this in thoughts, right here’s a take a look at among the issues you possibly can regulate throughout the Boxing Day interval, there are just a few video games on the twenty seventh in spite of everything, within the Premier League this season.
Erling Haaland’s droop
Haaland began the season like a person destined to win his third successive Golden Boot within the Premier League. He netted back-to-back hat-tricks and, at one level, had 10 objectives in 5 matches because the reigning champions took 13 factors from a potential 15 to kick off the marketing campaign.
Since then, the objectives have dried up. Haaland has discovered the again of the web on simply three events throughout his final 12 outings within the English top-flight.
This run has coincided with Man Metropolis’s run of six defeats in eight.
Towards Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, Haaland had only one shot and it wasn’t on course. He completed the sport with an Anticipated Objectives complete of 0.11. It was the identical story final weekend in opposition to Manchester United when Haaland had one shot with an Anticipated Objectives complete of 0.14.
If Metropolis are to get out of the droop they at present discover themselves in, they should get Haaland firing.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect host Everton on Boxing Day. The Toffees have stored 5 clear sheets of their final six Premier League matches. Sean Dyche’s males have managed to repel title hopefuls Arsenal and Chelsea in consecutive weeks. It gained’t be straightforward for Metropolis however Haaland has scored in all three of his appearances in opposition to the Merseyside membership. If he finds the again of the web right here, in opposition to a defensively resolute aspect, it may open the floodgates.
Battle of the brand new Portuguese managers
The brand new manager-bounce didn’t final lengthy for Rúben Amorim and Manchester United. The Crimson Devils battered Everton 4-0 however then suffered an anticipated loss to Arsenal earlier than a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest at Previous Trafford.
They then responded to this by coming from behind on the Etihad to assert a 2-1 win within the Manchester derby. This was presupposed to be a constructing block for United. Nevertheless, it wasn’t. Bournemouth humbled the Crimson Devils at Previous Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
They’re now in thirteenth place within the Premier League, 10 factors off the relegation zone, 9 factors off of a high 4 place and 17 factors off the highest having performed a sport extra.
United face a resurgent Wolves aspect on Boxing Day at Molineux. The hosts appointed Vítor Pereira final week and the Portuguese tactician skilled a dream begin to life as a Premier League supervisor, successful 3-0 in opposition to relegation rivals Leicester Metropolis. A win at Molineux would momentarily carry them out of the drop zone.
They’ve the momentum. They’ve the arrogance. They’ve a match-winner in Matheus Cunha.
The Mohamed Salah farewell tour
As issues stand, Salah is leaving Liverpool on the finish of the season.
Proper now, he’s the very best participant on this planet. The 32-year-old has 15 objectives and 11 assists within the Premier League. He’s the primary participant in historical past to have 10+ objectives and 10+ assists earlier than Christmas. He’s now degree with David Beckham on 80 assists within the English top-flight and he’s Liverpool’s fourth highest scorer within the membership’s historical past.
If that is his goodbye, he’s leaving followers with a number of recollections. Not simply Liverpool followers both. Rival followers are getting the total Salah expertise. He completed the sport in opposition to Spurs with 4 aim involvements. He has 11 aim involvements in his final 5 appearances.
He’s unplayable.
On Boxing Day, the Reds host a struggling Leicester Metropolis aspect.
Liverpool confronted the Foxes in December 2021, the marketing campaign they misplaced the title by a single level, they usually fell to defeat, simply their second of the season, with Salah lacking a penalty. The No. 11 doesn’t want redemption, however how becoming would it not be for him to play a giant half in a win over Leicester, three years after defeat, to make sure they keep in full management of a title race? It’d be a pleasant addition to his farewell tour.
A Saka-less Arsenal?
Bukayo Saka has been the principle man for Arsenal this season. Solely Kai Havertz (six) has extra objectives than the No. 7 (5) and he leads the way in which for assists (10), probabilities created (42) and massive probabilities created (19). For a little bit of context right here, Martin Ødegaard ranks second for probabilities created on 24 and Declan Rice is second for large probabilities created with seven.
They’re not a one-man workforce, that will be disrespectful, however the Gunners are closely reliant on the England worldwide.
He hobbled off in opposition to Crystal Palace on Saturday and left the stadium on crutches. The 23-year-old is anticipated to overlook a few weeks resulting from a hamstring harm and it has arrived through the busiest interval of the season. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Mikel Arteta manages with out his star participant. If their title problem endures, they could possibly be the true deal. Internet hosting strugglers Ipswich City offers the Gunners a superb alternative to kick issues off in a constructive means.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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