By Sam McGuire
An upset for the league leaders?
Liverpool have dropped factors in simply three of their 14 Premier League matches this time period. The Reds are 4 factors clear on the prime of the desk with a sport in hand over their rivals following the postponement of the Merseyside derby.
Arne Slot’s facet have the second finest house report within the English prime flight having taken 18 factors from a potential 21. They’ve scored 13 objectives at Anfield and conceded on simply three events.
They host Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The Cottagers have been one of many shock packages within the Premier League this time period. Marco Silva’s males are tenth within the Premier League, simply two factors behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest and 4 behind fourth-placed Manchester Metropolis.
Fulham have received simply one among their earlier 14 matches towards Liverpool throughout all competitions however do come into this match in good kind. Their factors haul of 23 is matched by their Anticipated Factors complete, pointing to the actual fact performances have matched outcomes.
They’ve additionally completed nicely towards huge sides this time period. They’ve drawn video games towards Spurs and Arsenal and so they picked up three factors towards a formidable Brighton facet. The Cottagers misplaced 3-2 to reigning champions Manchester Metropolis however posted an Anticipated Objectives complete of two.3 in that defeat. They deserved to win.
Silva possesses gamers who may cause groups bother and Raúl Jiménez seems again to his finest. And if Liverpool aren’t at their finest, they weren’t in mid-week towards Girona within the Champions League, an upset might be on the playing cards.
Overperformers vs Underperformers
Forward of the 2024/25 Premier League marketing campaign, lots of people tipped Aston Villa for one more prime 4 push after finishing some good enterprise through the summer season switch window. Lots of people, myself included, additionally thought Nottingham Forest can be concerned in a relegation battle.
But right here we’re in December with Forest sat above Villa within the desk. Nuno Espírito Santo’s facet are in fifth whereas Unai Emery has his staff sitting in sixth. They’re degree on factors however the narratives round each groups couldn’t be any extra totally different.
Forest are defying the chances. Villa are struggling to dwell as much as expectations.
The Villans make the journey to the Metropolis Floor this weekend trying to make it three wins on the bounce within the Premier League after a troublesome interval. Throughout their final 5 video games within the English prime flight, they’ve picked up simply seven factors. Forest have tailed off somewhat too, claiming simply six factors throughout the identical interval. Nevertheless, they did beat Manchester United at Outdated Trafford final outing and so they have upped their sport towards the extra conventional prime sides, beating Liverpool and drawing with Chelsea.
It’s value noting that Forest’s house kind hasn’t been nice – they rank twelfth with 11 factors from 21 on supply – whereas Villa are respectable sufficient on their travels, profitable three from seven matches.
For each groups it’s a huge sport within the grand scheme of issues.
The Manchester derby
Each groups are in dire want of a response and a efficiency.
Few would’ve anticipated to be saying this about Manchester Metropolis in December however the reigning champions want a giant displaying towards their neighbours. There’s extra at stake than simply three factors and native satisfaction.
Metropolis have received one among their final 10 throughout all competitions and fell to defeat once more in midweek as Juventus claimed a 2-0 win within the Champions League. By the point kick off comes round, the reigning champions might be 5 factors behind Arsenal and 11 factors off of leaders Liverpool.
The champions are in freefall. A win right here within the Manchester derby might be the catapult wanted to get issues going once more. A loss may finish their title hopes earlier than the flip of the New 12 months. Metropolis have the standard however they’re missing in confidence.
United want one thing. They want something to actually kickstart the Rúben Amorim period.
The 4-0 win over Everton was a false daybreak. They misplaced 3-2 to Nottingham Forest at Outdated Trafford of their final sport within the league and have suffered back-to-back losses within the Premier League below the Portuguese tactician. If outcomes don’t go their approach this weekend, they end in 14th place.
The consequence right here might be seismic in Manchester and throughout the Premier League.
Battle of the below hearth bosses
Southampton welcome Spurs to St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Each groups are in determined want of three factors.
The Saints are backside of the Premier League and have only one win to their identify within the English top-flight this time period. They’ve conceded 31 objectives and located the again of the online on simply 11 events. Russell Martin’s job as supervisor is below menace with the one-time Swansea boss reluctant to change issues up in a bid to increase Southampton’s stint within the prime tier.
His staff are often taking part in into bother and making life troublesome for themselves.
The identical might be mentioned for Spurs below Ange Postecoglou.
Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Carragher believes the Aussie tactician is just too cussed.
“I get up each morning hoping the solar is shining, so I can put some shorts and a T-shirt on but when it’s raining, you place your coat on.”
Spurs held a 2-0 lead over Chelsea final outing however imploded to lose 4-3. The consequence left them eleventh within the Premier League and so they misplaced Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero to accidents. The strain is mounting on the previous Celtic boss and defeat right here may spell the tip for him.
Likewise, although, a heavy loss for Southampton may spell the tip for Martin.
The stakes are excessive.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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