By Sam McGuire
The random fixture generator has handled us all to a bumper version too with some must-not-miss clashes unfold throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday. What must you be maintaining a tally of although? Right here at FotMob, we’ve bought you coated.
An issue for Postecoglou
Tottenham are nearer to the relegation zone than they’re the highest 4. Spurs discover themselves simply 9 factors away from 18th-placed Ipswich City however are 11 factors behind Chelsea, the crew presently sat in fourth place within the Premier League.
This was presupposed to be the 12 months Ange Postecoglou’s facet kicked on after narrowly lacking out on a prime 4 end final time period. Spurs spent over £120million in the summertime. They added Dominic Solanke to their ranks to lastly substitute Harry Kane with a centre-forward. They trimmed their squad too, eliminating gamers who merely didn’t match into the best way the Australian tactician wished to play. This was his squad with gamers he wished.
But Spurs discover themselves in eleventh place having misplaced (9) extra video games than they’ve received (seven).
They’re winless of their final three within the Premier League. Throughout this explicit run, they’ve conceded 9 targets. They conceded an equaliser towards Wolves within the 87th minute of their final outing.
Postecoglou’s males are entertaining and have the fourth highest Anticipated Targets haul within the Premier League this season however solely 5 groups have given up extra Anticipated Targets In opposition to. There’s no stability to the crew.
On Saturday afternoon, they face one of many type groups within the league in Newcastle United.
The Magpies have surged up the desk lately, with 4 successive wins within the English top-flight, they usually’re scoring targets for enjoyable having discovered the again of the online on 13 events in these matches. They’ve additionally stored 4 successive clear sheets.
Of their possession is among the finest attackers within the Premier League this season – Alexander Isak. The Sweden worldwide has eight targets and two assists in his final six appearances for the Magpies.
A win away in London might momentarily see Newcastle displace Chelsea within the remaining Champions League place. A loss might see Spurs end the weekend as little as 14th if outcomes don’t go their means.
Benefit Arsenal?
Arsenal make the journey to the Amex on Saturday night seeking to reduce the hole on the prime to simply three factors.
Mikel Arteta’s males play earlier than Liverpool host Manchester United on Sunday afternoon and it provides them a chance to heap strain onto the league leaders.
The Gunners have received three on the spin within the Premier League and appear to be dealing with the lack of Bukayo Saka pretty effectively. Gabriel Jesus has, from out of nowhere, turn out to be one of many crew’s most essential gamers. He scored once more within the 3-1 win over Brentford on New Yr’s Day to make it six targets in 4 appearances.
Arsenal confirmed nice resolve on Wednesday night to come back from behind towards the Bees. They’ll little doubt be assured heading into the sport with Brighton this weekend.
Consider it or not, the Seagulls are with out a win since November. That may be a run of seven matches with out a win. This has been made up of 5 attracts and two losses however they’ve only one clear sheet of their final 12 outings and discover themselves in tenth place.
They do retain the flexibility to trigger issues although. They held Arsenal to a draw earlier within the season, had the lead towards Liverpool at Anfield and beat Manchester Metropolis. They’ve the gamers to trigger an upset. It simply relies on whether or not or not they’re in a position to present up. If they’re, it is perhaps a difficult fixture to navigate for Arteta and his gamers. Nevertheless, if the hosts aren’t on it, Arsenal are going to chop the hole on the summit, it is so simple as that.
The Reds versus the Crimson Devils
On paper, this ought to be a straightforward three factors for Liverpool.
Manchester United misplaced 5 of their seven Premier League matches in December. They head to Anfield on a three-match shedding streak within the English top-flight having been defeated by Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle United lately. Rúben Amorim’s facet conceded seven targets with out response in these fixtures.
The Crimson Devils are 14th within the Premier League, simply seven factors above the drop zone.
Liverpool, in the meantime, discover themselves six factors clear on the prime of the desk with a sport in hand. Their solely defeat of the marketing campaign got here in September they usually’re presently on a three-match profitable streak within the league. They’ve scored 14 targets in these three outings and Mohamed Salah is enjoying among the finest soccer of his profession. He’s on 30 aim involvements in simply 18 appearances.
A win for the Reds at Anfield ought to be a formality. Nevertheless, we all know that type goes out of the window in these clashes. Heading into the Anfield conflict in 2023, a sport Liverpool received 7-0, the guests have been the shape facet. Final season, Jürgen Klopp’s crew have been on tune however didn’t beat United within the league and have been knocked out of the FA Cup by their previous rivals.
Arne Slot can’t afford to be complacent right here. His gamers should be centered. In the event that they decide up three factors right here, it’ll be a giant assertion of their push for the title.
A resurgent Wolves
Nottingham Forest have been the shock bundle of the season.
We’re midway by way of the marketing campaign and Nuno Espírito Santo’s facet sit third on 37 factors. They’ve received as many matches as Arsenal (11) and are presently on 5 successive wins within the Premier League, their finest run of type within the English top-flight since 1995.
On Monday evening, they journey to Molineux to tackle a Wolves facet within the midst of a brand new supervisor bounce. Vítor Pereira’s appointment has seen his facet win two matches and declare a 2-2 draw with Spurs of their third. They went from being a shoo-in for relegation within the eyes of many to being outdoors of the underside three within the house of some weeks.
They’re scoring targets and never giving up many probabilities. The hosts will probably be an actual check for Nottingham Forest. If Nuno can get one over on his former employers, and produce Pereira’s unbeaten begin to an finish, they is perhaps real contenders for a European end.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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