By Sam McGuire
Earlier than the latter, although, let’s take a look at what we will sit up for throughout Matchday 21.
The battle for the Golden Boot
At the beginning of the season, few would’ve had Bryan Mbeumo in rivalry for the Golden Boot, but right here we’re, 20 video games on the board, and solely Erling Haaland (16) and Mohamed Salah (18) have extra objectives than the Brentford ahead.
This season, the 25-year-old has scored towards Spurs, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Arsenal. He’ll be wanting so as to add Manchester Metropolis to the listing because the Bees welcome the reigning champions to the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium on Tuesday.
Thomas Frank’s facet suffered a shock dwelling loss to Plymouth Argyle within the FA Cup over the weekend.
Not solely was it a shock as a result of Plymouth are rooted to the underside of the Championship, it caught lots of people off guard due to how spectacular Brentford have been at dwelling this season.
The Bees have the second greatest dwelling file within the English top-flight with seven wins and two attracts from their 10 outings. They’ve scored probably the most dwelling objectives (27). You’d not name it a fortress however Brentford are spectacular at dwelling. They’ll be seeking to bounce again towards an out-of-sorts Metropolis facet.
Pep Guardiola’s facet haven’t travelled properly this season. In reality, they haven’t achieved a lot properly this season in equity and that’s the reason they discover themselves in sixth place, 12 factors off the highest. On the highway although, they’re struggling. They’ve the seventh greatest away file and have scored simply 15 objectives throughout their 10 outings.
Inside their ranks, they’ve Haaland. After a drought, he’s discovered the again of the online thrice in two outings and he’s properly within the race for a 3rd successive Golden Boot.
It’s unlikely that many would have considered a sport between Brentford and Manchester Metropolis in mid-January as a possible key fixture within the race for the Golden Boot, nevertheless it may properly be the case.
Revenge for Liverpool?
Liverpool have suffered only one defeat within the Premier League all season. It arrived again in September as Nottingham Forest travelled to Anfield and returned to the Metropolis Floor with all three factors.
Arne Slot has talked about it at each given alternative. The loss to Nuno Espírito Santo’s facet haunts him and he’ll be seeking to proper that unsuitable on Tuesday when he takes his league leaders to face the shock bundle of the season.
Forest are third within the desk, degree on factors with Arsenal and simply six behind the Reds.
Consider it or not, this sport may have enormous ramifications on the place the title finally ends up this season.
Regardless of their good type, Espírito Santo’s facet aren’t the most effective at dwelling this season. They’ve taken 17 factors from their 9 dwelling video games and have scored simply 11 objectives. Their power is their defence although having conceded on simply seven events.
This sport appears like one other battle between two attackers. Chris Wooden has 12 objectives within the Premier League this time period and has been instantly accountable for 41% of the objectives scored by Forest. Mohamed Salah, in the meantime, has 18 objectives and he accounts for 38% of the crew haul.
The Reds aren’t as reliant on their No. 11 although. They journey properly and have the most effective away file within the English top-flight regardless of enjoying fewer video games than their rivals because of the Merseyside derby being postponed.
The return of David Moyes
Everton made the daring determination to half methods with Sean Dyche earlier within the week. In a bid to avoid wasting themselves from a relegation battle, they drafted in former boss David Moyes.
The 61-year-old has been out of labor since leaving West Ham on the finish of final season. The Toffees are presently in sixteenth place, some extent forward of the dropzone they usually’re with no win within the Premier League in over a month.
They host Aston Villa this week. On paper, this might be a tough fixture with the Villans seeking to end within the European locations once more this season. Nevertheless, Moyes has a deceptively good file towards them
He’s solely suffered seven losses in 34 matches towards Villa and he’s gained six of the final 10.
In the meantime, Unai Emery has an honest sufficient file towards the Toffees having gained 4 of seven and three of the final 5. This might be an interesting, tactical battle with each groups needing factors on the board for very totally different causes.
Arsenal on the ropes
It hasn’t been an incredible begin to 2025 for Arsenal.
The Gunners have been held to a draw with Brighton within the Premier League earlier than struggling a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United within the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. They have been then knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday night with Manchester United beating them on penalties on the Emirates.
If the disappointing outcomes weren’t sufficient, the accidents are piling up for the Gunners. Bukayo Saka is out for the foreseeable and the resurgent Gabriel Jesus is now sidelined after he sustained what appears to be an ACL harm within the loss to the Purple Devils.
On Wednesday night time, they welcome Spurs to the Emirates for the North London Derby.
Spurs have been erratic this time period however did beat Liverpool within the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final final week. They’ve additionally crushed Manchester Metropolis (twice) and Aston Villa this season, proving they’ll flip up when it issues. They’re additionally struggling with accidents however have sufficient in assault to trigger issues. They may properly dent Arsenal’s title bid and also you wouldn’t be that shocked given how Tottenham’s season goes to date.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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