Premier League gameweek 15 preview
Premier League gameweek 15 preview
The Premier League resumes again tomorrow after a dramatic set of midweek fixtures, which had important games at both ends of the table.
This weekend is no different, with a top-of-the-table clash, a relegation battle and everything in between as the busy festive period is well underway.
Without further ado, let’s see the major talking points for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
Chelsea have tough challenge
Chelsea are still top of the Premier League following their 2-1 win over Watford in the week but the race is well and truly on between the Blues, Liverpool and last season’s champions Manchester City.
Just two points separate the three sides, meaning any slip-up could see the pack leaders drop to third in one weekend.
Chelsea face a West Ham side who have a good record at home to the Blues, winning two and drawing one of their last five matches at the London Stadium.
The Hammers themselves sit in fourth in the table but have failed to win any of their last three games, losing to both Wolves and Manchester City, before a 1-1 draw with Brighton in the week.
It is a massive game for both sides, with Chelsea currently leading the title charge and the Hammers occupying that fourth spot, but any sort of slip-up could see them tumble down the table quickly.
Relegation battle again at St James’ Park
Newcastle still remain winless in the Premier League this season, failing to win any of their opening 14 matches, drawing seven and losing seven.
Eddie Howe will be absolutely desperate then to see the Magpies earn a first victory of the season against a Burnley side who themselves have only won once this year in the league.
After Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Norwich in the week, this battle of relegation-threatened teams has a similar feel to it – to lose would be a disaster.
The Magpies did not help themselves though, when Ciaran Clark saw a red card early following a silly shirt pull on Teemu Pukki and this weekend they will have to be at their best.
The Clarets are unbeaten in their last five and have the threat of the in-form Maxwel Cornet, who has five goals in just nine Premier League appearances.
Southampton and Brighton headed for a draw?
Southampton and Brighton have struggled for goals this season, with both sides scoring just 13 times in 14 games.
So it seems unlikely that this will be a goal fest, especially with Brighton’s defence proving particularly stubborn, with their 15 goals conceded the fifth fewest in the league.
Neither side have a win in their last three matches, and while victory would be a preferable result, would both be happy with a point at the current stage of the season?
With Southampton only winning three games and Brighton four, it’s entirely possible they’ll be heading for yet another draw, and don’t be surprised if it’s 0-0.
Liverpool looking to continue outstanding form against Wolves
Another team right in the title race is the bang-in-form Liverpool who have responded to their 3-2 defeat to West Ham with three thumping victories, scoring four goals in each of them.
They have now netted 43 times in the opening 14 games of the season, which is more than any team in history at this point of the campaign.
Wolves boast a joint fourth best defence in the league with the Reds, conceding just 12 goals this season, but have not beaten Liverpool in the Premier League since December 2010.
They will have a challenge in stopping Mohammed Salah too, who has now scored 13 and assisted eight, meaning he has scored more than Wolves as a team (12) so far this season...
Watford face ominous City tie
The third team in the title race is Manchester City, who are looking to continue their incredible run of form against a Watford side who have shown glimpses in recent weeks of what they are capable of.
The Citizens have won the four matches since a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, including a 2-0 win in the Manchester derby.
Watford’s 4-1 win over the same opposition proved to be the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but they have struggled defensively at times, as shown in the recent 4-2 defeat to Leicester.
City’s record over Watford is incredible, with the Hornets failing to beat City since a 1-0 win in the old Division Two way back in March 1989.
City also average a 6-0 win over the Hornets in their past three clashes, showing the size of the task for Watford.
Leeds looking to keep winning in big Brentford clash
Leeds returned to winning ways in the dying seconds against Crystal Palace in the week, with a Raphinha penalty in stoppage time enough for the three points.
That win was their first in November and lifted them above both Watford and Southampton in the table.
They now face a Brentford side who despite being three places above them in the table, are just one point ahead, meaning a win for Marcelo Bielsa’s men would see them usurp the Bees.
Leeds held the bragging rights the last time the teams faced each other, as they triumphed 1-0 at Elland Road and secured a 1-1 draw at Griffin Park in the 2019/20 Championship.
United looking to start long run under Rangnick
United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal last night showed just what they are capable of and with new boss Ralf Rangnick set to be in the dugout at Old Trafford on Sunday, there is a real sense of optimism in Manchester suddenly.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace yesterday could well start up a typical run of scoring from the Portuguese forward, with a very favourable set of fixtures ahead of the Red Devils.
They face a Crystal Palace side who have only won three times this season, although one of those was the shock 2-0 triumph over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Eagles will be hoping to replicate their 3-1 victory at Old Trafford last season, when former United forward Wilfried Zaha was at the double.
Spurs hoping for more of the same against Norwich
Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford on Thursday night was just what Antonio Conte ordered, as Tottenham earned back-to-back wins in the Premier League after beating Leeds 2-1 two weeks ago.
They now host a Norwich side who have leaked goals against top opposition, including a 7-0 thrashing by Chelsea and a 5-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City.
Harry Kane will be hoping to finally find some form in the Premier League, scoring just once this season, against Newcastle, while Heung Min Son will hope for more of the same after his goal against Brentford.
It will be Dean Smith’s most challenging game in charge of Norwich so far, with the Canaries unbeaten since the former Villa manager took charge but this will prove to be a real test for Smith and his men.
Villa and Leicester meet in battle of under-performers
Leicester City visit Villa Park after yet another disappointing result this season, a 2-2 draw with Southampton St. Mary’s.
Their lack of form sees them sitting in just tenth in the table, currently five points off West Ham in fourth.
Villa meanwhile saw Dean Smith sacked following a 1-0 loss to the Saints and bounced back with two defeats in a row under new manager Steven Gerrard, but Villa have only won five of their 14 matches this season.
Whoever takes the spoils in this one will be significantly happier heading into the festive fixtures, while the losers will continue to under-perform.
Rafa on the brink for the Toffees?
Rafa Benitez endured another miserable evening at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, as Everton suffered a 4-1 defeat to their Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
They have lost four of their past five games, putting them last in the table in terms of form and the pressure is firmly on the Everton boss.
They meet an Arsenal side who will be desperate to return to winning ways after their midweek 3-2 loss to Manchester United in what is an important Monday night tie for both sides.
Arsenal’s record against sides in the bottom half of the table has been very good this season and they meet an Everton team who scored just one goal in November.