Each week we preview the Premier League action and discuss some of the division’s major talking points.
Who will be top and bottom at Christmas?
Emphasis is often placed on the teams who bookend the Premier League table at Christmas. For years, the side that was bottom was deemed certain for the drop.
West Brom in 2004/05, Sunderland in 2013/14, Leicester in 2014/15 and Wolves last season are the only teams to have survived when bottom at Christmas. Each had 10 points, the lowest a team has had at Christmas and survived. Sheffield United (8 points) are currently bottom, though both Burnley (8) and Luton (9) could take the unwanted spot on December 25.
If they beat Sheffield United and Liverpool vs. Arsenal finishes as a draw, Aston Villa will be just the second non ‘Big Six’ side in the last 20 seasons to be top of the Premier League at Christmas after Leicester City in 2015/16.
And we all know what happened that season…… pic.twitter.com/vb6MsxSnCE
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 17, 2023
Meanwhile, Arsenal are top of the table heading into this weekend’s showdown with second-placed Liverpool. A win for either would put them top for the Christmas celebrations, but a draw could see Aston Villa leapfrog them both if Unai Emery’s side win at Sheffield United on Friday.
Villa could become the first non-Big Six team to top the table at Christmas since Leicester in 2015/16. The Foxes went on to win the title that season.
Seagulls stuttering ahead of A23 derby
Brighton’s brilliant start to the season is in danger of unravelling, ahead of a clash with rivals Crystal Palace on Thursday night. Roberto De Zerbi’s side topped the table for the first time in their history earlier in the season and won five of their opening six games.
Since then, however, it’s been a steep downturn in Premier League form. Brighton have won just two of their last 10 games and sit 15th in the table for points won over that period. Against Arsenal last weekend, the Seagulls mustered just one shot on target.
Brighton are without a clean sheet in 21 Premier League games, with their last shut-out coming at Arsenal in May. It’s the club’s longest-ever run without a league clean sheet.
A clash with Palace should serve as ideal motivation to turn that form around, with mutual dislike aplenty in one of the Premier League’s most unique rivalries. Brighton, however, have failed to beat the Eagles in the last four meetings between the teams.
Moyes must remove Hammers’ handbrake
Old habits die hard. The longevity of David Moyes has been built on non-negotiable fundamentals. Defensive shape, set-piece threat and a demand for work-rate have all been associated with successful Moyes sides.
The perceptions around his management have made Moyes a divisive figure at West Ham, where despite leading the Irons to Europa Conference League success last season, sections of the fanbase can’t help but wonder whether the grass might be greener, with a fresher, more ambitious approach.
West Ham’s recent recruitment has provided the squad with options to change that narrative. Lucas Paqueta is the latest East End entertainer, while Mohammed Kudus has quickly joined that company. Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen has been reinvented into a mobile centre-forward.
Ridiculous from @LucasPaqueta97 ???? pic.twitter.com/6TkTMyNCS0
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 20, 2023
Against Wolves last weekend, plenty clicked for West Ham’s attacking options. Kudus (2) and Bowen were on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win at the London Stadium, with Paqueta claiming a hat-trick of assists. In midweek, the Hammers were humbled with a defensive set up at Liverpool, losing 5-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with Paqueta starting on the bench.
The Hammers are just two points from the top six, and this week face a Manchester United team a point and place above them. For Moyes, with this team, the best form of defence might be to attack.
Welcome back, Nuno
Nuno Espirito Santo is back in the Premier League after being named Nottingham Forest’s manager this week. The Portuguese coach replaces Steve Cooper, who was sacked after five defeats in six league games.
Nuno was sacked after just 17 games in charge at Tottenham in his last English role, but earned credit at Wolves beforehand and led Al-Ittihad to the Saudi Pro League last season. A pragmatic coach, the 49-year-old’s immediate task will be to stop the rot of results, before bringing the best from Forest’s forward options. Forest are the second-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season and are without leading scorer Taiwo Awoniyi through injury.
“I’m very honoured. It’s a pleasure to be here at [Nottingham] Forest”
Nuno Espírito Santo says it ‘feels great’ being back in the Premier League ???? pic.twitter.com/g1rRSOM8Lk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2023
It will be fascinating to see the dynamic between the new head coach and Morgan Gibbs-White. The latter was Forest’s Player of the Season in 2022/23 but has failed to replicate that form this time around. The creative midfielder knows Nuno from their time together at Wolves, though struggled to establish himself at Molineux under the now Forest boss.
Tottenham target Todibo to boost Champions League chase
Ange Postecoglou has had to deal with mounting absences in his Spurs squad, with injuries and suspensions having left the Australian with problems to fix. With Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min all set to depart for international tournaments next month, additions are required.
Tottenham are understood to have opened talks with Nice over the signing of Jean-Clair Todibo. Micky van de Ven’s absence has left Spurs short of options in central defence and the Frenchman appears a fine fit for Postecoglou’s brand of football.
Todibo made his senior debut for France in September, an achievement of real note given Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate are among the French options in his position.
???? Jean-Clear Todibo has won possession in the defensive third more times (228) than any other player since the start of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season pic.twitter.com/vZEKBVIUH1
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 18, 2023
The 23-year-old ranks in the 94th percentile of defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons (0.64) and tackles (2.41) per game, while an average of 78.40 attempted passes per 90 – at a completion rate of 89.5% – also rank him in the elite bracket.
A prolific tackler and progressive passer with calm in possession, he fits the Postecoglou mould ideally.
Arsenal can claim favourites tag with Anfield win
The Premier League title race might be as fascinating as we can remember in recent memory, with the top three separated by just a point heading into this weekend’s games. That three-horse race does not even include Manchester City, who will surely return from the Club World Cup with renewed focus.
Arsenal are the leaders as we head into this weekend, where the Gunners face a crucial clash with second-placed Liverpool at Anfield. The latter lost their 100% home record in a goalless draw with Manchester United last time out, a fixture which raised questions around Liverpool’s title credentials.
???? Eddie’s pass
???? Kai’s finishFine free-flowing football ???? pic.twitter.com/UHA2kFw2HN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2023
Arsenal, meanwhile, swatted aside Brighton in an impressive performance in North London, and look the most assured of the would-be title contenders so far. Declan Rice has been a driving force in Arsenal’s run to the top spot, while the Gunners are sharing their goals around this season. With the division’s joint-best defensive record, Arsenal look well placed for a tilt at the title.
A win this weekend could cement Arsenal a position as title favourites. The North Londoners have not won at Liverpool in the Premier League for more than a decade. Their last 10 visits have brought zero wins, seven defeats and 34 goals conceded.
Klopp calm on chaotic Nunez
Darwin Nunez has divided opinion more than Yorkshire Puddings on a Christmas Dinner since signing for Liverpool. The Uruguayan has been one of the most watchable players in the division in a red shirt, though not always for the right reasons.
Nunez’s game has been mixed with erratic finishing and moments of elite quality, an all-round package that has perhaps fallen below expectations. Nunez extended his run to 11 games without a goal in all competitions last weekend, as Liverpool took 1,000,000 34 shots without scoring against Manchester United at Anfield.
Straight out of the top drawer from @Darwinn99 ???????? pic.twitter.com/AIXqdjSH4w
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 2, 2023
Another blank followed against West Ham in midweek despite a lively performance, while his last league goal came on September 24. Liverpool can not afford another wasteful showing as Arsenal visit Anfield this weekend. Klopp, however, remains convinced by the 24-year-old.
“He stays in the games. He’s super positive in and around the game. He was a bit, like, aggressive in a little bit the wrong way in the beginning. When things don’t go well,” he said in an interview with Prime Video.
“Now he’s completely relaxed in this moment. He is aggressive but in the right way. I’m really, really happy with what I see at the moment and the rest will come. So, we are completely calm, that’s how it is.
“Could have have scored more goals? Yes, of course. Could he have more situations? I don’t think so, he has all the moments. And now we have to work on the last touch.”
Nkunku’s return can ease pressure on Jackson
It’s fair to say Nicolas Jackson’s first season in the Premier League has been a mixed bag. At surface level, a return of seven goals from 13 starts is an impressive return, particularly for a young player still adapting to the demands of the division.
Jackson, however, has faced criticism for his finishing this season and ranks fourth in the Premier League for big chances missed (11). That Erling Haaland (17) and Ollie Watkins (13), arguably the two best forwards of the campaign, rank above him should offer some consolation.
Nicolas Jackson has scored his 7th Premier League goal of the season, and his first since scoring against Manchester City on 12th November.
Back on track. ????️ pic.twitter.com/LWQ0eYRzrG
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 16, 2023
At 22, Jackson has plenty of time to refine his game, but the absence of alternatives for Chelsea has meant he has been forced to learn on the job. Chelsea’s chequered history with centre-forwards has added to the intensity of the spotlight on the Senegalese striker.
The return of Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku from injury should provide Jackson with pressure relief. Yes, he could (and should) have done better on occasion this season, but Jackson’s adaptation, given his inexperience, has been better than he has perhaps been given credit for.
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