The Barclays Premier League will enter its busiest period this month as teams play games in quick succession in the festive season. This period can make or break a club’s season and will be very important for clubs to achieve their seasonal goals.
This week, the Premier League has some exciting matches as clubs at either ends of the table try to better their position or strengthen it. Here are 10 things to look forward to in this week’s Premier League action:
1. Can the Cherries extend their 4-match un-beaten run?
Eddie Howie has done wonders with the newly promoted Bournemouth squad with almost no financial aid. He has also been unlucky with the number of injuries to his squad and his team are just 2 points away from the relegation zone even after picking up 8 points in the last 4 league games. They beat Chelsea and Manchester United in their last two games and will hope to give the Baggies a run for their money on Saturday.
2. Pardew has a chance to move up the table
Crystal Palace are a side that are always hard to beat even for the big clubs in the Premier League. Alan Pardew’s side are a well knit group and have plenty of match winners who can take the game away from the opponents. They will face an in-form Stoke City side that beat Manchester City just two weeks ago. This game represents a great chance for both teams to climb up in the points table with a victory on the night.
3. Ranieri facing his toughest task yet
Leicester City, the team of the season in the Premier League so far will face its toughest run of fixtures yet starting this Saturday with a trip to the Goodison Park. It will be an important game for the table toppers as Martinez’ men have shown great quality on the field and can easily get a result from this game. They will face Liverpool and Manchester City in their next two games and will have to fight hard to keep their place at the top of the table intact.
4. Time running out for Louis van Gaal
The Dutch manager has already expressed that he might be the next manager to follow Jose Mourinho to exit the Premier League if his team’s performances continue to be below par. United have failed to create enough chances in the final third and are looking vulnerable at the back off late. They have a relatively easy fixture against Norwich City at home and will hope to get back to winning ways after a 4 match winless streak in all competitions.
5. Chelsea’s players under immense pressure
The sacking of the special one after reports about a rift between him and the players has left the London franchise without a manager for the match against Sunderland on Saturday. The players have been accused of not giving their best under the Portuguese and he will be proven right if the Blues are able to brush aside the Black Cats right after sacking the manager. A comfortable victory this week will surely shift the focus on the player’s mind-set under Mourinho and whether the owners were right to show him the door after just 3 poor months.
6. Tottenham should come out of the hangover
Pochettino’s side faced just their second defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a late come back from Newcastle United in last week’s Premier League encounter. The Spurs are still in the top third of the table and a victory in the game against the Saints will see them take a step closer to the top 4 spots. The Saints are also fresh from a loss against Crystal Palace and will need to give their best to get a result from this game.
7. Steve McClaren has a great chance to pile on the misery on Villa
Remi Garde us yet to win a Premier League game since his arrival and has an outside chance when they play the Magpies this week in the Premier League. Newcastle United are coming into this game with back to back victories against Liverpool and Tottenham and will hope to take all three points against Remi Garde’s side who are placed bottom of the table. A loss against the Toon will only see Villa sink deeper into the relegation battle.
8. Jurgen Klopp is once again on the road
The German manager was ecstatic to see his team come back from behind to clinch a vital point against the Baggies last weekend and will travel to Watford this weekend for an interesting fixture. Watford are two places above Liverpool and will wary of their threat away from home. Klopp will hope that his team can find their winning form and that they can start their ascend up the table in this busy festive period.
9. Slaven Bilic feeling the pressure
The Hammers started the season with great victories against big sides but have not been impressive in the last few games. They have scored just 3 goals in the last 6 games and have not scored a goal in the last two. The manager will have to address this problem when they take on the Swans who showed great fight against the Citizens last week. It will be an important match for both teams as a victory can take them up the table.
10. A top of the table clash marred by injuries
Arsenal and Manchester City take on each other in the match of the season so far but the focus of both the managers will be on getting their players to be fit for the game. Both clubs are missing some important names on the team sheet and will have to come out with the right mind-set as the result of this game will surely open a gap at the top of the table. City are without an away goal from September and will be under pressure on Monday when they take on the Gunners.