5 things to look forward to in matchweek 20
01/04/2025 02:45 AM
It is time to prepare for a full slate of action in the New Year as Matchweek 20 of the 2024/25 season begins.
Matchweek 19 delivered multiple notable headlines, ranging from Ipswich Town shocking Chelsea, Newcastle United breezing past Manchester United, Liverpool drubbing West Ham United and Aston Villa sharing the spoils with Brighton.
Only time will tell if Matchweek 20 can live up to that drama, but on the pitch, there are plenty of quality games on the menu starting from Saturday's lunch-time kickoff. With that being said, here are 5 things to look forward to in matchweek 20 of the Premier League season.
#Will the Nottingham Forest juggernaut keep rolling?
It's safe to assume Nottingham Forest as a genuine contender to break into the top four this season, even though there is so much competition. With a 2-0 away win at Everton last time out, they sit third in the table.
It is difficult to find fault in Nuno Espirito Santo's side, who have won five consecutive Premier League games. The Tricky Trees' next opponents, Wolverhampton Wanderers are enjoying a new manager bounce under Vitor Pereira. They have won two and drawn one in Pereira's opening three games, so Wolves will be confident when hosting Midlands rivals at Molineux.
With the rollicking form they are in, Forest have a great chance of ending Pereira's unbeaten start to his tenure at Wolves and winning the bragging rights on the enemy turf.
#Chelsea must plan for Crystal Palace breaks
Crystal Palace deservedly won 2-1 over Southampton last time out—their only fourth victory of the campaign. They had only 46% possession at home against basement club Southampton, and do not expect Oliver Glasner to change things when Palace host Chelsea on Saturday.
Chelsea should enjoy the lion’s share of possession but must beware of the Eagles' threat on the break, something they failed to do so at Ipswich Town and lost. Glasner's side may look to follow the template of Ipswich Town and get the better of Chelsea. Palace's pacey attackers Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will be licking their lips.
#Liverpool can pile more misery on Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim's dreadful start to his Manchester United adventure continued on Monday as his side fell to their fifth defeat in the last six Premier League games, as Newcastle United tore them apart in the opening half hour of their 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.
That losing run has left Man United languishing in 14th place in the table, just seven points clear of the bottom three. Their next opponents are bitter rivals Liverpool, who have been simply scintillating to watch under new boss Arne Slot. The Reds slaughtered a hapless West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday to maintain their six-point lead at the summit.
With the dismal form Man United find themselves in, it is perhaps the best time for Arne Slot and Co. to host them at Anfield and compound misery on Amorim.
#Newcastle United plot to wreak havoc in north London
Newcastle United were outstanding in the first half at Old Trafford on Monday, slicing Man United open like a hot knife through butter multiple times. They scored two goals and should've had a couple more to complete a Man United rout.
The Magpies, who are on a five-game winning run in the league, come up against another struggling side in Tottenham Hotspur. Eight points separate Newcastle in fifth place and Tottenham in 11th. Spurs have been decimated by injuries this season with Destiny Udogie becoming the latest casualty in defence.
So, a victory for the visitors would represent a perfect start to 2025. Eddie Howe's side are a well-oiled machine and are in fantastic form of late, so do not be surprised if they leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with three points.
#Leicester City must plan to become ugly at Villa Park
After replacing Steve Cooper at the helm, Ruud van Nistelrooy looked to have stabilized the Leicester City ship with a win over West Ham and a last-minute draw against Brighton. However, they have since lost four consecutive games—shipping 12 goals in response to one.
Their next assignment is a trip to Aston Villa in a high-stakes Midlands derby. Van Nistelrooy will need help from the January transfer market but for now, he has to make do with the resources at his disposal.
Leicester are conceding way too many goals for the Dutchman's liking and he will have to stop the rot. He has to make his side harder to beat when they visit Villa. Would any fan object to the Foxes grinding out an ugly 1-0 win at Villa Park?
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