The Premier League The title race is heating up and crises are brewing at clubs further down the table as Gameweek 15 gets underway this weekend.
Liverpool’s nine-point lead at the top of the table was cut to seven after rivals Chelsea and Arsenal both secured wins to capitalize on a thrilling draw at St James’ Park, while Manchester City ended their woeful run with a much needed win.
The bottom three of Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town were defeated in their last games and lost ground in the battle to avoid relegation. For some teams, Gameweek 15 could be very defining during the 2024/25 season.
Here’s how 90 minutes see the following list of matches to be played this weekend.
Saturday December 7
LiverpoolA draw at Newcastle United means their trip to everton in the Merseyside derby it takes on even more importance. The Reds couldn’t hold on 3-2 and they have some key absences in defence, something the Toffees, buoyed by a 4-0 thrashing of Wolves, will look to capitalize on in their latest meeting at Goodison Park.
Aston Villa ended a horrific eight-game winless run by beating Brentford last time out and the comfort of home may once again be decisive when Southampton visit The saints were truly abject in a 5-1 thrashing at Chelsea and they will have little hope of a better result if they are similarly self-destructive at Villa Park.
No team has scored more points at home this season than Brentfordwhose poor away record means they only sit 11th in the table. Without a doubt, your decision will be tested by Newcastlewho proved defiant against Liverpool despite an indifferent start to the campaign.
Crystal Palace they are 17th but have a three-point buffer over Ipswich after winning at Portman Road in midweek. Scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta will score Manchester CityA depleted core from a stern examination, but the reigning champions looked more convincing against Nottingham Forest and will be hoping that the guile and art of Kevin De Bruyne can fire them to another three points.
Saturday’s televised game sees the cameras return to Old Trafford where Manchester United will seek to recover Nottingham Forest after suffering a first defeat under new coach Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils were undone by Arsenal’s experience in the ball game but he will be hoping for more joy against a Forest side who have lost three of their last four games.
|
Start Time (GMT) |
fixation |
prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
12:30 |
Everton vs Liverpool |
1-1 |
|
15:00 |
Aston Villa vs Southampton |
3-1 |
|
15:00 |
Brentford vs Newcastle United |
2-2 |
|
15:00 |
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City |
1-2 |
|
5:30 p.m |
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest |
2-1 |
Sunday, December 8
arsenal remain in the title race after hosting United and their next task is a trip to Craven Cottage where Fulham they are waiting for them The Cottagers can take inspiration from two-goal hero and former Gunner Alex Iwobi after his performance against Brighton & Hove Albion, but Mikel Arteta’s outfit have the teeth between their teeth right now and are firm favourites.
They have seen two defeats in a row Ipswich slide into the relegation zone, making his first confrontation with Bournemouth in more than nine years a very important one. The Cherries would have thrashed Tottenham Hotspur with some clinical finishing, but they still emerged victorious and could claim a third straight win.
City of Leicester have improved greatly in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first outing as manager as they hammered West Ham United and the Dutchman will fancy his chances at the King Power Stadium against a Brighton team licking their wounds after losing at Fulham.
Sunday’s games conclude with a big London derby Tottenham i Chelseatwo faces in distinctly different moods. The spurs were lifeless at Bournemouth and were being cut open again and again. This sloppy against the Blues, who managed five at Southampton last time out, will be punished by their home rivals, potentially widening the gap between the pair to 11 points.
|
Start Time (GMT) |
fixation |
prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
2:00 p.m |
Fulham vs Arsenal |
1-2 |
|
2:00 p.m |
Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth |
1-2 |
|
2:00 p.m |
Leicester City vs Brighton |
2-2 |
|
4:30 p.m |
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea |
1-3 |
Monday, December 9
Monday night brings Week 15 to a close and there will be tension in the air at the London Stadium when West Ham to entertain Wolves. Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil are fighting for their jobs and the outcome of this match could have immediate consequences for the loser. The Hammers have home advantage and could have a tight game, but neither team looks particularly convincing at this stage of the campaign.
|
Start Time (GMT) |
fixation |
prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
20:00 |
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers |
2-1 |
