The Premier League returns with a full docket this week, after FA Cup action and the winter break. Full focus returns to the top flight as all 20 teams feature. Liverpool lead the way, five points clear of Manchester City. At the bottom, Sheffield United find themselves seven points adrift of safety, and desperate for points.
Here are five things to look out for
Arsenal look to close the gap
Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest, in the hope of closing the gap to two points at the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta’s side had the weekend off due to FA Cup action, of which they were knocked out of in the third round, meanwhile their opponents Nottingham Forest played out a stalemate away to Bristol City.
Arsenal are coming off the back of a much needed win against Crystal Palace. The 5-0 thrashing was a huge morale boost after Arsenal had suffered defeat in their previous three games. Arsenal play a day earlier than the teams around them, so will see this as a great opportunity to put the pressure back on the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. Arsenal have not won away from home since the beginning of December – their crazy 4-3 win over Luton. A huge chance to close the gap, but Forest are no pushovers, and demonstrated this by beating Arsenal at the City Ground last season.
Score prediction: 1-2
City aim to keep the good times rolling
Manchester City have won five games in a row in all competitions since their return from the FIFA Club World Cup. Within that, they have won three Premier League games in a row, after dropping points in a 2-2 with Crystal Palace in December. City still have a game in hand, but this week host Burnley at the Etihad in what could be seen as a routine win for City. However Vincent Kompany will return to the Etihad hoping to upset the apple cart.
The return of Kevin De Bruyne has lifted spirits around the City camp, and a win against Burnley will have Liverpool looking over their shoulders. Pep Guardiola will be eyeing a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. Erling Haaland has been out of action since early December, City fans will be eager to see him return soon as he continues to recover from a foot injury. City currently have the win in their sales and fixtures against Burnley, Brentford and Everton before returning to Champions League action next month.
Score prediction: 3-0
Spurs will look to avoid being stung by bees
Ange Postecoglou’s first Premier League game in charge was at the Gtech in a 2-2 draw on the opening weekend of the season. We got to see a glimpse of ‘Ange Ball’, as Brentford put up a stern test against Spurs. Fast forward five months and Spurs sit fifth in the league, three points off the top four. Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United last time out in the Premier League was described as ‘an outstanding performance’ by Postecoglou.
After suffering a late defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup, Tottenham will aim to bounce back against a Brentford team who have been lifted with the return of Ivan Toney. The Bees’ win against Nottingham Forest had eased the pressure on the side, who were languishing near the relegation zone. Spurs’ defeat in the FA Cup means it is just the Premier League on the agenda until May. The focus now for Postecoglou is try and bring European football back to the white side of north London.
Score prediction: 2-1
Klopp’s Premier League farewell begins
Jurgen Klopp shocked the footballing world on Friday by announcing he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. The players responded in fashion against Norwich in the FA Cup, winning 5-2 at Anfield. But the countdown as begun to Klopp’s last game in charge, at home to Wolves in their final game.
Chelsea travel to Anfield as the league leaders look to extend their grip on top spot, but Chelsea are beginning to purr under Mauricio Pochettino. The last seven meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw, two of those games were cup finals, and went to penalties which Liverpool were victorious in both times. These two will go head-to-head in the Carabao Cup final next month too, but all the focus will be on the Premier League in this clash
Score prediction: 2-1
United look to tighten up away form
Manchester United have not won away from home in the Premier League since late November, a 3-0 win over Everton. Since then they have lost to Newcastle, West Ham and Nottingham Forest, drawing 0-0 to Liverpool too. They travel to Wolves this week on the back of two away wins in the FA Cup against Wigan and Newport, but in the Premier League, their form away from Old Trafford has stuttered.
Manchester United are 11 points off the top four, and it looks unlikely they will be able to wedge themselves back in Champions League contention. Wolves are sitting pretty in mid-table with an impressive unbeaten run of seven games. Gary O’Neil side felt aggrieved they did not get anything from Old Trafford on the opening weekend and will look to exploit Manchester United’s weak away form. A Wolves win at Molineux will have the hosts on the same points as United. Erik ten Hag needs to be careful of not letting his side slide down the league standings.
Score prediction: 1-1
