So, the place have been we then?

Football did not come dwelling from Qatar in the long run. That’s alright – as a result of what we’re actually after is the nerve-jangling, topsy-turvy, nail-biting rollercoaster that’s Premier League soccer.

The pleasure of the World Cup means some might wrestle to recollect precisely the place we left issues within the prime flight again in the midst of November. Teams have been on cloud 9, managers have been below strain, gamers have been going by purple patches and followers have been as vocal as ever, each positively and negatively.

So many questions want answering over the subsequent six months. Is this Arsenal’s time? Can the out-of-form golf equipment on the backside flip their fortunes round? Have Manchester United truly turned a nook?

Sky Sports’ soccer writers give us an in depth reminder concerning the speaking factors at every Premier League membership – and the place their destiny might lie…

Arsenal

Position: 1st (37 factors)

Top goalscorer: Martin Odegaard (6 targets)

Next three PL video games: West Ham (H), Brighton (A), Newcastle (H)

A month on from their final Premier League recreation, Arsenal followers may very well be forgiven for considering it was all a dream. But it wasn’t. You actually are 5 factors away from Manchester City on the prime of the desk.

The problem now could be staying there and the duty has been made more durable by the knee harm which curtailed Gabriel Jesus’ World Cup involvement and is anticipated to maintain him out for 3 months.

The Brazilian striker solely scored 5 instances within the 14 Premier League video games earlier than the break – and none within the final six – however his affect on Arsenal’s all-round recreation following his arrival from City has been transformational.

Will they have the ability to maintain their good begin with out him?

Others have stepped up by way of their scoring output, together with Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka, who’ve netted 18 targets between them, however changing the whole lot else Jesus provides is one other matter.

Eddie Nketiah will hope to grab his likelihood. The January switch window might open up prospects too. But Arsenal head into the restart understanding how they cope with out Jesus is more likely to make or break their title problem.
Nick Wright

Aston Villa

Position: twelfth (18 factors)

Top goalscorer: Danny Ings (6 targets)

Next three PL video games: Liverpool (H), Tottenham (A), Wolves (H)

The humbling defeat at Fulham which led to Steven Gerrard’s sacking inside two hours of the full-time whistle is lengthy forgotten at Aston Villa now.

Three Premier League wins from 4 and the appointment of Unai Emery rapidly moved the membership into a brand new period – and crucially 5 factors above the drop.

Victories over Manchester United and Brighton in Emery’s first two video games raised hopes that their UAE coaching camp may very well be used to even better impact. After all, it has been away from dwelling the place the crew’s points have been laid naked, accumulating simply 5 factors from eight matches.

But prime of the listing of issues for Emery to repair is an assault that has produced solely 16 targets in 15 video games. After scoring simply seven instances within the first 11 matches below Gerrard, they’ve netted 9 within the 4 since.

Emery has deployed a 4-2-2-2 formation that advantages ahead pair Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, and in addition seems to go well with midfielders reminiscent of Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn. But Villa want attacking reinforcements this winter – notably in extensive areas – if they’re to push for a top-half end.

A transfer for proficient ahead Joao Felix appears formidable though Villa followers will welcome a extra constructive strategy below Emery.
David Richardson

Bournemouth

Position: 14th (16 factors)

Top goalscorers: Phillip Billing and Kieffer Moore (4 targets)

Next three PL video games: Chelsea (A), Crystal Palace (H), Man United (A)

Rather a lot can change in 4 weeks. Since the beginning of the World Cup, Bournemouth have appointed Gary O’Neil as their everlasting head coach and change into the newest top-flight membership to fall below American possession. Although Bill Foley’s £100m-plus takeover had been on the playing cards for months, affirmation of the deal was solely introduced final week.

The 78-year-old Las Vegas-based billionaire has already revealed his plans to develop the Vitality Stadium and coaching amenities on the south coast, and he solely instructed Sky Sports News he expects “four or five new players” to reach within the January switch window.

Assisted by Hollywood award-winning actor, director and producer Michael B. Jordan, Foley has instantly put Bournemouth below the worldwide highlight. It’s an thrilling time for everybody concerned with the membership.

The fast goal stays Premier League survival, however Foley clearly believes O’Neil can obtain that feat having steadied the ship since Scott Parker’s dismissal on the finish of August. Bournemouth have gained 4, drawn 4 and misplaced 4 below the 39-year-old and are 14th within the desk, three factors above the relegation zone.

There is bound to be an additional buzz across the city when the Cherries play their first dwelling recreation in seven weeks in opposition to Crystal Palace on December 31. Foley might be watching in individual that day.

The resumption of the home season might not appear a massively vital second for many, however for Bournemouth it represents the daybreak of a brand new period.
Dan Sansom

Brentford

Position: tenth (19 factors)

Top goalscorer: Ivan Toney (11 targets)

Next three PL video games: Tottenham (H), West Ham (A), Liverpool (H)

Barring the 5-1 horror present at Newcastle and the 4-0 defeat away to Aston Villa, Brentford had quashed any hypothesis over whether or not they have been about to be the subsequent victims of the fabled ‘second season syndrome’ by the point the Premier League paused for the World Cup final month. If it was not the case already, they seem to have very a lot established themselves as a part of the furnishings within the prime flight.

And who might overlook the way in which in they entered the break? Days after an embarrassing Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Gillingham, they went to the Etihad as outright underdogs, but didn’t crumble and got here away with a completely deserved 2-1 win in opposition to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

The Bees’ talisman frontman Ivan Toney was very a lot within the highlight that afternoon. He responded to Gareth Southgate’s resolution to omit him from the England squad by scoring each targets, which left many questioning why he wouldn’t be travelling to Qatar, notably given his beautiful penalty report and the actual fact he was the league’s second highest scoring Englishman with 10 targets, behind solely Harry Kane.

Just just a few days later, it was revealed that Toney had been charged over 232 alleged breaches of betting rules between February 2017 and January 2021.

He was a part of Brentford’s journey to Spain earlier this month and performed an energetic half in mid-season friendlies in opposition to Bordeaux, Celta Vigo and Wolfsburg, however then got here the information he had been charged with a further 30 alleged breaches of FA betting rules.

If the allegations in opposition to him are confirmed, the striker might face a prolonged ban. Given the actual fact he has scored 11 of Brentford’s 26 targets in all competitions thus far this time period – with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa following up with three every – you do get the sensation the Bees might be wanting over their shoulder considerably with reference to developments within the saga.
Dan Long

Brighton

Position: seventh (21 factors)

Top goalscorer: Leandro Trossard (7 targets)

Next three PL video games: Southampton (A), Arsenal (H), Everton (A)

Roberto De Zerbi endured a tough begin to life at Brighton after his explosive debut within the dugout – the 3-3 draw with Liverpool in October – continuing to lose three of the next 4 video games.

However, that hunch was turned on its head when the Italian oversaw a shock 4-1 win over former Brighton supervisor Graham Potter and his Chelsea megastars – earlier than beating rock-bottom Wolves 2-1 the next week.

But Brighton didn’t maintain the successful momentum and signed off for the World Cup break with a 2-1 defeat in opposition to Aston Villa – so De Zerbi would have welcomed the six-week interval to reset and consider.

That stated, Brighton’s spectacular begin to the marketing campaign means they sit seventh within the desk, forward of Chelsea and merely one level shy of Liverpool.

Eight gamers represented Brighton in Qatar, together with World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister – one other indication of the membership’s phenomenal improvement in recent times.

In phrases of spending energy within the upcoming switch window, the Seagulls have money to spend after offloading key gamers Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella for giant bucks in the summertime, receiving compensation from Chelsea for Potter and promoting Ben White to Arsenal for £50m in July 2021.

However, Brighton have a tendency to stay frugal and recruit left-field gamers at discount costs. Mac Allister is an ideal instance: scouted and approached in Argentina after intensive information analysis – signing the midfielder for under £7m.

The numbers recommend Brighton’s enjoying fashion has been just like ‘huge six’ golf equipment for some time, however with one stark distinction: they’ve lacked a scientific goalscorer.

Indeed, regardless of restricted choices up prime, the membership ranks among the many prime seven groups for targets, anticipated targets, pictures, possibilities created, complete passes, passes within the closing third and reclaiming possession within the closing third.

With the world-class skills of Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard and Moises Caicedo delivering in midfield and assault, De Zerbi would possibly look to bolster his defence as a precedence in January, having conceded 14 targets in his eight video games.

Against Villa, Pascal Gross began at right-back for the third recreation working, whereas Lewis Dunk partnered 19-year-old Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill – with the Brighton boss pressured to accept some makeshift fixes after Adam Webster was dominated out with sickness.

Ghana worldwide Tariq Lamptey supplies a top quality choice at full-back, however the Seagulls would definitely profit from signing a centre-back and full-back, too.

Crucially, Brighton should stave off curiosity of their key World Cup stars.
Adam Smith

Chelsea

Position: eighth (21 factors)

Top goalscorer: Raheem Sterling (5 targets)

Next three PL video games: Bournemouth (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Manchester City (H)

Chelsea supporters may very well be forgiven for not wanting to recollect how their facet ended the primary half of the season.

The 1-0 defeat at Newcastle of their closing match earlier than the World Cup was their third loss in a row, with the Blues failing to register a aim, not to mention some extent, in that run.

The pause within the season got here on the excellent time for Graham Potter who, after having fun with a nine-game unbeaten begin after arriving in September, regarded like a person in want of a break by November.

The former Brighton boss likened the duty of guiding Chelsea by their busy fixture schedule to being in a washer and spoke of his have to “recover”.

After presumably taking time to analyse his first months at Stamford Bridge, Potter was again at work earlier this month, main Chelsea’s coaching camp in Abu Dhabi. With the top coach determined to show round his facet’s kind, he’ll be relieved that they resume their season with two very winnable video games – Bournemouth at dwelling and Nottingham Forest away.

If Potter is ready to assist Chelsea accumulate six factors from these fixtures, he and his gamers will generate some much-needed momentum forward of a double-header in opposition to Manchester City at the start of January.

But if the west Londoners proceed to wrestle upon their return to the pitch, the strain on Potter will rapidly return – as will the questions over the course wherein Todd Boehly and his consortium are taking the membership.
Joe Shread

Crystal Palace

Position: eleventh (19 factors)

Top goalscorer: Wilfried Zaha (6 targets)

Next three PL video games: Fulham (H), Bournemouth (A), Tottenham (H)

Crystal Palace are nearly the place you’d anticipate them to be approaching the midway mark of the season.

Five wins from 14 matches has left them in eleventh forward of the league’s resumption. On Boxing Day, they host Fulham at Selhurst Park.

Despite failing to re-sign Conor Gallagher on mortgage, Palace have managed to take care of their consistency – the truth is, they’ve improved their return from this stage of final season by three factors.

The solely gloomy cloud hanging over Selhurst Park is the unsure way forward for star man Wilfried Zaha. With his deal at Palace expiring on the finish of the season, the 30-year-old is reportedly contemplating his choices away from his boyhood membership.

Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have proven their high quality, however have to take a step up if they’re to fill the large void that Zaha’s departure would create.

The remainder of this season may very well be key for the thrilling, attacking duo and their improvement to study extra from Zaha earlier than taking up his mantle as bona fide match-winners.
Zinny Boswell

Everton

Position: seventeenth (14 factors)

Top goalscorer: Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray (3 targets)

Next three PL video games: Wolves (H), Man City (A), Brighton (H)

The final time Everton took to a pitch, they have been seen wandering across the Vitality Stadium like misplaced souls for the second time within the area of 4 days. They can ill-afford a tough return when Wolves go to Goodison Park on Boxing Day.

Frank Lampard may have spent current weeks trying to recalibrate his choices after an encouraging begin to his first full season went out of the blue stale on the south coast. An mixture 7-1 defeat to Bournemouth throughout league and cup fixtures drew unsavoury scenes from the away end however Everton have since been to Australia to heal these wounds and refocus minds.

No facet has conceded extra pictures from excessive turnovers (29) suggesting that Lampard might once more need to revert to a extra pragmatic strategy if higher outcomes do not quickly materialise.

The Everton supervisor will not need to totally undo what he’ll see as a piece in progress; James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have shaped a stable partnership in entrance of Jordan Pickford whereas there may be guile, craft and poise within the rising expertise of Amadou Onana alongside the skilled Idrissa Gueye and Alex Iwobi revelling in his new function.

But to ensure that these doubters to change into believers as soon as extra within the Lampard venture, a major factors return from a busy run of video games and switch window should lie forward.

Offensively, Everton want a participant who can wreak havoc between the strains. They want a completely match Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they usually additionally want to handle the void left by Richarlison, as they dangle simply above the relegation zone. Only then can the membership develop huge in stature once more.
Ben Grounds

Fulham

Position: ninth (19 factors)

Top goalscorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic (9 targets)

Next three PL video games: Crystal Palace (A), Southampton (H), Leicester City (A)

Fulham have been sitting fairly in ninth when the season broke up for the World Cup, a greater than respectable exhibiting for a crew that solely gained promotion again to the Premier League final summer season – however their followers have been left questioning whether or not the break got here at a great or dangerous time.

Marco Silva’s facet had simply suffered back-to-back defeats within the league – solely their fifth and sixth of the marketing campaign – albeit at champions Manchester City and at dwelling to Manchester United.

Both these 2-1 reverses happened courtesy of deflating stoppage-time strikes, so perhaps the interruption for the World Cup got here on the proper time for the Cottagers, particularly as on the time prime scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic was absent with a foot harm.

The Serbia worldwide goes to be key to Fulham’s hopes of getting a equally profitable second half of the marketing campaign and securing a doable top-half end of their first season again within the Premier League.

Mitrovic scored a powerful 9 instances in simply 12 league video games earlier than the World Cup and Silva will little question have been relieved when Serbia suffered an early exit on the group stage in Qatar, affording his major man – who began each recreation for his nation within the match – some much-needed relaxation earlier than the motion will get below means once more at Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

If Fulham can preserve Mitrovic match between now and May, they are going to absolutely be eyeing a top-10 end.
Richard Morgan

Leeds

Position: fifteenth (15 factors)

Top goalscorer: Rodrigo (9 targets)

Next three PL video games: Manchester City (H), Newcastle (A), West Ham (H)

The restart seems to be daunting for Jesse Marsch’s Leeds, who welcome Manchester City earlier than travelling to third-placed Newcastle.

But keep in mind: Leeds went into the World Cup break because the division’s nice entertainers. Just the 22 targets have been scored in Leeds’ 4 most up-to-date league matches. That run included a victory at Anfield, and the comeback win from 3-1 all the way down to 4-3 up in opposition to Bournemouth.

They have been then 10 minutes away from beating Tottenham earlier than they themselves suffered a 4-3 turnover. Those outcomes have nearly stored Marsch in a job at Elland Road – with the German-American showing on the brink after a 3-2 dwelling loss to Fulham in late October.

The World Cup break might properly have suited Patrick Bamford, who had the remainder wanted to not solely keep away from harm but additionally put in some work on the coaching floor as he eyes a return from an unlucky run of accidents.

But if Bamford remains to be less than scratch, Leeds must look elsewhere. There’s loads of youthful promise in Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson behind Rodrigo – whose aim report in some way defies the remainder of his play.

But can a leaky defence stand robust within the opening weeks? They cannot simply depend on Tyler Adams, who put in some glorious World Cup shows whereas captaining the United States in Qatar.
Sam Blitz

Leicester

Position: thirteenth (17 factors)

Top goalscorer: James Maddison (7 targets)

Next three PL video games: Newcastle (H), Liverpool (A), Fulham (H)

Whether or not the timing of the World Cup was constructive for Leicester City stays to be seen.

In September, on the foot of the desk, Brendan Rodgers and his squad most likely would have snapped your hand off for a break from the negativity swirling across the membership.

However, an upturn in kind for James Maddison helped the East Midlands membership bounce as much as thirteenth within the desk, simply 4 factors from seventh.

With sixth to seventeenth separated by solely eight factors, European soccer stays an formidable but achievable goal. The Foxes might want to overcome sides that have been in kind earlier than the World Cup reminiscent of Fulham, Brighton and Brentford.

The World Cup will really feel like a race restart following a crash in F1 – sure, there may be an order, however momentum is misplaced, so anybody can capitalise in the event that they play their playing cards proper.

The momentum of Maddison, on his return from Qatar, might be essential for Leicester. He did not characteristic in any of England’s World Cup marketing campaign, so might not have the match-fitness Rodgers needs. However, he may have recovered from the harm he had forward of the World Cup, and has spent the final month coaching with a number of the greatest gamers in England.

It may even be intriguing to see what enterprise Leicester can do throughout the January switch window. They have been linked with Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who has helped the Atlas Lions keep their report of getting solely conceded as soon as since June.

But targets have been restricted for Leicester, in order that they might want to recruit extra chance-makers, like Maddison, if they’re to proceed their ascent up the desk after a sluggish begin.
Adam Williams

Liverpool

Position: sixth (22 factors)

Top goalscorer: Mohamed Salah (14 targets)

Next three PL video games: Aston Villa (A), Leicester (H), Brentford (A)

Following the information ahead Luis Diaz has suffered a setback in his restoration from a knee harm, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will doubtless need to proceed utilizing Darwin Nunez as a left-sided ahead after they return to motion at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Klopp will due to this fact be hoping Liverpool’s club-record signing can proceed the place he left off earlier than the season was placed on non permanent maintain, with the striker lastly showing to have settled at Anfield after his summer season transfer from Benfica.

The Uruguay worldwide endured a troublesome begin to his Liverpool profession after getting despatched off on his dwelling debut in opposition to Crystal Palace in August, halting any momentum he had gained from scoring in his first two video games for his new facet.

His subsequent aim didn’t arrive till October in a 3-2 loss at Arsenal, however that strike appeared to provide the 23-year-old a newfound confidence that he belonged on the membership as he went on to attain in league wins over West Ham and Southampton, whereas additionally contributing an help in victory at Tottenham, in addition to Champions League targets in opposition to Rangers, Ajax and Napoli.

In reality, Nunez and Liverpool didn’t need the marketing campaign to cease after his double in a 3-1 dwelling win over the Saints final month, which was doubtless the ahead’s greatest show for the Reds.

While that spectacular scoring run did come to an finish whereas with Uruguay in Qatar, Klopp might be praying Nunez picks up the place he left off over the busy Christmas interval as they appear to make up floor within the race for the highest 4.
Richard Morgan

Man City

Position: 2nd (32 factors)

Top goalscorer: Erling Haaland (23 targets)

Next three PL video games: Leeds (A), Everton (H), Chelsea (A)

City discover themselves within the considerably unfamiliar place of being within the chasing pack because the season resumes.

Pep Guardiola’s facet will should be able to pounce on any slip-ups by league leaders Arsenal, and maybe hope that the Gunners will wrestle to deal with the absence of former City ahead Gabriel Jesus.

The Citizens have chart-topping return for targets, anticipated targets, pictures, creating possibilities, passes and passes within the closing third – nothing new there.

At the opposite finish, two opposing groups have shipped fewer targets – Arsenal and Newcastle – however City’s anticipated targets conceded stays at a league-low determine – in order that they nonetheless hand over the fewest clear-cut possibilities.

Julian Alvarez has boosted his profile on the World Cup after supplanting Lautaro Martinez within the Argentina beginning XI and might be anticipating extra recreation time consequently. Phil Foden introduced himself on the world stage, too. Meanwhile, England team-mate Kalvin Phillips has recovered from harm and can present extra depth in midfield.

Norway worldwide Erling Haaland with be replenished from his break: the 22-year-old has a league-high 18 targets in simply 13 appearances.

Just earlier than the break, Haaland’s strike-ratio dipped from other-worldly ranges to a few targets in his final 4 league video games. Is {that a} dip? For Haaland, most likely.

Wounded World Cup stars reminiscent of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo will look to regroup with factors to show.

Additionally, Guardiola has signed a brand new two-year deal to maintain him on the Etihad till not less than 2025, ample time to develop the trophy cupboard. Remember, Guardiola has gained the Premier League in 4 of his earlier 5 campaigns.

To summarise, City do not want to dip into the marketplace for first-team gamers. Arguably, how Arsenal strategy the switch market subsequent month might play a pivotal function in figuring out the size of City’s problem forward.
Adam Smith

Manchester United

Position: fifth (26 factors)

Top goalscorer: Marcus Rashford (8 targets)

Next three PL video games: Nottingham Forest (H), Wolves (A), Bournemouth (H)

Perhaps above all else, the World Cup break has succeeded in drawing a line below the undesirable sideshow that was overshadowing Manchester United’s progress below Erik ten Hag.

After his walk-off in opposition to Tottenham and inflammatory interview, the Cristiano Ronaldo saga is lastly at an finish. The participant has received his want to go away Old Trafford, and if Ten Hag was trustworthy, he is most likely received the end result he wished too.

While useful, eradicating Ronaldo from the equation does not immediately remedy United’s issues. As their warm-weather pleasant defeats to Cadiz and Real Betis indicated, work stays for the collective to really embrace Ten Hag’s footballing rules.

The curious case of Jadon Sancho, exiled to the Netherlands to bear personal health classes, would recommend work stays for some people, however United followers have cause to be overwhelmingly hopeful on the league returns.

From World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez, to Marcus Rashford and forgotten man Harry Maguire, key personnel have returned from Qatar with their reputations enhanced and will hit the bottom working upon resumption.

Jack Wilkinson

Newcastle

Position: third (30 factors)

Top goalscorer: Miguel Almiron (8 targets)

Next three PL video games: Leicester (A), Leeds (H), Arsenal (A)

For some sides, the World Cup break got here as a welcome likelihood to reset and recharge after a busy first half to this Premier League season, however Newcastle supporters did not need it to finish.

Eddie Howe and his gamers exceeded all expectations with their spectacular begin to the marketing campaign and after signing off with 5 wins on the spin, they are going to return to motion flying excessive in third place.

The key query is: will Newcastle have the ability to choose up the place they left off and recapture that momentum, perception and constructive feeling across the membership that propelled them to these heights?

That might rely upon the standard of labor Howe and his teaching workers have been in a position to do with the gamers throughout the pause – and the indicators are encouraging. Newcastle confirmed no proof of rustiness throughout a 5-0 demolition of Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal throughout their heat climate coaching camp within the nation, with Miguel Almiron and Joelinton each scoring twice.

That touring group – now again within the north east – will quickly be supplemented by the 5 Newcastle gamers who went to the World Cup – and the excellent news from the crew’s perspective is that none of these gamers have been overworked or went past the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Fabian Schar ought to be comparatively contemporary mentally and bodily for what’s to return.

Rather than an unwelcome stoppage, maybe the break might in the end show to be a profit. Certainly, if Newcastle can hit the bottom working on their return, they’ve a beneficial run of fixtures to capitalise on – though Arsenal away on January 3 may very well be a key indicator of whether or not this second a part of the season will match as much as the primary.
Peter Smith

Nottingham Forest

Position: 18th (13 factors)

Top goalscorer: Taiwo Awoniyi (3 targets)

Next three PL video games: Nottingham Forest (A), Chelsea (H), Southampton (A)

Following a unbelievable Championship run, ending in a play-off victory in opposition to Huddersfield, Nottingham Forest poured assets into making them a top-tier crew. It was clearly a venture that the membership might promote to gamers, 22 to be actual.

As Forest restart their Premier League marketing campaign in 18th place, you wonder if it is a venture that the gamers nonetheless consider in?

Of course, there was the excessive of beating struggling giants Liverpool in October. But it has largely been a tough actuality for Forest, who discover themselves simply three factors above the foot of the desk. A relegation scrap is nearly undoubtedly on the playing cards.

Then once more, the Premier League is tight and congested this season. A Boxing Day win for Steve Cooper’s facet might take them as much as 14th, degree on factors with Leicester, if different outcomes go their means.

A look on the aim distinction tells you precisely what wants finding out for Forest. Leicester’s is zero whereas Forest’s is -19 – a much less leaky tally would result in a distinction in fortune.

If Forest can take something away from their first two video games in opposition to Manchester United and Chelsea, that might be a bonus. But it might properly be that Forest’s season restarts in recreation three in opposition to Southampton, who accompany them within the drop zone. That’s a must-win match.

If they have been to win that, there isn’t a cause why Forest can not keep up.
Adam Williams

Southampton

Position: nineteenth (12 factors)

Top goalscorer: Che Adams (6 targets)

Next three PL video games: Brighton (H), Fulham (A), Nottingham Forest (H)

The huge query earlier than the World Cup break: stick or twist? Southampton’s board selected pragmatically to twist, every week sooner than initially scheduled, however such is the altering temper of soccer hierarchies. Results are persuasive. And the truth is Southampton have been starved of them.

Problems date again additional than the summer season switch window, however Ralph Hasenhuttl may have been left considering ‘what if’ when he vacated his put up in early November. What if Southampton managed to land one of many offensive targets they’d lengthy been linked with?

The prospect of attracting Netherlands star Cody Gakpo, mooted for a summer season transfer, to the shores of the south coast are actually absolutely slim to none, not least due to his inflated price ticket. Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos was one other World Cup hotshot to reportedly slip by the web.

At least the match itself offered some respite from the distress of shedding – 9 of their 15 league video games resulted in defeat. Southampton had additionally flatlined in entrance of aim throughout first half of the season with solely Everton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves scoring fewer.

Tasked with rejuvenating their deteriorating fortunes is Nathan Jones – a Premier League newbie. Sounds dangerous. Known for his man-management expertise, the previous Luton Town boss might want to hit the bottom working if Saints have any likelihood of allaying fears of the drop.

January is a imply place to be searching for season-saviours. Exaggerated value factors make it virtually not possible to land a discount and Southampton merely haven’t got the monetary clout to rival the division’s huge hitters. So, they will should be savvy.

As they have been over the summer season, however this time focus solely on including a confirmed striker to the ranks. Only then can they hope to place distance between themselves and the dreaded crimson line.
Laura Hunter

Tottenham

Position: 4th (29 factors)

Top goalscorer: Harry Kane (13 targets)

Next three PL video games: Brentford (A), Aston Villa (H), Crystal Palace (A)

Sitting within the prime 4 and thru to the last-16 of the Champions League makes for nice studying for Tottenham, however honestly outcomes have outpaced performances with solely a handful of wins delivered convincingly.

The major frustration for Spurs followers is the crew’s behavior of lacklustre first-halves adopted by free-flowing second-halves, which is mirrored in the truth that Tottenham have failed to guide at half-time of their final 9 matches in all competitions.

Spurs must reduce out the sluggish begins if they’re to have a robust second-half to the season.

What will assist Antonio Conte in reaching that is the return of Dejan Kulusevki. The Swedish winger returned to the beginning line-up for the primary time since September in Spurs’ closing recreation earlier than Qatar – the rollercoaster 4-3 dwelling win over Leeds – and made an enormous distinction as he beautifully assisted Rodrigo Bentancur’s late winner.

The 22-year-old is vitally vital to this Spurs facet – his directness and creativity was sorely missed in his two-month absence resulting from a hamstring harm. Another harm to him could be a serious blow.

Kulusevski can be a reminder of how vital the January switch window might be – his deadline day arrival together with Rodrigo Bentancur remodeled Spurs final season.

The membership will want a repeat of any such enterprise this winter if they’re to take care of their top-four problem, whereas a possible new deal for Conte – who resumed contract talks with Tottenham on Monday – might simply be the ticket to ending the membership’s agonising 14-year trophy drought.
Declan Olley

West Ham

Position: sixteenth (14 factors)

Top goalscorers: Michail Antonio, Gianluca Scamacca, Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals (4 targets)

Next three PL video games: Arsenal (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A)

West Ham return to Premier League motion in an unfamiliar place, sitting sixteenth within the desk, after a tough begin to the season. The World Cup break got here at a great time for David Moyes, simply as strain was beginning to construct following three defeats on the bounce.

The Scot, who has remodeled West Ham’s fortunes throughout his second stint in east London, was let down by underperforming first-team regulars and new-signings struggling to make the transition. Moyes might be hoping the time away from the London Stadium has given his squad a brand new lease of life.

The outlook is much rosier in Europe for West Ham. They’ve been with out fault within the Europa Conference League, successful all eight of their matches to succeed in the final 16. Finding a technique to replicate that kind within the Premier League might be important to Moyes maintaining his job.

After spending £179.2m on signings in the summertime, it appears unlikely that January might be a busy month for West Ham. It is obvious, although, that the squad nonetheless wants reinforcements at centre-back, particularly with harm considerations surrounding Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd. Sao Paolo defender Luizao is anticipated to hitch in January, however is seen as one for the longer term.
Zinny Boswell

Wolves

Position: twentieth (10 factors)

Top goalscorer: Ruben Neves (4 targets)

Next three PL video games: Everton (A), Man United (H), Aston Villa (A)

Bottom at Christmas, Wolves have had a depressing season thus far and if they’re to remain within the Premier League it’s going to want new man in cost Julen Lopetegui to be a hit. The former Sevilla coach definitely has pedigree however he inherits issues at Molineux.

The lowest scorers within the land have an imbalanced squad. Expecting Diego Costa and Raul Jimenez to show it on up entrance owes extra to religion than cause, whereas the defence lacks depth and the midfield is best in possession than out of it. There is a lot to do.

Lopetegui will anticipate to be supported with new signings however earlier than that he should present that there’s a template to take this crew away from hassle. The hope is that he has used this era to search out options on the coaching floor in addition to within the switch market.

Wolves are usually not but adrift on the backside of the desk however quickly may very well be. They return to motion within the Premier League with a visit to face Everton at Goodison Park – the crew simply above the relegation zone. A four-point hole might change into one or seven. There is not any time to lose.
Adam Bate