Could we see any shock results this weekend as players have one eye on Qatar, well BT Sport will hope that the opening game this weekend produces one as the champions take on the analytic maestros:
Manchester City v Brentford
- Last season saw these two clubs meet for the first time in the Premier League, City coming out on top both times and Brentford unable to score. Games between these two teams have been very rare over the years, mainly facing off in cup competitions. Christmas Day 1937 was the only occasion the Bees came out on top in a league game, with this being the last fixture before Christmas could the current set of players give their fans a early present?
- The World Cup break is coming at the right time for Brentford who are dealing with numerous players out injured. Facing the champions is never ideal, they even showed last weekend they can still dominate a game with ten players. The Bees fans will be hoping Thomas Frank does not select a five man defence like other heavy away defeats, it’s the tactics, commitment and temperament of the players which will see them contain rather than invite even more pressure.
- Peps team selection will be interesting as always but more so than normal with many of his troops embarking on a trip to Qatar, one certainty is Erling Haaland will start after his recent bench warming. The leagues top scorer has no winter tournament to contend with and will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a defence who has conceded ten goals in their last three away games.
Player to Watch – Ben Mee
The former City youth player established a solid Premier League career while at Burnley but arguably has taken a step forward since joining Brentford. Its a shame he is 33, if he was five years younger and based on his current form could have made a late run for Englands World Cup squad. With Pontus Jansson out injured Mee is the main defensive organiser and all his nous will be needed to prevent this game becoming a rout. At the other end of the pitch he will be looking to cause issues attacking dead balls and add to his season tally of two goals.
Bournemouth v Everton
- The Cherries have won the last two meetings at their ground, 3-1 back in 2019 in the league and 4-1 earlier this week in the Carabeo Cup. Overall in the top flight they have never lost at home to Everton, it’s a run they will be desperate to maintain after their current run of results.
- Gary O’Neill has solidified Bournemouth since taking charge but if he has any chance of becoming the permanent manager he needs to eradicate the recent run of losing games when two goals in front. This week should have seen the rookie leader watching film of the previous matches with his players, showing them positivity on the ball is the way forward rather than sitting back.
- The three goal win over Palace is sandwiched between four games when Everton did not score, that is criminal form when you take into account Calvert Lewin is back from injury. Not all the blame should lay on the injury plagued striker, Iwobi and Onana drive forward from midfield with ease, creating chances for themselves, now is the time they finish them off.
Player to Watch – Demarai Gray
This is a positive match up for the former Leicester man and its not dependant on which flank he lines up on. Both fullbacks lack pace for Bournemouth, the key for Everton will be if they can feed Gray the ball within the little pockets between defence and midfield so he can drive towards the goal.
Liverpool v Southampton
- It’s nine years since Southampton last won at Anfield (1-0), the goalscorer that day was future Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, four of the Saints starting eleven that day ended up playing for the hosts. Gone are the days when St Mary’s best players moved to Anfield, Liverpool shop at a totally different superstore now.
- Hussenhuti being sacked was not a shock his replacement Nathan Jones certainly is though. The two time Luton boss has always been successful at Kenilworth Road but his stint in charge at Stoke was a disaster, the jury is out how he will fare in charge of another red and white stripe club. This weekend is a free hit, how he sets up his team may give us a glimpse of what’s to come.
- The longer a match plays out goalless the more desperate Liverpool become, scoring first and early has to occur if this game is to be a home win. Klopps men create chances they are just not clinical like years gone by.
Player to Watch – Romeo Lavia
The young Belgian is only just regaining fitness, but he has a opportunity to further establish his reputation within the league. If he can standout amongst a midfield line up like Thiago, Fabinho or Henderson it will bode well for the second half of the season.
Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace have never beaten Forest in the Premier League, the caveat to that is they’ve not met since 1995. The last meeting was at Selhurst Park with Stan Collymore and Bryan Roy scoring the goals. Emmanuel Dennis is a hybrid of both scorers that day and carries the main goal threat for Forest.
- Home games are where Forest are banking on picking up the points to stay up, they face a opposition this weekend though who thrive on swift counter attacks. If Steve Cook & co defend this week like they did last weekend versus Brentford they could face their biggest home defeat of the season. Concentration is the key defensive factor Steve Coopers men lack, that doesn’t come from coaching either the players have it or not, the recruitment team need to have a look at themselves.
- Marc Guehi and Tyrik Mitchell may feel aggrieved they did not make the England World Cup squad but in fairness they have not played well this season. They are not well protected by the Palace midfield three and with the January transfer window looming, reinforcements in that area surely will arrive.
Player to Watch – Brennan Johnson
Pace is the Palace kryptonite, the young Welshman has this in droves and needs a positive game to build towards a World Cup starting spot against the USA. Marc Guehi played under Steve Cooper at Swansea and England Under 17s so the Forest manager knows his weaknesses and will look to isolate him against Johnson.
Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United
- It’s all square historically between these clubs in the Premier League at eleven wins each, the weirdest set of fixtures was during the inaugural season. Leeds won the first meeting five nil at home while when they met six months later, Spurs came out on top four nil. Hat tricks were scored in each game by two of the Leagues great strikers, Eric Cantona and Teddy Sheringham. The class act this time round is Harry Kane, with a week to go before the World Cup the whole country would rather he rests but a multi goal day wouldn’t go a miss to show he is in form.
- Conte does not trust many members of his squad, so a full strength line up seems a certainty. The pipe dream for all Spurs supporters is that he releases the hand brake slightly and let’s the players express themselves. This is not likely on Saturday but the gaps left by Leeds when they attack will surely be capitalised on when presented. Kulusevski and Richarlison may play some part and are two of the strongest runners with the ball in the league.
- Jesse Marsch surprisingly enters this game seeking a third win on the trot, whatever happens Saturday it’s highly likely he will still be in charge once the league resumes on the 26th of December. After the Bournemouth match he stated the team needs to press and attack more, to me those tactics with his current crop of players would be game script suicide not just against Tottenham but any team in the league.
Player to Watch – Crysencio Summerville
Who else could it be after two match winners in as many games! The young Dutchman is now a marked man among Premier League defenders but stopping him is easier said than done, he possess that great blend of pace, rawness and youthful exuberance.
West Ham United v Leicester City
- These sides first met twenty eight years ago at Upton Park, the game was full of drama as West Ham came out on top one nil despite Don Hutchinson being sent off after half hour. The winning goal was scored by Hammer legend, Julian Dicks from the penalty spot. Current player Vladimir Coufal is very similar to Dicks, he also attacks every challenge with no fear of the consequences, scoring this weekend seems unlikely as he is yet to hit the back of net for the club.
- Leicesters classy midfield faces off against one of the leagues most robust, it’s a mix of styles and whoever comes out on top will win this game. Tomas Soucek seems like the key component within this battle as he will be given the responsibility to combat Youri Tielemens ball rentention through the thirds.
- If their is a winner Saturday they will go three points ahead of the other, arguably West Ham need the victory more after one win in five. Unhappy rumblings about David Moyes are growing while Brendan Rodgers seems to now have some credit in the bank.
Player to Watch – Said Benrahma
The Algerian wizard currently is the form player for the Hammers, scoring two in his last three league games. With James Justin out injured Benrahma will look to capitalise from both flanks drawing in fouls from the inexperienced Luke Thomas and the space left by the very attack minded Timothy Castagne.
Newcastle United v Chelsea
- Chelsea can boast nearly as many victories at St James Park in this fixture (9) as the home side (12). Newcastle dominated the nineties when they was The Entertainers but since Abromavich took charge it’s been all Chelsea.
- This match up is the marquee game this weekend but it may not live up to the billing if World Cup selected players do not take part. Despite many injuries Chelsea possess so much more squad depth than Newcastle, the question mark currently is if Graham Potter can inspire them to victory.
- All eyes will be on Callum Wilson if selected Saturday, due his surge into Gareth Southgates squad. The former Bournemouth striker is known for his injury lay offs as much as his goals, his team needs him but his life long dream is within touching distance.
Player to Watch – Jorginho
If Chelsea have any chance winning this fixture they need to contain the enigmatic Brazilian Guimaraes, this is when Jorginho is in his element. The Italian is a big game player, he has competed and won midfield battles against the worlds best, all his dark art tricks will be on show.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal
- 2004 saw these sides first meet in the Premier League at Moulineux, the away side won 3-1 and that score line would be a success for Wolves if it occurs this time round. Kolo Toure scored one of those goals 28 years ago, he was a free spirit defender and wouldn’t make the grade in Artetas squad these days, the Spaniard micro manages every move his team makes.
- How can Wolves earn any positive result from this fixture, in my eyes they cannot! Goals are hard to come by and the defence is vulnerable. Ruben Neves has scored in his last two league games and is the key man for the home side once again. The Portuguese midfielder is a elite player but will struggle containing Partey and Xhaka on his own, with Lopetugui watching on some of his team mates need to step up.
- Usually if your top after the last league game before the World Cup you are champions, that honour will not befall Arsenal this season. They are showing a togetherness, band of brothers attitude which surely see them earn a Champions League spot and with two games next year v City maybe they are title contenders?
Player to Watch – Jesus
Wolves defence is in tatters this season without Conor Coady, facing off against the one man wrecking ball Jesus is a battle they will hate. His non stop pressing along with terrific dribbling ability sets him apart from other Premier League strikers, he’s very much in the mould of Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa
- Only six Premier League encounters have taken place between these clubs and Brighton have never won at home. The last meeting at The Amex saw nine bookings between the sides and Villa win two nil. This weekend is The Seagulls best chance to finally beat the Villians.
- Away form is the current Achilles heel for Aston Villa, if they are to continue pulling away from the bottom half they need to start earning points outside of Villa Park. With a forward line of Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey they have a chance but Unai Emery needs to improve his defence, possibly injecting some pace centrally during the next transfer window.
- The break is coming at the worst time for Brighton as they are unbeaten in three league and cup games, finally De Zerbi’s tactics are gaining positive outcomes after a slow start. The Italian will look to cement his mindset further during this mini break and prove this is not must a good run but the start of a new dawn. Tariq Lamptey starred in the week and will be looking to further prove his worth, if he plays he should have a fruitful day taking on Digne.
Player to Watch – Leandro Trossard
Trossard is your typical Belgian footballer, great all round game but even better football brain. His constant search for pockets of space makes him difficult to defend and this season he’s made it count when he does collect the ball within the attacking third. For Tyrone Mings facing off against a player like this usually means he will collect a yellow card minimum with one of his trademark rash challenges.
Fulham v Manchester United
- Fulham last beat Manchester United at Craven Cottage in 2009, it was a convincing 3-0 victory with Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff scoring. None of the current crop of home players compare to those three but the one key likeness is the team spirit and confidence of both sides.
- Aleksandar Mitrovic misses this game and unlike last weekend his absence will hit Fulham harder. He could of been a liability taking on City and rather than Cancelo being sent off it could have been him! The Serbs physicality would have matched up well against Uniteds defence Sunday afternoon but now the static Vinicius will start, he is a major downgrade.
- The depth of wide talent Manchester United possess means their is no drop off whoever is selected and they will be expected to take advantage of Fulham’s substandard fullbacks. Jadon Sancho will surely play, he needs a big performance more than anyone in a red shirt to ensure he stays in Erik ten Hags plans into the new year. He’s not justifying the fee paid and currently his resale value would barely be half what was paid last summer, but that would be a viable option if funds are needed for new players.
Player to Watch – Andreas Pereria
Pereria has been one of the standout Fulham players this season and this fixture means a lot to him due to being a former United player. He will feel like he was never given a chance to earn his place at Old Trafford, due to being constantly passed over for bigger names.
Premier League Player Power Rankings
Their is no movement at the top of the Power Rankings going into the final round of fixtures before the World Cup, will Almiron maintain top spot and continue to prove Jack Grealish wrong? Or will KDB who’s never won Player of the Month take the title of best player prior to the break?
- Miguel Almiron non mover
- Kevin De Bruyne up 1
- James Maddison new entry
- Bruno Guimaraes down 1
- Granit Xhaka non mover
- Erling Haaland down 2
- Callum Wilson up 1
- Leandro Trossard new entry
- Harvey Barnes non mover
- Alisson non mover
Thank you for reading my previews over the last few months, enjoy the last weekend of domestic top flight action and keep a eye out for my World Cup articles starting next week.