The concept of the winter break in the English Premier League is different from any other competition, as competitions continue with the same intensity and speed early next week, and the competition will witness 4 heavy-caliber confrontations that will alleviate the cold weather in January.
The wheel of the English Premier League revolves non-stop, unlike most other league competitions in Europe, where clubs get a great deal of rest during December and January, especially German First Division clubs, which get a rest for 3 weeks.
The 20 clubs in the Premier League get some rest by dividing the matches of round 21 over two consecutive weeks, but the competition schedule remains crowded following the holding of the third round matches in the FA Cup during the first week of January, in addition to holding the replay matches in the cup, and the round matches before. The final of the English League Cup.
An ongoing struggle for the title
The struggle for the league title will not stop at the beginning of next week, as the day after tomorrow, Saturday, defending champion Manchester City will visit Newcastle United, which is far from its usual level at the present time, with the aim of reducing the gap separating it from leaders Liverpool to two points.
Manchester City occupies third place in the standings with 40 points, 5 points behind leaders Liverpool and 2 points behind Aston Villa, who is in second place.
Due to Man City’s participation in the last edition of the Club World Cup, the team has played only 19 matches in the league so far, while Liverpool has played 20 matches.
If coach Pep Guardiola’s squad wins in Saturday’s match, this will be a clear indication of a strong struggle for the title in the coming months.
The atmosphere in Manchester City training 😄💙
pic.twitter.com/bTKlQo4w4T— EPL World (@EPLworld) January 11, 2024
The beginning of next week may witness the return of Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland to the City ranks, knowing that he has been absent from the team since the beginning of December due to a foot injury, while the return of Kevin De Bruyne during the victory over Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup was a new impetus for Guardiola. .
Newcastle’s chances of competing in the top four in the league have declined significantly after suffering 5 defeats during its past six matches in the competition.
The team, coached by Eddie Howe, suffered from injuries and fatigue, falling to ninth place in the league, 11 points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Aston Villa’s chances also declined in the unexpected title struggle during the Christmas celebrations, but they can still equal the number of points with Liverpool if they win when they visit Everton next Sunday.
Manchester and Everton to correct course
On the other hand, Everton is seeking to regain its balance after 3 consecutive defeats in the league, which left it one point ahead of the closest relegation places.
Everton, coached by Sean Dyche, will be able to benefit from the efforts of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, after accepting the club’s appeal against the player’s expulsion during the draw with Crystal Palace in the FA Cup a few days ago.
As for Manchester United, which is suffering from severe fluctuations in its level, it will host fifth-placed Tottenham on Sunday evening in a match that is likely to witness the first appearance of Timo Werner with Tottenham after he joined the team on loan from Leipzig a few days ago in order to strengthen the team’s attack in the absence of Son Heung-min. “Because of participating in the Asian Cup in Qatar.
Unforgettable moments at Old Trafford 💖
Rasmus Hoyland’s goal against Aston Villa is United’s December Goal! ☄️🌟#United
– Manchester United (@ManUtd_AR) January 6, 2024
The match may also witness the return of Dutch defender Micky van de Ven to participate in the Tottenham ranks, after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the field since November.
If Tottenham wins, they will move past Arsenal in fourth place, while Manchester United can hope to advance to seventh place through victory.
Sunday also witnesses an exciting confrontation in the West London summit at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea, coached by Mauricio Pochettino and ranked tenth in the league, hosts Fulham, which is ranked thirteenth.
The two teams are looking forward to shaking off the dust of defeat in the first leg of the semi-final of the League Cup.
