It is December, which means teams in England have no time to breathe. After the League Cup quarters in the mid-week, Premier League clubs are back in action yet again this weekend, as they look to get through the festive period without too much damage.
Liverpool’s date in the Club World Cup final will mean West Ham United get a week off but there are a number of other interesting games for fans to look forward to. But what are the sub-plots that await in the league over the weekend?
Here are five things to look forward to in Premier League Matchweek 18
Fight For The Second Spot or the Top 4?
With Liverpool missing in action in the Premier League this weekend, the next two teams would have hoped to make up some of the ground. But it is coincidentally 2nd vs 3rd with Manchester City hosting Leicester City tomorrow.
It is a win-win situation for the Reds but the other two teams will be desperate not to drop any more points. Leicester have emerged as the unlikely challengers to Liverpool and will love to remain as close as possible to Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The Sky Blues, on the other hand, are considered more traditional challengers but a 14-point gap already looks unsurmountable and another loss or draw will surely knock them out of any possible title race and in turn, push them close to Chelsea and the rest occupying the spots below Pep’s team.
Virtual Six-Pointer At Villa Park
Southampton’s trip to Birmingham will see two teams fresh from back to back losses, take on each other, fighting for three crucial points in search of safety. Villa have shown signs of form but have not found any consistency, coming back to the top flight after a while.
But the Saints have also been mediocre at times, standing in the drop zone on goal difference, level on points with their rivals. A loss in this game could be really dangerous while sharing a point will only push this relegation battle deep into the season.
Top-4 Battle
While Villa Park will host a tense game for a relegation battle, The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is all set to host a battle for the top-4. Jose Mourinho will play yet another former side this weekend, as Spurs welcome Chelsea late on Sunday.
Chelsea have lost back to back games going into this fixture while Spurs beat Wolves and Burnley comfortably in the last two games. Winning this game will see Mourinho’s side stand level on points with the Blues but a loss has the potential to end their top-4 chances this season if Chelsea can rediscover their early-season form post any positive outcome.
The Blades To Keep European Dream Alive?
The most impressive of the three teams to join the top flight from the Championship this season, Sheffield United, have another winnable fixture this weekend. Chris Wilder’s men beat Norwich City and Newcastle United in the last two games and have a chance to potentially move to the fifth place, with a win on their trip to Amex Stadium this weekend.
The Blades have lost just once in their last five games and have a great chance to keep up their hopes of qualifying for Europe this season.