How many unwanted records will Sheffield set this season?
Sheffield United lost once again as they were beaten 2-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Blades remain bottom and still have 2 points to their name after 17 games. I think everyone knows that they're doomed but how many unwanted records could they set this season? They've set one in making the worst start in Premier League history by picking up just two points in the opening 17 games. They're set to break two of Derby's records in the longest winless run and the fewest amount of points in a season. Derby in 2007-08 went 32 games without a win and only picked up 11 points. Sheffield United are without a win in 20 games which goes back to last season and they only have two points to their name so far this season. They could be the first team in Premier League history to go winless for half a season as they're yet to win a game and every team in the league usually wins at least once before the halfway point. These are some records that could be broken by the Blades this season and more could be broken between now and the end of the season.
Have Arsenal turned a corner?
Arsenal looked like they were in a relegation battle a few weeks ago after their 2-1 defeat at Everton. Since then they've won three on the spin and they now find themselves 11th in the table and six points of the top four as well as 12 clear of the bottom three. So have they turned a corner? The youngsters have been key in Arsenal's recent good run with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe impressing in their wins over Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom. Saka scored twice and assisted once whilst Smith Rowe assisted twice during those three games as Arsenal picked up three very good and important results as they began to turn their season around. They have both added the creativity that Arsenal have lacked for most of the season and that has lead to Alexandre Lacazette scoring in those three wins which was a huge confidence boost for him as he was lacking form and confidence during the winless run the Gunners were on. Despite the recent form Saka and Smith Rowe are in, Arsenal still need a creative midfielder and if they can get one in January, get Partey back fit and get Aubameyang scoring goals again, we could see Arsenal surge up the table.
Are Leicester in the title race?
Leicester are currently 3rd and one point behind Liverpool and Man United in 1st and 2nd in the Premier League this season. Could they be involved in the title race like they were 5 seasons ago? In what has been an open Premier League this season, Leicester have found themselves in touching distance of the top thanks to the top six being inconsistent at times this season. This was the case for them when they won the league back in 2016 and it could be again as most of the big six have been inconsistent this season and after winning the league before, Leicester have the experience of winning a title. Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Marc Albrighton, Demarai Gray and Jamie Vardy are the only players from their title win still at the club whilst Jonny Evans has title winning experience from his time at Man United. This could do the Foxes some good this season because they have players who have won a title before and their experience could help them do it again if they were to do it. If they can improve their form at home and keep up their form away, they could well be in the race. You never know.
Are Man City back in the title race?
Man City haven't been at their blistering best for much of this season but are starting to return the levels they've been at for the last two or three seasons. Their 3-1 win at Chelsea put them level on points with 4th place Spurs with two games in hand plus they're unbeaten in their last 7 games. So are City in the title race? It's taken City time to get themselves going this season because they started their season late after completing their Champions League campaign from last season a month before this season started which didn't give them much time to prepare for this season. They've also had injuries to key players with Sergio Aguero being the main one. They've started games without a recognised striker for most of this season with both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero spending time on the side-lines and that has been an excuse for their lack of goals this season. But with Aguero working his way back to full fitness and the likes of De Bruyne and Sterling beginning to pick up some form, City are looking more like themselves because they're scoring more goals and are looking a lot sharper than they have done because they've had more minutes in them which they didn't have at the start of the season. If they can continue to play like they have done and keep up theri good form, they could well be back in the title race.
Have Liverpool stalled?
Since beating Crystal Palace 7-0 before Christmas, Liverpool have failed to win their games since with draws against West Brom and Newcastle and a defeat against Southampton which came last night. So has their season stalled? They haven't been clinical in front of goal like they usually are with only one goal scored in the games since the win over Palace and their performances haven't been as convincing as they should be. This could be down to fatigue because of the amount of games played or it could just be a blip which all teams go through. This has lead to a dip because the players haven't been at their best by not finishing their chances and not playing at the same intensity they normally play at. Fatigue is involved in this because they haven't always made the right decision in terms of timing the shot well and playing the right pass at the right time as well as playing at the same intensity they usually play at due to being tired physically. Liverpool have some tough games during January and they could show us if their season has stalled or their recent run was just a blip.
Comments