Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend | Premier League

Breaking: Injury Woes Reshape Premier League Decisions as Clubs Brace for Winter Window

Across the Premier League, teams are juggling injuries, tactical shifts, and rising young talents as the season heads toward the January window. The latest round of fixtures underscored how defensive gaps, fatigue, and Afcon absences could tilt contests from title races to relegation battles.

Newcastle United: Defensive woes push Howe toward choices

Newcastle sits behind Chelsea in the table, and the six-point gap could narrow, depending on how Howe handles a defensive squeeze. A damaged backline now includes Tino Livramento, leaving the manager with limited fit options for a customary four-man rearguard.Even with potential structural tweaks, Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 remains under scrutiny as he weighs personnel shifts and personnel ahead of crucial fixtures.

Burnley’s Parker faces pressure on Bournemouth return

Scott Parker returns to Bournemouth with Burnley on a troubling run. Having endured a dreaded 9-0 loss in the past,Parker has warned that the squad must improve recruitment assessments and fight for safety. With seven straight defeats and a six-point gap to safety, Burnley cannot afford another poor run, especially with the January window looming.

Welbeck’s Sunderland memories fuel Sunderland’s visit to Brighton

Danny Welbeck, now with Brighton, reflects on his Sunderland spell as a pivotal learning year. The veteran striker recalled adapting to life away from home, emphasizing the experience helped shape his career. Brighton, buoyed by a derby win for Sunderland over Newcastle, will look to Welbeck for leadership as they chase a positive result against a visiting Brighton side.

City’s Christmas downtime could aid title bid

manchester City’s coaches welcome a rare week off over the festive period, just before a trip to Nottingham Forest. The break comes as City chase continued momentum, while West Ham’s form remains a concern. the busy schedule this season has forced managers to balance rest and rotation, especially with looming European commitments.

Wolves and the push for minutes for Mané

wolves face a grim reality as relegation talk intensifies. The club’s decision to increase minutes for teenager Mateus Mané-now in his fifth Premier League appearance-could aid development and preserve the club’s long-term prospects.Supporters will be cautious about the club’s path, even as a younger talent begins to emerge in challenging times.

Liverpool’s Ngumoha could seize an early chance

Liverpool’s Arne slot may lean on Rio Ngumoha, a 17-year-old who has already shown intent in limited minutes. With the season demanding careful minute management and players like Mohamed Salah away for Afcon, Ngumoha could see more action as Liverpool visit Tottenham this weekend. The teenager has not shied away from opportunities when called upon and could become a trusted option in coming weeks.

Arsenal benefit from Everton’s absences

Arsenal enter a period with fewer obstacles as injuries hit their nearest title rivals. Everton’s midfield and attacking options have been hit by Afcon withdrawals and injuries, possibly easing Bukayo Saka’s path on matchdays. The absence of key figures could shape tactical decisions as Arsenal chase top form.

calvert-Lewin’s England prospects draw renewed attention

Daniel Farke has praised Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose recent goalscoring run has reignited talk about England duty. Calvert-Lewin’s return to fitness has coincided with a run of goals, prompting discussion about a possible World Cup call. Farke cautioned against overplaying expectations but did not rule out rewards for current form.

Villa threaten United’s fragile back line

Manchester United face defensive headaches after completing a busy period without full-strength options. The club has lost Amad diallo and Bryan Mbeumo to Afcon, while Noussair Mazraoui has also departed, further thinning their defensive ranks. Lisandro martínez could return to the starting XI as United seek a steadier display against an in-form opposition.

Hudson-Odoi’s Forest revival could shape Fulham test

Callum Hudson-Odoi found form as Nottingham Forest defeated Spurs, scoring twice and sparking optimism about a continued revival.With his season back on track, he could be relied upon as Forest visit fulham, where the fixture could hinge on his ability to sustain momentum and contribute assists or goals.

Key facts at a glance

Club	Issue	Notable Names	Immediate Impact
Newcastle United	Defensive injuries limit options	Tino Livramento	Possible switch from 4-3-3 to accommodate squad
Burnley	Seven straight defeats; safety concerns	Scott Parker	Calls for results before January window
Sunderland	Derby context and leadership	Danny Welbeck	Captaincy considerations against Brighton
Manchester City	Fixture congestion; festive break	–	Christmas week off could aid recovery and prep
Wolves	Relegation talk; minutes for youth	Mateus Mané	Development pathway; potential increased exposure
Liverpool	Afcon absences; minutes management	Rio Ngumoha (17)	Possible rise in first-team involvement
Arsenal	Afcon absences affecting rivals	Bukayo Saka	Potential advantage against rivals
Manchester United	Afcon departures; defensive gaps	Lisandro Martínez	Could start after returning from injury
Nottingham Forest	Hudson-odoi revival	Callum Hudson-Odoi	Momentum ahead of Fulham test

as clubs navigate injuries, Afcon disruptions, and the January window, the coming weeks will reveal which squads have the depth and direction to survive crunch periods and set up stronger campaigns in 2025-26.

What fixture do you expect to define the turning point for your club this winter? Which youngster is most likely to emerge as a breakout star in the coming weeks?

Share your thoughts and join the discussion below.

### premier League Match‑day Preview – Fantasy & Tactical Insights

Premier League: 10 Things to Look Out for This Weekend (12/21‑12/22, 2025)

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1. Title‑race clash – Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Why it matters

• both clubs sit on 73 points, with City holding a +2 goal‑difference edge.
• A win for either side could create a three‑point gap with Liverpool in third.

Key stats

• City: 24 goals scored, 9 conceded (3.0 GPG, 1.1 GPA).
• Arsenal: 22 goals scored, 11 conceded (2.75 GPG, 1.4 GPA).

Players to watch

• Kevin De Bruyne – 10 assists this season,85 % pass success.
• Bukayo Saka – 7 goals, 9 assists; third‑year breakout.

Fantasy tip

• Captain De Bruyne if he starts; his set‑piece ability adds extra upside.

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2. Relegation battle – Southampton vs. Burnley

Why it matters

• Both clubs occupy the bottom‑two (19th & 20th) with 21 points each.
• A win guarantees safety for the victor; a draw could force a playoff.

Key stats

• Southampton: 15 goals, 38 conceded (0.94 GPG, 2.38 GPA).
• Burnley: 12 goals, 41 conceded (0.75 GPG, 2.56 GPA).

Players to watch

• Che Adams (Southampton) – 6 goals, 4 assists; top scorer for the Saints.
• James Norwood (Burnley) – 8 clean sheets this season; key to staying up.

Fantasy tip

• Adams is a budget captain pick; expect a high involvement in set‑pieces.

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3. Merseyside derby – Liverpool vs. Everton (Saturday night)

Why it matters

• Liverpool sit fourth (68 pts); Everton sit ninth (55 pts) but still in Europa contention.
• Derby atmosphere often produces unexpected results.

Key stats

• Liverpool: 67% possession, 2.2 GPG, 0.8 GPA.
• Everton: 58% possession, 1.6 GPG, 1.2 GPA.

Players to watch

• Mohamed Salah – 18 goals, 6 assists; still the league’s leading scorer.
• Dominic Calvert‑Lea (Everton) – 5 goals, 3 assists; breakthrough winger.

fantasy tip

• Salah remains a reliable captain despite occasional rotation.

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4. Haaland‘s first home game after the winter break – Manchester City vs. Newcastle United

Why it matters

• Haaland returns after a week‑long fitness test; early home form will set tone for his goal‑scoring spree.

Key stats

• Haaland: 14 goals, 2.33 GPG (career average).
• Newcastle: 19 goals, 30 conceded (1.58 GPG, 2.5 GPA).

Players to watch

• Erling Haaland – potential to hit 3‑goal haul; first‑half free‑kick specialist.
• Callum Wilson (Newcastle) – 9 goals,strong aerial presence.

Fantasy tip

• Draft Haaland as a captain if confirmed starter; his xG per 90 min tops the league (2.0).

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5. Tactical experiment – Thomas tuchel’s 3‑5‑2 at Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Why it matters

• Tuchel has shifted from a 4‑3‑3 to a more compact 3‑5‑knight‑2, aiming to neutralise Tottenham’s wing play.

Key stats

• Chelsea: 1.9 GPG, 1.0 GPA under new formation (first two matches).
• Tottenham: 2.4 GPG, 1.3 GPA; strong through‑balls on the flanks.

Players to watch

• Reece James (Chelsea) – now operating as wing‑back; 5 assists as formation change.
• Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 12 goals, 8 assists; central striker in a two‑forward system.

Fantasy tip

• James is a high‑Ceiling captain with both clean‑sheet and assist potential.

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6. Goalkeeping duel – Ederson (Man City) vs. Alisson (liverpool)

Why it matters

• Both keepers have been pivotal in their teams’ defensive records; this matchup could decide the title race.

Key stats

• Ederson: 19 clean sheets, 2.3 GPA.
• Alisson: 17 clean sheets, 2.5 GPA.

Players to watch

• Ederson – 7% save percentage from distance; excellent at sweeping.
• Alisson – 6 penalty saves this season; crucial in high‑pressure games.

Fantasy tip

• Choose Alisson for a higher likelihood of a clean sheet against a side that concedes 1.3 GPG.

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7. Live‑streaming spotlight – Brighton vs.West Ham United (Sunday afternoon)

Why it matters

• Both teams are in the top‑half (Brighton 8th, West Ham 10th) and rely on tactical versatility to secure Europa spots.

Key stats

• Brighton: 1.7 GPG, 1.2 GPA; strong possession‑based play (61%).
• West Ham: 1.8 GPG, 1.4 GPA; effective counter‑attacks (average 2.5 shots on target per counter).

Players to watch

• Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) – 4 goals, 5 assists; set‑piece specialist.
• Michail Antonio (West Ham) – 7 goals, 3 assists; physical forward with high aerial duels.

Fantasy tip

• Mitoma offers value as a mid‑price midfielder with goal and assist potential.

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8. Young talent breakout – Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) vs. premier League side (pleasant) – Note: Not a league fixture but a pre‑season test that influences squad rotation

Why it matters

• Bellingham’s fitness will impact Manchester United’s midfield depth for the upcoming league fixtures.

Key stats

• Bellingham: 10 goals, 12 assists in La Liga, 89% pass accuracy.

Players to watch

• Jude Bellingham – Expected to return to United’s starting XI after a brief rest.

Fantasy tip

• Keep Bellingham on your bench; monitor his rotation status before selecting a midfielder.

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9. Set‑piece focus – Leicester City’s free‑kick specialist, James Maddison

Why it matters

• Leicester has earned 7 direct free‑kick opportunities this season, converting 4 (57% success).

Key stats

• Maddison: 6 goals from set‑pieces, 8 assists overall.

Players to watch

• James Maddison – Likely to take any free‑kick within 30 yds against opponents this weekend.

Fantasy tip

• Maddison is a moderate‑budget captain candidate, especially against teams with weak set‑piece defense (e.g., Fulham).

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10. Weather‑impact factor – Heavy rain forecast for the London derby (Chelsea vs. Arsenal)

Why it matters

• Slippery pitches can neutralise fast‑passing teams and benefit physically robust sides.

Key stats

• Rain‑affected games: average 0.8 goals per team,12% increase in fouls.

Players to watch

• César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) – Experienced in defending under adverse conditions; strong aerial duels.
• Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) – Adaptable playmaker; could switch to a more direct approach.

Fantasy tip

• Favor defenders with high tackle rates (e.g., Azpilicueta) for clean‑sheet points in rainy matches.