The traditional Christmas fixtures are in full swing, here we look at some key moments.
1. Tottenham can muscle in on title race
With Arsenal and Chelsea both dropping points over Christmas, the onus was on Spurs (14/1 – Premier League outright) in Tuesday’s late game to prove they have what it takes to rival the two Manchester clubs in the title race in the second half of the season.
And Harry Redknapp’s men did not disappoint. After being held to a goalless draw in the first half at Norwich, Spurs eventually overcame the Canaries in the second half to record a valuable 2-0 win. The three points kept them seven points behind both United and City with a game in hand and they look well placed to mount a serious title bid in 2012.
Gareth Bale scored both goals to see off Norwich and he appears to be hitting top form at just the right time while Luka Modric, Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor are all impressing.
Tougher tests than Carrow Road await for the north Londoners but they look strong throughout their squad and can muscle in on the Manchester-dominated top two places over the coming months.
2. United in no mood to give up title easily
The way Manchester City (4/5 PL outright) started the season, many pundits were predicting the Eastlands outfit could have the Premier League title wrapped up by Easter. The 6-1 demolition of United (5/4) at Old Trafford in the autumn only served to add further belief to that train of thought as Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Mario Balotelli and co were running riot.
However, the heavy home defeat to their city rivals has acted as a massive wake-up call for United and they have moved level on 45 points at the top with City following an impressive run of form.
Yes, they went out of the Champions League at the group stage but a run of eight wins from their last nine league games proves they have well and truly got the City shocker out of their system.
Consecutive 5-0 wins over Fulham and Wigan have only highlighted that further and United appear back to their menacing best.
3. Relegation race is as tight as ever
With just 10 points separating the bottom half of the table, this season’s relegation scrap could be just as tight as last year.
Blackburn (4/9 to be relegated) picked up an impressive point at Liverpool but stayed bottom – just a point behind struggling Bolton (8/13) and two off Wigan (4/6). At Anfield, Rovers proved they have the fighting spirit in them to stay up but will need plenty more if they are to eventually beat the drop.
Bolton, on the other hand, are in a bad way at the moment and the Boxing Day reverse at home to Newcastle cranked the pressure up further on boss Owen Coyle. With Gary Cahill set to leave next month, they need a fresh injection of talent and Coyle must get the Trotters motivated again if they are move up the table.
As for the rest, anyone from Norwich (4/1) down could easily get dragged into the scrap in what is sure to be a compelling second half of the season in the bottom half.
4. Liverpool need a goalscorer
Liverpool’s Boxing Day draw at home to bottom-club Blackburn highlighted various things but the most obvious is that they are craving an out-and-out goalscorer.
The Reds have top-four aspirations this season (5/2 – top 4 finish) and remain in the hunt at the halfway stage but their lack of firepower is currently costing them. Again against Rovers, like in several other games in which they have dropped points this season, Kenny Dalglish’s side carved out enough chances to have won comfortably but somehow ended up with just the one goal and another 1-1 draw.
Luis Suarez is more of a playmaker than clinical centre-forward while Andy Carroll still looks nothing like the player he was last season for Newcastle with just three goals all season. Craig Bellamy will get goals but is unlikely to be given a regular run in the side while Dirk Kuyt, last season’s top scorer, has yet to find the back of the net in the league this season.
With Suarez facing an eight-game ban, Dalglish is looking at his options in the transfer window and don’t be surprised to see him add a striker to his ranks to help improve the chances to goals conversion rate that is currently badly letting his side down.
5. There are no easy games in the top flight
Aside from United’s big victory over Wigan, the Christmas fixtures proved once again that you cannot take anything for granted in the Premier League.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal (evens – top 4 finish) all had what looked fairly straightforward home games but all managed to slip up as they were held 1-1 by Blackburn, Fulham and Wolves respectively.
It was the same old failing for Liverpool at home as they wasted plenty of chances against Rovers in their draw while Chelsea and Arsenal were both pegged back in their games after going in front early on. Despite pressure in both games late on from the home sides, both Fulham and Wolves held on to prove to the so-called big clubs that you have to work hard for every win in the top flight.
Leaders City, too, were expected to see off West Brom at the Hawthorns but were also held 0-0 to highlight the quality and strength in depth throughout what remains a very competitive league.
Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.