Can Liverpool banish the set-play Blues?
Liverpool v Leeds – Wednesday 5.30pm – Sky Sports main event live broadcast
Liverpool have won their last three league games and only two of their previous ten. The ship is stabilizing. However, Arne Slot still has issues to solve. His most notable headache must have been the rate at which his team continued to concede from set pieces. It is 12, the joint worst record in Europe so far.
When Liverpool traveled to Leeds in early December, they were hampered by this very problem, conceding a late equalizer to Ao Tanaka from a corner.
More than 50% of the goals Liverpool have conceded this season have come from set plays (including penalties).
If so, here is an opportunity to right some wrongs. Leeds are exceptionally good at set pieces. This is unusual for a team ranked among the top five most effective. Daniel Farque’s side have scored 12 set-play goals, the same as Arsenal, and are just one behind league leaders Manchester United’s 13 goals. 48% of all goals were scored this way.
So this meeting is the perfect test of Slot’s pledge to improve in this area after parting ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs this week. Liz may punish you if you don’t clean up. And the slot can’t afford to add more fuel to the set-piece fire.
Laura Hunter
Thursday, January 1st, 5pm
Kickoff at 5:30 PM
Fulham boss Silva is bidding for history against a goal-shy Palace side.
Crystal Palace v Fulham – Wednesday 5.30pm – Sky Sports Premier League live broadcast
Two teams with similar points but different form meet at Selhurst Park on New Year’s Day.
Crystal Palace are winless in their last five games in all competitions and have been hit hard by a busy December schedule.
However, Fulham is moving forward aiming for their fourth consecutive league win. Only once before have they won four games in a row in the Premier League.
The Cottagers will be relishing the chance of equalizing their record with Palace currently struggling in front of goal.
Oliver Glasner’s side had just two shots on target in Sunday’s home win over Tottenham and has scored just once in their last three league games.
It would be no surprise to see Palace snap up Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson after signing a £35m deal for the Wales international, who was Spurs’ top scorer last season.
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After Crystal Palace agreed a £35m transfer fee for Brennan Johnson, we take a look at his best Premier League goals for Spurs.
If Fulham keep a clean sheet in south London, it will be Marco Silva’s history. He will become the first manager to keep six consecutive away clean sheets against the same opposition in the Premier League.
Fulham’s closure will also increase the arrival of Johnson and Palace’s need for further January signings if the Eagles are to start moving in the right direction in 2026.
Declan Ollie
Thursday, January 1st, 5pm
Kickoff at 5:30 PM
Manchester City become a complete package again
Sunderland v Manchester City – Wednesday 8pm – Sky Sports main event live broadcast
Manchester City is reaching its peak. At six successive wins, this is their most fearsome performance since the second half of 2023/24, when they won their last nine en route to the Premier League title.
Many attacks continue to occur and are constantly evolving, revealing new dimensions. Rayan Cherki is the latest revelation. He has contributed to eight goals in his last nine league appearances. But this team is about more than style and sparkle.
Manager Pep Guardiola has also found a stable formula in defence, naming the same four starters in 11 of the 18 games so far. Of those 11 games, 10 ended in wins. The only exception was the 2-1 loss to Newcastle.
With Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias at their centres, City have two athletic centre-backs who can play and balance the left and right flanks perfectly. Collectively, they also contributed six goals.
Flanking these two are former central midfielders Nico O’Reilly and Mateus Nunes, who are perfectly equipped to provide solidity and creativity on the ball. Their energy of getting up and going down is something Guardiola likes. This is similar to Kyle Walker at his best, meaning City are less vulnerable to counter-attacks.
With both full-backs providing width, City’s forward players can flood central areas to create overloads and find Erling Haaland more consistently. Late underlapping runs, which O’Reilly is particularly good at, are hard to track and add another layer of unpredictability.
Manchester City’s current set-up is unlike anything we’ve seen before, and it would be wrong to assume that its effectiveness rests solely on Haaland and Co. The structure of the pep is robust on both sides. It’s not that far from being a complete package.
Laura Hunter
Thursday, January 1st 7:45 PM
Kickoff at 8pm
Frank returned to Brentford for the first time to find the same love at Spurs.
Brentford v Tottenham – Wednesday 8pm – Sky Sports Premier League live broadcast
Before the season started, not many would have expected Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to return to Brentford with a new club over his former one in early 2026.
But that was the case on his first return to the Gtech Community Stadium. There he served as bishop for six and a half years and was revered throughout the world.
“Brentford Football Club, its fans and especially those who have worked closely with me hold a special place in my heart,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference.
Six and a half months after taking charge at Tottenham, he is yet to feel the same love and affection from Spurs supporters.
A pressure-filled win at Crystal Palace on Sunday was much needed and Frank gave 13th-placed Spurs hope that they can bounce back with a decent performance going forward.
A win on New Year’s Day will lift the team into the top tier and send them back to European competition.
But Frank knows his team faces a stiffer test than at Selhurst Park. Brentford gained strength at home. This was something he pioneered and was ably maintained by his successor, Keith Andrews.
The Bees have won eight of their last 12 Premier League home games under Andrews, including four of their last five. In fact, since the start of the 12-game season in April, only Manchester City (11), Aston Villa (10) and Arsenal (9) have achieved more home league wins than Brentford.
Thursday, January 1st 7:45 PM
Kickoff at 8pm
Being in the dugout on the other side of Gtech Community Stadium will be an unfamiliar feeling for Frank.
But it could be a disastrous homecoming for Frank if his Spurs side are unable to respond in a familiar home game against Brentford.
Declan Ollie
