Apart from one team having a severe case of the Blues, which Premier League team have you been most impressed by?
Another international break gives the Barclays Premier League teams time to assess how they are doing in the season so far, and what they need to do to pull up their socks.
We take a look at how some of the biggest clubs have been faring after nearly reaching the one-third mark of the 2015-2016 Premier League season.
Manchester City, A-
Belgian star Kevin de Bruyne has proven to be the missing piece of the puzzle for Manuel Pellegrini and Manchester City. (Photo: Celso Pupo / Shutterstock.com)
Manchester City is top of the table on goal difference, ahead of Arsenal, and is doing better than usual in the UEFA Champions League. Sure, City suffered a blip with a draw at Aston Villa in its last match but considering the players who have missed recent games — Sergio Aguero and David Silva come to mind — the noisy side of Manchester is looking very solid indeed.
Kevin de Bruyne had been the missing ingredient for Manuel Pellegrini’s team and now already looks like one of the signings of the season. New recruit Raheem Sterling is also rapidly maturing as a player, providing the important goals for City — something he didn’t often do for his previous club, Liverpool.
Speaking of Liverpool, City faces the Reds after the international break on Nov 22. This looms as the Citizens’ most important game before Christmas as they aim to build momentum for the busy holiday period.
Manchester City is likely to win its second title in three years this season, and deservedly so.
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Liverpool
Arsenal, B+
Arsenal is level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table, with only four goals separating the two sides. The Gunners responded well after their 5-1 drubbing at Bayern Munich, to produce a solid performance in the 1-1 draw in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.
Arsene Wenger has had to cope with a major injury crisis and, once again, it has been French striker Olivier Giroud who has carried a huge load.
When Arsenal gets many of its injured stars back, it will stand a great chance of winning its first title in more than
a decade. But its next game, away against West Bromwich Albion on Nov 21, is a potential banana skin with so many players involved in international duty.
Prediction: West Brom 1-1 Arsenal
Manchester United, B
Wonderboy Jesse Lingard scored his debut goal for Manchester United last weekend, inspiring his team to a 2-0 win over West Brom. (Photo: mooinblack / Shutterstock.com)
Manchester United’s famous club song could soon be reworked to “Boring, boring Man United”. Such is the lack of style that the Red Devils are currently playing with.
Even so, Louis van Gaal has managed to keep the Red Devils in the top four, only two points behind City and Arsenal.
The fixtures leading up to Christmas are relatively easy, including the away game to Watford on Nov 21, so the league’s most successful club will be right in the mix come January.
There are much tougher tests to come for United. It’s unlikely that this will be the Red Devils’ season but another top-four finish is very likely as van Gaal builds for the future.
Prediction: Watford 1-2 Manchester Utd
Liverpool, C+
Jurgen Klopp has already made a big difference at Anfield since taking over from Brendan Rodgers last month.
The defeat at Crystal Palace was a setback but Liverpool is heading in the right direction.
The problem is that Klopp’s squad isn’t good enough to challenge for the title — and even a top-four spot could be out of reach. No amount of side-line enthusiasm and tactical awareness can overcome the lack of world class talent in the squad, especially when you intend to challenge for honours.
The Reds’ next game, away to Manchester City on Nov 21, will be an interesting guide on how far they are behind the Premier League elite.
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur, B-
Harry Kane is still the man for Tottenham, with six Premier League goals to his name in the season so far. (Photo: CHEN WS / Shutterstock.com)
With only one league defeat since the start of the season, and sitting in 5th place, Tottenham has become one of the most improved sides in the Premier League. Defensively strong and with attacking options all over the park, Mauricio Pochettino’s men now rightfully believe that they are genuine top-four contenders.
Spurs have the ability to beat any team on their day and proved at the Emirates stadium against Arsenal that they are equally potent away from home. They are likely to hold their own against a strong West Ham team, on Nov 23.
Prediction: Spurs 2-2 West Ham
By Jason Dasey
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About Jason Dasey
Jason Dasey is Senior Editor for ESPN FC in Singapore, Southeast Asia’s No. 1 football website.[/su_note]
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