The Premier League isn’t over yet for 2024, but we enjoyed the last bit of action before Christmas.
Divisional festivities are already well underway, and the current busy period often proves pivotal in the seasons of many.
The league has been a bit crazy so far. We can say with some certainty that Manchester City’s title run will end at four titles and Southampton are doomed, but we can predict little with certainty about what might happen during the second half of 2024/25.
The form table at Christmas shows a topsy-turvy division, with two unfancied sides going into the campaign impressively towards the top, while the champions rank among the most miserable teams in the division.
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
won |
Cartoon |
lost |
Goal difference |
+/- |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Chelsea |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
+9 |
14:5 |
13 |
|
2. |
Bournemouth |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
+7 |
11:4 |
13 |
|
3. |
Nottingham Forest |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
+2 |
8:6 |
12 |
|
4. |
Arsenal |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
+9 |
13:4 |
11 |
|
5. |
Aston Villa |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
7:7 |
9 |
|
6. |
Newcastle |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
+6 |
14:8 |
8 |
|
7. |
Liverpool |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+5 |
13:8 |
8 |
|
8. |
The Crystal Palace |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
-1 |
8:9 |
8 |
|
9. |
Fulham |
5 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
+2 |
7:5 |
7 |
|
10. |
Brentford |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10:10 |
6 |
|
11. |
Man Utd |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
-1 |
8:9 |
6 |
|
12. |
Everton |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4:4 |
5 |
|
13. |
West Ham |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
-4 |
7:11 |
5 |
|
14. |
Tottenham |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
12:12 |
4 |
|
15. |
Man City |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
-1 |
7:8 |
4 |
|
16. |
Leicester |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
-8 |
6:14 |
4 |
|
17. |
Brighton |
5 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
-4 |
6:10 |
3 |
|
18. |
Wolves |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
-5 |
7:12 |
3 |
|
19. |
Ipswich |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
-6 |
3:9 |
3 |
|
20. |
Southampton |
5 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
-10 |
2:12 |
2 |
A disappointing draw at Goodison Park was not enough to drop Chelsea from top spot in the form table. The Blues are unbeaten since October and have won their last five Premier League outings before the Sunday downtime.
Everton have helped bitter rivals Liverpool’s title hopes by taking points away from their two main challengers in recent weeks. Before holding off the Blues, the Toffees secured a point at the Emirates. Arsenal they left Sean Dyche’s side frustrated at home, and a win there would likely see them top of the Christmas form table. The Gunners have taken 11 points from their previous five and are unbeaten since the international break in November.
Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are the two surprise packages who have taken more points than title hopefuls Arsenal. In fact, the Cherries, after winning 3-0 at Old Trafford for the second consecutive season, are level with Chelsea on 13 points at the top. Forest rank just behind with 11 having won four of the previous five.
League leaders Liverpool they have presented some vulnerabilities in recent weeks, but despite that they have a healthy defense up top thanks to Everton’s recent work. The postponement of the Merseyside derby means they have played a game less than anyone in the form table, but two wins and two draws have them in seventh place.
Life under Ruben Amorim was varied Manchester United so far, and their 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth was a huge blow. The Portuguese manager has yet to build momentum at Old Trafford, with United having won two of their previous five in the league, but the size of the job Amorim has at his disposal is monstrous.
United are 11th in the form table and are better than Tottenham and Tottenham Manchester City. This could be the year for cups in north London given Spurs’ indifference in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou’s team played superbly, but struggled greatly in the absence of more senior defenders. City have been almost inexplicably poor, although Spurs’ problems have yet to extend to one win in 12.
Cityzens’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest proved to be a false dawn as they were beaten in the Manchester derby and away to Aston Villa in between.
Brighton have made a great start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler but the Seagulls are in the middle of a rut having failed to win any of their previous five. They are 17th in the form table and on the edge of the relegation zone. Fortunately, there are some pretty formidable teams competing in the top flight. Wolves, Ipswich and Southampton occupy the bottom three in terms of form and actual league tables.
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