Following the Boxing Day fixtures, the Premier League returns this weekend (Sunday, December 29) for the final matchday of the first half of the season. Kicking off the action is Manchester City at 3:30 PM, visiting Leicester after a lackluster 1-1 draw with Everton. The Citizens are seeking a league win, having gone four matches without one (last victory: 3-0 against Nottingham Forest). Meanwhile, Leicester, who suffered a comeback defeat to Liverpool, find themselves third from the bottom, partly due to Wolverhampton's resurgence in the last two rounds.
At 4:00 PM, Crystal Palace hosts Southampton. Everton, fresh from a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, welcomes a struggling Nottingham Forest, aiming for their fifth consecutive win. Fulham vs Bournemouth will be a direct clash for higher positions in the table, with the winner having a shot at breaking into the spots that qualify for the next Conference League.
Tottenham, coming off two consecutive defeats to Nottingham and Liverpool, will seek redemption in a home match against a rejuvenated Wolverhampton under new coach Vitor Pereira. League leaders Liverpool, on the other hand, aim to close out 2024 on a high note following the end of their professional relationship with Jurgen Klopp. His replacement, Arne Slot, has so far managed to fill the void left by the German coach. Visiting West Ham, the Reds target their 23rd consecutive positive result to maintain a safe distance from their closest challengers.
Premier League, Forest holds Liverpool as City and Chelsea falter
15 Jan - 11:55 •
2' min
On Monday, Aston Villa and Chelsea will play at 8:45 PM against Brighton (at home) and Ipswich (away), respectively, both seeking recovery after tough Boxing Day defeats to Newcastle and Fulham. The big match of the day is scheduled for 9:00 PM at Old Trafford, where Manchester United, still unable to reverse their fortunes under Amorim—with five losses in their last six games—will face Newcastle, who are back in the top spots of the table with three straight wins over Aston Villa, Ipswich, and Leicester, scoring 11 goals without conceding any.
On Wednesday, January 1, Arsenal will play their postponed match away at Brentford.
