We’re not even halfway into the 2020/21 Premier League season and it’s already been the most unpredictable one yet. Matchday 14 had some thrilling matches to look forward to and they sure delivered the goods.
Not even the most accurate Premier League odds could predict that two teams would put six or more goals past their opponents! The table has shifted quite significantly after this week. We’re going to take a look at the big moments from Matchday 14 and what to expect heading into the busiest time of the Premier League festive season calendar.
What happened in the league this week?
Liverpool make history
For the first time in their illustrious club history, Liverpool won a game by seven goals - away from home. Despite being without his two main defenders in Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Klopp’s team managed to thoroughly dismantle a spirited Crystal Palace side.
The Reds have largely been unable to replicate the scintillating soccer that saw them amass 99 points last season, but this was the game in which Klopp seems to have got his side to click again. It would be remiss to suggest that Palace didn’t come to the party—they actually applied pressure and played some good soccer—it’s just that Liverpool decided they wanted to go to a different party than the one they were invited to.
Takumi Minamino opened the scoring within 3 minutes of the match, while Sadio Mané added the second in the 35th minute. This seemed to open the floodgates, with captain Jordan Henderson scoring one, and Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah getting a brace each to thoroughly humiliate Roy Hodgson and his team.
It seems that this Liverpool team is back to its best and no team in the league will look forward to facing them. The result cements the Reds’ spot at the top of the table on 31 points, while Palace’s recent poor run of form leaves them in 13th on 18 points.
Man United hit Leeds for 6
Manchester United seem to have gone from crisis mode to title contenders in just over a month. Criticism is never far away for Ole Gunnar Solskjær and his team, but they have certainly hit back at their critics.
After crashing out of the Champions League, a dull draw to Man City, and poor home form, this United team flew under the radar the last couple of weeks, picking up essential wins in less-than-glamorous fashion.
Leeds have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Premier League this season and under Marcelo Bielsa, they have become a physical, free-scoring machine that many teams struggle to contain. Solskjær, however, seems to have completed a tactical masterstroke and his unexpected team selection forced Leeds to give his team far too much space to play in.
Scott McTominay (of all players) made history by scoring a double within 3 minutes of the starting whistle, Bruno Fernandes made it three goals in 20 minutes, and defender Lindelof took their tally to four in the 37th minute. Leeds were able to claw one back before halftime through a Liam Cooper header, but a Fernandes penalty and Daniel James goal put the game to bed. Despite a late consolation goal from Stuart Dallas, the game ended 6-2.
This was an open and incredibly exciting game of soccer to watch, and the win takes United into 3rd place on the table. If they win their game in hand against Burnley—they will go into 2nd place, two behind Liverpool.
Leeds find themselves 14th on the Premier League table with 17 points.
Tottenham cracks starting to show
Both Leicester City and Tottenham suffered midweek defeats in the league and they needed a result to keep their title hopes on track. Jose Mourinho looks to have reverted to his usual disgruntled manner after his team has picked up just one win in their last five Premier League outings.
The Foxes seem to have found their gears again under Brendan Rogers after a few blips in their season. However, this win had very little to do with Leicester City and everything to do with Tottenham’s poor performance.
The goals were both early Christmas presents for Leicester fans; the first goal came courtesy of a clumsy, unnecessary challenge from Serge Aurier in the box, which Jamie Vardy gladly slotted home just before halftime.
Spurs weren’t given a moment to get into the second half of the game before Toby Alderweireld put an own goal into his net in the 59th minute. This was all it took to take the air out of Tottenham’s sails and they didn’t look threatening at all for the rest of the match.
The result keeps Leicester City in 2nd spot on 27 points and Tottenham slips down to 5th on 25 points.
Arsenal crisis deepens
It was only a matter of time before the fans and critics started to call for Mikel Arteta’s sacking. Even before going into the game against Everton, Arsenal’s form had been dismal and they desperately needed at least a point from the in-form Toffees.
Carlo Ancelloti definitely didn’t read the Arsenal script, however, and his team absolutely dominated a dismal Gunners side that seems to have lost its way. The opening goal was an own goal from Rob Holding on 22 minutes. Arsenal seemed to have their team back in the game when Nicolas Pépé converted a penalty kick in the 35th minute. It was not to be, however, as Everton doubled their lead through Yerry Mina on the stroke of halftime.
The Gunners stood absolutely no chance after the break and they looked insipid; devoid of motivation, direction, and identity, which will be a massive concern for Arteta. The result leaves Everton in 4th on 26 points and Arsenal in 15th place, on 14 points—just 4 points above the relegation places.
Chelsea come right
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were desperately in need of a win coming into their Monday night match against an in-form West Ham. New signings such as Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have simply not made the impact that they were expected to after their blockbuster moves. However, one signing that is certainly living up to expectations is Thiago Silva and it was the Brazillian centre-back that opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 10th minute. The other goals came courtesy—not of an expensive new signing—but of youngster Tammy Abraham who scored in the 78th and 80th minute to put the game to bed.
This result puts Chelsea in 5th on 25 points and David Moyes’ Hammers in 10th on 21 points.
The week ahead
Online sports betting fans will be eager to know more about the week ahead and what soccer odds to expect. The key games to keep an eye out for are Manchester United vs. Leicester, Arsenal vs. Chelsea, and Wolves Tottenham.
The odds for Matchday 15 are currently as follows:
- Leicester City vs. Manchester United: Leicester +190 Tie +260 Man Utd +135
- Fulham vs. Southampton: Fulham +210 Tie +230 Southampton +135
- Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace: Villa -105 Tie +270 Palace +275
- Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Arsenal +280 Tie +260 Chelsea -105
- Manchester City vs. Newcastle: City -700 Tie +725 Newcastle +1750
- Sheffield United vs. Everton: Sheffield +350 Tie +300 Everton -140
- Leeds United vs. Burnley: Leeds -155 Tie +325 Burnley +375
- West Ham vs. Brighton: West Ham +125 Tie +240 Brighton +220
- Liverpool vs. West Brom: Liverpool -750 Tie +775 West Brom +1850
- Wolves vs. Tottenham: Wolves +250 Tie +220 Tottenham +120
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