Finally, the Premier League is in full swing and what a season it has been so far! There’s been a huge number of goals scored, controversy over new VAR technology, and more penalties awarded than any other season.
We’re coming up to the frantic festive season fixture list now and it’s going to be a soccer-filled couple of weeks to look forward to. Here’s what you need to know from this week in the Premier League.
What happened in the league this week?
Tottenham reclaim top spot
There was very little of the usual fire that we see in this particular London derby, as José Mourinho’s Tottenham looked to reclaim the top spot away at Chelsea, after Liverpool went above them earlier on during the weekend.
Spurs needed just one point to get them back into prime position and Mourinho’s team shut up shop and kept in-form Chelsea at bay. Chelsea’s lethal forward players like Kai Havertz and Timo Werner were unable to break the deadlock and the dull affair ended in a 0-0 draw. This takes Spurs to the top of the table where they are above Liverpool due to goal difference. Chelsea moved up to third jumping Leicester City.
Man City got a much-needed confidence boost
It’s safe to say that Pep Guardiola’s team has not had the start to the Premier League season that they would have expected. Manchester City was languishing just above the relegation zone and desperately needed a win.
Burnley were the unfortunate visitors at the Etihad when the Citizens finally seemed to click. They put 5 past the Burnley keeper, with Riyad Mahrez scoring his first hat trick for the club. This was an inspired performance and the score should have actually been a lot more for City. They move up to 11th in the table on 15 points, and Burnley remains in the relegation zone having picked up just 5 points so far this season.
Depleted Liverpool only take a point
Liverpool were without Van Dijk, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gomez, Shaqiri, and other key players for their trip to a spirited Brighton side. New boy Diogo Jota scored again to take the Reds in front, but Pascal Groß rescued a point for the home side when he scored in injury time. Although this point took Liverpool back to the top of the table, Spurs quickly reclaimed it and left Liverpool in second spot on goal difference. Brighton currently sit sixteenth.
Manchester United’s inspired second half comeback
Another team that has been less than inspiring this season is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils. Manchester United have been good on the road but have been absolutely insipid at home. They faced an in-form Southampton team and when they went into the half-time break 2-0 down it was hard to see how they would come back into the game. The answer came in the form of Edinson Cavani. The 33-year old came off the bench at half-time to assist Fernandes for the first goal and then scored the second two with his head to give the Red Devils the much needed three points. The result saw United move up to ninth spot, while Southampton are in sixth place.
Everton stumble
It was only a matter of time before the results started to go wrong for Everton, who had started the season in unbelievable fashion. They spent most of the early weeks in the top three with Calvert-Lewin and new boy James Rodriguez linking up devastatingly in front of goal. However, the holes have started to show and Raphina scored a late goal to clinch all three points for Leeds United. This leaves Everton in eighth place and Leeds in twelfth.
Arsenal’s struggles continue
Things were just starting to look up for the Gunners with manager Mikel Arteta making solid signings and bringing back an identity to the club that had been missing for many years. However, their great start has really taken a turn for the worst and the 2-1 loss to Wolves only compounded their misery. Arsenal now sit in fourteenth place, while Wolves are occupying the seventh spot.
Leicester shock loss
Leicester City have been nearly faultless this season and have managed to remain in the top three of the table for much of the first couple of weeks. However, Brendan Rogers will be concerned by the manner in which his team lost to lowly Fulham, despite having nearly 70% of the game’s possession. This result means the Foxes find themselves in fourth spot, while Fulham moved up to seventeenth.
Premier League team of the week
The Premier League team of the week is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham
Defense: Benjamin Mendy, Manchester City. Conor Coady, Wolves. Eric Dier, Tottenham.
Midfield: Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United. Kalvin Phillips, Leeds United. Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City. Pedro Neto, Wolves.
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Manchester City. Diogo Jota, Liverpool. Edinson Cavani, Manchester United.
The week ahead
Online sports betting fans will be eager to know more about the week ahead and what to expect. The key games to keep an eye out for are Tottenham vs. Arsenal, Manchester United vs. West Ham, and Liverpool vs. Wolves.
Let’s take a look at all of next week's matches and Premier League odds for those games.
- Burnley vs. Everton: Burnley +310. Tie +250. Everton -110
- Man City vs. Fulham: Man City -910. Tie +900. Fulham +2,000
- West Ham vs. Man United: West Ham +280. Tie +250. Man United +100
- Chelsea vs. Leeds United: Chelsea -189. Tie +340. Leeds United +475
- West Brom vs. Crystal Palace: West Brom +180. Tie +220. Crystal Palace +160
- Sheffield United vs. Leicester City: Sheffield United +280. Tie +250. Leicester 100.
- Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Tottenham -106. Tie +260. Arsenal +280.
- Liverpool vs. Wolves: Liverpool -200. Tie +320. Wolves +600.
- Brighton vs. Southampton: Brighton +155. Tie +240. Southampton +175
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