The Premier League isn't over yet for 2024, but we've enjoyed the latest action before Christmas.
The oath ceremonies are in full swing, with the current hectic period often being the decisive period in many seasons.
The league so far has been a bit crazy. We can say with some degree of safety that Manchester City's title run will stop at four and that Southampton are doomed, but there is nothing else we can safely assume about what could happen during the second half of 2024/25.
The model table on Christmas Day depicts a topsy-turvy division, with two undesirable teams heading into the campaign and rising to the top, while the champions rank among the worst teams in the division.
|
position |
a team |
I played |
beat |
Drawn |
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. |
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 United |
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 see Chelsea drop from first place in the table. The Blues haven't lost since October, and have won their previous five games Premier League Picnics before Sunday's deadlock.
Everton They helped arch-rivals Liverpool's title hopes by taking points from their main rivals in recent weeks. Before the Blues held, the Toffees had secured a point at the Emirates. Arsenal They were thwarted by Sean Dyche's side at home, and a win there would likely see them top of the Christmas table. The Gunners have scored 11 points from the previous five and are unbeaten since the November international break.
Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are the surprise packages who have scored more points than title hopefuls Arsenal. In fact, the Cherries, after beating Old Trafford 3-0 for the second season in a row, are level with Chelsea on 13 points at the top. Forest are right next with 11 wins with four of the previous five.
League leaders Liverpool They have shown some weaknesses in recent weeks but nonetheless have a good buffer at the top thanks to Everton's recent work. The postponement of the Merseyside derby means they have played a game less than everyone else in the table, but two wins and two draws have seen them sit seventh.
Life under Ruben Amorim was a mixed bag Manchester United So far, their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth has been a huge blow. The Portuguese manager is yet to build any momentum at Old Trafford, with United having won two of their previous five league games, but the scale of the task at Amorim's disposal is enormous.
United sit 11th in the table, better off than the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City. This could be a trophy year in north London given Tottenham's indifference in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou's team performed admirably but struggled greatly in the absence of several senior defenders. City have been almost inexplicably poor, although Spurs' woes have yet to extend to one win in 12 games.
The Citizens' 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest proved to be just a false dawn as they have since been beaten in the Manchester derby and away to Aston Villa.
Brighton started the season brightly under Fabian Horzler, but the Seagulls are in the middle of a tailspin having failed to win any of their previous five matches. They are 17th in the table and on the edge of the relegation zone. Fortunately, there are some terrible teams competing in the top flight. Wolverhampton, Ipswich and Southampton occupy the bottom three positions in the actual and virtual league tables.