Liverpool stay within the driving seat within the Premier League title race however there are indicators that as a substitute of Arne Slot’s facet vanishing over the horizon within the second half of the season they may face an actual battle to be topped champions.
The leaders head to Brentford on Saturday with a four-point cushion over second-placed Arsenal and a recreation in hand however out of the blue they aren’t having all of it their very own approach.
While unbeaten within the league since dropping at dwelling to Nottingham Forest in September, a run of 16 video games, they’ve drawn 4 of their final seven, having dropped factors in solely two of their first 13 matches.
The failure of the groups under them to take full benefit, specifically Chelsea and Arsenal, and Manchester City’s meltdown in direction of the tip of final yr means Liverpool nonetheless look safe.
But Arsenal’s 2-1 dwelling win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, the evening after Liverpool had been held 1-1 without warning bundle Nottingham Forest, has left the door ajar.
Arsenal, who’re unbeaten in 11 league video games and host seventh-placed Aston Villa tomorrow, look the almost definitely facet to chase Liverpool down however Forest, who’re six factors off the tempo have change into a part of the dialog.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet reeled off six successive league victories earlier than the draw with Liverpool and may get again to successful methods this weekend as they host backside membership Southampton on the City Ground.
Newcastle United are the shape group with six straight wins pushing them into the fourth spot, though they’re 9 factors adrift of Liverpool having performed a recreation extra. Eddie Howe’s facet host Bournemouth, who’re eighth, on Saturday.
Chelsea’s climb has tailed off after a five-match winless streak within the league and Enzo Maresca’s fifth-placed facet can be determined to get again on observe at dwelling to relegation-battling Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Home targets
Liverpool can be aware of a Brentford facet who present scant regard for reputations and hit again with two late targets to attract 2-2 with Manchester City on Tuesday on the Gtech Community Stadium the place they’ve scored 29 targets, greater than some other facet has managed at dwelling this season.
They have leaked 21 there too, so Saturday’s go to from Liverpool is unlikely to be a cagey encounter.
Arsenal’s midweek victory over Tottenham revived their temper after a tough begin to the yr which has included a draw at Brighton & Hove Albion, back-to-back dwelling cup defeats and a season-ending knee harm for ahead Gabriel Jesus.
But opponents Villa are exhibiting returning to kind and the final time Arsenal misplaced at dwelling within the league it was to their former supervisor Unai Emery’s Midlands facet – a 2-0 defeat in April that dealt an enormous blow to the Gunners’ title ambitions.
The return of supervisor David Moyes to Everton fell flat on Wednesday because the Scot started his second spell in cost with a 1-0 dwelling defeat by Villa.
Everton are one level above the relegation zone having scored one objective in six league video games however Sunday’s go to of a woefully out-of-form Spurs provides an opportunity to achieve momentum.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham facet have gained as soon as of their final 9 league video games and discuss of a top-four problem has now been changed with that of a possible relegation battle if issues don’t enhance quickly.
“The reality is that our results and our form in the league has been nowhere near good enough. That needs to change,” the Australian stated on Wednesday.
Source: www.dailysabah.com