THE NEW YEAR’S Day Premier League fixtures mark the end of the congested festive schedule but with all 20 teams in action on Thursday, it’s set to be another compelling gameweek.
The recent managerial comings and goings have added another element of intrigue but there are plenty of other sub-plots set to unfold. Here are five talking points to digest before the first of ten games gets under-way…
The taxing Christmas period draws to a close
While some managers raise the issue of fatigue at this time of year purely as an excuse, three games in the space of six days does invariably have an affect on most clubs. The matches have been coming thick and fast and while it’s a godsend for football fans, there have been signs that December’s unrelenting schedule is beginning to take its toll on players.
Louis van Gaal, in particular, has voiced his criticism of the fixture list. The United boss was adamant fatigue was to blame for his side’s draw at Tottenham on Sunday and having fielded the same side twice in 48 hours, a visit to the Potteries to face Mark Hughes’ embattled Stoke will be another appraisal of United’s credentials.
United are unbeaten over the Christmas period and have not lost since the derby defeat to Man City at the start of November. Yet, they remain well off the pace after a slow start but many, including Mark Hughes, believe they are capable of mounting a title challenge over the coming months.
Perhaps their former player is just talking them up as he prepares his side to face the Red Devils. Stoke have already toppled Arsenal at the Britannia this term and will have their eyes firmly on another scalp.
While van Gaal has the luxury of a multi-million pound squad at his disposal, other clubs aren’t quite as fortunate. Burnley have one of the smallest squads in the top-flight but, remarkably, Sean Dyche has named the same side for five consecutive matches: he didn’t even make a substitution during their incredible comeback at Man City last weekend.
Clubs look to start year as they mean to continue
In all walks of life, the start of a new year symbolises a fresh start. For those hoping to expunge the memories of 2014, the first fixture of 2015 represents an opportunity to start fresh and set the tone for the twelve months that lie ahead.
For Manchester City and Chelsea, although both dropped points on Sunday, it will be very much a case of continuing where they left off. The gap at the summit of the table has been reduced to just three points and while many observers expect Chelsea to top the pile come May, City are just beginning to pick up a head of steam.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side welcome a resolute Sunderland side to the Ethiad and the hosts will be determined to make amends for throwing away the points against Burnley. While the defending champions remain devoid of a striker, they will be confident of having enough fire-power to beat the Black Cats. After all, they’ve won eight of their last 10 fixtures against Gus Poyet’s side at Eastlands.
At the other end of the table, Leicester City ended the year on a high with three crucial points at the KC Stadium and will boost their survival chances if they can record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time. They do, however, travel to Anfield on Thursday.
At the turn of the year, all indications suggest this will be the closest and most exciting season in quite some time. The title race, although it seems to be a two horse race, is likely to go down to the wire while there are several sides jostling for the European berths and it remains tight at the foot of the table as well. Strap yourself in.
‘Victimised’ Chelsea make short trip to the Lane
After his sides’ draw at Southampton, Jose Mourinho proceeded to embark on a post-match rant, claiming there was a ‘campaign’ from an ‘unnamed enemy’ (the FA, the media, referees?) against Chelsea.
Mourinho’s ire stemmed from Anthony Taylor’s decision to book Cesc Fabregas for what he deemed as simulation during the 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s. Replays suggested that young defender Matthew Targett inadvertently tripped Fabregas after losing his footing. Few of the footballing fraternity, however, will have much sympathy for the Blues.
What goes around, comes around.
In recent weeks, Chelsea have been on the receiving end of several contentious decisions and Branislav Ivanovic, Diego Costa and Gary Cahill have all been the subject of accusations of simulation. In fact, Chelsea have the most yellow cards (13) for diving than any other club in the Premier League since 2010.
Mourinho’s scathing attack was a way of deflecting the attention away from his players’ failings. Phil Dowd is the man in charge for Chelsea’s trip to White Hart Lane on Thursday and the visitors will be hoping Mourinho’s antics are nothing more than a sideshow this time around.
How will the managerless clubs fare?
Like buses, they say. With no managerial departures up until last weekend, three clubs are currently without a manager as we enter the New Year. Both Crystal Palace and West Brom sacked Neil Warnock and Alan Irvine respectively on the back of dismal runs and have moved quickly to install replacements in the hope of reviving their fortunes.
Palace are winless in six, a run of form which has seen them slip inside the drop zone, and look set to appoint Alan Pardew. Keith Millen will once again be in charge for Palace’s visit to Villa Park and the new regime will be hopeful of getting a response from the players as they look to catch the eye of the new boss.
On the other hand, Villa are the model of inconsistency. A battling draw with United was followed by a defeat to Swansea and then a hard-earned point against Sunderland after playing the majority of the game with ten men. There are signs that Paul Lambert’s side are slowly clicking but it is the perfect opportunity for Palace to regain their sense of direction.
West Brom, meanwhile, aren’t quite in as knee-deep as Palace but they need a spark, and quickly. With Tony Pulis set to be appointed as Irvine’s successor, there will be a renewed sense of optimism around the Hawthorns, although a trip to West Ham isn’t exactly the easiest start. Above all, the Baggies need a semblance of stability.
Newcastle have arguably been left worst off by the past week’s managerial merry-go-round. After Alan Pardew masterminded the club’s spectacular upturn in results, they now find themselves without a manager, although Tim Sherwood has emerged as the bookies’ favourite. The Magpies welcome in-form Burnley to St James’ Park.
Under-pressure Martinez desperately needs a win
It’s difficult to put a finger on why Everton have been a shadow of the side they were last season. Roberto Martinez’s side are floundering in 12th place and the 3-2 defeat at Newcastle last time epitomised their season so far.
Not only have they been leaking goals but the influential players – Barry, Jagielka, Lukaku, Barkley, McCarthy – who propelled them to a fifth placed finish last campaign have struggled for form. The Toffees have conceded 31 goals already this season after only letting in 39 in the whole of 2013-14.
Injuries haven’t helped their cause either. Tim Howard has been sidelined for six weeks, James McCarthy has yet to regain full fitness and Steven Pienaar and John Stones have missed the festive period.
Everton go to the KC Stadium to face an equally under-fire manager in Steve Bruce as his Hull side sit one place outside the red zone. It’s a hugely significant game for both sides and a defeat for either manager is unthinkable, albeit for vastly contrasting reasons.
New Year’s Day Premier League fixtures
