Premier League matchweek 22 is upon us as we move past the halfway point in the 2024-25 Premier League season. Liverpool remains on top of the league with a 4-point advantage over 2nd-place Arsenal (although the Reds have one game in hand). Assuming they win that game, they could extend their lead to 7 points at the summit.
Liverpool’s closest title rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have all been struggling for consistent form. So much so that teams such as Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United also find themselves in the conversation for the title race. While an impressive Leicester-esque run from the 2015-16 season is never off the cards for those teams, it is a testament to the randomness of football. Sometimes, you just never expect what will happen.
At the bottom of the table, last-placed Southampton look doomed to be relegated after one of the worst Premier League showings in modern history. They have just 6 points after 21 games played, despite nearly pulling off a shock result at Old Trafford yesterday until Amad Diallo scored a hat trick in the final 10 minutes of the game, securing a 3-1 win for Manchester United.
The remaining two relegation spots look likely to be battled out between Everton, Wolves, Ipswich Town, and Leicester City. To make matters a little more complicated, three out of those four teams have sacked and replaced their managers in recent weeks thanks to this poor run form. Oftentimes, hiring a new manager will result in a sudden increase of improved form, known as the ‘new manager bounce.’
Will it be enough for said clubs to survive relegation?
Result predictions for Saturday, January 18th fixtures
Newcastle United 2-1 Bournemouth (7:30am ET/4:30am PT)
Brentford 1-3 Liverpool (9:00am ET/7:00am PT)
Leicester City 0-1 Fulham (9:00am ET/7:00am PT)
West Ham 1-1 Crystal Palace (9:00am ET/7:00am PT)
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa (11:30am ET/9:30am PT)
Result predictions for Sunday, January 19th fixtures
Everton 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur (9am ET/6am PT)
Manchester United 2-2 Brighton Hove and Albion (9am ET/6am PT)
Nottingham Forest 3-0 Southampton (9am ET/6am PT)
Ipswich Town 0-2 Manchester City (11:30am ET/8:30am PT)
Result prediction for Monday, January 20th fixture
Chelsea 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (3:00pm ET/12pm PT)
