Manchester City is struggling with only one win in their last twelve games, sitting 7th in the Premier League. They face Everton next, seeking to regain form. Chelsea, in second place, aims to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, driven by Cole Palmer’s impressive performances. The article highlights key French players, including William Saliba and Lucas Digne, and discusses Manchester United’s troubles in 13th place. Erling Haaland’s scoring race is challenged by Mohamed Salah and Cole Palmer as the season progresses.
Can Manchester City Bounce Back to Glory?
With only a single victory in their last twelve outings, Manchester City, the four-time reigning champions, are facing a critical juncture. Key players and their manager are struggling, and the team’s strategy appears to be faltering. Currently positioned 7th in the English Premier League—a ranking they haven’t seen in years—Pep Guardiola’s squad is in urgent need of a turnaround. This Thursday, they will face Everton, who sit at 15th in the league, providing City with a crucial chance to reclaim their winning form in front of their home crowd. For Erling Haaland and his teammates, this Boxing Day matchup represents more than just a game; it is a pivotal moment to reset their ambitions for the remainder of the season.
Will Chelsea Keep Up with Liverpool?
As Liverpool leads the Premier League with an impressive 39 points, Chelsea is enjoying a remarkable resurgence in the league. spearheaded by the brilliant Cole Palmer, who has netted 11 goals and provided 6 assists in 17 appearances this season, the Blues find themselves in second place, just four points shy of Liverpool and ahead of Arsenal. With Fulham set to visit Stamford Bridge this Saturday at 4 PM, Enzo Maresca’s squad must maintain their momentum to stay in contention, hoping for a slip from Mohamed Salah’s side. With Manchester City struggling, the Premier League is becoming increasingly exciting and unpredictable.
Key French Players to Keep an Eye On
This season, the English Premier League features 24 French players, some of whom are making a significant impact and are worth watching this Boxing Day. One standout is William Saliba, who is regarded as one of the league’s top defenders with Arsenal and will be in action against Ipswich on Friday. Another notable defender is Lucas Digne of Aston Villa, who has made 19 starts this season. Unfortunately, Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool is sidelined due to injury and will miss the upcoming match against Leicester. Chelsea’s success can also be attributed to their French contingent, including Badiashile (12 matches), Disasi (14), Fofana (12), Gusto (16), and particularly Christopher Nkunku, who has scored 12 goals in 25 matches this season. Lastly, Tricolor forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has netted 7 goals in 21 matches for Crystal Palace and will be a player to watch against Bournemouth.
Is Manchester United in Serious Trouble?
“I don’t care about Christmas; my focus is on the next match, and we must secure a win.” Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, expressed his determination in a press conference this Wednesday. The Red Devils currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League, trailing far behind teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool. While Manchester City is under pressure, the situation for United appears even more dire. After a victory against City in the Manchester derby two weeks ago, the team has since faltered, suffering two consecutive losses—first to Tottenham and then to Bournemouth, where they faced a disheartening 3-0 defeat at home. A loss to Wolverhampton this Thursday would raise significant alarms about the club’s future. It’s clear that football in Manchester is struggling to thrive.
Who Will Emerge as the Mid-Season Top Scorer?
Erling Haaland has been the leading scorer for the past two seasons, but this year, he has seen a considerable drop in form, with “only” 13 goals in 17 matches. This decline has allowed another contender to rise: Mohamed Salah, who has already found the net 15 times this season and is enjoying one of his best campaigns yet, playing a crucial role in Liverpool’s success. He recently scored twice and provided two assists against Tottenham. Following him is Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who holds third place with 11 goals. With Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea all playing at home this Boxing Day, the stage is set for these players to potentially increase their goal tallies. Let the competition begin!