Champions Travel

All to play for heading at the halfway stage of the 2023/24 Premier League season

Few Premier League seasons in recent memory have been as chaotic and frenetic as the 2023/24 campaign. With points deductions, big names coming and going and shock results in abundance, it has been compelling viewing for all.

As the protracted winter break takes hold in January, with sides only playing once across a two-week period, attention naturally turns to the progression or regression of all of the sides in the division and it is very much all to play for ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Same again for City?

Having clinched their historic Treble during the 2022/23 season, Manchester City were touted by many to be the side to catch again this season. However, a sticky patch during the Autumn left plenty of people questioning City’s merits and to a large extent, writing them off.

However, fresh off the back of their FIFA Club World Cup triumph in Saudi Arabia, City have bounced back in style in the Premier League and with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland to return to their starting lineup, there is a very ominous look about Pep Guardiola’s men currently.

Lift off again for Liverpool?

After enduring a rough campaign in 2022/23, Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool was at a bit of cross roads but as ever, the German showed his managerial credentials and made some tough decisions.

Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were just three of the big name and big money players moved on, with Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai recruited to replace them and the reds have gone from strength to strength.

With a 2-point lead over the chasing pack, Liverpool will be starting to believe that this could be their year once more, as they continue to battle on four fronts through the second half of the season.

New look North London

Much of the early part of the season was dominated by Tottenham, who were flying under new manager Ange Postecoglou, with Spurs fans believing that their 60-year wait for a Premier League title could be coming to an end.

Whilst that optimism has waned somewhat, Spurs do look to be a confident side currently and if they were to continue to fight for a top 4 spot, that would be a superb return for Postecoglou in his first full season in charge.

4 miles down the road at The Emirates, the picture is looking unclear, following a tricky festive period and for the first time in a couple of years – question marks are being asked of Mikel Arteta.

Now firmly established as a top 4 side, Arsenal have all of the credentials to maintain the pace in the race for the Premier League title, but they will have to chase the other sides down – something they haven’t been able to do in recent times.

Valiant Villa

Arguably the surprise package in the Premier League title shakeup is Aston Villa, Unai Emery has overseen a serious transformation at Villa Park in recent times and whilst many would argue their success is a product of hefty investment, Villa have kept pace so far at the top of the table.

A top 4 finish would be a fantastic return for Villa this season, but it is looking like they will be having to fend off challenges from the likes of Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United over the second half of the campaign.

Aston Villa’s Upcoming Fixtures.

Relegation Scrap Is On

Staying in the Premier League is always huge business and there are a host of sides very much in the battle to keep their place in the top flight.

All three promoted sides Sheffield United, Luton Town and Burnley have felt the heat this season, with all of the aforementioned having spent long periods in the drop zone, but they are firmly within reach of the teams above them in the quest for survival.

One of the key stories of the season has centred around Everton, who suffered a 10-point deduction for financial regularities – a penalty that has pushed Sean Dyche’s side close to the danger zone at the halfway stage.

Two other sides that are yet to pull away from trouble are Nottingham Forest and Brentford, with form and goals eluding both sides at different stages throughout the campaign. Going into the second half of the season, they will need to be wary of the challenges from the sides below them as the season draws out.

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