The Premier League, as it often does, has delivered a whirlwind of narratives in the first half of the season. From dominant performances at the summit to underwhelming campaigns from big names, fans are braced for a dramatic finish.
At the bottom of the table, the three teams currently look cut adrift and doomed to fall through the trap door to the Championship. But outside of that, there is still plenty to play for. So, let’s take a look at what we feel are the three of the most compelling storylines to watch as the second half unfolds.
Can Anyone Catch Liverpool?
Liverpool have been nothing short of sensational this season. Following the departure of maverick manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season, many expected the Reds to struggle. Many an online sportsbook provider made them a distant third favorite for the title, somewhat behind reigning champions Manchester City and back-to-back runners-up Arsenal.
However, under new boss Arne Slot, the Merseysiders appear to have ironed out the minor inconsistencies that cost them their title challenge last year and are running like a well-oiled machine once again. They currently sit top of the table, a mighty six points clear of the aforementioned Gunners and have a game in hand. It’s no surprise to hear then that the bookies have drastically shortened their odds from preseason, with Bodog sportsbook, in particular, pricing them as a huge -450 favorite to seal the title this May.
Mohamed Salah has been the star of the show, as he so often is. Despite his contract expiring at the end of the season, he has amassed some 26 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions, as well as providing an additional 18 assists. All of this comes with the Egyptian King being at the age of 32 and supposedly slowing down.
So, with such a huge margin to their nearest rivals, fans are asking one question: can anyone close the gap? Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions were the big winners of last season but they are well and truly out of the title race after a disastrous first half to the current campaign. That leaves Arsenal as the sole genuine challenger, and while they may appear to have a shot on paper, injuries may well be the difference once again.
No fewer than four first-team players are currently on the treatment table, three of which would usually be in the starting 11 – namely Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Ben White. With no new signings coming through the door in January, it’s up to teenagers such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly to fill in the gaps left by their more senior teammates. While they may well be up to that task, asking them to reel in the runaway league leaders is too much of a task, and Liverpool look sure to emerge as champions this season.
Will Man Utd & Spurs’ Plight Continue?
Few fans, even the most pessimistic, could have predicted Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s respective slumps this term. Both clubs entered the campaign with major ambitions, but the results have fallen far short of expectations. The Red Devils are currently way down in 13th place and are already on their second manager of the season, while injury hit-Spurs are two points and one place below them in the table.
For United, the problems are layered. New manager Ruben Amorim has done his utmost to stamp his authority on his newly inherited squad, grabbing the headlines as he axed star player Marcus Rashford before ultimately exiling him to Aston Villa until the end of the season.
While he has picked up some impressive results, such as a thrilling 2-1 victory away at their cross-city rivals, as well as beating Arsenal on penalties away from home in the FA Cup, his squad is still a million miles away from where it needs to be. For the next four months, the former Sporting CP boss will look to implement his playing style on his new team while evaluating which players are up to the task of representing Manchester United next season and beyond.
In North London, Ange Postocoglu’s Spurs have been having a disastrous time. They, like their rivals Arsenal, are injury-riddled, and they had no fewer than 14 players out injured at one point. While some such as Richarlison and Micky van de Ven have recently returned, their season is already in tatters. The recent 4-1 EFL Cup semi-final defeat all but ended their hopes of silverware domestically, and the Europa League represents their only chance at major honors this season.
Another Outsider To Sneak Into the Top Four
The last two Premier League seasons have shattered the notion that only traditional “Big Six” clubs can claim Champions League spots. Newcastle United’s remarkable ascent saw them burst into the top four in the 2022/23 season, while Aston Villa followed in their footsteps last term by returning to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in four decades. This year, with Manchester City, Manchester United, and Spurs all struggling, the door is open for another underdog to slide through.
Nottingham Forest are the current favorites to do that. Spurred on by the goals of veteran target man Chris Wood, the Tricky Trees currently find themselves in third place, some six points clear of the aforementioned City. Newcastle are level on points with the Blues and haven’t given up their own Champions League just yet, while Bournemouth are also on the prowl. The Cherries are just one point behind those two and if they could somehow find their way into the top four, it may well be the greatest underdog achievement since Leicester won the title nine years ago.
