THE Premier League is back and Arsenal have it all to do if they are to win their first title since the 2003-04 Invincibles.
Mikel Arteta has masterminded his young side’s charge to the top of the table with the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City going into the World Cup break.
The Spaniard was dealt a massive blow as Gabriel Jesus suffered a nasty knee injury while on Brazil duty.
Jesus has been exceptional for Arsenal this term, scoring five times in the league but, more importantly, getting the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard involved.
Arteta may now have to change his January transfer plans and look for a striker having been hot on the heels of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
And, according to the BonusCodeBets supercomputer, Arsenal will NOT be able to cling on to top spot in the second half of the season.
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The Gunners are tipped to finish SECOND – their best finish since the 2015-16 season – but will have to watch on as City claim yet another crown.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won four of the last five Premier League titles – only missing out to Liverpool in 2019-20.
City are odds-on favourites to make it five out of six this term, led by goal-mad Erling Haaland.
Worryingly for City’s opponents, Haaland will be firing on all cylinders having enjoyed a long break with Norway failing to qualify for the World Cup.
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Elsewhere, Newcastle fans can be proud of a predicted fifth-placed finish.
Eddie Howe’s over-performing Toon are currently third and chasing a first Champions League spot since 2003.
But they’re expected to fade away and settle for a place in the Europa League – with struggling Liverpool tipped to finish third, despite their shaky start.
Jurgen Klopp’s injury-hit squad are currently sixth in the table, eight points adrift of the Magpies, albeit with a game in hand.
But with much of the squad not on World Cup duty, Liverpool are hoping to make a late charge up the standings.
Tottenham are expected to complete the top four and keep their place in the Champions League, at the expense of Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag would have hoped for more in his debut season, but with Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial axe from the squad shortly before the World Cup, the Dutchman may have to settle for whatever he can get.
United are set to beat Chelsea to sixth, with the Blues way down in seventh after a frustrating start to Graham Potter’s reign.
Potter was hired in September to replace Thomas Tuchel following his shock sacking.
But the West Londoners – now under new ownership after Todd Boehly bought out Roman Abramovich – are currently eighth, below Brighton.
At the other end of the table, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Wolves are all odds-on to be relegated.
However, the supercomputer reckons it’s an EIGHT-TEAM race to be relegated this season.
Everton, Southampton, Leeds, Fulham, Brentford and West Ham are all expected to be sucked into a hard-fought, bottom-of-the-table battle.
Premier League football returns on Boxing Day, starting with Brentford vs Tottenham at 12.30pm.
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And there are six more matches to enjoy, including four 3pm games, Aston Villa vs Liverpool at 5.30pm and Arsenal vs West Ham at 8pm – giving us nearly TEN HOURS of live football.
So get the leftover turkey sandwiches, mince pies and cheese and crackers at the ready – it should be a tasty day.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
