EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 14 Recap

We had a quick turnaround from Matchweek 13 to Matchweek 14 and an even quicker one heading into Matchweek 15, with just a single day separating yesterday’s finale and tomorrow’s kickoff. At the top, Liverpool and Newcastle played out a thrilling six-goal draw that cost both teams two points, yet Liverpool remain seven points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal, who sit on 28 points each, with Chelsea edging second place on goal difference. Manchester City snapped their winless streak and sit in fourth, still firmly in the title race given their pedigree. Brighton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Tottenham round out the top ten, though Spurs continue to search for consistency this season.

While Manchester United climbed into the top ten in Matchweek 13, they fell back to 13th following a loss to Arsenal. Meanwhile, Everton, Leicester City, and Crystal Palace escaped the relegation zone with inspiring victories, leaving Ipswich Town, Wolves, and Southampton rooted in the bottom three.

In terms of predictions, I managed to call just two correct winners in Manchester City and Chelsea in what proved to be another week of unpredictability and high-scoring affairs. Unfortunately, I didn’t hit any correct scorelines, but here’s hoping to turn that misfortune around this weekend. Without further ado, here’s your Matchweek 14 Recap and Matchweek 15 Preview, delivered on short notice, as always, by yours truly.

Ipswich Town 0-1 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace finally got their first away win of the season, and it came in a gritty battle at Portman Road. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s composed finish, set up by Eze, proved to be the difference. Ipswich’s lack of creativity in the final third was once again their undoing, as they failed to register a meaningful second-half attempt. Palace’s defense held strong, and their ability to capitalize on one of their few clear chances sealed the crucial three points that allowed them to breathe a little better in the relegation battle.

Leicester City 3-1 West Ham United

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester reign kicked off in style, with a crucial and emphatic win at the King Power Stadium. Jamie Vardy rolled back the years with an early opener, and the Foxes’ efficient counter-attacking play saw El Khannouss and Daka add to the tally. West Ham, despite their 31 shots, struggled for quality in the final third. Soucek’s late header was little more than a consolation for the visitors, as Leicester showed signs of life in their battle to pull away from the relegation zone under new management.

Everton 4-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Everton fans at Goodison Park finally had something to cheer about, as their side demolished Wolves with ease. Ashley Young’s stunning free-kick set the tone, while Orel Mangala’s deflected effort doubled the lead. Wolves’ defensive nightmares continued, with Craig Dawson scoring two own goals to gift Everton a commanding victory. This performance lifted the Toffees out of the relegation zone and provided a much-needed boost heading into their Merseyside derby this weekend.

Manchester City 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Manchester City snapped their winless streak in emphatic fashion at the Etihad, dismantling an in-form Nottingham Forest. Kevin De Bruyne’s influence was undeniable, as he returned to the starting eleven, pulled the strings in midfield, and scored one of City’s three goals. Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku added their names to the scoresheet, while Forest’s Chris Wood wasted two golden opportunities to pull one back. It was a statement win for Guardiola’s side as they look to reignite their title charge.

Newcastle United 3-3 Liverpool

One of the games of the season unfolded at St. James’ Park, where Newcastle and Liverpool shared the points in a six-goal thriller. Alexander Isak opened the scoring with a thunderous strike, and Bruno Guimarães’ influence in midfield helped Newcastle dominate early. Liverpool clawed back through Salah, who bagged a brace, including a vital equalizer late on. Both teams’ defensive lapses allowed each other to stay in the match, while Salah’s brilliance once again ensured Liverpool remained seven points clear at the top of the table.

Southampton 1-5 Chelsea

Chelsea ran riot at St. Mary’s, extending Southampton’s misery with a five-star performance. Malo Gusto and Disasi struck early, followed by goals from Nkunku, Palmer, and Sancho, his first of the season, as Chelsea’s relentless attack overwhelmed the 10-man Saints. Jack Stephens’ red card compounded Southampton’s woes, and Chelsea comfortably moved into second place with another commanding display entering their easier schedule with ease.

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United

Arsenal’s set-piece efficiency was the difference in a tightly contested match at the Emirates and much to be talked about afterwards. Goals from Timber and Saliba, both from corners, punished Manchester United’s inability to defend dead-ball situations. United’s attacking play showed flashes of promise through Rashford and Diallo, but they lacked a clinical edge. Arsenal’s solid defensive performance and ruthless set-piece execution ensured they claimed all three points in the derby.

Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford

Villa rediscovered their form with an impressive home win over Brentford. First-half goals from Rogers, Watkins, and Cash blew the visitors away, with Brentford only able to respond through a second-half strike from Damsgaard. Villa’s counter-attacking efficiency and defensive organization ended their winless streak and gave their second-year European ambitions a much-needed boost.

Fulham 3-1 Brighton

Fulham delivered a statement win at Craven Cottage, led by Alex Iwobi’s brilliant performance. The Nigerian international scored twice, and despite Baleba’s equalizer for Brighton early in the second half, an O’Riley own goal swung the momentum back to the hosts. Iwobi sealed the result with his second goal, as Fulham capitalized on Brighton’s wastefulness in front of goal to secure all three points.

Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham

Bournemouth edged Spurs in a tight contest at the Vitality Stadium, with Huijsen’s early header from a Tavernier corner proving to be the game’s only goal. Spurs dominated possession but lacked creativity in the final third, as Postecoglou’s side suffered their seventh away defeat of the season. Bournemouth’s disciplined defensive display saw them grind out a vital three points against a faltering Tottenham, and this now marks high-profile victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham at Vitality Stadium.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 15 Preview

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024

Everton vs. Liverpool – 7:30 AM

The Merseyside Derby opens the weekend, with Liverpool eager to bounce back after their thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle. Mohamed Salah’s consistency will be crucial for the Reds, especially as Liverpool’s midfield and defense have shown vulnerabilities in transitions, as evidenced against Newcastle. Everton, motivated by their emphatic 4-0 victory over Wolves, will look to frustrate Liverpool’s attacking flow with their physicality and set-piece prowess. Mangala and Tarkowski must be sharp at the back to contain Liverpool’s high-paced attack, while Ashley Young’s leadership could provide an edge in key moments. However, Liverpool’s class and form this season should see them through in what will be the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.

Prediction: Everton 1-3 Liverpool

Aston Villa vs. Southampton – 10:00 AM

Aston Villa enter this fixture riding the momentum of a vital win over Brentford that ended their recent slump. Ollie Watkins continues to lead the line with his combination of pace and finishing, while Rogers and Cash have proven they can deliver in high-pressure moments. For Southampton, defensive lapses that plagued them in the 5-1 loss to Chelsea must be addressed if they hope to compete at Villa Park. Mateus Fernandes and Joe Aribo will be tasked with stabilizing the Saints’ midfield, but Villa’s superior quality across the pitch makes this a daunting challenge for the visitors.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Southampton

Brentford vs. Newcastle United – 10:00 AM

Brentford’s strong home form faces a stern test as Newcastle visit following their pulsating draw with Liverpool. Kevin Schade’s creativity and Wissa’s movement will look to trouble Newcastle’s backline, which has been hampered by injuries and inconsistency. On the other side, Newcastle’s attacking threats—Isak, Gordon, and Tonali—ensure they remain dangerous in transition. This matchup has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, with both teams possessing the tools to exploit each other’s defensive gaps.

Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Newcastle United

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City – 10:00 AM

Crystal Palace, fresh from a narrow away win over Ipswich, host a Manchester City side that regained its groove with a commanding victory over Nottingham Forest. Kevin De Bruyne’s playmaking will be key to unlocking Palace’s disciplined defense, led by Marc Guehi. While Palace will rely on Eze and Mateta to provide counterattacking options, City’s depth and fluid attacking movements should overwhelm the hosts. Expect City to dominate possession and create enough chances to secure all three points as they look to build consistency before next week’s Champions League action.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City

Manchester United vs. Nottingham Forest – 12:30 PM

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United welcome Nottingham Forest in a clash of two teams searching for consistency. United’s defense, led by Lisandro Martinez and Mathijs De Ligt, will aim to stifle Chris Wood, who remains Forest’s key goal-scoring threat. Rashford and Diallo have shown promise in United’s attack, with Bruno Fernandes continuing to provide creativity from deeper areas. At Old Trafford, United’s improving cohesion and attacking combinations should give them the edge.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024

Fulham vs. Arsenal – 9:00 AM

Fulham, buoyed by Alex Iwobi’s outstanding performance against Brighton, face a challenging test against an in-form Arsenal side. The Gunners’ dominance in set pieces, with Timber, Saliba, and Gabriel excelling aerially, presents a significant threat to Fulham’s defense. On the attacking end, Saka and Ødegaard will look to carve through Fulham’s midfield. Despite Fulham’s promising 3-1 victory over Brighton, Arsenal’s firepower and clinical edge should prove too much for the hosts, even with home advantage.

Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Arsenal

Ipswich Town vs. Bournemouth – 9:00 AM

Ipswich continue to search for form as they welcome a Bournemouth side full of confidence after a gritty win over Spurs. Tavernier’s deliveries and Huijsen’s aerial dominance remain Bournemouth’s key strengths, while Ipswich will rely on Hutchinson and Delap to try and unlock a resolute Cherries backline. However, Bournemouth’s defensive structure and counterattacking precision should make the difference, as they now boast three wins in their last five matches, including victories over Manchester City and Tottenham.

Prediction: Ipswich Town 0-2 Bournemouth

Leicester City vs. Brighton – 9:00 AM

Leicester’s resurgence under Ruud van Nistelrooy faces a stern test as Brighton visit the King Power Stadium. Jamie Vardy and Buonanotte will look to exploit Brighton’s high defensive line, but the Seagulls boast attacking depth, with Mitoma and Pedro leading the charge. Leicester’s newfound confidence could keep this competitive, but Brighton’s ability to dominate possession and create chances might tilt the balance. A draw seems the most likely outcome given the midweek performances of both teams.

Prediction: Leicester City 2-2 Brighton

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea – 11:30 AM

A London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium pits Chelsea’s red-hot attack against Spurs’ search for consistency. Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer have formed a devastating partnership, with Nkunku remaining a constant threat for opposition defenses. Spurs, heavily reliant on Son, will need additional attacking outlets to break through Chelsea’s resolute backline, especially with Solanke struggling for form. With Chelsea in top form and Spurs struggling to convert chances, this looks like another tough outing for Ange Postecoglou’s men.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024

West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 3:00 PM

West Ham aim to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Leicester as they host a Wolves side still recovering from a 4-0 thrashing at Everton. Tomas Soucek’s aerial presence and Bowen/Paqueta’s creativity will be pivotal for the Hammers, while Wolves will look to Cunha, Strand Larsen, and Sarabia to spark their attack. Both teams have struggled for consistency, but West Ham’s home advantage and, on paper, greater firepower could edge them ahead.

Prediction: West Ham United 2-1 Wolves