As we enter a new calendar year and the halfway point of the Premier League season, we thought it would be a good idea to take stock and share some matchday predictions. Who is best positioned to lift the trophy? Which teams are cannon fodder for the relegation zone? And who has exceeded expectations? So today we will do our best to answer those questions for you.

The Race for the Title

After beating Arsenal, Manchester City is now the short-priced favourite to retain the Premier League title. It was a momentous day for Pep Guardiola’s team, as they increased their lead at the top of the table before Chelsea and Liverpool drew 2-2 at Stamford Bridge, which was a result many had predicted.

Last season, Pep Guardiola’s team won the title by a comfortable 12-point margin, and they have begun to re-establish a dominant advantage over the pursuing pack. Their combination of the league’s most robust defence and a prolific frontline with plenty of attacking options, has helped them win more games than any other team this season and they make a compelling case for why they are the team to beat.

After having their title defence derailed by a slew of injuries to key defensive players last season, Liverpool are looking to get back to their exciting best this season. A Reds team that set multiple records on its path to the 2018-19 title appeared to be on track to challenge the champs all the way this season until a slump in performances during the holidays.

After winning the UEFA Champions League last season, the Blues were expected to repeat their success in the league. Thomas Tuchel’s men, on the other hand, have struggled to get going and appear to be struggling to keep up with the top two.

Champions League Spots

With the three teams above looking assured of Champions League placings, it means a whole host of teams behind are battling it out for the last remaining spot. However, despite a terrible start to the current Premier League season with three straight defeats, the Gunners appear to have recovered their feet. Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Norwich on Boxing Day was their fourth in a row in the league, with the team scoring 14 goals in the process. While ousted captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made headlines for all the wrong reasons, the rest of Mikel Arteta’s squad has stepped up, with youngsters such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe indicating that the Gunners’ future looks bright. After finishing seventh last season, a top-four finish this season would be fantastic.

To date, the Hammers’ 2021-22 season has been a rollercoaster, but they deserve respect for continuing to prove they can fight with the best in the Premier League. However, with their offensive being asked to compensate for continuous leaks at the back, David Moyes’ primary concern for 2022 is defence.

The Red Devils fired manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a terrible run in October and November. Despite bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, Manchester United have looked vulnerable defensively and have relied too heavily on their Portuguese star to save games.

Who’s for the Chop

The Canaries’ transition to the Premier League has been difficult, as they went from champions of the Championship to bottom of the table. Norwich have only scored eight goals in 18 games and don’t appear to be on the verge of a mid-season turnaround after losing their last four games without scoring.

Newcastle faces an uphill battle to save their season, despite having wealthy owners and a skilled new manager in Eddie Howe. So it’s no surprise that the team has only won one game this season after conceding a league-high 41 goals in 18 games.

Although being in the relegation zone, Burnley has games in hand and appears to be the most likely of the struggling sides to turn things around. If they can figure out how to win games again, Sean Dyche‘s team should have the quality and experience to avoid relegation.

Despite winning their first game back in the Premier League, Watford replaced Xisco with Claudio Ranieri after a string of poor losses. The Hornets have already beaten Everton and Manchester United under the Italian boss, but they have now lost four games in a row. Watford has only drawn one league match this season and must find a method to gain more consistent points if they are to continue in the Premier League.