The Premier League table looks decidedly strange as we approach the halfway point of the 2024/25 season.
Nottingham Forest occupy the top four, Manchester City find themselves in seventh while both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are languishing in the bottom half. However, to see Liverpool leading the league is less surprising.
Arne Slot's side have been exceptional during the first half of the season and the Premier League title is now theirs to lose. Arsenal and Chelsea are in hot pursuit, however, and the London duo will not be deterred in their bids to upset the party.
The new year tends to prove crucial in the destination of the title, so let's take a closer look at the next five Premier League fixtures for Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Luis Diaz, Alejandro Garnacho
Liverpool face their fierce foes soon / Michael Regan/GettyImages
Liverpool have little time to enjoy their 6-3 victory over Tottenham, with two more Premier League fixtures before the end of the calendar year.
The Reds begin with a visit from struggling Leicester City on Boxing Day, with the Foxes having lost their last two matches by an aggregate score of 7-0. Another misfiring side comes afterwards in the form of West Ham United, who Liverpool have already beaten 5-1 in the Carabao Cup this term. This fixture takes place in the capital, however.
Slot's side will be eagerly anticipating their first fixture of the new year, with Man Utd journeying to Anfield. Ruben Amorim, who was once considered by Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp, is already struggling in Manchester and a trip to Merseyside could get ugly for the Portuguese coach.
Liverpool don't return to Premier League action for nine days, but they will still play twice. The first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Spurs is followed by an FA Cup tie with Accrington Stanley.
Then it's back to business in the top flight, with a tricky trip to surprise overperformers Nottingham Forest on the cards. The Midlands side remain the only team to have beaten Slot's Liverpool to date following their 1-0 win at Anfield. Four days later, the Reds make the trip to the capital to face Brentford, who have an incredibly strong home record.
Date & kick-off time (GMT) Fixture
26/12/24 - 20:00 Liverpool vs Leicester
29/12/24 - 17:15 West Ham vs Liverpool
05/01/25 - 16:30 Liverpool vs Man Utd
14/01/25 - 20:00 Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool
18/01/25 - 15:00 Brentford vs Liverpool
Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal face Spurs in the north London derby in January / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
Arsenal secured a much-needed victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday after successive league draws and they will be aiming to close out the year with a similarly emphatic victory. The Gunners host newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Friday evening, with the Tractor Boys having just been hammered 4-0 by Newcastle United.
New Year's Day brings a short but challenging trip to Brentford. The Bees only lost their first home Premier League match of the season at the weekend as they were toppled by the impressive Nottingham Forest.
Ten-man Arsenal dropped points against Brighton & Hove Albion early in the season and they will be seeking revenge just three days after their journey to the Gtech Community Stadium. The Seagulls are going through a rough patch and the Gunners could take advantage.
Arsenal then host the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Newcastle United before welcoming Man Utd to the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup third round. There will be little time to rest for Mikel Arteta's side.
Three days after Man Utd's trip to north London, Arsenal face their local rivals Tottenham. A meeting that always produces drama, goals and a little chaos - the Gunners won the reverse fixture 1-0 thanks to Gabriel's header.
A tricky January gets no simpler several days later, with Aston Villa arriving at the Emirates in the Premier League. The Villans won this exact fixture 2-0 last season and Unai Emery could get one over on his former employers again.
Date & kick-off time (GMT) Fixture
27/12/24 - 20:15 Arsenal vs Ipswich
01/01/25 - 17:30 Brentford vs Arsenal
04/01/25 - 17:30 Brighton vs Arsenal
15/01/25 - 20:00 Arsenal vs Tottenham
18/01/25 - 17:30 Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Noni Madueke
Chelsea put six past Wolves last time the sides clashed / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
Chelsea undoubtedly have the simplest next five Premier League fixtures of the three sides gracing the top of the table. The Blues also don't have the Carabao Cup semi-finals to concern themselves with after an early season exit.
Boxing Day brings a west London derby with Fulham, who are unbeaten in their last five matches but have won just once in that time. It won't be straightforward for Chelsea against the Cottagers but they will be pleased to finish the calendar year with a trip to Portman Road to face the floundering Ipswich.
Chelsea's first fixture of 2025 sees them travel to south London, where they will go up against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Blues have enjoyed this fixture in recent years but could only manage a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign.
Enzo Maresca should be able to give his squad plenty of recovery time after the clash with the Eagles. Chelsea face Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup before their next Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The Cherries currently sit fifth in the table after a mightily impressive few weeks.
Chelsea then welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to west London having put six past the Old Gold in the reverse fixture. However, the Midlands club are now under new management after the appointment of Vitor Pereira, meaning the upcoming meeting is likely to be a tougher challenge than the Molineux bout.
Date & kick-off time (GMT) Fixture
26/12/24 - 15:00 Chelsea vs Fulham
30/12/24 - 19:45 Ipswich vs Chelsea
04/01/25 - 15:00 Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
14/01/25 - 19:30 Chelsea vs Bournemouth
20/01/25 - 20:00 Chelsea vs Wolves
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