The Premier League is not yet done for 2024, but we have enjoyed the last of the action before Christmas.
The division's festivities are well underway, with the current hectic period often proving a defining one in the seasons of many.
The league has so far been a bit bonkers. We can say with a degree of security that Manchester City's streak of titles will stop at four and Southampton are doomed, but there's little else we can safely assume about what could occur during the second half of 2024/25.
The form table on Christmas Day depicts a topsy-turvy division, with two unfancied sides heading into the campaign impressing towards the top, while the champions rank among one of the division's sorriest outfits.
Position Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goal difference +/- Points
1. Chelsea 5 4 1 0 +9 14:5 13
2. Bournemouth 5 4 1 0 +7 11:4 13
3. Nottingham Forest 5 4 0 1 +2 8:6 12
4. Arsenal 5 3 2 0 +9 13:4 11
5. Aston Villa 5 3 0 2 0 7:7 9
6. Newcastle 5 2 2 1 +6 14:8 8
7. Liverpool 4 2 2 0 +5 13:8 8
8. Crystal Palace 5 2 2 1 -1 8:9 8
9. Fulham 5 1 4 0 +2 7:5 7
10. Brentford 5 2 0 3 0 10:10 6
11. Man Utd 5 2 0 3 -1 8:9 6
12. Everton 4 1 2 1 0 4:4 5
13. West Ham 5 1 2 2 -4 7:11 5
14. Tottenham 5 1 1 3 0 12:12 4
15. Man City 5 1 1 3 -1 7:8 4
16. Leicester 5 1 1 3 -8 6:14 4
17. Brighton 5 0 3 2 -4 6:10 3
18. Wolves 5 1 0 4 -5 7:12 3
19. Ipswich 5 1 0 4 -6 3:9 3
20. Southampton 5 0 2 3 -10 2:12 2
A disappointing draw at Goodison Park wasn't enough to see Chelsea fall from top spot in the form table. The Blues are unbeaten since October, and they'd won their previous five Premier League outings before Sunday's stalemate.
Everton have aided the title hopes of bitter rivals Liverpool by taking points off their two primary challengers in recent weeks. Before holding the Blues, the Toffees secured a point at the Emirates. Arsenal were left frustrated by Sean Dyche's side on home soil, and a victory there likely would've seen them top the Christmas form table. The Gunners have recorded 11 points from their previous five and are unbeaten since the November international break.
Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are the two surprise packages that have claimed more points than title hopefuls Arsenal. In fact, the Cherries, after winning at Old Trafford 3-0 for their second consecutive season, are level with Chelsea on 13 points at the summit. Forest rank just behind with 11 having won four of their previous five.
League leaders Liverpool have presented some vulnerabilities in recent weeks but nonetheless have a healthy buffer at the summit thanks to Everton's recent work. The postponement of the Merseyside derby means they've played a game fewer than everyone in the form table, but two wins and a pair of draws sees them sit in seventh.
Life under Ruben Amorim has been a mixed bag for Manchester United thus far, and their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth was a big blow. The Portuguese coach is yet to build any momentum at Old Trafford, with United winning two of their previous five in the league, but the size of the job at Amorim's disposal is monstrous.
United are 11th in the form table and faring better off than the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City. This may be a year for the cups in north London given Spurs' Premier League indifference. Ange Postecoglou's side have performed admirably but struggled mightily in the absence of multiple senior defenders. City have been almost unexplainably poor, although Spurs' woes have yet to extend to one win in 12.
The Cityzens' 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest proved to be a mere false dawn as they've since been beaten in the Manchester derby and away at Aston Villa.
Brighton started the season wonderfully under Fabian Hurzeler, but the Seagulls are in the midst of a rut having failed to win any of their previous five. They sit 17th in the form table and on the brink of the drop zone. Thankfully, there are some pretty dire teams competing in the top flight. Wolves, Ipswich and Southampton occupy the bottom three in the form and actual league tables.
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