Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Arsenal are likely ruing missed opportunities after allowing Liverpool to escape unscathed in the Premier League title race. The Gunners’ January stumbles could prove decisive in a season that might have unfolded very differently. Now, despite a lackluster defeat at Fulham, Liverpool maintains control of the top spot with minimal threat. Intriguingly, the contest for European football intensifies, contrasting sharply with Southampton’s confirmed relegation as historically poor performers. Aston Villa’s strong form and Manchester City’s unexpected struggles add further complexity as the season approaches its climax. With Southampton relegated and Wolves overcoming Ipswich, the bottom three positions are essentially decided. This week’s analysis highlights five key discussion points emerging from the latest Premier League matchday.
Chelsea’s Travel Troubles
Chelsea’s aspirations for Champions League qualification next season could be undermined by their inconsistent away form. A goalless draw against Brentford at the weekend frustrated travelling supporters, understandably so. This stalemate extends their winless away run in the league for 2025, with prior draws against Crystal Palace and defeats to Manchester City, Brighton, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. It will soon be four months since their last away victory – a 4-3 triumph over Tottenham – illustrating Enzo Maresca’s challenge in addressing the team’s struggles on the road.
منذ ذلك الانتصار على توتنهام، سجل تشيلسي ثلاثة أهداف فقط خارج أرضه من 109 تسديدة، مما يمثل معدل تحويل تسديدات إلى أهداف يبلغ بالكاد 2.75%. هذا يعني هدف واحد كل 36.3 تسديدة.
Maresca has experimented with formations, deploying Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Noni Madueke as a front four against Brentford. In the preceding match against Arsenal, Pedro Neto led the attack, supported by Sancho, Enzo Fernandez, and Nkunku.
Chelsea labored under the sun on Sunday, securing a 0-0 draw against West London rivals Brentford.
Jadon Sancho started for the Blues but couldn’t invigorate their attack, which faltered once more.
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Cole Palmer and Madueke had previously started with Neto and Nkunku in a dismal defeat to Brighton – where they failed to register a shot on target – while Nicolas Jackson led the line in the Crystal Palace draw. Chelsea’s continued struggles away from home make their proximity to the Champions League race somewhat surprising, highlighting the unpredictable competition for European spots. With upcoming away league fixtures against Fulham, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest, Chelsea could potentially finish the season without an away league win in 2025 and still secure Champions League qualification, reflecting the league’s unpredictable nature.
Enzo Maresca’s team is yet to secure an away victory in the Premier League this calendar year.
Bournemouth’s Momentum Fades
After 26 games, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth occupied sixth place, just four points behind Nottingham Forest in third, with a top-four finish appearing achievable. However, following 31 games, and a 2-2 draw against 16th-placed West Ham, Bournemouth now risks a bottom-half finish. This shift was unforeseen weeks prior, suggesting a decline in momentum for Iraola’s team.
Bournemouth’s recent form ranks 18th in the league, with two draws and four defeats in their last six matches. Only Southampton, already relegated, and Leicester City exhibit worse form. This downturn includes five defeats at home, encompassing losses to Wolves, Brentford, Manchester City, and Ipswich Town, along with an FA Cup exit via penalty shootout.
Bournemouth hampered their prospects for European football next season with a 2-2 draw at West Ham.
Antoine Semenyo’s goalscoring has diminished since January, and Ryan Christie is playing through injury, affecting his performance. Illia Zabarnyi’s form has dipped post-suspension, while Justin Kluivert is now sidelined due to injury. Bournemouth’s European ambitions are now precarious, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga acknowledges that further errors could derail their season. He stated to the Daily Echo, following the West Ham draw: “Now is the most difficult part of the season because every point is very hard to take. So we are in a good position. We missed some opportunities in the last weeks, but we want to be in Europe. Obviously, we have to start taking the points. We have to start making three. Next game at home, we have to be strong because otherwise the chances they are going.”
For Bournemouth, the crucial period is now. Failing to capitalize risks concluding a season that once promised much with a disappointing end.
Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (left) understands the need to avoid further slip-ups.
Ipswich Town’s Missed Chances Haunt Relegation Battle
Ipswich Town’s likely return to the Championship will be framed by regrets over missed opportunities. Their recent 2-1 defeat to Wolves, after initially taking the lead through Liam Delap, exemplifies this. The loss significantly boosts Wolves’ survival chances while deepening Ipswich’s relegation concerns. Unlike Southampton and Leicester City’s poor campaigns, Ipswich has often played with spirit but crucially failed to convert promising positions into victories consistently.
Following the reversal against Wolves, Ipswich has now dropped a league-high 25 points from winning positions this season. Manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged the growing likelihood of relegation, stating: “I think it’s certainly more than likely on the balance of probabilities.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna recognizes the regret over squandered opportunities this season.
Not that I don’t think we can’t finish the season strongly, but Wolves are a strong side and the chance of them losing all their games is really low. The likelihood is we’ll fall short of our ultimate dream.” Reflecting on the season, McKenna and his squad will recognize numerous occasions where matches were within their grasp, only to slip away. Navigating the path back to the Premier League will likely require another significant effort next season for Ipswich.
Garnacho’s Enigma Puzzles
Ruben Amorim faces numerous challenges, perhaps understatedly, Alejandro Garnacho being a significant one. The Argentine winger remains both dynamic and frustrating in equal measure. After a subpar performance against Nottingham Forest, Amorim urged Garnacho to elevate all aspects of his game. The subsequent goalless draw against Manchester City means Garnacho has now gone 19 games with just one assist and no goals.
Garnacho’s application in training isn’t in question; the issue seems to be a disconnect with Amorim’s tactical demands. He has shown flashes of brilliance in the No. 10 role, and played on the left flank against City.
Alejandro Garnacho’s lack of final product was again evident in the Manchester derby.
Despite Troy Deeney highlighting him as a ‘shining light’ on Match of the Day 2, acknowledging moments of impact, particularly early against City, Garnacho’s situation is complex. From a Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) perspective, selling Garnacho could represent significant profit. Should Amorim deem him non-essential for future plans, a sale might be tempting. Conversely, if Amorim believes Garnacho’s current slump is a symptom of playing within a struggling team, and that strategic summer signings can unlock his potential, retaining him remains a viable option. Internally, there’s apprehension at Manchester United that letting Garnacho go could be a mistake, given his evident potential. However, time to realize that potential isn’t unlimited. With the summer transfer window approaching, Garnacho needs to demonstrate his value to Amorim’s rebuild and avoid becoming a casualty of squad restructuring.
Ruben Amorim is tasked with crucial decisions on Garnacho’s future this summer, mirroring many of his squad players.
Top-Five Battle Set for Final Day Climax
Predicting the final positions for third, fourth, and fifth place appears incredibly difficult. The contest for Champions League qualification – with fifth place potentially securing a spot due to England’s UEFA coefficient – is poised to extend to the season’s final day. Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Fulham, and Brighton all remain contenders in this fiercely contested race.
A likely victory for Newcastle United against Leicester City on Monday would see Manchester City drop out of the top five for the first time since mid-January.
Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions can be enhanced with a win at Leicester City.
Chelsea still faces away games against Fulham and Nottingham Forest, while Brighton’s form has faltered with three winless matches. Aston Villa, currently in strong form, must manage potential fatigue from European competitions, irrespective of their Champions League quarter-final outcome against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite a less dramatic title race and relegation scenario, the top-five race promises to be captivating, filled with twists and turns amongst at least seven competing teams. The sprint to the finish line is eagerly anticipated.