Premier League 2020-21, Matchday 12 preview: Manchester derby headlines Saturday, 4 clubs eye top spot

First Published Dec 12, 2020, 12:58 PM IST

The English Premier League enters matchday 12, as the race for the top spot is well on between as many as four clubs. However, the biggest headline of this matchday happens to be the Manchester Derby, as both the teams would eye a win, in order to rise to the top-four.

<p>The English Premier League (EPL) has entered Matchday 12, as the weekend awaits some intense footballing action. While the race for the top spot is active among four clubs, for now, the matchday also witnesses the all-important Manchester derby, which is sure to headline on Saturday for the race for top-four. Meanwhile, we present the preview for this week with some of the top clashes.</p>

The English Premier League (EPL) has entered Matchday 12, as the weekend awaits some intense footballing action. While the race for the top spot is active among four clubs, for now, the matchday also witnesses the all-important Manchester derby, which is sure to headline on Saturday for the race for top-four. Meanwhile, we present the preview for this week with some of the top clashes.

<p><strong>Spurs look to stay on top:</strong> The most surprising factor this season so far has been the performance of Tottenham Hostpur, who are currently on top. They take on 11th place Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. Although it should be an easy win for them, a loss could see them squander the top spot. Nonetheless, Jose Mourinho and his men would be determined for success here, as the manager is famous for being most lethal in his second season.</p>

Spurs look to stay on top: The most surprising factor this season so far has been the performance of Tottenham Hostpur, who are currently on top. They take on 11th place Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. Although it should be an easy win for them, a loss could see them squander the top spot. Nonetheless, Jose Mourinho and his men would be determined for success here, as the manager is famous for being most lethal in his second season.

<p><strong>Liverpool eye top spot too: </strong>Speaking of the defending champions, they are currently placed second. However, the exciting thing is that they are going neck-on-neck with the Spurs, locked on similar points, with the latter being ahead on goal difference. Meanwhile, they would be taking on relegation-threatened 17th-placed Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Although they are considerably behind on goal difference, they would aim for a big win, besides also expecting the Spurs to lose against Palace.</p>

Liverpool eye top spot too: Speaking of the defending champions, they are currently placed second. However, the exciting thing is that they are going neck-on-neck with the Spurs, locked on similar points, with the latter being ahead on goal difference. Meanwhile, they would be taking on relegation-threatened 17th-placed Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Although they are considerably behind on goal difference, they would aim for a big win, besides also expecting the Spurs to lose against Palace.

<p><strong>Chelsea look to continue their unbeaten run: </strong>Former champions Chelsea are on a roll, as they are currently unbeaten in 17 games across competitions. No wonder why Frank Lampard and his men would be looking to continue the streak, as a win against ninth-placed Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday could help them take the top spot, provided Spurs and Liverpool lose their respective matches.</p>

Chelsea look to continue their unbeaten run: Former champions Chelsea are on a roll, as they are currently unbeaten in 17 games across competitions. No wonder why Frank Lampard and his men would be looking to continue the streak, as a win against ninth-placed Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday could help them take the top spot, provided Spurs and Liverpool lose their respective matches.

<p><strong>Leicester City in a similar ship:</strong> The 2015-16 champions are on a similar race like Chelsea. Although they are not on an unbeaten run, they would definitely look for a win against 16th-placed Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday, at the King Power Stadium. The success could see them rise to the second spot by Monday night, provided the teams above them lose their matches. While they can theoretically make it to the top, it would require a win by a considerable margin.</p>

Leicester City in a similar ship: The 2015-16 champions are on a similar race like Chelsea. Although they are not on an unbeaten run, they would definitely look for a win against 16th-placed Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday, at the King Power Stadium. The success could see them rise to the second spot by Monday night, provided the teams above them lose their matches. While they can theoretically make it to the top, it would require a win by a considerable margin.

<p><strong>Top-four race for Manchester: </strong>The headline of this week has to the Manchester derby. The two clubs are set to battle it out for the fourth spot on Saturday, at Old Trafford. While Manchester United are currently on the seventh spot, Manchester City are on eighth, with a difference of just a point. However, to rise to fourth, they will also have to expect the teams above them (Leicester, West Ham United and Southampton) to lose their respective games.</p>

Top-four race for Manchester: The headline of this week has to the Manchester derby. The two clubs are set to battle it out for the fourth spot on Saturday, at Old Trafford. While Manchester United are currently on the seventh spot, Manchester City are on eighth, with a difference of just a point. However, to rise to fourth, they will also have to expect the teams above them (Leicester, West Ham United and Southampton) to lose their respective games.