Premier League

2022 - 12 - 19

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Image courtesy of "Fantasy Football Scout"

World Cup 2022: Minutes and rests of the Premier League players (Fantasy Football Scout)

With top-flight action resuming on Monday 26 December – just eight days after the World Cup final – Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers may understandably be ...

That shouldn’t be a problem for FPL managers and neither should the 14 that went the whole distance. A few posters around here will hate it but I think it might be a smart way to start given fixture congestion & fitness uncertainty. I've got one 4m defender for 3rd bench, but otherwise a very similar structure. It should also be considered that 11 Premier League teams have a Carabao Cup tie beforehand, which names could return for. Some players came back early due to injury or personal reasons – like Arsenal pair Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) and Ben White (£4.7m) – but all players that failed to reach the final four will have at least 16 days to recover physically and mentally. With top-flight action resuming on Monday 26 December – just eight days after the World Cup final – Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers may understandably be apprehensive about such a quick turnaround.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

North Yorkshire man denies Premier League ticket fraud (BBC News)

Lee Mattocks is accused of setting up fake football club memberships to obtain tickets for games.

A further case management hearing prior to the trial is due to take place in York on 14 April. Mr Mattocks is charged with 15 counts of fraud, two counts of possessing an article for use in fraud, six counts of the unauthorised use of a trademark, Liverpool FC's crest, and one count of the possession of criminal property. He is due to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court on 3 June 2024.

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Image courtesy of "York Press"

YORK: Lee Mattocks denies £1m Premier League ticket fraud (York Press)

A MAN denied running a large-scale football ticket fraud over many years when he made his first appearance before York Crown Court.

In 2017, he allegedly set up three memberships of West Ham Football Club in a further three false names. The offences were allegedly carried out between July 15, 2009, and January 19, 2018. According to the charges, Mattocks applied three times to Liverpool Football Club and set up football membership in three false names, in 2009, 2012, and 2016.

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Image courtesy of "The Analyst"

Most Premier League Assists: Creative Kings | The Analyst (The Analyst)

As a player who has 632 Premier League appearances under his belt, it's probably unsurprising that Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs tops the list of leading ...

This was the Dutchman’s only Premier League assist, coming in his last of 10 seasons as a player in the competition. This makes him the player to have assisted the most goals in the Premier League without having scored one himself. Two 16-year-olds have assisted a Premier League goal since it began in 1992. Current West Ham player Vladimír Coufal also has 11 assists without ever scoring himself in the Premier League – still some way off Kimble’s tally of 24, but one to watch out for… Steven Gerrard’s 92 Premier League assists all came for Liverpool – with his feats for the Reds meaning he’s one of only six players to have assisted 70+ goals exclusively for one club. Mesut Özil led the way for assists in 2015-16, with 19 for his Arsenal teammates in 35 top-flight appearances. This assist for Oscar’s goal was the first goal scored in José Mourinho’s second spell as Blues manager. The only other two players to reach the century of assists in the Premier League are Wayne Rooney (103) and Frank Lampard (102). His first assist in the competition came in a Chelsea shirt in their win over Hull at Stamford Bridge. Who has assisted the most goals in the Premier League? This means his tally is the joint second-highest for a single club in the competition alongside Kevin De Bruyne. The Welshman provided 162 assists over his Premier League career, which is 51 more than the next best player: Cesc Fàbregas.

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Image courtesy of "Premier League"

GW17 Differentials: Andrew Robertson (Premier League)

The Scout says Liverpool left-back will make major impact in second half of 2022/23 Fantasy.

[Eddie Nketiah (ARS)](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2990131) [Che Adams (SOU)](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2989817) [Bruno Fernandes (MUN)](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2988894) [Newcastle United](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/23/Newcastle-United/overview) in Gameweek 24 and [Manchester United](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/12/Manchester-United/overview) in Gameweek 26. [Liverpool](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/10/Liverpool/overview)’s visit to [Aston Villa](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/2/Aston-Villa/overview). [All you need to know on the Second Chance league](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2978285)

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Image courtesy of "Premier League"

Match officials for Matchweek 17 (Premier League)

Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Marc Perry, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: John Busby. VAR: Mike Dean. Assistant VAR: Richard West. Monday 26 December.

Assistant VAR: Marc Perry. Assistant VAR: Nick Greenhalgh. Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann. Assistant VAR: Wade Smith. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger. Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart. VAR: Darren England. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton. Assistant VAR: Richard West. Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard. VAR: Michael Salisbury.

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Image courtesy of "FourFourTwo"

Premier League 2022/23 half-term reports: every team's season so ... (FourFourTwo)

Forgot how the Premier League was shaking up before all that World Cup nonsense? Here's a refresher course on who's happy and who's not...

Conor Pope is the Online Editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing all digital content, and joined the team in February 2019. Now: more of that in the league. Spurs fans are often bashed for the lack of silverware, and what an opportunity we missed with a lot of the big boys falling in the third round. WTF moment of the season: Three home hat-tricks in a row for Haaland. When we played Nottingham Forest, the groom at the wedding I was at (a United fan) was slagging off City in his speech. He is a goalkeeper operating at the peak of his powers during a difficult period for the club. One thing you’d change for 2023: The contract situations of Tielemans and Maddison. And some improved facilities in the Hammersmith End, please. He’s one of the first names on the team-sheet. One thing you’d change for 2023: Wilfried Zaha signing a new Palace contract to keep him at the club beyond the summer. We will have to wait and see how he manages the risk/reward of the attacking system he wants to play. WTF moment of the season: Losing two consecutive two-goal leads, to Spurs and Leeds.

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Image courtesy of "Football.London"

When does the Premier League resume? Arsenal, Chelsea and ... (Football.London)

Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham fans are all gearing up for the return of the Premier League next week after the 2022 World Cup came to an end with Argentina ...

There are no favours in this division but Spurs will be liking the look of their first three matches more than their rivals. Tottenham started the season strongly but slumped a little before the World Cup break. Back-to-back matches against Bournemouth and Forest could provide a welcome boost for the Blues. [Chelsea,](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/) meanwhile, are eighth and have ambitions of climbing the table. 26 Dec – Bournemouth (H) Their ambitions will be further tested with challenging matches against Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton and the high-flying Champions League chasing Magpies.

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Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

The return of the Premier League explained: Fixture dates, World ... (The Athletic)

The 2022 World Cup threw a spanner in the works across Europe. But no sooner as the action is finished in Qatar, attention returns to league football.

Southampton and Wolves have already reached for the panic button. It feels months ago that we were enjoying Premier League, and continental, football. There will still be a couple of weekends that teams may target to rest their star performers. However, there hasn’t been room to fit a winter break into this season’s schedule. Players for Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco were all needed by their nations on the weekend of December 17 and 18. Pep Guardiola made it clear that he would be happy to give his players a rest where possible. Between a week and 10 days seems to be the general break period being offered by clubs. Nine clubs — including It shouldn’t be too much of an issue for those who were eliminated during the group stage in Qatar. Tens of players will have to switch their focus, almost immediately, from a taxing World Cup campaign to the Premier League. [Chelsea](https://theathletic.com/football/team/chelsea/) vs [Bournemouth](https://theathletic.com/football/team/bournemouth/) But no sooner as the action is finished in Qatar, attention returns to league football.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Premier League returns to Amazon Prime this Boxing Day – here's ... (The Independent)

The Premier League returns to Amazon Prime Video on Boxing Day, here's how to watch every fixture for free and when each Premier League match takes place.

Just remember to cancel your subscription before the 30-day free trial runs out, or you’ll be charged. [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FLeeds-v-Man-City%2Fdp%2FB0BJJPJTX7%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJPJTX7%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FMan-Utd-v-Nottm-Forest%2Fdp%2FB0BJJFVDDX%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJFVDDX%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FChelsea-v-Bournemouth%2Fdp%2FB0BJJTLCCG%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJTLCCG%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FArsenal-v-West-Ham%2Fdp%2FB0BJJCYWLR%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJCYWLR%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FAston-Villa-v-Liverpool%2Fdp%2FB0BJJ9H95N%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJ9H95N%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FSouthampton-v-Brighton%2Fdp%2FB0BJJXC68M%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJXC68M%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FCrystal-Palace-v-Fulham%2Fdp%2FB0BJJLDTR1%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJLDTR1%23isAffiliate) Amazon Prime Video will be broadcasting all 10 fixtures on Boxing Day and the two days that follow. [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FLeicester-v-Newcastle%2Fdp%2FB0BJJWL2K7%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJWL2K7%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FEverton-v-Wolves%2Fdp%2FB0BJJBCXZ2%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJBCXZ2%23isAffiliate) [Watch on Amazon Prime Video](http://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?tsid=3658&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FBrentford-v-Spurs%2Fdp%2FB0BJJQCB3R%3Fascsubtag%3DIN%7C2248110%7CB0BJJQCB3R%23isAffiliate)

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Image courtesy of "The Analyst"

The Return of the Premier League | The Analyst (The Analyst)

Having lost against Brentford in their last Premier League game before the World Cup break, Man City are looking to avoid losing consecutive league games for ...

English captain Kane did break a Premier League record earlier this season, however, with his 195 goals for Tottenham being the record tally for a single club in the competition. However, none of the last 10 managers to take charge of Wolves in the top-flight have won their first league game (D3 L7 including caretaker managers). This is the Welshman’s first foray into Premier League management, and it’s a chance he deserves after a fantastic spell at unfancied Luton in the Championship. You feel that Harry Kane would normally be happy with his return of 12 goals from his opening 15 appearances in a Premier League season. The meeting with Brighton at St Mary’s Stadium will be Jones’ first home Premier League game in charge. [Julen Lopetegui’s](https://theanalyst.com/eu/2022/10/julen-lopetegui-sacked-sevilla-la-liga/) first ever Premier League game in charge. This is their first Premier League game when starting the day bottom of the table since their final game of the 2011-12 campaign (2-3 vs. They won’t be looking forward to travelling to North London on Boxing Day either, having lost 11 Premier League away games in 2022 already, their most on the road in a single calendar year since 2013 (12). They went on the win the Premier League the following campaign under Claudio Ranieri. All six teams with 37 points or more after 14 Premier League games have won the league that season. Mikel Arteta’s side have won each of their last nine Premier League home games, with six of these coming this season. This is the fifth time that Manchester City have not been top at Christmas under Pep Guardiola, but on two of the previous four occasions they have gone on to recover and win the title.

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Image courtesy of "Football.London"

Supercomputer predicts Arsenal Premier League title race with Man ... (Football.London)

The Premier League is set to return on Boxing Day with Arsenal currently leading Manchester City by five points at the top of the table but what might the ...

Let's just wait to see what happens in the coming weeks and months. Meanwhile, two of their biggest rivals in [Tottenham Hotspur ](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/)and [Chelsea ](https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/)have enjoyed indifferent campaigns. Chelsea, though, are only expected to finish in seventh as they continue their respective rebuild under Potter. As per the results, Arsenal will finish behind City in the title race but will cling onto second. The Gunners have lost their first-choice no.9 in Gabriel Jesus for at least a couple of months, whilst Manchester City's Erling Haaland is still fit and firing. The Premier League is finally set to return in a week's time following World Cup action in Qatar. Whilst Spurs have also got off to one of their best starts ever under Antonio Conte, the fourth placed outfit have been somewhat overshadowed by their north London nemesis. [Arsenal](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/) top the table after a formidable start to the season. [war chest of over £100m](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-january-transfer-budget-kroenke-25765857) in the January transfer window as Kroenke looks to extend the Gunners' impressive campaign. Graham Potter's Blues, on the other hand, are struggling. Of course, the break is set to have an impact on future proceedings. [Arsenal can draft in £3m signing to replace Reiss Nelson as Emile Smith Rowe nears comeback](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-signing-nelson-smith-rowe-25781507)

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Supercomputer predicts Man City Premier League title race outcome ... (Manchester Evening News)

Man City return to Premier League action trailing Arsenal by five points but a supercomputer thinks Pep Guardiola's side will end the season as champions ...

A spokesperson for the site stated: “Our supercomputer has predicted Arsenal will start to crumble and finish below Manchester City but remain ahead of Liverpool. [BonusCodeBets](https://bonuscodebets.co.uk/) - Pep Guardiola's side will overtake the Gunners. Arsenal currently sit top of the table by five points with Mikel Arteta's project seemingly coming to fruition. Arsenal sit at the top of the Premier League at the moment ahead of Manchester City so it will be interesting to see when things start to turn around.” The computer predicts Tottenham will join Liverpool in rounding out the top four, with Manchester United missing out and Chelsea only coming seventh. However, Manchester City will be hoping that when the season resumes and with a fully rested Erling Haaland they will be able to overcome their rivals.

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Image courtesy of "LiveScore"

Premier League outright predictions: Gunners can keep City at bay (LiveScore)

The Premier League season will resume on Boxing Day with Arsenal and Manchester City seemingly in a two-horse race for the title.

[13/2 to secure a top-two finish with LiveScore Bet](https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/england-premier-league/eventgroups/SBTC3_40253/0?btag=c_content_news_football) and can be backed at [11/8 with LiveScore Bet to finish in the top four](https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/england-premier-league/eventgroups/SBTC3_40253/0?btag=c_content_news_football). [2/5 to successfully defend their crown with LiveScore Bet](https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/england-premier-league/eventgroups/SBTC3_40253/0?btag=c_content_news_football) but experience could see them over the line. [28/1 with LiveScore Bet suggest](https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/england-premier-league/eventgroups/SBTC3_40253/0?btag=c_content_news_football). [priced at 5/2 to win the league with LiveScore Bet](https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/england-premier-league/eventgroups/SBTC3_40253/0?btag=c_content_news_football), host West Ham on Boxing Day before going up against seventh-placed Brighton and Newcastle in third. [Back Arsenal to win the Premier League outright](https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/england-premier-league/eventgroups/SBTC3_40253/0?btag=c_content_news_football) After a six-week hiatus for the 2022 World Cup, the Premier League campaign resumes on Boxing Day and we have assessed who could be in the running to win the title.

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Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

Premier League corners have never been deadlier – and it's partly ... (The Athletic)

Corners have accounted for almost a sixth of all top-flight goals this season, with Marco Silva's set-piece ingenuity reaping rich rewards.

[West Ham United](https://theathletic.com/football/team/west-ham-united/) (6ft 4in), and so too has Palhinha (6ft 3in) from Sporting Lisbon. That’s without mentioning the injured [Neeskens Kebano](https://theathletic.com/football/player/neeskens-kebano-9BMiSqciVOENZEnr/) or club captain Cairney. [Harry Wilson](https://theathletic.com/football/player/harry-wilson-Lpl9IitBvRNhzlIX/) moves towards the taker… Mitrovic holds his ground to stop marker [Ryan Yates](https://theathletic.com/football/player/ryan-yates-thJpSfsRiBnvDwKg/)… [almost NBA style](https://theathletic.com/2913763/2021/10/26/fulhams-nba-style-corners-how-marco-silvas-controversial-tactic-has-brought-set-piece-success/), to free a player of a marker. This is not by accident — for De Cordova-Reid’s goal, note the positioning of Reed and Willian, who were strategically placed to pick up the ball should the corner be cleared by the Villa defence. Fulham are smart in the ‘second phase’ of attack too. Fulham are also effective from short corners, where the aim is to produce a new angle of attack. That is something that has happened at Fulham, as the goals, and routines, speak for themselves. They do the job they have to do and I have to congratulate them.” Last season, in the Championship, no team scored more (25) from set-piece situations than Marco Silva’s team. As Pereira went to strike the ball, De Cordova-Reid surged forward, dragging a defender with him.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Liverpool December 2022 Fixture List & Schedule - Premier League ... (Sports Illustrated)

Domestic football is about to return after the 2022 World Cup and we can bring you details of all of Liverpool's fixtures in December.

[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5XstioL80j5xvix2FgayOv?si=c6005a65bcb245e7) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdlFklV55ZttMuLE6hf3FdA) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@lfctransferroom?lang=en) [World Cup](https://www.si.com/soccer/liverpool/news/confirmed-fifa-2022-world-cup-draw-groups-revealed-for-qatar). 8:00pm Liverpool v Leicester City (Premier League) 8:00pm Manchester City v Liverpool (Carabao Cup)

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Image courtesy of "Mashable"

Premier League livestream: How to watch Premier League for free (Mashable)

Prime Video is once again hosting a bunch of Premier League fixtures over the festive period. If you're interested in watching these games without making a ...

[30-day trial of Amazon Prime(opens in a new tab)](https://zdcs.link/O4lVn?cd36=Standard&t=deals&m=content_body&e=offer&i=text-link&el=30-day%20trial%20of%20Amazon%20Prime&cd62=article&cd63=07AsLWXgSQ77qcMIgjdrxOW&short_url=O4lVn&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Fuk%2Fdeals%2Fwatch-premier-league-for-free). You can find the full lineup of festive fixtures available on Prime Video here: Prime Video is hosting 10 live Premier League fixtures on Dec. Prime Video is once again hosting a bunch of Premier League fixtures over the festive period. You can watch every festive game for free with a WATCH FOR FREE: Prime Video is hosting 10 live Premier League fixtures on Dec.

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Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

The Premier League is back: What your club has been up to during ... (The Athletic)

It resumes on Boxing Day with the lunchtime match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur — where we could see Harry Kane play in his first game since missing a ...

[Kieran Trippier](https://theathletic.com/football/player/kieran-trippier-BrjARZjGyouR7oDx/), [Callum Wilson](https://theathletic.com/football/player/callum-wilson-MEfHKY5iTCEw3BQF/), [Nick Pope](https://theathletic.com/football/player/nick-pope-4ObCyTd1SVJaW4Kn/), [Bruno Guimaraes](https://theathletic.com/football/player/bruno-guimaraes-V37ZKsSxbOJRHxeY/) and [Fabian Schar](https://theathletic.com/football/player/fabian-schar-g9YrAFxpR2goSCVc/) went to Qatar with their respective nations — Newcastle held a training game with [Middlesbrough](https://theathletic.com/football/team/middlesbrough/) before flying out to Saudi Arabia for a week-long training camp. In what was built as a four-week “mini pre-season,” the team played a combination of intrasquad matches and behind-closed-doors friendlies, with the first coming in a 2-0 defeat against [Bristol City](https://theathletic.com/football/team/bristol-city/). [Rasmus Kristensen](https://theathletic.com/football/player/rasmus-kristensen-ZCyylrR3FExLlQV6/), [Tyler Adams](https://theathletic.com/football/player/tyler-adams-ltI89C7PR9gsLrDo/) and [Brenden Aaronson](https://theathletic.com/football/player/brenden-aaronson-wBnQbefGvwwJzAPt/) — so this has been a fairly low-key period for them. [Manchester United](https://theathletic.com/football/team/manchester-united/) last week. With [Junior Firpo](https://theathletic.com/football/player/junior-firpo-TmV1z1SGZ6J5aQmZ/) trying to get over a hamstring issue, Marsch could not say that his selection issues have eased dramatically. [Celtic](https://theathletic.com/football/team/celtic-fc/) and Western Sydney Wanderers. Willy Gnonto was a rare exception, required to link up with [Italy](https://theathletic.com/football/team/italy/)’s squad for international friendlies against Albania and [Austria](https://theathletic.com/football/team/austria/). [Ethan Nwaneri](https://theathletic.com/football/player/ethan-nwaneri-lzYe5Xb9jmtekmRy/) and [Amario Cozier-Duberry](https://theathletic.com/football/player/amario-cozier-duberry-VCzGQdrOi6zwXc80/) got more minutes against [Juventus](https://theathletic.com/football/team/juventus/) at Emirates Stadium. Three days later, they beat Western Sydney Wanderers 5-1 thanks to [Anthony Gordon](https://theathletic.com/football/player/anthony-gordon-XWTlQLC5wKZFGPRN/)’s hat-trick and goals from [Neal Maupay](https://theathletic.com/football/player/neal-maupay-NRiJZQiqVJSFGDuJ/) and Tom Cannon. [Chris Richards](https://theathletic.com/football/player/chris-richards-P4GsHpNIeRTi1Bb0/) returned from an injury which caused him to miss the World Cup, as a second half substitute in that final friendly. With a Carabao Cup match against [Charlton](https://theathletic.com/football/team/charlton-athletic/) coming up just before the return of the Premier League, De Zerbi is likely to rest his World Cup returnees for that game. The Scot was not a guaranteed starter pre-break and with [Oleksandr Zinchenko](https://theathletic.com/football/player/oleksandr-zinchenko-MS8PfOpWPUopegk6/) nursing another muscle problem, he has built consistency at left-back.

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Image courtesy of "Sky Sports"

The Premier League returns: Analysing every team's situation as the ... (Sky Sports)

The Premier League returns on Boxing Day after stopping for the World Cup; Sky Sports football writers remind you where we left matters in November - and ...

The World Cup break came at a good time for David Moyes, just as pressure was starting to build following three defeats on the bounce. Lopetegui will expect to be supported with new signings but before that he must show that there is a template to take this team away from trouble. It was clearly a project that the club could sell to players, 22 to be exact. Rather than an unwelcome stoppage, perhaps the break could ultimately prove to be a benefit. Newcastle showed no evidence of rustiness during a 5-0 demolition of Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal during their warm weather training camp in the country, with Miguel Almiron and Joelinton both scoring twice. Arguably, how Arsenal approach the transfer market next month could play a pivotal role in determining the scale of City's challenge ahead. But can a leaky defence stand strong in the opening weeks? With the head coach desperate to turn around his side's form, he'll be relieved that they resume their season with two very winnable games - Bournemouth at home and Nottingham Forest away. Days after an embarrassing Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Gillingham, they went to the Etihad as outright underdogs, yet failed to crumble and came away with a fully deserved 2-1 win against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. If it was not the case already, they appear to have very much established themselves as part of the furniture in the top flight. But Villa need attacking reinforcements this winter - particularly in wide areas - if they are to push for a top-half finish. But top of the list of problems for Emery to fix is an attack that has produced only 16 goals in 15 games.

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