Although Leeds have scored 25 goals -- two fewer than fourth-placed Manchester United -- they have been involved in several high-scoring defeats. What Leeds lack is a striker who can win a tight game with the only chance to secure a 1-0 win. 29-year-old Patrick Bamford failed to score in 10 games. Leeds need to hang on at the back and make the most of their chances to turn draws into wins and losses into draws. Leeds are unpredictable and will be flawless in defense under Jesse Marsh, so it will be an anxious period. The Elland Road atmosphere will help, but Leeds will be locked in a relegation battle until the end of the season.
Nottm Forest signed 22 players last summer after winning promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 1999, and it took manager Steve Cooper time to build a squad with all the new arrivals. But after a promising start, taking four points from their first three games, Forest lost six and drew two of their next eight, which dropped them into the bottom three, where they were eliminated for the first time since the win at Southampton. January 4. The intensity and quality of the Premier League has shocked the system, especially after so long in the Championship, and Forest face the same problems that most promoted teams have to overcome.
In their last eight league games, Forest will be comfortably mid-table on the form guide, so Cooper is now getting consistency from his players and the team has settled into the Premier League. There is a sense of positive momentum building at the club and with owner Evangelos Marinakis set to invest further in the squad this month, Forest have the potential to go from strength to strength again. With Jesse Lingard, who arrived as a free agent from Manchester United in the summer, yet to score in the league, any uptick in the former England man's form would be a much-needed boost for Forest. Bournemouth have the worst defensive record in the Premier League dating back to a 9-0 defeat at Liverpool in August -- and have managed just 18 goals in 18 games. Two wins in one of Motham's last 14 league games saw Leeds squander a season's worth of work, picking up seven points from their first three games, including a 3-0 win over Chelsea at Elland Road. Although Leeds have scored 25 goals -- two fewer than fourth-placed Manchester United -- they have been involved in several high-scoring defeats. What Leeds lack is a striker who can win a tight game with the only chance to secure a 1-0 win. 29-year-old Patrick Bamford failed to score in 10 games. Leeds need to hang on at the back and make the most of their chances to turn draws into wins and losses into draws. Leeds are unpredictable and will be flawless in defense under Jesse Marsh, so it will be an anxious period. The Elland Road atmosphere will help, but Leeds will be locked in a relegation battle until the end of the season
With Jesse Lingard, who arrived as a free agent from Manchester United in the summer, yet to score in the league, any upturn in the former England man's form would be a much-needed boost for Forest. A lack of goal threat coupled with a defensive record is always a recipe for trouble, so Bournemouth have all the classic ingredients of a team facing a relegation battle. They sacked their manager Scott Parker after just five games, despite the former Fulham boss guiding the club to promotion last season. Seven defeats in their last eight league games and a clean sheet in their last four is a worrying trend for manager Gary O'Neill's side. West Ham should be optimistic they can get out of the mess they are in and every reason not to be in trouble. David Moyes is one of the most experienced managers in the Premier League and the Hammers have quality throughout the squad. At some point, underperforming forwards Jarrod Bowen (two goals), Gianluca Sciacca (3) and Mikel Antonio (2) will surely find some form. If only one of them hits the scoring patch, West Ham should clear. A combination of problems left Everton in real danger of relegation, but Frank Lampard's side saw him unable to adequately replace Richarlison following his £60m summer move to Tottenham Hotspur and missing striker Dominic Calvert-Leve for most of the season through injury. Only 14 goals in 18 games. A lack of firepower was at the root of the team's problems on the pitch, something Lampard couldn't find a solution to, with Richarlison's low-budget replacement Neil Maupay scoring just once and proving below par. But Lampard is not getting enough from a team with a highly-rated goalkeeper, two England centre-backs and several quality options in midfield. Optimism is scarce around Goodison Park and there are genuine concerns that Everton could be relegated this season for the first time since 1951. Calvert-Levine seemed to recover from injury, but he scored just once. Returning to action, the England forward will need to find some form to boost Everton's chances. With Lampard losing 21 of 41 games in charge since arriving last January, a change of manager could be the last step the owners take. The former Chelsea boss is under pressure after losing eight of his last 11 games in all competitions.
from Sports Night https://ift.tt/Un61dDv
via IFTTT