REVEALED…..Manchester United next five fixtures compared to Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham as Ten Hag men set eyes on premier league title this season

admin_403zj633December 28, 2023Last Updated: December 28, 2023

0 3 minutes read

Chelsea’s up and down season continued on Wednesday as Mauricio Pochettino’s men claimed a vital three points at Stamford Bridge, defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 thanks to a late Noni Madueke penalty. The result only lifts the Blues into the top half on goal difference, and even that may well be temporary.

However, ahead of what is a kind run of fixtures Chelsea find themselves just two points from Brighton in ninth place – though the Seagulls have a game in hand, taking on Tottenham on Thursday night – as well as Newcastle four ahead in eighth. The issue is that to significantly make a threat on closing the gap above them Chelsea will need to become more consistent.

It was perhaps a good sign before the game that only four times in all competitions had Chelsea recorded the same result twice in a row. In effect the Blues really are more likely to win the game after they lose and vice versa. Climbing up the table will mean finding a new side to their game in the coming months though.

For Pochettino the three points will ease the pressure on his job slightly once more but hardly answered all the questions being thrown at him. Against Palace he went with the youngest side named by the club ever in a Premier League game and was just about rewarded. The 51-year-old will know that bigger and better things are needed to silence the critics though.

Here, football.london takes a look at the chances Pochettino will have to pick up more points in the coming weeks. Up next, a trip to Kenilworth Road.

Luton (A) – December 30
Every team’s fans are convinced that going away to Luton is the most obvious banana skin and that the footballing Gods will conspire against them to ensure a historic but humiliating defeat. You can already see the transfer spend comparison graphics, hear the cries of ‘what a waste of money’ from the Hatters’ own supporters and struggles of this Chelsea side in a hostile environment.

Chelsea have just two full days to recover before kicking off with the early match against Rob Edwards’ stubborn Luton, and it will be just as much of a test as any for Chelsea. This is the ultimate challenge for a physically weak and mentally fragile side. When you consider that Manchester City have gone behind at Kenilworth Road, Liverpool snatched a point late on and Arsenal needed two 90th minute strikes to secure victory, it’s certain to be a battle and Chelsea are yet to prove reliable at showing their best in games like this.

Fulham (H) – January 13
Chelsea have a little gap between Luton and their next league fixture, welcoming Preston North End to SW6 in the FA Cup third round on January 6 before travelling north to Middlesbrough three days later for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. These games both offer the chance to help ease into the New Year, acting as a springboard.

The visit of Fulham doesn’t look too scary on paper either despite Marco Silva’s men slamming in 10 goals in two games a few weeks back. The Cottagers and trundling along without much fanfare and put up very little resistance in the reverse fixture in October.

Liverpool (A) – January 31
Things do pick up now with one of the toughest games left of the season. This is a precursor for yet another tough run to come in March and April.

Before heading to Anfield, Chelsea will host Middlesbrough for a place in the Carabao Cup final – a draw which may well see Liverpool and Chelsea pitted against each other at Wembley again if all goes to plan, as the Reds face Fulham themselves over two legs. But dealing with Jurgen Klopp’s determined side will be a real task.

Chelsea looked good on the opening day in this fixture but plenty has changed since and they won’t be given too much hope despite a solid enough record against those at the top of the league.

Wolves (H) – February 4
Chelsea get the chance to exact revenge on Wolves for the Christmas Eve disappointment and will hope to secure a big three points before the big sides start to role in on the horizon. This match and the trip to Palace are the most comfortable in a run of five games that look extremely daunting.

For any chance of crashing into the top eight this season there needs to be a near clean sweep of wins in the games listed. Nothing we’ve seen so far this season indicates Chelsea are ready to go on a run like that.

Crystal Palace (A) – February 12
At least if the Wolves return meeting doesn’t go to plan Chelsea will have their banker fixture to look forward to. It’s now 12 wins in a row against the Eagles after the latest victory and not since 2017 have the Blues failed to beat their south London opponents.

Palace were spirited on Wednesday night but also rode their luck at times. That’s what Chelsea allow teams to do. Come this game there will be hope that Pochettino has managed to instil a level of consistency that might see things be a bit more comfortable at Selhurst Park.

Man United next five fixtures
Nottingham Forest (A) – December 30

Tottenham (H) – January 14

Wolves (A) – February 1

West Ham (H) – February 3

Aston Villa (A) – February 11

Tottenham next five fixtures
Brighton (A) – December 28

Bournemouth (H) – December 31

Manchester United (A) – January 14

Brentford (H) – January 31

Everton (A) – February 3

Brighton next five fixtures
Tottenham (H) – December 28

West Ham (A) – January 2