Just 13 games remain for our Premier League sides as the end of the season looms into view.
At this juncture – with the transfer window closed and the inaugural winter break upon us – you as managers may be stepping back and looking at the clubs you want to pick your players from, and so here is our view on who will soar and who will sink.
| Club | Expected trajectory | Why? |
| Arsenal |  | The Gunners have Mikel Arteta in charge – who we back to make a continued upturn to his new side’s fortunes – and just two long-term injury absentees, Kieran Tierney and Calum Chambers. But with an incredibly low six wins out of their 25 league outings this season, can they claw back enough ground to make the top six? |
| Aston Villa | | As Carabao Cup finalists and with fresh faces through the door – Mbwana Samatta and Pepe Reina among them – could that be enough impetus for the Villans to stave off the drop? They will also need 31-point Fantasy League man Jack Grealish to continue his superlative form. |
| Bournemouth |  | Though the Cherries landed a much-needed win over Aston Villa last weekend, their season has been a tale of struggle. And with as many as seven players still out with mid to long-term injuries – including the likes of Chris Mepham and David Brooks – the picture may get bleaker yet. |
| Brighton |  | Graham Potter has done by most people’s reckoning a good job on the South Coast. But only Neal Maupay has over three goals for the Seagulls this term (seven to his name) and any injury to him could plunge them into a survival battle. |
| Burnley | | Seven points from their last nine has given the Clarets’ Premier League status a shot in the arm, but there’s something uncertain about Sean Dyche’s time at the club – has he taken them as far as he can? And now that they seem safer, will he be able to find the 110% performances he’s had over the last weeks? |
| Chelsea | | Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely be back in February – and we’re excited for how he’ll do under Frank Lampard. If he’s not part of your thinking, think on. With Christian Pulisic also due back this month – and even forgotten man Marco van Ginkel reportedly coming along well – the winter break has come at a good time to re-energise and re-stock the Blues’ ranks, and we expect them to cement their top three spot before the season is out. |
| Crystal Palace | | Having been riding high earlier in the season, Roy Hodgson’s men have just three wins in their last 17 Premier League games. They have brought in Cenk Tosun to try and address their desperate lack of goals (just 22), and they have a seemingly easier run of games in February. But fail to get points from those, and they will get more and more drawn into a very unexpected relegation battle. |
| Everton | | Carlo Ancelotti seems to be slowly turning things around at Goodison Park, and we can see that carrying on. As such, we think Evertonians could be a good place for you to find some under-the-radar buys, such as Bernard (two goals and two assists in just 11 Fantasy League apps this season, and now back from injury), or Djibril Sidibe (four assists in 14 apps). |
| Leicester City | | We think status quo for Leicester. They have gapped Chelsea in fourth for the time being, and may yet steal second off Man City. The only concern might be Jamie Vardy’s lack of recent goals, but they are sharing them around enough – Ayoze Perez has seven and James Maddison six – to keep picking up points. |
| Liverpool | | A first title in 30 years looks all but secure, so now it looks like records are more the focus. And from a Fantasy League perspective, the way Trent Alexander-Arnold is going, he’s on track to beat team-mate Andy Robertson’s all-time full-back total of 82 points from last season. It won’t be the only record that tumbles during the Reds’ momentous campaign. |
| Manchester City | | Man City are currently five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table (if we go on expected points as per understat.com). A quite remarkable stat that makes it clear how poor City have been in both boxes – and conversely, how efficient Liverpool have been. But with the title gone, Pep’s men are free to focus on an elusive Champions League crown… |
| Manchester United | | Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay will return for United in February. And with Rashford back in March, the top six should be within reach. And if it isn’t, heads may roll… |
| Newcastle | | If the Premier League table was done on expected points, then the Toon would be stone bottom on just 17 points (as per understat.com). Some people like it as a measure, and some don’t – but invariably it doesn’t lie in the longer-term. And we haven’t even spoken about the disastrous injury crisis that still sees as many as ten players currently out. |
| Norwich | | To (mis)quote Yazz, the only way is down for the Canaries. They’ve shown patches of brilliance this season – no more so than when beating Man City on September 14 – but they’ve won just twice in the league since then, and though historical performances are not always a sign of future returns, it would take a miracle for them to recover from being seven points adrift of safety at this late stage of the season. |
| Sheffield United | | We think the Blades pulled off the signing of the January window in Sander Berge. Given they brought in others besides, and the fact they have an almost perfect bill of health, could they finish even higher than their already extraordinary sixth place? |
| Southampton | | Underlying expected points data has the Saints sitting eighth in the league rather than 13th, and we think they’ll go in that direction rather than down in the coming months. Mind you, any injury to Danny Ings could be a problem. He has 46 Fantasy League points this term, but the next nearest – James Ward-Prowse – has just 18. |
| Tottenham | | What to make of Mou? Is he transforming his new club, or would Poch have had them in much the same position after 25 games? Their recent form is good, but their squad will be tested by the Champions League last 16 tie against RB Leipzig, so think carefully about tiredness before picking your Spurs. |
| Watford | | Yes Watford have been resurgent of late, but given how far they were behind, will it be enough? Their next five fixtures involve games against Liverpool, Leicester and Man Utd too, which gives us concern for their plight. |
| West Ham | | David Moyes did what was asked of him first time around at The London Stadium, but can he produce the goods this time? The Hammers look like a collection of expensively assembled individuals, and unless Moyes can coax some teamship from them, they will find it hard to beat off the threat of demotion. |
| Wolves | | We think Wolves could be the ones to shake up the top six before the season is out. Their frontline – strengthened by the arrival of Daniel Podence – is as strong as any, with Raul Jimenez sitting on a hugely impressive Fantasy League points haul of 45. As managers though, you may just want to consider if their continued run in the Europa League – they have a two-legged tie with Espanyol at the end of February – will affect or hinder them. |
