The 22nd round of the English Premier League kicks off on Saturday, January 17.
According to İdman.Biz, the title race in the Premier League is gradually gaining momentum. Arsenal remain top of the table with 49 points, while Manchester City and Aston Villa are their closest challengers on 43 points each.
The competition remains tight just below as well. Liverpool (35 points), Brentford (33), Newcastle (32) and Manchester United (32) are all involved in the fight for European qualification spots.
Manchester United vs Manchester City (January 17)
The centerpiece of the round will be the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, where the teams currently placed seventh and second will face each other. Manchester United have 32 points and remain in contention for European places, while Manchester City, with 43 points, are keeping up a title-winning pace as they chase Arsenal.
This will be the 198th official Manchester derby. Manchester United have recorded 80 victories, Manchester City have won 63 times, while the remaining matches ended in draws. Notably, both teams have scored 278 goals against each other so far.
The hosts approach the derby with significant squad-related intrigue. Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with an injury, although the club hopes to have the defender back in action soon. There is also positive news for United: Amad and Bryan Mbeumo have returned after the Africa Cup of Nations, Harry Maguire has already played his first match following injury, and overall, according to Carrick, the team has had a “good week” and is heading into the derby in working order.
Manchester City travel to Old Trafford with noticeable problems in defense. According to club sources, three central defenders — Josko Gvardiol, John Stones and Ruben Dias - are unavailable due to injuries, while Mateo Kovacic also remains sidelined. Pep Guardiola noted separately that Dias should return sooner than the others, while the situation with Gvardiol is more complicated. In addition, City are still looking to address squad gaps: a potential transfer of Marc Guehi is being discussed, but the deal has not been completed before the match. At the same time, Rodri has already returned after a break, while Oscar Bobb is not ready to play.
Maximum caution can be felt in the rhetoric of both coaches ahead of the derby. Guardiola has publicly stressed that Manchester United remain an unpredictable opponent regardless of their current form, while Carrick, in turn, emphasized that his team is trying to “block out the noise” around the club and focus on their work.
Other matches of Premier League Matchday 22:
January 17
Chelsea vs Brentford
Leeds vs Fulham
Liverpool vs Burnley
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace
Tottenham vs West Ham
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
January 18
Aston Villa vs Everton
Wolverhampton vs Newcastle
January 19
Brighton vs Bournemouth
Current Premier League standings:
1. Arsenal – 49
2. Manchester City – 43
3. Aston Villa – 43
4. Liverpool – 35
5. Brentford – 33
6. Newcastle – 32
7. Manchester United – 32
8. Chelsea – 31
9. Fulham – 31
10. Sunderland – 30
11. Brighton – 29
12. Everton – 29
13. Crystal Palace – 28
14. Tottenham – 27
15. Bournemouth – 26
16. Leeds – 22
17. Nottingham Forest – 21
18. West Ham – 14
19. Burnley – 13
20. Wolverhampton – 7
Teymur Tushiyev
