Premier League Table: Latest 2014 EPL Standings and Predictions for Matchday 12
Chelsea's 2-1 win over Liverpool was the big story of Week 11 of the 2014-15 Premier League season, and all eyes will be on the clash between Arsenal and Manchester United when the competition resumes on Matchday 12.
The Blues remain the only undefeated team in the league and have now navigated the most difficult part of their early schedule, while main title rivals Manchester City are slumping.
Southampton and Newcastle United are quickly becoming the feel-good stories of 2014-15, while traditional powerhouses Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have questions going into the international break.
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The schedule for Matchday 12:
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Chelsea | West Bromwich Albion | 3-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Everton | West Ham United | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Leicester City | Sunderland | 0-2 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Manchester City | Swansea City | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Newcastle United | Queens Park Rangers | 2-0 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Stoke City | Burnley | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Nov. 22 | Arsenal | Manchester United | 1-1 |
| Sunday, Nov. 23 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool | 0-2 |
| Sunday, Nov. 23 | Hull City | Tottenham Hotspur | 2-1 |
| Monday, Nov 24 | Aston Villa | Southampton | 0-1 |
The current Premier League standings:
| 1 | Chelsea | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 29 |
| 2 | Southampton | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 5 | 18 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 21 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 18 |
| 5 | Swansea City | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 18 |
| 6 | Arsenal | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 17 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 16 |
| 8 | Newcastle United | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 16 |
| 9 | Stoke City | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 15 |
| 10 | Everton | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 18 | 2 | 14 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 14 |
| 12 | Tottenham Hotspur | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 14 |
| 13 | West Bromwich Albion | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 13 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 19 | -7 | 12 |
| 15 | Hull City | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 11 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 16 | -11 | 11 |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 9 |
| 18 | Leicester City | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 18 | -7 | 9 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 8 |
| 20 | Burnley | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 7 |
The Battle of the Underwhelmers?
Fans and pundits expected Manchester United to struggle in their first season under new manager Louis van Gaal, but the extent to which the team has looked disinterested and even overwhelmed at times has been surprising. The Red Devils spent a lot of money on talent during the summer—there's no excuse for some of the veteran stars to be struggling like this.
It's fair to say the situation is worse in north London, where Arsene Wenger and Arsenal were being tipped for a breakout campaign. Injuries or not, the Gunners are once again falling short of the expectations, developing a worrying inability to hold onto a lead.
The Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke isn't pulling any punches:
The international break could allow both managers to try to find some answers, but as we've so often seen in the past, it has just as much chance of making matters worse. Injuries and loss of form go hand-in-hand with international matches, and neither team can afford any more distractions.
The good news is momentum comes in many forms, and a big win over a rival and a contender for European football is certainly a good way to jump-start a season. One of these teams could emerge from Matchday 12 with some new-found confidence, with the other crumbling even further.
The Red Devils have mainly struggled against lesser opposition, putting forth valiant efforts against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. They should be the slight favourites going into this match, but with the international break yet to take place, much can change between now and November 22.
Liverpool's Season Comes Down to Week 12
Hyperbole? Not exactly. Sunday's fixture against Crystal Palace is a must-win match for the Reds, and arguably their most important of the season.
Liverpool haven't won in three consecutive Premier League matches and currently sit outside of the top two in their Champions League group. Their next opponents after Crystal Palace? Ludogorets.
After their trip to Bulgaria, they'll play Stoke, Leicester and Sunderland, before the final Champions League match against Basel and meetings with Manchester United and Arsenal, per WhoScored.com.
With a little momentum on their side, the next couple of weeks can save the Reds' season. Beat Ludogorets, and the squad likely has a shot at qualifying against Basel. A string of manageable Premier League matches in between could see Brendan Rodgers and Company improve on their current position in the standings.
But the run has to start somewhere. Crystal Palace are winless in five straight and boast the league's second-worst defence. As reported by BBC Sport, that should be music to the ears of Rodgers:
A win against Palace could easily lead to three or four straight victorious thanks to the soft schedule, ensuring the Reds are flying high by the time the encounters with Basel, United and Arsenal come around. Any other result will push the team even deeper, at the worst possible time.
The Miracle of Newcastle Continues
Four weeks ago Newcastle United were winless in 2014-15, sat near the bottom of the Premier League standings and were on the verge of sacking manager Alan Pardew.
How things can change. After their fourth consecutive win, this one a 2-0 triumph over West Bromwich Albion, the Magpies' outlook has changed significantly, per Squawka:
There's little explanation for the team's resurgence. Call it momentum, turning things around or just blind luck. Or ask ESPN FC's Nick Miller:
Football is a funny game, and with Queens Park Rangers travelling to St. James' Park, there's no reason the resurgence can't continue in Week 12. QPR held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at Loftus Road, but the Citizens have struggled with form for weeks.
QPR play best when they have the space to pump the ball forward, isolate Bobby Zamora and get Charlie Austin into space. Defensively, they're vulnerable, and if the Magpies win the battle in midfield, their win streak will continue.
