If it feels like you've barely been able to catch your breath because of the sheer number of Premier League fixtures over the past few days, you probably aren't alone. This latest installment of games will represent the third batch of ties in just one week, and pretty much all of the teams in England's top flight will be in action, save for Chelsea, who will be featuring in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Saturday. That means that Blues fans will have to wait a bit longer to see the team in action against fellow London side Arsenal, as the London Derby was initially scheduled to take place this weekend.
Here's all you need to know ahead of what's set to be a very interesting weekend as matchday 25 gets underway.
Premier League standings heading into matchday 25
Here's how the table looks heading into the next round of fixtures:
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 82 | 26 | +56 | 77 | WWLWW | |
| 2 | Manchester City | 33 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 80 | 32 | +48 | 76 | WWWWD | |
| 3 | Liverpool | 34 | 22 | 8 | 4 | 75 | 34 | +41 | 74 | LWLDW | |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 34 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 71 | 50 | +21 | 66 | WWDLW | |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 65 | 49 | +16 | 60 | LWDWL | |
| 6 | Manchester United | 33 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 51 | 50 | +1 | 53 | WDDLD | |
| 7 | Newcastle United | 33 | 15 | 5 | 13 | 69 | 54 | +15 | 50 | LWWDW | |
| 8 | West Ham United | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 63 | -9 | 48 | LLWDL | |
| 9 | Chelsea | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 61 | 57 | +4 | 47 | LWDWD | |
| 10 | AFC Bournemouth | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 49 | 60 | -11 | 45 | WLDLW | |
| 11 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 33 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 52 | 54 | -2 | 44 | LDLDL | |
| 12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 54 | -8 | 43 | LLDLD | |
| 13 | Fulham | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 50 | 54 | -4 | 42 | LWLLD | |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 44 | 56 | -12 | 39 | WWWLL | |
| 15 | Brentford | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 52 | 59 | -7 | 35 | WWDDD | |
| 16 | Everton | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 33 | WWLWD | |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 34 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 42 | 60 | -18 | 26 | LDLWD | |
| 18 | Luton Town | 34 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 47 | 75 | -28 | 25 | LLWLL | |
| 19 | Burnley | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 37 | 69 | -32 | 23 | WDLDD | |
| 20 | Sheffield United | 34 | 3 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 92 | -59 | 16 | LLLDL |
Premier League games you won't want to miss on matchday 25
Manchester United vs Southampton: Despite losing just one of their last five Premier League games, it's been a frustrating spell for Manchester United, who were dumped out of the FA Cup on penalties by a highly unfancied Middlesbrough side before stumbling to a one-all draw with relegation-threatened Burnley. It's safe to say that the Red Devils, who presently find themselves in sixth spot, will be keen on rebounding when they host Southampton. A win for the hosts could see them temporarily break into the top four provided that West Ham don't beat Leicester City on Sunday.
Norwich City vs Manchester City: Two teams with vastly contrasting fortunes will come head to head in a match that many expect to be all one way traffic. The Canaries may have improved things somewhat by picking up seven points from their last three games (two wins, one draw), but it's hard to see how they will be able to stop a rampant Manchester City side who've won four of their last five and now have opened a nine point gap at the top of the table - especially considering Norwich still find themselves sitting in the drop zone. That being said, City's only loss from their last 36 on the road against relegation-threatened teams was to none other than Norwich, back in 2019, so could this present a potential banana peel for Pep Guardiola's swashbuckling side?
Burnley vs Liverpool: Liverpool are in danger of letting Manchester City slip out of their grasp. While the Reds do have a game in hand, the Cityzens, who now have a nine point lead, will be taking on struggling Norwich and will be expected to win that match without much fuss. Thus, the onus is on Jurgen Klopp's men to make sure they get the job done against Burnley, who are bottom of the table, have picked up just three points from their last five and have won just one game all season.
Tottenham vs Wolves: Two losses on the trot have Tottenham in danger of potentially slipping further behind the top four, and Antonio Conte's squad will aim to get back on track when they host Wolves. Their visitors are only two points and one spot back in eighth place and will be equally keen to get the show back on the road after seeing their three-match winning streak snapped recently with a loss.
Leicester City vs West Ham: The Hammers, who currently sit in fourth place, will seek to take advantage of a Leicester side who are missing quite a few key players, including star striker Jamie Vardy who won't be back in action until March. Given that Manchester United are lurking just behind, West Ham know that their position in the top four could come under threat if they don't pick up maximum points from their game on Sunday.
Team news for matchday 25
*All info as of 11 February 2022
Manchester City: Both Cole Palmer (ankle/foot injury) and Gabriel de Jesus (other injury) have been ruled out while Benjamin Mendy remains suspended by his club.
Liverpool: Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi, and Joe Gomez will all have to pass late fitness tests to determine if they're recovered from injury and illness. Meanwhile, Sadio Mane could feature despite only just featuring for Senegal in their AFCON-winning campaign last weekend.
West Ham: Angelo Ogbonna and Arthur Masuaku are both out with knee injuries.
Manchester United: The Red Devils will have to do without Nemanja Matic (calf/shin injury), Eric Bailly (ankle/foot injury), and Fred (COVID-19), while Mason Greenwood remains suspended by the club. Alex Telles is still in doubt due to illness, but could feature if he can pass a late fitness test.
Tottenham: Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga, and Oliver Skipp have all been ruled out with thigh, knee, and groin injuries respectively.
Premier League matchday 25 fixtures
