What lies in store in February?
As we take advantage of a break in Premier League action to look ahead to February, a review of the fixtures makes it clear that the table will be shaken up before the month is out.
While Manchester United now have five league matches before a tough-looking March, rivals Chelsea and Arsenal have fewer engagements in the division. Thomas Tuchel's Blues only have a single fixture, at Crystal Palace, while Arsenal are only playing twice in all competitions, although both are top-flight games.
Wolves could have a big say in the upcoming period with their schedule throwing up some really interesting fixtures. The Molineux outfit are in good form and should not be discounted at all, they currently sit in seventh spot but are only three points behind West Ham, with two games in hand, and a further point adrift of United.
The Premier League announced on Wednesday that our clash with Brighton & Hove Albion has rearranged for Tuesday 15 February, giving us an extra date.
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Matchday 24 of the season takes place in midweek, with United at Burnley on Tuesday 8 February. The trip to Turf Moor is our next Premier League assignment as we hope to complete the double over Sean Dyche's Clarets, following the 3-1 win in our final game of 2021.
On the same night, West Ham United entertain Watford, who parted company with boss Claudio Ranieri this week, while the Wednesday night programme includes some intriguing fixtures, such as Tottenham versus Southampton. On Thursday, Wolves face Arsenal at Molineux, where victory for Bruno Lage's side would take them above the Gunners in the table.
KEY GAME: Wolves v Arsenal.
Moving on to the following weekend, and matchday 25 kicks off with United meeting Southampton at Old Trafford. The Saints held leaders Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in their last outing and appear to be playing well.
Hopefully, the Reds can apply some pressure to the teams not involved until the Sunday. Wolves have another crunch fixture, tackling Tottenham in the capital, while West Ham have a tough trip to Leicester City. Liverpool are at Burnley but Arsenal and Chelsea do not play.
This is because the London rivals were scheduled to meet at Stamford Bridge but the Blues are at the Club World Cup, following their Champions League triumph last term.
KEY GAME: Tottenham v Wolves.
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The next matchweek kicks off with West Ham taking on Newcastle, before Arsenal and Liverpool have home clashes with Brentford and Norwich City respectively. Chelsea are away to Crystal Palace in a London derby.
The teatime kick-off is a big one as Tottenham travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City. United are not in action until the Sunday, when heading across the Pennines to face Leeds, before the weekend is wrapped up with Wolves meeting Leicester at Molineux.
KEY GAME: Manchester City v Tottenham.
Towards the end of the month, there are some more eye-catching fixtures to eagerly anticipate.
Leeds entertain Spurs while Wolves' tough run continues with a journey south to face West Ham. Ralf Rangnick's side are at home to Watford in a Saturday 15:00 GMT kick-off, before Everton welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park.
There are no league games for Chelsea and Liverpool as the Carabao Cup final is being staged at Wembley on Sunday 27 February. Arsenal are also not in action again because they were due to be at home to Jurgen Klopp's Merseysiders.
KEY GAME: West Ham v Wolves.
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES IN FEBRUARY
Man City: Brentford (H, 9th), Norwich (A, 12th), Tottenham (H, 19th), Everton (A, 26th).
Liverpool: Leicester (H, 10th), Burnley (A, 13th), Norwich (H, 19th).
Chelsea: Crystal Palace (A, 19th).
UNITED: Burnley (A, 8th), Southampton (H, 12th), Brighton (H, 15th), Leeds (A, 20th), Watford (H, 26th).
West Ham: Watford (H, 8th), Leicester (A, 13th), Newcastle (H, 19th), Wolves (H, 26th).
Arsenal: Wolves (A, 10th), Brentford (H, 19th).
Tottenham: Southampton (H, 9th), Wolves (H, 13th), Man City (A, 19th), Leeds (A, 26th).
Wolves: Arsenal (H, 10th), Tottenham (A, 13th), Leicester (H, 20th), West Ham (A, 26th).