Five Storylines to Watch in Premier League Matchday 12

The international break is over, and fans of English clubs are rejoicing as domestic football returns. With the Premier League back in action, here are five key storylines to follow this weekend.

1. Amorim’s Premier League Debut with Manchester United

All eyes will be on Rúben Amorim as he takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in Sunday’s match against Ipswich Town. After replacing Erik ten Hag, the Portuguese tactician faces the challenge of integrating his ideas with limited preparation time. While Amorim built an impressive project at Sporting, his stint at United starts under fire. Can he prove his mettle as a "firefighter" coach?

2. Manchester City’s Red Streak

It’s hard to believe, but Manchester City last celebrated victory nearly a month ago, beating Southampton 1-0 on October 26. Since then, Pep Guardiola’s men have lost four straight across all competitions. City faces Tottenham, the team that kickstarted their poor run. Can the reigning champions finally turn things around, or will their slump continue?

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3. Arsenal in Crisis

Four Premier League games. Two points. That’s Arsenal’s bleak recent record. The Gunners now trail Liverpool by nine points—a gap that looks daunting given Liverpool’s relentless form. Mikel Arteta’s side must refocus, not on the title race for now, but on clawing their way out of this alarming slump. A home match against Nottingham Forest provides an opportunity for a reset.

4. Liverpool’s Post-Break Test

Arne Slot has hit the ground running at Liverpool, steering the Reds to the top of both the Premier League and the revamped UEFA Champions League. However, returning from international duty is always tricky for teams stacked with national team players. Liverpool’s visit to bottom-dwellers Southampton may seem straightforward, but don’t discount the challenge of regaining momentum after a break.

5. Maresca’s Balancing Act at Chelsea

Chelsea under Enzo Maresca remains a work in progress. The Blues had a promising start but have faltered recently, managing just one win in their last five matches. Despite their inconsistency, Chelsea sits third in the table—a respectable position given the tight competition. A trip to face Leicester City could offer a clearer picture of whether Maresca’s side is ready to push forward.

Premier League - Matchweek 12

Saturday, November 23
13:30: Leicester City vs Chelsea
16:00: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
16:00: Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
16:00: Bournemouth vs Brighton
16:00: Everton vs Brentford
16:00: Fulham vs Wolverhampton
18:30: Manchester City vs Tottenham

Sunday, November 24
15:00: Southampton vs Liverpool
17:30: Ipswich vs Manchester United

Monday, November 25
21:00: Newcastle vs West Ham