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It's already been a memorable start to the new English Premier League season and fans will be eagerly waiting for the resumption after a World Cup break. There have already been winners and losers with some teams homing in on the European places, while others battle to avoid the drop zone.
So, who is hitting their targets and needs to improve following a poor opening to 2022/23?
Magic Moments
Arsenal were the league leaders going into the break. Mikel Arteta's team led the EPL table by five points from Manchester City and have won no fewer than 12 of their 14 games. The Gunners have hardly put a foot wrong, while their closest challengers have suffered some upsets, most notably in a 1-2 home defeat to Brentford.
Despite that five-point gap, City remain red hot favourites in the sports betting markets to claim the title. Part of the reason behind that assessment lies with the form of Erling Haaland who has scored 18 goals in just 13 league games.
While Haaland aims for the Golden Boot trophy as the league's leading scorer, Arsenal will lose their main striker Gabriel Jesus who faces a few weeks on the sidelines through injury.
The most infamous incident this season involved Cristiano Ronaldo. After an explosive interview criticising his handling by manager Erik Ten Hag, the prolific Portuguese left Old Trafford by mutual consent. There are always two sides to every story but another display of petulance at the World Cup saw Ronaldo dropped from Portugal's starting XI.
While United, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester City aim for the top four, other sides face a far more worrying task when they return.
Read Also: World Cup 2022 most assists: Lionel Messi finishes joint-top with four others
Rooted at the Bottom
Prior to the World Cup break, the bottom three places in the EPL were occupied by Wolves, Southampton and Nottingham Forest. Wolves are in the biggest trouble. After 15 games, the Midlands club are at the very foot of the table with just two wins and ten points.
Above them with 12 and 13 points respectively, are Southampton and Notts Forest. It's interesting to note that, after poor starts to the season, both Southampton and Wolves changed their managers. Forest, meanwhile, have kept faith with Steve Cooper.
Having lifted them into the Premier League for the first time since 1999, the club rewarded Cooper with a new contract, but will that trust pay off?
Key Fixtures
Post-World Cup, the fixture calendar hasn't been too kind for Nottingham Forest. At the end of the year, Cooper's men will travel to Manchester United before hosting Chelsea at the start of 2023. At this stage of the season, it's important to keep picking up points and to not drift away from safety.
It's also vital not to lose to the teams around you. On January 4th, Forest will take on fellow relegation candidates Southampton at St Mary's. These are all crucial fixtures and the fate of Steve Cooper's side may well be determined before February arrives.
The remaining two clubs currently in the drop zone aren't facing the big teams straight away. Wolves travel to Manchester City on January 22nd, before hosting Liverpool two weeks later.
February 11th sees Southampton at home to Wolves in what is another 'six-pointer'. Every game is important from this point onwards, but some are more vital than others.
Hovering Above the Drop Zone
With around 23 games to play for each of the 20 EPL clubs, a number of sides can still be dragged into the drop zone. Everton, West Ham, Leeds United, Bournemouth and Leicester City are hovering above the bottom three and still in danger.
Everton, under Frank Lampard, have been here before. In 2021/22, the Toffees battled to avoid the drop and were in danger of relegation until a very late response took them to safety. Everton went into the break with 14 points from 15 games and are just one point clear of the bottom three.
West Ham are also on 15 points while Leeds have 15, Bournemouth 16 and Leicester 17. It's tight in the basement and all of the bottom eight clubs are facing a battle for points.
Who will drop down?
Much could depend on what happens in the January transfer window. All clubs involved in the relegation battle have the option to strengthen their squads with key acquisitions.
New arrivals can, however, disrupt teams. Nottingham Forest practically purchased a whole new side in the summer and that hasn't worked out well. Despite a recent boost in form, Forest remains favourites to be relegated. Bournemouth are next so the suggestion is that the newly promoted clubs will struggle. As many as eight teams could still be in danger of the drop and the next month will be vital in terms of battling towards safety.