Premier League Round 18 Recap: New “BIG6” Restored! Spurs End Losing Streak, Three Key Matches to Watch Next

On December 29, the Premier League Round 18 saw two key matches. Tottenham claimed a 1-0 away victory over Crystal Palace thanks to Gray’s decisive goal, ending a two-game losing streak. Sunderland drew 1-1 at home against Leeds United, extending their run of draws to two; with 28 points from 18 matches, they remain 7th and fail to overtake Chelsea and Manchester United.

With these results, the new Premier League “BIG6” is officially restored. The top six now are Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United. The traditional five giants return, joined by emerging contender Aston Villa, reshaping the league landscape. Tottenham moves up to 11th with 25 points, while Crystal Palace sits 9th with 26 points.

The next round promises a midweek “fast track” schedule, with the headline clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa, separated by just three points. Villa won the first meeting 2-1 at home; revenge and championship implications make this game highly anticipated. Additionally, Manchester United face relegation-threatened Wolves, while Manchester City visit dark horse Sunderland—both matches are intriguing.

Next round fixtures:
Burnley vs Newcastle
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest vs Everton
West Ham vs Brighton
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Manchester United vs Wolves
Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Liverpool vs Leeds
Brentford vs Tottenham
Sunderland vs Manchester City