My analysis on the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures

The Premier League enters a new year and with that, teams will be hoping to leave some of the baggage in 2025. Unless you’re Arsenal, Aston Villa or Manchester City. Who are thriving right now.

This weekend sees a big day of football on Sunday, but we start with four games on Saturday. The first of which will kick off at 12:30PM and that will be Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest. We then move into two 3PM kick offs. Brighton will host Burnley and Wolves will welcome West Ham. To finish off Saturday’s fixtures will be Bournemouth up against Arsenal at 5:30PM. On Sunday we have 6 games. There’s an early kick off between Leeds and Manchester United at 12:30PM. Four games will then kick off at 3PM. Everton vs Brentford, Fulham will take on Liverpool, Crystal Palace will travel to Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur will battle Sunderland. The final fixture of the weekend will be Manchester City facing Chelsea at 5:30PM.

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Villa’s heroic winning streak was brought to a solemn end against Arsenal on Tuesday night. The Villains lost 4-1 and ended much hope of a title push, however, they will still linger around the top of the table. I don’t predict they’ll fall off hard, but it might take a couple of games to find their groove again. Besides, form at Villa Park has been exceptional. They’ve only lost once all season at home and that was when the form was terrible at the start of the campaign. In fact, Nottingham Forest haven’t won away at Villa Park since 1994. Unai Emery will also welcome the return of Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara, following the end of their suspension.

Forest have had the opportunity to create some real distance between them and the relegation zone, but have failed to take the opportunity. They’ve now lost three games in a row, which include two home games. For Sean Dyche, it’s now four defeats in five games and are inviting West Ham to close the gap. What will give some comfort for Dyche is that they’re not bad on the road considering their position in the table. They’ve picked up points in four of the nine games played away from home. Two of those have been wins. Eight points on the road is better than all of the bottom six teams. However, there is some bad news within that as they’ve only scored six goals in those nine games. Only Wolves have a worse record. I do think Villa will return to winning ways and put the Arsenal game behind them pretty quickly.

Predicted Result: Villa 2-0 Forest

Brighton vs Burnley

Brighton are really having a tough time of it at the moment. The draw against West Ham, on Tuesday, ensured that the Seagulls went without a win throughout the entirety of December. Six games, three defeats and three draws. This run of form has seen slip all the way down to 14th, but a win could see them rise to 8th. Despite the bad run of form, the AMEX Stadium has been somewhat of a fortress for them. They’ve only lost once, picking up points in the other eight games to have been played there. There’ll also be a little bit of comfort taken from the fact that they’re underperforming against their xG, it has them all the way up in 8th.

Burnley were left to rue missed chances and big mistakes as they succumbed to Newcastle. The performances are better and they were getting some reward out of it, with the two draws, but that defeat will be gutting. Especially as they’ve now got to travel away from Turf Moor. However, the last trip on the road saw them draw to Bournemouth, so not all hope is lost. Having said that, Burnley have only won once on their travels. Scott Parker is going to have to get his team going again as they need to try and lift themselves above West Ham. They’ll still be heavy favourites for the drop, but at least they can give themselves a fighting chance of survival. But, it won’t be this weekend as Brighton will be too strong.

Predicted Result: Brighton 3-1 Burnley

Wolves vs West Ham

Wolves have seemingly adopted that plucky underdog gene that they’ve missed this season. They’ve had three difficult away games recently and left each one knowing they could’ve got more out of it. Arsenal were up first and they needed a last minute winner, Liverpool were next and they almost let a two goal lead slip, finally it was Manchester United’s turn who they drew 1-1 with. The results and the lack of wins is awful, but frustrating three top sides on their own turf is something not many clubs can boast. Wolves still need five wins in a row and hope that Forest, West Ham and Burnley lose all their games in order to climb out of the relegation zone. Impossible right? Right?

West Ham are technically first up in their five game agenda and a win for Wolves would make things interesting. The Hammers are without a win since the 8th November, that’s a stretch of eight games without a win. This is leaving them in a dire situation as they’re simply relying on Forest to not win their games. West Ham have also only won once away from home, so they’re lucky to be facing a side that just haven’t won at all. I keep mentioning West Ham and their defence, but it still continues to leak goals. 16 games without a clean sheet now. I’m going to say it, I think this is where Wolves get their first win. They played too well against Manchester United to not get something against West Ham.

Predicted Result: Wolves 1-0 West Ham

Bournemouth vs Arsenal

Bournemouth’s form over the last couple of months has been relegation worthy. They’re without a win in 10 games, only Wolves can claim a worse run. However, some of the draws they’ve earned have been respectable. They recently took points from Chelsea in a 2-2 draw and took points from Manchester United in a 4-4 draw. In fact, four of the last five games have seen the Cherries draw. This makes them the leagues frontrunners, on this front, tied with Sunderland. Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Antoine Semenyo will be available for selection against Arsenal, a player they couldn’t afford to miss for this clash. Iraola has also got the better of Arteta in the last two meetings between these sides, including a win at the Emirates in May of this year.

Arsenal have stolen some extra ground at the top of the league after Manchester City drew 0-0 against Sunderland on Thursday night. This means that if the Gunners were to beat Bournemouth, they could be seven points ahead of City before they even kick a ball. The ball they’ll be kicking will be against Chelsea as well. Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa is now a distant memory as they’ve won every game since. This includes a 4-1 win over Aston Villa themselves. However, the only concern for Mikel Arteta is his sides away form. They’re undefeated at the Emirates, but they’ve dropped points in four of their nine away games. Even in the five games they’ve won, only two of them saw them score more than one goal. Goals are at a premium on the road. But, Arteta has effectively a full roster in attack and that will work wonders against some tired Bournemouth legs. I can’t see a big win for Arsenal, but it’ll be comfortable.

Predicted Result: Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal

Leeds vs Manchester United

The Yorkshire side have had a renaissance period in recent weeks. December has been an extremely good month for Daniel Farke, it’s seen them create a gap of seven points between them and the relegation zone. They don’t look to be easing up either as they held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Thursday night. This means that they’re now undefeated in six games. They’re also enjoying life at Elland Road, suffering only two defeats from a possible nine. Only teams that sit around the top of the table can champion a similar record.

Manchester United were left shellshocked by a courageous Wolves side. The whipping boys of the league turned up and almost grabbed three points. This was another game for United where they’ve contrived to drop points in a match they should be winning. Despite only one defeat in five games, two of the five have been draws. On the bright side, a win can see them crack the top four and that will be a welcoming position for Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese boss will be hoping his African Cup of Nations delegation will return soon, their top scorer amongst them. I do feel like Leeds will make life tough for United, who have crumbled under pressure when the going has got tough. The fast paced nature of both sides could make for an exciting match up.

Predicted Result: Leeds 2-2 United

Everton vs Brentford

Everton have been one of the most conflicting teams in the whole league. Every time I think I’ve worked them out, they surprise me with something out of the blue. I assumed, after recent games, they’d spiral out of control as that’s how they seem to work. However, they stopped the rut very quickly after picking up a solid win over Nottingham Forest. They now have the chance to make it two wins on the bounce and it could see them climb as high as 6th. Home form has been hit and miss for the Toffee’s, they’ve won four, but dropped points in five. But, that’s to be expected as they adjust to life in a new stadium. What Everton have been very good at though, is keeping clean sheets. They’re joint second in the league with eight, tied with Chelsea and behind Arsenal and Manchester City who both have nine.

Brentford are quietly having a very good season. Considering the position the club was in at the beginning of the season, it’s been an incredible campaign. They find themselves 9th in the league and are on a four game unbeaten streak. If they can beat Everton then they can rise to 7th. Although, away from home is where the Bee’s crumble. They sit 17th in the league for away form and the reason for that is because they’ve only won twice. Seven defeats in nine away games is not good showing, of the 28 points they’ve won this season, 21 have come at home. I do feel as though Brentford’s away form will help Everton grab the three points.

Predicted Result: Everton 2-1 Brentford

Fulham vs Liverpool

Fulham have shown signs of vast improvement over the last few weeks. We’re seeing more of what they gave us last season and are picking up points to prove it. Marco Silva’s side are undefeated in four games, winning three of them. They were even able to rescue a point at Crystal Palace in their last match. Fulham’s home form has also been quietly impressive as they now sit 9th in the league for that metric. Silva has moulded his side into a team that are hard to beat, which is so much of what was good about them last season. The side is filled with players that work extremely hard, but are also very technically gifted. They won’t just sit in and soak up pressure, they’ll pass it around you.

Liverpool are struggling to really kick on and leave behind the early season form. They haven’t lost since the 26th November, but that doesn’t tell the full story. They’ve drawn three of those eight games and have scraped by in many others. Wolves gave them a hard time, despite winning 2-1. Tottenham Hotspur were down to ten men and still pulled a goal back to make it 2-1. So, for all of the positive results that Liverpool have been getting, there’s a small dark cloud lingering around the club. That cloud was a little bigger when Leeds were able to hold Arne Slot’s men to a goalless draw. Fulham will give Liverpool a complicated game because it’s not easy to physically or tactically outplay the West London side.

Predicted Result: Fulham 1-1 Liverpool

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace

Newcastle were able to sweep Burnley aside and gain a tiny piece of momentum with it. They’re in desperate need of some momentum as they’re constantly slipping up and giving away points. Burnley threatened to make them suffer again, but Eddie Howe’s men were resolute. Newcastle still sit down in 13th and have had a tough time trying to break into the top 10. This weekend can see them do just that, if they were to win. They could reach as high as 7th, but a loss can see them sink to 14th. The saving grace for the Geordie’s is that they have respectable home form. Five wins out of nine at St James Park.

A tough trip away from home is exactly what Crystal Palace didn’t need right now. Newcastle are very intense and will make Palace work hard for any kind of result. Oliver Glasner knows his side are going through the motions right now and their form has fallen off a cliff as a result. Balancing European football with domestic is a challenge that not many can master, Glasner is struggling with that right now. His squad depth is dwindling and is relying on the same few players to inspire victory. They’re lacking that inspiration and it’s seen them grab just one win in five games. I don’t think that Newcastle away is the place that will see them turn their form around.

Predicted Result: Newcastle 3-1 Crystal Palace

Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland

I tuned into watch Manchester City vs Sunderland instead of Spurs vs Brentford and that was an excellent decision. From what I’ve heard, it was a dismal game that resulted in Thomas Frank getting jeered at full time, by his own fans. As much as placing 12th in the league isn’t anywhere near where they should be, a win can still see them rise to 7th and that’s very respectable. I get the disappointment from Spurs fans, they want more, but projects take time to reach their potential. However, with the players they’ve got, they should be able to create chances in a far more consistent manner. If results weren’t going their way, but the performances were good, then Frank wouldn’t receive as much criticism.

Sunderland have been monstrous this season and have proved it again by grabbing a point against the juggernaut that is Manchester City. They don’t score many, but they also don’t concede and that balances most games out. This has resulted in them, and Bournemouth, leading the way for the most amount of draws in the league. In fact, the last three games Sunderland have played have resulted in a draw. Regis Le Bris sets his teams up to not lose, but if they can grab a goal to help towards a victory then that’s a bonus. This has seen them lose just four matches, only Arsenal have a better record. Although, all of their defeats have come away from home. This could play into Spurs’ hands, but they struggle against well organised teams. I think Sunderland will be happy to walk away with another draw.

Predicted Result: Spurs 1-1 Sunderland

Manchester City vs Chelsea

City were left ruing their missed chances against Sunderland. Having said that, Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his side on a few occasions. That draw leaves them four points behind Arsenal, so a win will be desperately needed. They’re at the perfect arena to do that as the Etihad has only seen one defeat this season. The other eight games have been wins. What will give that extra bit of encouragement is that Chelsea haven’t won at the Etihad since 2021. Pep Guardiola’s men could be seven points behind Arsenal before they even kick a ball, so a win will be imperative.

Chelsea have sacked Enzo Maresca. Results have been disappointing, but that’s an awful decision in my opinion. Prior to December, Maresca had positioned the club in a three way title race. December came and Chelsea struggled, big time, but to sack him was very harsh. There’s a few players that really bought into Maresca’s style of play and the man himself, so it’ll be interesting to see how the players adapt. But, with just one win in five games, something needed to change. I think a different tactical approach might have sufficed, but those in power at Chelsea believe a new manager will revive their season. First up, City away, perhaps the hardest ground to visit. I think Chelsea will struggle and I think you’ll see on the pitch that the players won’t know how to approach the game. It’ll be disjointed and City will thrive on that.

Predicted Result: City 3-0 Chelsea