Matchday 20 of the Premier League season begins on January 4, and we already know who the runners and riders are in the English top flight. Liverpool lead the way, there’s a cluster of teams below them occupying the Champions League qualification positions, and then there are a raft of sides at the other end of the table battling to retain their Premier League status. But how will the picture look after this weekend’s round of fixtures?
Match Day 20 Premier League Betting Odds
Spurs vs Newcastle United
At the start of the season, many would have expected Spurs and Newcastle to be battling to qualify for European football. However, at present, while the Magpies occupy fifth, Spurs are languishing in eleventh. The former are on a great run of form, with four wins and four clean sheets in a row, and the latter are out of form and in the middle of a major injury crisis. It will be another tough game for Ange Postecoglu’s patched-up side.
Aston Villa vs Leicester City
Aston Villa aren’t doing as well as they’d like this season, which could be due to the Champions League being part of their schedule. They’ll be hoping to kick start 2024 with three points against an out-of-form Leicester, who began life under Ruud van Nistelrooy with a win and a draw but have lost four in a row since and are languishing in the bottom three. An Aston Villa victory can see them move closer to the top six, while the Foxes will be looking to edge towards safety.
Bournemouth vs Everton
Bournemouth have been steadily progressing since manager Andoni Iraola’s arrival last season, and now they’re firmly looking like top-six contenders, this is in spite of losing top scorer Dominic Solanke to Spurs in the summer. Everton, recently taken over by the Freidkin Group, are all about picking up results under Sean Dyche this season and are the draw specialists of the league. The Cherries will have to find a way to break the Toffees’ tough resolve.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Crystal Palace ended the season in good form under Oliver Glasner, and after a poor start this term, they have begun to pick up results as they look to move out of danger. Chelsea, on the other hand, were an unknown quantity under new manager Enzo Maresca and quickly established themselves as Liverpool’s main rivals for the title. However, they’re now three without a win and have suffered back-to-back defeats. They’ll be keen to prove they are the real deal at Selhurst Park.
Manchester City vs West Ham
Manchester City have been out of sorts for weeks and in the midst of a crisis never seen before under Pep Guardiola. They bounced back with a win over lowly Leicester last time out and will be hoping the tide has finally turned. They face a struggling West Ham team that will be without Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, with both out long term. Could it be the ideal time to play the Hammers? Or will an under-pressure Julen Lopetegui find a way to heap more misery on the reigning champions?
Southampton vs Brentford
The situation continues to look more desperate as the season goes on for Southampton, with the Saints now a huge ten points adrift of safety. They will be hoping to get their first win under the recently appointed Ivan Juric, who believes his team has what it takes to pull off a miracle. Brentford are out of form, especially away from home, where they’ve failed to win in nine attempts. Could this work in Southampton’s favour and give them the confidence they need to take the game to the Bees?
Brighton vs Arsenal
The Seagulls were flying high under new manager Fabian Hurzeler earlier in the campaign, but the wins have turned into draws, and they’ve slid down the league. With Man City struggling for form, it was the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to capitalise, but they’ve stuttered at times. The Gunners are second, though. They’ve won their last three games and are one of the Premier League’s form teams. But could Bukayo Saka’s long-term absence following surgery be a factor moving forward?
Fulham vs Ipswich
Fulham are enjoying one of their best-ever starts to a Premier League campaign under manager Marco Silva, and they’re pushing for a top-six finish. Ipswich Town recorded back-to-back promotions under Kieran McKenna and arrived in the top flight with the hope of overcoming the odds and surviving. Out of the current newly promoted sides, they look the most capable of staying up. They head to Craven Cottage after a 2-0 win over Chelsea.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool are brushing every team aside with relative ease under Arne Slot this term and are looking on course to win their second Premier League title. When Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, nobody knew what to expect, but it’s clear the Dutchman has the Reds playing at the top of their game, with Mo Salah in imperious form. Manchester United replaced Erik ten Hag with Ruben Amorim in November, but there’s been no uplift in form, and the current problems remain. Can United kickstart their season at Anfield against arguably their greatest rivals?
Wolves vs Nottingham Forest
Last season, Wolves vs Nottingham Forest would have been a fixture all about survival. But fast forward to the present day, and while survival remains the aim for Wolves under newly appointed Vitor Pereira, Forest are third in the league under former Wolves manager Nuno and pushing for a top-four finish. Nobody expected it of Forest, but they’re the form team and have won their last five. Could a sixth win and a happy return to Molineux be on the cards for Nuno?
