'The Game Plan' - Matchday 20 Preview

Out come the woolly hats, hand knitted scarves, Christmas gloves and winter coats...

As the new year ushers in sleet, snow, and frost across the country, the Premier League begins to heat up. Now past the halfway stage of the season, teams must turn up the intensity if they’re to achieve their pre-season ambitions.

Kick-off gets underway at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon.

Aston Villa V Nottingham Forest

Fresh from their defeat to league leaders Arsenal, there is little time for the Villains to lick their wounds as Aston Villa welcome the tricky Trees of Nottingham Forest to Villa Park. Forest, meanwhile, arrive from across the Midlands on a winless run of their own and will be eager to turn their fortunes around.

Predicted score: 3 - 1

Games below kick off at 3pm

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham

Wolves, buoyed by a much-needed and well-deserved point at Old Trafford, might be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a struggling West Ham and gaining that all elusive win. Both sides are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season, but East London’s Hammers will be aiming to hammer another nail into Wolves’ relegation fears.

Predicted score: 1 - 2

Brighton v Burnley
On the south coast Brighton welcome northern outfit Burnley, with both sides desperate to end nearly two months of league misery. The Seagulls guard their patch fiercely, turning the Amex into hostile territory, and that could spell more trouble for Scott Parker’s relegation threatened team.

Predicted score: 0 - 2

Kick off 17.30

Bournemouth v Arsenal
Another south coast battle looms as, Bournemouth will attempt to cause a slip-up at the top as they host title challengers Arsenal. The Cherries will look to continue their fine home form and start the new year with an overdue three points. Arsenal, however, will have their guard firmly up as they look to cling to top spot, knowing that the only way to hold off the chasing pack is to stand tall, unleash their big guns, and fire their way toward the title.

Predicted score: 1 - 4

Sunday 12.30 - Kick off

Leeds United v Manchester United

Leeds United verse Manchester United, 'The Rose Derby' a fierce rivalry, particularly in the early 1990s the era just before the formation of the Premier League.
Well, times have changed. Since then, Leeds United endured a 16-year absence from the Premier League between 2004 and 2020, including a brief spell in the third tier of English football. Manchester United, meanwhile, were dominant winners and perennial title challengers throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but have fallen mightily since their last league title in 2013, finishing as low as 15th place last season. This season, Manchester United have shown signs of improvement and currently sit sixth, while Leeds following a mid-November change in formation are enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run. We could be in store for a compelling encounter.

Predicted score: 2 - 1

Games below kick off at 3pm

Everton v Brentford
Everton and Brentford both began the New Year with victories, continuing their climb up the table and sitting just one place and one point apart, Everton ninth, Brentford tenth. Recent meetings have favoured the Blues, who are unbeaten in the last six against the Bees, posing a stern test for Brentford coach Keith Andrews. Can the Bees claim a crucial win to nestle above the Toffees, or will they be swatted aside by David Moyes’ Everton?

Predicted score: 1 - 1

Fulham v Liverpool

West London’s Cottagers Fulham welcome the red half of Merseyside as reigning champions Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage. Fulham will take confidence from last season’s meetings, having won this fixture 3–2 before earning a draw at Anfield, and will be optimistic about taking more points off a resurgent Liverpool side. The champions’ away form had been a concern after a shaky eight-match run on the road, yielding just six points from a possible 24 (W2 D0 L6). However, they appear to have turned a corner, collecting seven points from their last three Premier League away games (W2 D1) and unbeaten in last eight games home and away. With both sides conceding an average of one goal per game, this contest has the makings of a high-scoring and entertaining encounter at Craven Cottage.

Predicted score: 1 - 3

Newcastle v Crystal Palace

Separated by just one point in the league but more than 250 miles by road, Crystal Palace's 'Eagles' travel north to hostile territory to face Newcastle United in a clash of two fiercely competitive sides. St James’ Park has become a no-fly zone for visiting teams. Newcastle have guarded their turf impressively, recording five home wins alongside two defeats and two draws, with points surrendered only to members of the so called Big Six; Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea. Eddie Howe’s 'Magpies' will again look to their bold, high-pressing and harassing style to overwhelm the opposition. Palace arrive with power and presence but dwindling firepower. The Eagles have relied heavily on the physical threat of Jean-Philippe Mateta and the supporting cast around him, yet goals have dried up at a crucial point in the campaign. Unless Oliver Glasner’s men rediscover their cutting edge, Newcastle’s intensity and home advantage may prove decisive.

Predicted score: 2 - 2

Tottenham Hotspurs v Sunderland

Tottenham have looked anything but heroic this season, falling well short of the swashbuckling reputation associated with their namesake, the medieval knight Harry Hotspur. Spurs were recently met with boos following another limp draw away at Brentford, a performance again marked by a lack of creativity, urgency and clear direction. Sunderland, by contrast, have won widespread praise from neutrals and pundits alike for their fearless, attack-minded approach. The Black Cats have taken the game to every opponent they have faced, most notably earning draws against Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa, while also claiming a 2–1 victory over Chelsea. Despite the six-place gap between the sides in the table, the margins are deceptively small. Victory for Tottenham would lift them above Sunderland on goal difference and could provide a timely spring into life for Thomas Frank’s Lilywhites as they search for a season-defining turning point.

Predicted score: 1 - 2