Premier League Predictions, Week 19

© Micah Veldkamp, 2025

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Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! That's right, it's me again! I know it's only been a mere few days since you heard from me last, but I couldn't let 2025 expire without one last Premier League Predictions piece!

Yes, we're in the thick of the "festive fixtures" now, a season to positively gorge ourselves on more and more Premier League matches. A slew kick off tomorrow, with a handful of others to follow on New Year's Day, before once again tucking in for more action this coming weekend.

If it's anything like my last weekend performance, I hope they keep coming! I was one goal away from perhaps my greatest outing ever....had Chelsea found a late equalizer vs. Aston Villa, I would have gotten each prediction right, with 3 correct scorelines to boot. But alas, as I did not forecast Villa's 2-1 victory, I had to take the L on the last match of the bunch. Fortunately, my 4/4 clip before that game, and two perfect score predictions in Liverpool's and Manchester City's 2-1 victories, gave me a 5-point week for the first time in eons, boosting my season mark up to 46/67!

But, the matches are mere hours from kicking back off, so let's not waste any more time paradin'. Here are your 4 for Week 19!

Chelsea vs. Bournemouth

Chelsea's dominant first half and subsequent collapse on Saturday in some ways perfectly encapsulated their last season and a half under Enzo Maresca: so much potential, such a high ceiling, but ultimately lacking the mental discipline and consistency to get the job done. It once again seems unlikely that they will contend for the title this season, but they're still very much in the thick of the Top 4 race, with a lot to play for. The good news for the Blues is it's another home match tomorrow, and an opponent in an even worse rut than them: Bournemouth was the feel-good story to start the season, but it's now 9 matches without a win for the Cherries, which has sunk them all the way to 15th in the league. Andoni Iraola still has them well above the relegation zone and is as equipped as any manager to lead that side through the storm, but the turnaround won't start with this fixture.

The Pick: Chelsea, 3-1

Arsenal vs. Aston Villa

In back-to-back weeks, sandwiching New Year's Day, league leaders Arsenal will host a Top 4 clash at the Emirates on a random weeknight...don't think the Premier League would have scheduled these matches the same way if they had foresight into how big they might be! Anyhow, the first of these comes tomorrow, as the Gunners host the red-hot 3rd-placed team Aston Villa in a rematch of a game played just over 3 weeks ago. That first clash between these two, a 2-1 Villa victory in Birmingham, marked one of just two losses for Arsenal in all competitions this season, and announced the Lions' turnaround was the real deal in the midst of what is now an 11-match winning streak. After yet another come-from-behind victory last weekend on the road against one of the richest clubs in the world, it's reasonable to ask two things of Aston Villa: 1. will this winning streak ever end?, and 2. relatedly....could this team actually win the whole thing? But the simple fact is, even the best teams in history lose eventually, and while there's little doubt which of these two sides have been playing the better football over the last month, I don't see Arsenal dropping points to the same team twice in a matter of weeks.

The Pick: Arsenal, 2-0

Liverpool vs. Leeds United

I mentioned in my last piece that the results show an improved Liverpool of late, even if the form doesn't always line up. Well, the Reds' weekend match vs. Wolves perfectly exemplified that, with Liverpool settling for a 2-1 win over the league's worst team after a nervier 2nd half than they would have liked. That's 7 on the bounce for the reigning champions, who suddenly are alone in 4th place, and an improved Liverpool will be expected to beat Leeds at Anfield to open 2026. But not so fast, my friend... Leeds are an improving side in decent form, too (unbeaten since Thanksgiving), and it was mere weeks ago that they threatened to tank Liverpool's season with their rally from 2 goals down and ensuing Mo Salah-Arne Slot blowup. Do I think the Peacocks will win at Anfield? Probably not. Do I think they're good enough to once again snag points off a not-quite-there Liverpool side? I do.

The Pick: Draw, 2-2

Sunderland vs. Manchester City

The second of two "newly promoted vs. kings of England" matchups on New Year's Day, 6-time league champion Pep Guardiola takes Manchester City up north to Sunderland to kick off their 2026 title push. The Black Cats have been enjoying life back in the top division, albeit not as much lately with just 1 win from their last 5. Still, Sunderland's strong start to the season has seen them take 8 points from Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle already, and has them positioned in the top half of the table, just 4 points outside the Top 4. Given that this is the return fixture for a match they lost 3-0 less than a month ago, there's no question the hosts will be fired up to right the ship against the visiting Man City. I think City are playing too well at the moment and are too locked in for me to predict them getting caught off guard and losing, but I am willing to predict a frustrating draw for them in a venue that has not seen Sunderland lose all season.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1