Premier League Predictions, Week 20
Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! Hope you had a merry Christmas, and are looking forward to the New Year! As we approach 2024 (I know... I know), the matches continue to come thick and fast, before domestic cup play and an international break will provide a reprieve in January.
When you heard from me last week, I forecasted two 'gameweeks' in one, and my performance essentially resembled a bell curve as the matches progressed. I'll give myself partial credit for my brave prediction that Luton Town would get points off of Newcastle, but can't claim full credit as they actually won, as opposed to drawing. Aston Villa drew instead of winning, and Tottenham won instead of drawing. But then, my Liverpool-Arsenal draw prediction bore out! As did my Manchester United upset of Aston Villa (thanks to a 3-goal comeback in the second half)! And then I totally nailed the Manchester City-Everton scoreline!! But alas, I would end with a fizzle, not a bang as rivals Arsenal and Tottenham were upset in simultaneously played matches. My 4/8 performance dropped me to an unconventional 43.5/67 mark on the year.
Now, the matches are less than 12 hours from kicking back off, so let's not waste any more time trying to mentally calculate 43.5 into 67. Here are your 5 for Week 20!
Manchester City vs. Sheffield United
Manchester City's sluggish start at Everton suggested they still aren't at their best, which is perhaps unsurprising as they await the return of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne from injury. But the good news for the champions is that they're at least winning again-- three straight, in fact. Sheffield United, bottom of the table, can't say the same. This one will likely get ugly fast.
The Pick: Man City, 4-0
Aston Villa vs. Burnley
How quickly things can change in this incredibly competitive Premier League race- not a fortnight ago, we were heralding Aston Villa's shock title charge amidst a winning streak of 6, a stretch that included conquering Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham. Now, after a frankly stunning home draw vs. hapless Sheffield and Tuesday's collapse at Old Trafford, the Villains are in a de facto 4th place position and in dire need of a good result to restore their lofty hopes. Fortunately for Unai Emery and co., a home match against a bad Burnley side should be just what the doctor ordered.
The Pick: Aston Villa, 3-1
Fulham vs. Arsenal
How quickly things can change in this incredibly competitive Premier League race- not a week ago, Arsenal had emerged from a daunting Anfield with a precious point and their spot atop the table intact on Christmas Day. Now, just a couple days later, after an unexpected tumble at home to West Ham, Gunners fans and critics alike are decrying the "same old Arsenal" and Mikel's men need to once again fight from behind. There's a looooong way to go in this season, and Arsenal have as good a shout as anyone for being the most complete team thus far...but I don't love this next fixture for them. Fulham, overacheivers last season, are better than their standing would suggest-- just ask Liverpool, who required late heroics just to beat them at home, and hell, Arsenal, who was unable to beat them at home back in August. Arsenal are obviously the superior side, but after 3 straight losses, the Cottagers will be desperate for a result in front of their home fans, and might just get one.
The Pick: Draw, 2-2
Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
How quickly things can change in this incredibly competitive Premier League race- not a fortnight ago, Liverpool were top of the league; then, after a high-stakes week saw them take only 2 points from 6, the Reds ceded 1st place heading into the holiday. But THEN, this week's results (a dominant win at Burnley coupled with the Arsenal upset) has vaunted Liverpool back up to 1st place at the midway point of the season. A New Year's Day victory over regional rivals Newcastle would be their first victory as league leaders since December 2020, and would assert themselves as genuine title contenders. And on paper, they should do it; let alone the home-field advantage, Newcastle are not particularly in a good way, having lost 4 of their last 5 and slipped to 9th place in the process. But something about this fixture just gives me pause as a Liverpool fan-- Newcastle would LOVE to regain form by spoiling their rivals' party (like Manchester United before them), and not only have the Reds been unconvincing this season in high-stakes matches, recently they've even been unconvincing at home.
The Pick: Draw, 1-1
West Ham United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
The last matchup of New Year's weekend pits the chief spoiler of the '21-'22 season against the chief spoiler of last season. West Ham and Brighton are linked by more than that, though; both clubs are in the knockout stage of the Europa League currently, both have good managers that favor an open brand of football, and most significantly, both are coming off massive wins over North London sides that have revived their Top 4 dreams. Given all the above, I wouldn't be shocked if this is, perhaps unexpectedly, the best match of the weekend, and as such, could see it going either way. But in the absence of all else, I'm going to go with the home team who has been ever-so-slightly more consistent this season.
The Pick: West Ham, 3-2
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