New Delhi: Matchday 19 of the Premier League delivered its fair share of drama and set the stage nicely for the upcoming Matchday 20. There were significant changes in the table as Liverpool delivered a masterclass, defeating West Ham 5-0 and reinforcing their position at the top of the standings. Newcastle also made a huge statement as they silenced Old Trafford with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United and propelled themselves into the top five.
The biggest shock of the round was Ipswich Town’s impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea. Arsenal and Manchester City also kept pace with convincing wins against Brentford (3-1) and Leicester City (2-0) respectively. All this action has led to some significant shifts in the standings with the battle at both the top and bottom of the table intensifying. So, Before the action kicks off, let’s take a closer look at which team holds the upper hand over the other.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United (6 pm IST)
MATCHDAY 💪
🆚 Newcastle United
🏟️ @SpursStadium
🏆 @PremierLeague
⏰ 12.30pm GMT pic.twitter.com/kcudFUs08j
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 4, 2025
Tottenham Hotspur will open their 2025 campaign under immense pressure as they host a high-flying Newcastle United to kick off Saturday’s fixtures. Ange Postecoglou, who once hailed for a record-breaking start to his Premier League tenure, is now under scrutiny after a disappointing end to 2024. Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Wolves over last weekend extended their winless league run to five games at home, leaving the team languishing in the bottom half of the table. While defeat to Newcastle may not seal the manager’s fate, an impending EFL Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool could heavily influence Daniel Levy’s decision-making.
On the other Newcastle are thriving high. Eddie Howe’s side comes into the match on the back of four consecutive Premier League victories, including a dominant 2-0 triumph over Manchester United. Their rediscovered defensive solidity with four clean sheets in as many wins has propelled them into fifth place, just three points shy of a Champions League spot.
Tottenham Hotspur: Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Spence; Kulusevski, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Newcastle United: Dubravka; Livramento, Kelly, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Newcastle
Bournemouth vs Everton (8:30 pm IST)
It’s time for the new year 🫡 pic.twitter.com/jg1MYVzJjY
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 4, 2025
Bournemouth will host Everton at the Vitality Stadium, and both sides are looking to start the new year on a high note. However, their trajectories couldn’t be more different as Bournemouth celebrates their best-ever Premier League start while Everton languishes near the bottom. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have been a revelation this season, extending their unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Fulham. The Cherries have displayed a knack for late heroics, netting 10 goals after the 85th minute this season, more than any other team. Currently seventh in the league, just a point behind Manchester City, Iraola’s high-pressing tactics and attacking flair have earned widespread praise.
Meanwhile, Everton have endured a miserable 2024. With only eight wins across the calendar year, the Toffees recorded their worst performance since 1997 and scored just 31 goals across the whole year, marking the lowest tally in England’s top four tiers. Sean Dyche’s men have struggled to convert draws against top sides like Arsenal and Man City into victories, with last week’s 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest highlighting their lack of creativity.
Bournemouth: Kepa; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
Everton: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Lindstrom, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-0 Everton
Southampton vs Brentford (8:30 pm IST)
Saturday at the Saints 👊 pic.twitter.com/uUOEk1KGwz
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 4, 2025
New Southampton manager Ivan Juric will look to register a first win since taking over the Saints when they welcome Brentford to St Mary’s. Juric has lost his first two matches in charge. A narrow 1-0 home loss to West Ham was followed by a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace The Saints are at the bottom of the standings, but no team has a record worse away than the Bees this season. Southampton are desperately in search of points to climb off the bottom of the table. With just six points from their opening 19 matches, Southampton’s struggles this season have been historic.
Meanwhile, Brentford will arrive in inconsistent form. Though prolific in attack, Thomas Frank’s side has struggled for results with no away wins this season and only two points from nine road games. A recent 0-0 draw with Brighton halted a run of four defeats in five matches, but the Bees remain 12th, seven points off the top six. However, their poor away record, combined with challenging fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool looming, makes this match vital for Frank’s side to regain momentum.
Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Bree, Ugochukwu, Downes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Onuachu, Armstrong
Brentford: Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Wissa, Damsgaard
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Brentford
Aston Villa vs Leicester City (8:30 pm IST)
We’re back at Villa Park for our first fixture of 2025 — UTV 👊 pic.twitter.com/sdIlO5L2WG
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2025
Aston Villa seeks to extend their impressive unbeaten run at home as they host Leicester City at Villa Park. The Villans are enjoying solid home performances, while the Foxes are aiming to end their downward trend and escape the relegation zone. Villa capped off 2024 with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. After a tough Boxing Day loss to Newcastle United, Unai Emery’s side seems poised for victory. Despite winning only one of their last four league game,s they are currently ninth in the standings.
On the other hand, Leicester City’s season has been challenging. Despite a promising start under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, highlighted by a 3-1 victory over West Ham, the Foxes have managed only one point in their last five games. Their consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City have worsened their situation. The Foxes, currently in 19th place and just two points away from safety, are fighting to avoid relegation.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Ramsey; Watkins
Leicester City: Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Soumare, Winks, Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Ayew; Vardy
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Leicester City
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea (8:30 pm IST)
Matchday as the Blues travel to Crystal Palace. ✊#CFC | #CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/g36WhxExbN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 4, 2025
Chelsea will look to recover from a disappointing end to 2024 when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on New Year’s Eve. The Blues, under Enzo Maresca, has endured a dismal festive period, having lost their last two league games to Fulham and Ipswich Town. Their 2-0 defeat to Ipswich was particularly concerning, as the Blues dominated possession but lacked cutting edge. A run of eight consecutive wins after the November international break has been undone by three winless games, leaving them in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are in 15th place in the league table and have not been in their best form this season. The Eagles managed to defeat Southampton by a scoreline of 2-0 last week, and they will try to achieve a similar result in today’s fixture. Oliver Glasner’s Palace side have lost just two of their last 11 league games, though both defeats came at home in London derbies. They are five points clear of the relegation zone and will look to increase the lead in the upcoming fixture.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester City vs West Ham (8:30 pm IST)
Our first game of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ is coming up! 🔜#AsahiSuperDry ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/jqpEn96zpQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 2, 2025
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will host West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. The reigning champions closed out a turbulent year with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Leicester City. Pep Guardiola’s 500th game in charge of City also marked their first away win in over two months, ending a dismal eight-game winless streak on the road. Despite climbing back into the Premier League’s top six, City remain far from their dominant best. Guardiola has downplayed the prospect of a dramatic title charge, as they still face a battle to secure Champions League qualification. However, New Year fixtures have historically been kind to City, who have won their last 12 opening league games of a calendar year, with Guardiola boasting an unblemished home record against West Ham in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, West Ham endured a forgettable end to 2024. A 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool brought their four-game unbeaten run to a crashing halt. Julen Lopetegui’s side conceded the most Premier League goals in 2024 (79) and are yet to keep a clean sheet in their last 24 league meetings with City. The Hammers have never gone 25 games without a shutout against a single opponent, but history doesn’t favor them here. Despite an eight-point cushion above the relegation zone, the Hammers will need a monumental effort to halt City’s New Year charge.
Manchester City: Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Foden, Silva, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland
West Ham: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Rodriguez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Fullkrug
Prediction: Man City 3-0 West Ham
Brighton vs Arsenal (11 pm IST)
⚫️ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 🔴
🆚 Brighton & Hove Albion
🕠 5.30pm (UK)
🏆 Premier League
🏟 Amex Stadium pic.twitter.com/pLvtFGpY2E
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 4, 2025
Arsenal will travel to the South Coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s men have begun 2025 in style with a 3-1 win over Brentford, showcasing their attacking prowess despite early defensive lapses. The Gunners currently sit in sixth spot in the standings, trailing six points behind Liverpool, who still hold a game in hand. They are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, having won nine. The Gunners trip to Brighton will mark their first venture outside London since a 5-1 Champions League triumph over Sporting Lisbon in late November.
Meanwhile, Brighton closed 2024 with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, thanks to a stunning late equalizer from Tariq Lamptey. However, the Seagulls are enduring a rough patch this season. They have been winless in seven games and are sitting at 10 position in the table. Fabian Hurzeler’s side has drawn nine league games this season, which is the most in the division and could set an unwanted record with a 10th draw under their manager. Earlier this season, Brighton have already earned a point at the Emirates in a dramatic 1-1 draw marked by Declan Rice’s controversial red card. Arsenal aims to avoid repeating past mistakes and focus on maintaining a winning streak this new year.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, O’Riley; Adingra, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro
Arsenal: Raya; Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard
Prediction: Brighton 1-3 Arsenal
Where to watch Premier League Matchday 20 fixtures?
As Premier League Matchday 20 gets underway, fans can enjoy all the action either on television or by streaming. The matches will be available on the Star Sports network, and those who prefer to stream can catch the games live on Disney+ Hotstar.
Check out the detailed preview and predicted lineups of Premier League Matchday 20 Saturday fixtures, where top teams prepare for intense battles. Also, find out where to watch the Premier League’s matchday 20 fixtures. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
