Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 20

As things stand, we still have eight Premier League fixtures in Matchweek 20, here's our match predictions with free bonus tip on this week's action.

Dec 28, 2021

It was goals galore in Matchweek 19 and we scored five out of seven in our predictions.

Our free bonus tip of over 2.5 goals in the Norwich vs Arsenal match also won with ease. Far easier than I expected in fairness. I thought it might be 2-1 or 3-1 to Arsenal, not the 5-0 thrashing we saw.

The performance of the weekend surely had to be from Romelu Lukaku. He transformed the Chelsea side when he came off the bench at Villa Park.

And if the Chelsea striker can maintain that high standard, he could fire Chelsea back into the title race.

Although it has to be said with the form of Pep’s City team at the moment, you would have to imagine it’s going to be near on impossible for anybody to stop the light Blues.

Anyway, with the Matchweek 20 fixtures starting at 3pm today, there’s no time to waste. So let’s get on with things!

Matchweek 20 Premier League Match Predictions

So far, two games have fallen victim to the current Covid-19 situation.

Leeds vs Aston Villa was the first to go, and we've since lost Arsenal vs Wolves.

As things stand, we still have eight fixtures. Starting at Selhurst Park, here’s my thoughts and predictions on all eight.

Crystal Palace vs Norwich - 3pm Tuesday

The performances of Norwich in their last two matches at home to Aston Villa, and Arsenal, were those of a team already looking gone.

The Canaries can’t give up yet though.

Dean Smith's side is still only 3 points from safety but has played two matches more than fourth-bottom Watford, and three more than third-bottom Burnley.

It's not so much the two recent defeats for Norwich which must have fans resigned to relegation though, it was more the manner of the defeats.

They were awful!!

Norwich needs a result here, and equally, could do with a decent performance. For self-belief, if nothing else.

As for Palace, they've stuttered a bit lately. They only just managed to put a team out against Spurs, and I wouldn't be surprised if this game gets postponed yet.

Taking Palace's home advantage into consideration though, along with Norwich’s form of late, I can only go for a win for the Eagles.

Verdict - PALACE WIN

Southampton vs Spurs - 3pm Tuesday

I predicted a point for the Saints at West Ham on Sunday, and they got all three.

Unfortunately for Ralf Hassenhuttl and his team, they now find themselves up against an in-form Spurs side.

The self-belief has slowly returned to Spurs under Antonio Conte, and they are now looking more like their old selves.

Even Harry Kane is scoring goals again!

The Saints' home form has been quite good this season, but I have to go with a win for Spurs. They just look in such a good place at the moment.

Verdict - SPURS WIN

BONUS TIP - Our Bonus Tip of Over 2.5 Goals easily came in on Sunday in the Norwich vs Arsenal match, and I'm going for the same bet in this match.

Both sides are scoring goals, and I think 19/20 looks a good bet in this match as well.

Watford vs West Ham - 3pm Tuesday

I've got Watford striker Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis in my Fantasy Premier League team, and it feels like an eternity since I last heard of him.

It was - in fact - the 10th December when Watford last played, and as a result, they must be rusty.

West Ham lost at home to Southampton on Sunday, and they have been struggling with injuries lately.

I'm slightly torn between the draw and a win for West Ham here.

This fixture represents a great chance for David Moyes' side to get back to winning ways though, and I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt here.

Verdict - WEST HAM WIN

Leicester vs Liverpool - 8pm Tuesday

Interesting fixture at the KP Stadium.

I'm not sure why Jamie Vardy isn't playing, and I've recently suggested that something feels not quite right at the club.

That said, in James Maddison, they have an in-form player. The former Coventry man inspired the Foxes fight back at the Eithad Stadium on Sunday.

But on current form, how can anybody seriously back this current Leicester team against Liverpool?

They can't defend a set piece and are just too unpredictable.

It could be the case that the performances of Maddison are papering over bigger cracks.

In fairness, the Foxes have most of their defence missing, and maybe they will improve when they get more players back.

I expect to see Jamie Vardy back in the side for this one. He has had some inspired performances against Liverpool over the years.

I don’t see that being enough for Leicester to get anything though, and I have to go for a Liverpool win!

Verdict - LIVERPOOL WIN

Chelsea vs Brighton - 7.30pm Wednesday

Just typical for Brighton that they finally get a win, and up next, they have to go to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

Brighton ended their 11 match run without a win by defeating Brentford at the Amex on Sunday night.

The Bees didn't make it easy for Brighton, and it was a hard-fought win for Graham Potter's team.

Even more impressive on Boxing Day, was Chelsea's second-half performance at Aston Villa.

The Villans put Chelsea under plenty of pressure, but Tuchel's team stood up to the challenge and won a hard-fought battle 3-1.

The performance of the team after Romelu Lukaku came off the bench at half-time will give the Blues' fans plenty of heart for the remainder of the season.

The Belgian striker looked unplayable at times, and he could be the catalyst to reinvigorate Chelsea's Premier League title campaign.

Verdict - CHELSEA WIN

Brentford vs Man City - 8.15pm Wednesday

As just mentioned, the Bees gave a decent account of themselves at Brighton on Sunday.

How can you expect to see anything other than a convincing win for City here though?

City's winning run will come to an end soon, I can't see it being here though!

Verdict - MAN CITY WIN

Everton vs Newcastle - 7.30pm Thursday

This is the sort of match Eddie Howe's Newcastle side will need to get something from.

Everton has been struggling with both form, and getting a team out on the pitch.

The Toffees got a good point at Chelsea with a majorly patched-up team. But they won't get away with that very often.

Unless they have some players back, I suspect Newcastle may get something here.

Newcastle put in a decent performance against Manchester United on Monday night. And it has to be said, they probably dropped 2 points against the Red Devils.

I'm going to base my prediction on Everton having a decent amount of squad players to pick from though.

Therefore, in a slight contradiction to the above, I'm going for a home win.

Verdict - EVERTON WIN

Man Utd vs Burnley - 8.15pm Thursday

Well, as just mentioned in the Everton vs Newcastle preview above, Man Utd was very lucky to leave St James' Park with a point.

Despite their - latest - poor performance, United remains unbeaten under Ralf Rangnick.

I do expect an improved showing from the Red Devils on Thursday. The United fans have eyes, and they know what they saw on Monday night.

I don't think they will be standing for that garbage at Old Trafford!!

As for Burnley, they haven't played since 12th December. And after a break like that, I suspect rust will play a bigger role than any freshness the break might give them going into the game.

The 18 days break is probably too long, and this match feels like a fixture Burnley can use to build up their fitness and match sharpness for the battles that lie ahead.

Despite United's awful performance at St James' Park, I can still only see a home win here.

Verdict - MAN UTD WIN

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