2020/21 Premier League Predictions | Gameweek 19
The 2020/21 Premier League is the season that keeps on giving, with Man Utd the latest side to hit the EPL summit after edging past Burnley on Tuesday night.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side now have a three-point lead on bitter rivals Liverpool after that result, and the title race could tilt on its axis completely this weekend as the reigning champions head to Anfield.
The top two clash between Man Utd and Liverpool heads up our latest round of Premier League betting predictions…
EPL Predictions – Gameweek 19
First up, it’s a feisty Black Country derby involving two rivals in desperate in need of a win to shake them back into life.
Saturday 16th January
WOLVES VS WEST BROM
Incredibly, it’s nearly nine years since these two clubs last met in a competitive game, when West Brom were very much the power half of this long-standing rivalry. That’s all flipped round since the Nuno-led revolution of Wolves from 2017 onwards, with the home side heavy favourites to win the early kick-off.
However, the Baggies could be entering enemy territory at just the right moment, with Wolves 2-1 midweek home defeat to Everton stretching their winless EPL streak to five games.
After shipping nine goals without reply in two league games, Sam Allardyce’s first priority will be tightening up his side’s leaky defence as they bid to avoid an instant return to the EFL Championship.
As the veteran boss will know more than anyone, an against-the-odds derby day win is exactly the type of result that can help transform a season.
Will his players be up to the task?
Verdict: WOLVES 2-1 WEST BROM
LEEDS UTD VS BRIGHTON
It could be a busy day for the goalkeepers as the attack-minded Marcelo Bielsa and Graham Potter meet for the first time at Elland Road.
If both managers stick to their principles, that likely tips the scales in favour of the home side, given Leeds have shown the ruthless streak needed at times to put precious points on the board, while Brighton continue to be criminally wasteful in front of goal despite their impressive XG figures.
However, be wary of the ‘curse of the bogey team’ striking the home side once again in this fixture.
While Leeds won the last meeting between the two clubs 2-0 in March 2017, the Seagulls sealed the win in all six meetings prior to that when the clubs traded blows in the Championship. Can the Seagulls revert to type by pulling off a much-needed win in South Yorkshire to reboot their bid for safety?
Verdict: LEEDS UTD 3-1 BRIGHTON
WEST HAM UTD VS BURNLEY
While a patchy festive season has seen talk of a Europa League place finish subside somewhat for West Ham Utd, David Moyes’ much-improved Hammers still look firmly on track for a top half finish.
The Scotsman finally grabbed his first win as an opposition manager at Goodison Park in West Ham’s last Premier League outing. A late goal from Tomáš Souček saw the away side edge out his former club Everton 1-0.
Moyes’ next priority will be ending the Hammers’ recent lean spell at the London Stadium, with their last home victory coming back in November over Aston Villa.
Burnley are their visitors this Saturday, and the battling Clarets have form in this fixture. A Jay Rodriguez goal proved to be the difference as the away side returned to Lancashire with all three points last season.
Verdict: WEST HAM UTD 1-1 BURNLEY
FULHAM VS CHELSEA
With this season’s fixture list continuing to be a moveable feast, a feisty Friday night London derby becomes a Saturday afternoon showpiece as Fulham take on neighbours Chelsea.
The Cottagers are currently working their way through unwanted fixture pile-up after recent Covid-related postponements, but Scott Parker had plenty to smile about on Wednesday night as his improving team picked up a deserved point at Spurs. That performance hints his side’s recent enforced absence from league action hasn’t halted their new-found momentum.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard received some much-needed respite from recent criticism as his team cruised past Morecambe in the FA Cup, but a derby defeat here would crank up the pressure after just one league win in six.
This could be a defining weekend for the Blues great as he looks to quash the rumours surrounding his long-term future at the club.
Verdict: FULHAM 1-2 CHELSEA
LEICESTER CITY VS SOUTHAMPTON
Could Saturday’s best be saved until last at the King Power?
On the evidence of this season, it could be an entertaining evening in the East Midlands.
Both Leicester and Southampton have stepped up their performance levels in 2020/21 to the extent it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both occupy the top six in a campaign where pretty much everything looks up for grabs.
While the Foxes’ away form has propelled them firmly into top four contention, they have occasionally flattered to deceive on home turf, with the hosts seeking a first win in three.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl was reduced to tears after his side’s dogged 1-0 win over Liverpool. The Austrian might have even more to be proud about if his side can avoid defeat here, as it would extend their remarkable recent away run. Southampton have lost just one of their last 13 away games in the top flight.
Verdict: LEICESTER CITY 2-2 SOUTHAMPTON
Sunday 17th January
SHEFFIELD UTD VS SPURS
While Sheffield Utd are still a hefty 3/50 in the outright betting to be relegated at the end of the 2020/21 EPL season, the Blades have finally got themselves off the mark with a win at the 18th time of asking.
Newcastle were the obliging visitors to Bramall Lane in midweek as another negative setup from Steve Bruce blew up in the Magpies boss’ face. Can the rock-bottom Blades make it back-to-back home wins against another side prone to safety-first football in Spurs?
José Mourinho’s conservative tactics were once again called into question on Wednesday night as Spurs failed to finish off Fulham, with a static second half display allowing the spirited Cottagers to take a point from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
That result means Spurs have now won just one of their last six league games, a record that means talk of a title chase is dwindling fast in North London.
This fixture saw the Blades produce one of their most impressive performances of last season, as Chris Wilder’s side ran out 3-1 winners.
Verdict: SHEFFIELD UTD 0-2 SPURS
LIVERPOOL VS MAN UTD
There’s little doubt where the game of the weekend comes from.
All eyes will be on Anfield on Sunday for the first North West derby with title ramifications in nearly a decade.
At the moment, it’s the visitors in the box seat after pulling three points clear of their rivals with a midweek win at Burnley, but Liverpool’s better goal difference would see them leapfrog their rivals with a win on home soil.
At least one long-standing record could fall here with Liverpool’s 67-game unbeaten streak at Anfield colliding with the Red Devils’ unbeaten 2020/21 away run. The Reds won this fixture 2-0 last season. Read our in-depth Liverpool vs Man Utd betting predictions here.
Verdict: LIVERPOOL 1-1 MAN UTD
MAN CITY VS CRYSTAL PALACE
Man City have had to be patient at times this season as they look to reclaim the Premier League title they lost in 2019/20.
With Pep Guardiola’s charges still playing catch-up on most of their immediate rivals, it could still be a few weeks yet before the Citizens have a chance to hit the summit, but they currently look the form team of the division after winning six of their last eight.
A tightened-up defence courtesy of a blossoming double act between John Stones and Rúben Dias has helped power their charge back into the top four, and the 1-0 win over Brighton was a fourth clean sheet in five for the title contenders.
It’s the Eagles instead of the Seagulls heading to Manchester on Sunday, and Palace have posed City plenty of problems at the Etihad in their two most recent trips (one win, one draw, scoring five).
Guardiola will be keen for his side to maintain their discipline this time around against a Palace side more than capable of raising the stakes when in the right mood.
Verdict: MAN CITY 3-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
Monday 18th January
ARSENAL VS NEWCASTLE UTD
Finally, it’s a swift rematch for two sides that played each other in the FA Cup Third Round just a week ago, where the Gunners had to settle for grinding their opponents down in extra time in a 2-0 win.
At the moment, keeping things tight looks to be the default setting for an increasingly subdued Steve Bruce. The Magpies are in danger of plummeting back towards the heat of the relegation battle after scoring just one goal in six in all competitions, with precious little currently being offered going forward when star man Callum Wilson is suffering an off-day.
It’s been one-way traffic for the Gunners in this fixture for over a decade, with Newcastle’s last win at the Emirates coming in November 2010.
Verdict: ARSENAL 2-0 NEWCASTLE UTD
All fixture information correct at time of writing.
Premier League Correct Score Predictions
Our score predictions for Gameweek 19 in full….
SATURDAY 16TH JANUARY
WOLVES 2-1 WEST BROM
LEEDS UTD 3-1 BRIGHTON
WEST HAM UTD 1-1 BURNLEY
FULHAM 1-2 CHELSEA
LEICESTER 2-2 SOUTHAMPTON
SUNDAY 17TH JANUARY
ASTON VILLA P-P EVERTON
SHEFF UTD 0-2 SPURS
LIVERPOOL 1-1 MAN UTD
MAN CITY 3-0 CRYSTAL PALACE
MONDAY 18TH JANUARY
ARSENAL 2-0 NEWCASTLE
PREMIER LEAGUE BETTING | GW 19 | BEST BETS
Looking for Premier League betting tips ahead of Gameweek 19?
We’ve picked out our three top picks ahead of another massive round of games…
Odds correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.
Check our latest 2020/21 Premier League outright betting odds here.
