So match day 20 has come and gone and the reverberations of the results will be felt come the end of the season. Some big shock occurred mid-week with Spurs losing to a misfiring and defensively frail Liverpool. Manchester United came up short against bottom placed team Sheffield United. Perhaps most shockingly the mighty Newcastle lost …..I know we can barely believe that one ourselves.
Man City Romped to Victory against West Brom. Burnley played a blinder against Aston Villa and Arsenal once again managed to come away with three points. Sprinkle a few mundane draws in and that was it for your match day 20.
No time to lament or celebrate as match day 21 has steamrolled on us with the Premier League train dropping off another set of fixtures this weekend. Here is the low-down.
Saturday 30th January
12:30 Everton v Newcastle United on BT
Everton will be looking to pile on the misery for Steve Bruce. Newcastle are in absolutely torrid form as of late, having not won a match in their last 11 efforts. Currently they are on a five match losing streak however their performances against Leeds may inspire some much needed confidence despite obtaining no points. Everton are coming off a draw with Leicester which they would have felt is a missed chance to make their way up the table. A Jordon Pickford error against the Foxes may see Carlo Ancelotti change things up between the sticks, something he has not been shy to do before. Last time these two sides met it was Newcastle who came out on top in a 2 – 1 victory.
15:00 Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers On Sky
Wolves will be looking to start new signing Willian Jose. Jose was brought in to help Nuno Santo’s side woes infront of the goal, but he only had a cameo appearance in their last match against Chelsea recently. Wolves drew that match however they have bested the Eagles twice all ready this season, 2 – 0 at home in the Premier League and 1 – 0 at home in the FA Cup. It remains to be seen weather a change of venue will make much difference to either side who are both in a bad funk at the moment. Palace most recently lost to West Ham and are now four games without a win.
15:00 Manchester City v Sheffield United On Sky
Well things just got interesting! Sheffield United recorded a mammoth victory against Man Cities neighbors midweek. Defeating the Red Devils 2- 1 , and in the process put a serious dent in United’s charge for the title. That is about as much as they hope to help Man City though, and will look to do the double over the city of Manchester this week. Man City are just coming off spanking West Brom 5 – 0 and are currently on a 12 match winning streak in all competitions. They may be weary that their encounter this season resulted in a hard fought slender victory for Pep Guardiola over Chris Wilder, put that team did not seem to have the same swagger the current version has.
15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Fulham BBC
Much plaudits have been thrown Fulham’s way in recent times despite their position in the table. This is truly a game to justify those cheerleaders. Only two points separate these teams, so this is six pointer in every sense of the word. Fulham have not won since November and really need to start getting maximum points from games if they are to survive. In the last eight games, they have lost twice and drawn six, while not wholly inspiring, they have proven they are hard to beat. West Brom are struggling to gain any sort of momentum, but if their was ever a time to do it, it is now. Sheffield United are up next on Tuesday night for the Baggies, so Big Sam has a big chance to make up for lost points. The Cottagers won this reverse fixture 2 – 0 last November but that was a different manager, different year yada yada yada.
17:30 Arsenal v Manchester United On Sky
Arsenal versus Man United may not pack the punch it once did but this one should be a tasty affair. Manchester United should still be reeling over their lost to Sheffield United midweek and itching to set the record straight. It will prove to be tough though as Arsenal are in magnificent form. 16 points from their last 18 is an unbelievable return and you can be sure they will want to maintain that run against their old foes. Arsenal bested United all ready this season in a game United fans are still fuming about. Make no mistake this is a big fixture between the two former top dogs of the Premier League.
20:00 Southampton v Aston Villa On Sky
Both sides threw away leading positions last week and end up conceding three goals therefore conceding the three points. Inconsistency springs to mind when thinking of each teams recent exploits. Southampton have only picked up maximum points once in their last six attempts. Aston Villa have managed just seven points from their last six. The league is proving to be quite volatile with predictions swinging wildly based on the most recent results, however both teams are viable contenders for a European spot. A victory is needed by both sides but for neutrals we just ask for another seven goal thriller like their November encounter in which The Saints conquered The Villians.
Sunday 31st January
12:00 Chelsea v Burnley on BT
New manger Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for a better result then his midweek draw with Wolves in his second game in charge of the London Club. Chelsea have been on a woeful seven week run, which ultimately resulted in club legend Frank Lampard getting the sack. Burnley on the other hand have seemed to rescue their season with some blistering performances in recent times. Sean Dyche has managed his way to three victories in as many games recently with Premier league victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool. They are now nine points clear of the relegation zone but will be weary of a dormant Chelsea side. Goals from Hakim Ziyeach, Kurt Zouma and Timo Werner secured the three points for Chelsea last time out against The Clarets at Halloween, but much has changed since then.
14:00 Leicester City v Leeds United On Sky
Leicester will be hoping for a better performance then their last game against Everton. Brendan Rodgers still managed to come away with a draw, but the lack of Jamie Vardy up top may prove to be troublesome over the next few games. Marcelo Bielsa is unrelenting in his approach to games and his swashbuckling style may fall into the hands of The Foxes clever attackers. Leeds put an end to a three match losing streak , which included a 3 – 0 loss to Crawley Town in the Fa Cup, by defeating poorly Newcastle 2 – 1. This will be a tougher test for the Whites who will need to do alot better then their last fixture against Leicester where they lost 4 – 1.
16:30 West Ham United v Liverpool On Sky
Liverpool have broke out of their Premier League duct with a victory over Spurs midweek. The team were not only searching for the win, but also some goals. Finally both came for the defending champions with Roberto Firnino, Trent Alexander Arnold and Sadio Mane getting on the score-sheet. West Ham are in flying form having won their last four games and find themselves in fifth, just two points off Liverpool. Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard may be inline for an appearance having agreed to join on loan, and will be eager to impress. West Ham will be out for revenge after Diego Jota scored a late winner for The Red’s the last time these two side met.
Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur On Sky
Tottenham will be without talisman Harry Kane after his injury against Liverpool. The England international has netted 12 goals for Jose Mourinho this season and while fans will curse his absence, they should find solace that Spurs also have another player fit in their ranks who has found the net 12 times , Heung-Min Son. Gareth Bale will also be hopeful of inclusion despite a very indifferent start to this season, he did manage a goal along with Kane in their victory against Graham Potter’s side the last time these two sides met. The Seagull’s are not flying high, and have yet to record a victory at home this season, so should be itching to pick on a wounded Totteham.
