Premier League predictions: Gameweek 20

The relatively brief but nonetheless hectic festive period permeates into the new year and concludes with Gameweek 20.

Premier League enjoyers will get a mere day of respite following the conclusion of Gameweek 19 before Saturday’s action kick-off with a lunchtime bout at Kenilworth Road.

The upcoming action will once again be spread out over four days, and there are critical bouts up and down the table to wrap up the 2023/24 Christmas schedule.

Here’s how 90min sees the upcoming Premier League action unfolding.

While they escaped with victories, title hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City have both felt the full effects of Luton Town‘s condensed home turf this term. A vulnerable Chelsea are next to touch down at Kenilworth Road in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Luton were fortunate to walk away with three points from Bramall Lane on Boxing Day, but they currently look the most likely of the promoted clubs to make a fist of survival.

Sheffield United must be kicking themselves after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against the Hatters, and up next for Chris Wilder’s improving Blades is a trip to Manchester City. The visitors will be without a couple of key stars in Anel Ahmedhodzic and Gustavo Hamer due to suspension, too.

Brentford make the short trip south for a London derby at Crystal Palace in a fixture that does little to inspire. The Bees were stuffed by Wolves last time out but are pretty well-rested, having not played on Gameweek 18. Both teams will be looking to steer clear from the drop zone with three points, though a forgettable draw seems inevitable.

Everton have been terrific on their travels this term, and after somehow failing to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a victory before Christmas, they visit Molineux on Saturday to take on a Wolves team that have generally performed better against sides that allow them to sit deep and counter-attack.

Arguably the most intriguing fixture of the round arrives at the City Ground on Saturday evening as Nottingham Forest host Manchester United. Nuno’s Forest tore Newcastle apart in transition on Boxing Day and deservedly won at St. James’ Park thanks to a Chris Wood hat-trick. It was a timely victory for Forest, who were just sliding towards danger.

Speaking of timely triumphs, some have already labelled United’s dramatic turnaround against Aston Villa as the ignition Erik ten Hag needed to get his project at Old Trafford up-and-running again.

No team has picked up more points in their last five games than Bournemouth (13) and their next assignment is a trip to Tottenham on New Year’s Eve. The Cherries have been in irresistible form as of late, and Spurs, in the absence of key men, have manifested their vulnerabilities.

Fulham have crashed back to Earth following emphatic victories over Forest and West Ham, losing their last three. Marco Silva must soon stop the rot, but the Cottagers host Arsenal on Gameweek 20. The Gunners blew Fulham away in the first half of this fixture last season.

2024 gets underway at Anfield as Liverpool welcome Newcastle to Merseyside. The Magpies are slowly entering dire straits territory, and they could do with becoming the first Premier League side to win at Anfield since Leeds in October 2022.

The round concludes a day later in east London as West Ham and Brighton face off in a potential prelude to a Europa League knockout tie. The Hammers outwitted the Seagulls in the reverse fixture at the start of the campaign, and it should be a close encounter once more with both sides full of beans after seeing off Arsenal and Tottenham respectively post-Christmas.

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