The games are coming quick and fast in the Premier League across the festive period and already it’s time for The Big Kick Off to bring you our latest round of match predictions for Matchweek 20 of the Premier League.
In our Matchweek 19 predictions, we scored 5 out of 7, and our bonus betting tip of over 2.5 goals on the Norwich vs Arsenal match also won.
The next round of matches starts today, Tuesday, and with the first kick off at 3pm, there is no time for messing around. So here goes.
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.
There is the possibility for more matches – mainly at this stage the Wednesday and Thursday fixtures – to also fall victim to the current situation.
For example, Everton was known to be struggling with injuries and illness.
But as things stand, we have eight matches across the next three days.
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 doomed.
Dean Smith’s side is still only 3 points from safety but has played two matches more than fourth-bottom Watford, and three matches more than third from bottom Burnley.
It’s not so much the two most recent defeats for Norwich which must have fans resigning their selves to the championship, more so 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, I have to go with 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 are 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, as 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 won 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.
In fact, it was 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, and the Foxes did fight back well 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 have to go for a Liverpool win though!
- 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 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 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?
Pep’s team are just a machine churning out wins at the moment.
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 on the pitch. Even as I write this, I do so in the belief that this match could yet get called off.
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, 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, I’m going to slightly contradict the above, and go 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 were lucky to leave St James’ Park with a point.
Despite their – latest – poor performance, United do remain 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 and sulking 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. I suspect this fixture might feel more like the first match of the season for Sean Dyche’s team. So I wouldn’t be expecting too much from the Clarets.
Despite United’s awful performance at St James’ Park, I can still only see a home win.
- Verdict – MAN UTD WIN
Our Matchweek 20 Premier League Match Predictions article is written by Dean Etheridge, you contact him on LinkedIn, or see more of his work on his football betting website.