Premier League Week 20 Fixtures: EPL TV Schedule, Live Stream and Predictions
New Yearโs Day is a time for reflection, looking ahead and mawkishly made, often-unfulfilled promises.
But for the 20 Premier League teams in action on the first day of 2015, a full set of fixtures provides ample opportunity to get the year off to a flyer.
League leaders Chelsea face a tricky test against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane to get their year underway, while nearest challengers Manchester Cityโwho surrendered a two-goal lead against Burnley in their last outingโface a much more straightforward-looking match against Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium.
Hereโs all the information you need on where to catch the matches from the warmth and comfort of your own home on the television or via an online stream.
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 12:45 p.m. | Stoke vs. Manchester United | 1-2 | Sky Go App (UK), NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | West Ham vs. West Bromwich Albion | 2-0 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace | 1-0 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Hull vs. Everton | 2-2 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Leicester | 3-0 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Manchester City vs. Sunderland | 2-0 | BT Sport App (UK), NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | BT Sport 1 (UK), NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Newcastle United vs. Burnley | 2-1 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Queens Park Rangers vs. Swansea | 2-2 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Southampton vs. Arsenal | 2-2 | NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | NBCSN (US) |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 5:30 p.m. | Tottenham vs. Chelsea | 0-2 | BT Sport App (UK), NBC Sports Live Extra (US) | BT Sport 1 (UK), NBCSN (US) |
To access theย BTย Sport app, clickย here.
For NBC Sports Live Extra, clickย here.
For the Sky Go app, clickย here.ย
Chelsea Facing London Derby Test
The Blues will take great heart from Manchester Unitedโs dominant first-half display against Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Though the Red Devils were continually thwarted by Hugo Lloris, you suspect that if Jose Mourinhoโs men create similar chances, Chelsea will be out of sight in no time.
But as Southampton showcased in Week 19, with some organisation, diligence and a smidgen of good fortune, this Chelsea team can be nullified. Whether Spurs have the defensive fortitude to halt the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas remains to be seen, though.
The latter of the aforementioned trio has been marvellous this season, as noted here by Rashad:
Tottenham have shown signs of improvement of late under Mauricioย Pochettino, and in Christian Eriksen, they have a match-winner of their own. Heโll have to be at his best to escape the attentions of the formidable Nemanja Matic, but if Spurs can get the mercurial Dane picking the ball up in dangerous areas, he has the class to hurt any side.
The Blues will be smarting after their perceived injustice at St. Maryโs, though. With that in mind, itโs difficult to see how Tottenham are going to keep them under wraps. Expect an intriguing game played at a ferocious tempo and Chelsea to eventually emerge as victors.
Prediction: Tottenham 0-2 Chelsea
Southampton Looking to Best Much-Improved Arsenal
Arsene Wengerโs Arsenal team showcased a side to their play that has been lacking this season in their recent 2-1 win over West Ham United.
The Gunners were resilient in defence and able to see out a game under immense pressure away from home; you suspect theyโll have to show more of the same when they take on Southampton.
One player Wenger will be looking toward to inspire his side to victory is Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla. As noted here by Phil McNulty of the BBC, heโs been in exceptional form over the course of the festive period:
The Saints showcased a work ethic and resiliency against Chelsea that suggests they have the mettle to cause major problems for Arsenal. Indeed, they arguably have a better class of attacking player than West Ham too, meaning they could make a lot more of their chances as and when they arise.
Ronald Koeman's team's exceptional recent form was recognised by Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, when they named their team of the season so far on Sky Sports'ย Monday Night Football:
Arsenal have been effervescent and incisive up top recently, meaning they have enough in their attacking armoury to get at Southampton. But in the same breath,ย Koeman will fancy his teamโs chances of putting Wojciech Szczesnyย under sustained pressure. The result should be a thoroughly entertaining game.
Prediction: Southampton 2-2 Arsenal
