English Premier League: Week 19 Previews and Predictions

The Boxing Day fixtures on the holiday and the following Tuesday saw some surprise results as the lower-half teams picked off multiple points from the teams at the top of the table.

Wolverhampton Wanderers drove Arsenal to a near breaking point as their inform striker Steven Fletcher scored again to give his club a 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

Blackburn Rovers were gifted the lead against Liverpool thanks to a Charlie Adam own goal. Maxi Rodriguez equalized, but the Reds failed to convert any more of their 27 total shots and slumped to yet another Anfield draw despite even having a Manchester United fifth minute added to their four minutes of added time that saw a brilliant save and a brilliant clearance off the line.

Manchester City failed to stand up to the tough test of West Bromwich Albion, as the Baggies also earned a draw for the lower half against the table toppers. Roy Hodgson's side had amazing support from the home fans at the Hawthorns and kept City from getting on the score sheet.

Clint Dempsey again played the hero for Fulham, as the American scored in the 56th minute of the London Derby against Chelsea to cancel out Juan Mata's go-ahead goal less than 10 minutes before.

Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat trick as Manchester United punished Wigan Athletic 5-0 just a week after the Latics had managed to secure home draws against both Chelsea and Liverpool.

Bolton returned to their floundering ways, as Newcastle finally earned a victory after a tough run of six games that saw them drop out of the top three and down to seventh in the table.

Meanwhile, Everton, Sunderland, Stoke City, Aston Villa, Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers all shared spoils, while Norwich City was the only promoted side to fall, as they lost 0-2 to Tottenham.

This week sets the stage for a great final three days of matches right at the end of the old year with two matches on New Year's Day to ring in 2012 and the opening of the winter feeding frenzy known as the January transfer window.

Game of the Week: Liverpool vs. Newcastle United

Liverpool host Newcastle United at Anfield on the back of another disappointing home draw against Blackburn Rovers.

The Magpies, on the other hand, managed to finally get another "W' in the column for three points to the good as they sit a point behind the sixth-placed Reds in seventh.

With Luis Suarez now banned for the match thanks to the FA ruling over his gesture to Fulham fans on December 5th, and the playmaker's impending suspension of eight games the elephant in the corner, Kenny Dalglish is likely start Andy Carroll once again as the big Geordie continues to struggle at finding his form.

Steven Gerrard returned for the Reds in a second-half cameo but is still expected to start from the bench once again. However, the captain could be recalled along with Craig Bellamy for the match to try and add attacking flair to the side in the absence of Suarez.

Check out the Reds latest pool on Bleacher Report as the debate over who should fill the gap left by Suarez is looking to kick off, Liverpool FC Poll: Who Should Lead the Reds Attack Without Luis Suarez?

This time last season, he had 11 goals for Newcastle, but a top ten all-time transfer fee of exorbitant proportion and a nagging knee injury has seen the year of 2011 become one he will want to put behind him. Maybe, just maybe, Carroll can end the season on a high before he gets to turn the page for 2012.

Match Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 2 Newcastle

Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique, Maxi Rodriguez, Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard, Stewart Downing, Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll

Predicted Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, James Perch, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Gabriel Obertan, Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba

Players to Watch: Andy Carroll and Demba Ba

Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers

Manchester United drew level on points at the top of the English Premier League with Manchester City after a Dimitar Berbatov inspired 5-0 thumping against a no longer in-form Wigan Athletic.

Blackburn also got something from their Boxing Day fixture, as stand-in keeper Mark Bunn performed admirably to allow Rovers to slip away from Liverpool with a draw thanks to a Charlie Adam own goal.

Both sides continue to be plagued by injury, but the Reds Devils should surely see it out. Although, their back line is likely to be a hodgepodge of whoever can fill the gaps at the back.

Match Prediction: United 3 - 0 Blackburn

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea, Rafael, Michael Carrick, Ezekiel Fryers, Patrice Evra, Nani, Darren Gibson, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov

Predicted Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Jason Lowe, Chris Samba, Adam Henley, Grant Hanley, Steven Nzonzi, David Dunn, David Hoillet, Morten Gamst Pederson, Mauro Formica, Yakubu

Players to Watch: Dimitar Berbatov and David Dunn

Arsenal vs. Queens Park Rangers

Arsenal dropped a vital two points as they let Wolverhampton Wanderers hold them to a draw even down a man.

Wenger will be disappointed with the result and will hope to rectify it with a victory over Queens Park Rangers in another London Derby of the season.

QPR shared the spoils with Swansea City in another promoted club showdown in the top flight, and they continue to improve.

Match Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1 Rangers

Predicted Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Gervinho, Robin van Persie, Andrei Arshavin

Predicted Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Radek Cerny, Luke Young, Clint Hill, Daniel Gabbidon, Armand Traore, Jaime Mackie, Joey Barton, Alejandro Damian Faurlin, Tommy Smith, Jay Bothroyd, Shaun Wright-Phillips

Players to Watch: Robin van Persie and Jay Bothroyd

Bolton Wanderers vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bolton once again found themselves on the losing end of another battle, as they fell 0-2 against Newcastle, allowing the Magpies to finally start getting back on track.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, on the other hand, continue to ride the goal-scoring foot of Steven Fletcher. An equalizer just before halftime from the 24-year-old saw Wolves bring the game back into focus, and even a 75th minute second yellow for Nenad Milijas could not stop Wolves from claiming a point at the Emirates.

Match Prediction: Bolton 0 - 2 Wolves

Predicted Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill , Zat Knight, Dedryck Boyata, Fabrice Muamba, Martin Petrov, Mark Davies, Nigel Reo-Coker, Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic

Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Christophe Berra, Roger Johnson, Ronald Zubar, David Edwards, Stephen Hunt, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher

Players to Watch: Ivan Klasnic and Steven Fletcher

Chelsea vs. Aston Villa

Chelsea have been frustrated in their last three matches. Three consecutive draws against Wigan, Tottenham and now Fulham have seen the advantage they gained from a win against Manchester City completely disappear.

Fernando Torres needs game time to get him anywhere near ready to finally get a good run of playing time, with Didier Drogba set to be away at the African Cup of Nations in January.

Aston Villa have started to find their feet once again thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor returning to the lineup, but continued injury time away for Darren Bent is hurting their attack.

Match Prediction: Chelsea 2 - 0 Aston Villa

Predicted Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech, Paulo Ferreira, David Luiz, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Oriel Romeu, Juan Mata, Ramires, Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge

Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI: Brad Guzan, Carlos Cuellar, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark, Stiliyan Petrov, Marc Albrighton, Charles N'Zogbia, Nathan Delfouneso, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Players to Watch: Daniel Sturridge and Gabriel Agbonlahor

Norwich City vs. Fulham

Norwich fell to Tottenham on Tuesday, but that should do little to dampen the spirits of the Canaries, who find themselves tied for 10th in the EPL almost halfway through a season when many thought they were guaranteed to be relegated.

Fulham once again pulled one out of their hats as American midfielder Clint Dempsey continues his impressive form as of late and was the man who equalized to earn a point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Match Prediction: Norwich 2 - 2 Fulham

Predicted Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy, Marc Tierney, Zak Whitbread, Russell Martin, Richie De Laet, Andrew Crofts, David Fox, Wesley Hoolahan, Andrew Surman, Grant Holt, Steve Morison

Predicted Fulham Starting XI: David Stockdale, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Philippe Senderos, John Arne Riise, Dickson Etuhu, Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Moussa Dembele, Orlando Sa

Players to Watch: Grant Holt and Clint Dempsey

Stoke City vs. Wigan Athletic

Stoke City have been on a great run in their last six matches that has seen them win four and draw another with their only loss against Manchester City at Eastlands.

Wigan have managed two wins and two draws from their last six and a possible escape from the bottom there before the end of the year is possible if they win and Wolves lose to Bolton.

Match Prediction: Stoke City 1 - 0 Wigan

Predicted Stoke City Starting XI: Thomas Sorenson, Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Shotton, Dean Whitehead, Matthew Etherington, Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters

Predicted Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al Habsi, Maynor Figueroa, Gary Caldwell, Anton Alvarez,  Ronnie Stam, David Jones, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Mohamed Diame, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega

Players to Watch: Jonathan Walters and Jordi Gomez

Swansea City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Swansea have a win and three draws in their last six matches leading into their hosting of Tottenham Hotspur at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans have only lost one EPL game at home this season to Manchester United in a 0-1 tightly-contested match, and if there is a home defense that could stifle Tottenham it is that of keeper Michel Vorm and his backline.

Tottenham, however, continue to roll through all opposition as Harry Redknapp's squad have four wins and a draw in their last six and only have been bettered by Manchester United on form in that time.

Gareth Bale's brace sealed a 2-0 victory over Norwich City in midweek, and they will hope to see off another promoted side when they go to Wales this weekend.

Match Prediction: Swansea 0 - 1 Tottenham

Predicted Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Angel Ranger, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Ashley Richards, Mark Gower, Leon Britton, Luke More, Leroy Lita, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Yonus Kaboul, William Gallas, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Luka Modric, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor

Players to Watch: Danny Graham and Gareth Bale

West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton

West Bromwich Albion continue their fine form as they fought Manchester City to a 0-0 draw on Boxing Day to end the Citizens' chance of winning a third straight match following their loss to Chelsea.

The Baggies have taken seven of their last nine available points, and Roy Hodgson once again is proving how great a mid-table manager he can be.

David Moyes likewise continues to prove his worth, as the EPL's third-longest tenured manager continues to squeeze out results as often as possible and will be hoping that the new year gives him just enough to keep scraping by to a good upper mid-table finish. 

Match Prediction: West Brom 2 - 2 Everton

Predicted West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Nicky Shorey, Jonas Olsson, Gareth McAuley, Billy Jones, Paul Scharner, Graham Dorrans, Chris Brunt, Jerome Thomas, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie

Predicted Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Royston Drenthe, Apostolos Vellios, Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Louis Saha

Players to Watch: Peter Odemwingie and Leon Osman

Sunderland vs. Manchester City

Jack Colback scored his first goal for Sunderland as they held on to draw Everton at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day. Martin O'Neil continues his takeover as he has now taken seven out of 12 available with his new club, getting them to within striking distance of getting back to the middle of the table as the year turns.

Manchester City were stifled by a resilient West Brom side on Boxing Day that allowed Manchester United to come level on points at the top of the table. Even City's excellent young keeper Joe Hart admitted to the media  this week as reported by ESPNsoccernet that his club is indeed feeling the pressure.

That being said, it makes you wonder if they are set to buckle, or if Joe Hart is just playing the media for a good gossip line.

Match Prediction: Sunderland 1 - 2 Manchester City

Predicted Sunderland Starting XI: Kieren Westwood, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Matthew Kilgallon, Kieran Richardson, Sebastian Larsson, David Vaughn, Jack Colback, Lee Cattermole, Stephane Sessegnon, Nicklas Bendtner

Predicted Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero

Players to Watch: Nicklas Bendtner and David Silva

Conclusion

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and were not on the disappointing end of a Boxing Day matchup. Unfortunately, I suffered that fate as I am sure several of you did as well.

However, if you were on that poor end of a fixture, cheer up as we now look forward to the last matchday fixtures of 2011 before all of the New Year's festivities and the opening of the January transfer window in only a few days.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out more on Bleacher Report and at the links below. You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my website.