EPL Week 20: Bleacher Report Writers Make Their Expert EPL Picks
The English Premier League is gathering some great momentum heading into the New Year with another fantastic slate of matches coming over the weekend.
All 20 teams will be looking to finish 2012 with a strong performance and give themselves a nice boost heading into 2013, where they will seek to challenge for a number of different aspirations—survival from relegation, top-four finishes and even the premiership.
Week 20 has some interesting matchups in store for us, so let's get straight into some predictions with our Bleacher Report writers' expert picks. Read on to see who they do, and don't, see winning this weekend in the English Premier League.
Note: All of Sam Tighe's tips at the time of writing are allocated with a 2-0 home victory, meaning that his tips have not been received in yet. This article may be changed at a later stage to reflect his correct tips when they are submitted.
Leaderboard and Analysis
1 of 11For those not familiar with the way this works, each writer has to pick a team and a score for every match in the Premier League that week.
A correct pick (e.g. Chelsea win) will earn them one point, and a correct score (e.g. Chelsea win 3-0) sees them earn three points.
Also, for the next few weeks or so, our writers will try and predict the highest-scoring game of the weekend (the game that produces the most goals). Should there be two or three games that have the same highest total, then we will give out points to whomever picked any of those games. A correct pick will earn them five points.
Let's take a look at our Bleacher Report experts and how their predictions have held up through the opening weeks of the competition.
| Dan Talintyre | World Football Featured Columnist | 147 points |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | World Football Featured Columnist | 143 points |
| Joe Tansey | World Football Featured Columnist | 140 points |
| Mike Cummings | World Football Lead Writer | 133 points |
| Karl Matchett | World Football Featured Columnist | 123 points |
| Sam Tighe | World Football Lead Writer | 120 points |
| Will Tidey | World Football Editor and Lead Writer | 106 points |
Sunderland vs. Tottenham Hotspur
2 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 7:45 a.m. ET
Kicking off the Premier League action this week is Sunderland, who are back at the Stadium of Light this week to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
Martin O'Neill's men scored a huge home win last week against reigning champions Manchester City and will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they meet the North London club, who put four goals past Aston Villa in a clinical display last week.
Spurs have only lost one of their last seven matches and have moved up inside the top four with a number of strong performances.
However, the Black Cats could be a genuine threat here for Tottenham, having won three of their last four matches and playing very well in front of their home fans.
| Dan Talintyre | Tottenham win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Tottenham win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Tottenham win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Sunderland win 2-0* |
| Will Tidey | Sunderland win 2-1 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Aston Villa vs. Wigan Athletic
3 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 10 a.m. ET
In their last two matches, Aston Villa have conceded a staggering 12 goals—a Premier League record that speaks for itself about just how poor they've been in the last week or so.
Villa will be back at their home ground this week to try and stop the rot, taking on a Wigan Athletic side that sits below them in the relegation zone and winless through their past six league matches.
The Lactics were strong against Arsenal and Everton in their past two matches but were unable to gain anything from their performances both times and will be, no doubt, looking to end their unwanted winless streak this weekend against the Villans.
Which team will be back in the winner's circle after this one?
| Dan Talintyre | Draw, 1-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Wigan win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Aston Villa win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 0-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Aston Villa win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Aston Villa win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Fulham vs. Swansea City
4 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 10 a.m. ET
Fulham will be at home this week to take Swansea City in desperate need of a win—having only won one match from their past 11 league matches.
The Cottagers saw their early lead last week disappear against Southampton and will be keen to ensure that doesn't happen again here, though they will, no doubt, have a tougher time than last week, given the attacking brilliance that Swansea possess this season.
Spanish star Michu is likely to be out for the Swans, but even still, their dominance going forward and on the counterattack this season has been very strong, and they will be a tough side to break down—even with the home-field advantage for Fulham.
Swansea have scored away wins over the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United this year; proving that they have what it takes to win on the road against good teams.
Can they get the three points here against a struggling Fulham side, or will the Cottagers, led by striker Dimitar Berbatov, keep calm and pick up the win this week?
| Dan Talintyre | Swansea win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Draw, 1-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Fulham win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 2-2 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Fulham win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 2-2 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion
5 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 10 a.m. ET
League leaders Manchester United sit seven points clear on top of the Premier League ladder following another dramatic come-from-behind win last week against Newcastle United.
The Red Devils have only lost one of their last 13 league matches but have been pushed in their last two by Swansea City and Newcastle respectively, and despite playing at Old Trafford, will be no certainty for victory this week when they take on West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies have been the revelation of the season, so far—only goal difference outside the top four heading into the 2013—and have shown with strong performances against Chelsea and Manchester City that they can mix it with the best in the league.
United have allowed cheap goals to nearly every team in the league this season, and with West Brom's attacking skill in Shane Long and Romelu Lukaku, could well trouble Sir Alex Ferguson's men in their Week 20 encounter. Whether they can stop the enviable comeback, though, is an entirely different question.
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Manchester United win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Draw, 0-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Manchester United win 3-2* |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester United win 3-1* |
| Sam Tighe | Manchester United win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester United win 4-0 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Norwich City vs. Manchester City
6 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 10 a.m. ET
Norwich City's run of home wins came to an end last week at the hands of Chelsea, though the Canaries will still back themselves this week to bounce back against reigning premiers Manchester City.
At Carrow Road, Norwich have lost just twice all season and up until the Chelsea defeat, had won five games in a row including wins over Manchester United, Arsenal and Stoke City.
The Citizens, on the other hand, have taken just seven points from their last five league matches and were poor away from home to Sunderland last weekend.
Roberto Mancini's men had seemingly done away with their poor away form this year but showed elements last week of the struggles they had when they managed to win the title and will be keen to avoid slipping into those old habits again this week.
A team strong at home against a team potentially poor away from home; could there be a surprise upset brewing for Chris Hughton's men in this one?
| Dan Talintyre | Manchester City win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Norwich win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Manchester City win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Norwich win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Manchester City win 3-1 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Reading vs. West Ham United
7 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 10 a.m. ET
Reading's scoreless draw last week against Swansea City was a good performance for the Royals—seeing them off the bottom of the ladder and ending their seven-game losing streak.
However, it didn't get the newly promoted club back into the winner's circle, which is something they'll be looking to do when they take on West Ham at the Madejski Stadium this weekend.
The London club were unlucky in defeat last week to Everton and are in desperate need of a win to stop the mini-form slump that is creeping into the Hammers, having won just one of their past seven matches in the Premier League.
Reading have held the likes of Stoke, Norwich, Fulham, Newcastle, and now Swansea, to draws at home this season, proving they can indeed stick with strong teams in the league.
West Ham, on the other hand, have managed just two away wins all season—one of which came against last-placed Queens Park Rangers earlier in the year.
| Dan Talintyre | Reading win 3-2* |
| Joe Tansey | West Ham win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Reading win 1-0 |
| Mike Cummings | West Ham win 1-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Reading win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Reading win 1-0 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Stoke City vs. Southampton
8 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 10 a.m. ET
We seem to say it every week, but at the Britannia Stadium, there's simply no stopping Stoke City this season from running their opponents into the ground.
The Potters continued their unbeaten streak at home this year with a 3-1 win against Liverpool—the most goals Tony Pulis' side have scored in a single game all season.
At the Britannia, Stoke have conceded just four goals in nine matches and will be an incredibly difficult side for Southampton to beat away from home.
The Saints have only lost two of their last eight matches in the Premier League but have only won one away match all season—a 3-1 victory against last-placed Queens Park Rangers before they had new manager Harry Redknapp at the helm.
Playing, then, away from home, against the best home team in the league who haven't been beaten in their past 11 matches this season? Surely, they don't have a chance.
| Dan Talintyre | Stoke win 2-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Stoke win 2-0 |
| Karl Matchett | Stoke win 2-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Stoke win 1-0 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Stoke win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Stoke win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Stoke win 2-0 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Arsenal vs. Newcastle United
9 of 11Saturday, December 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET
Fresh from having a week off in the Premier League, Arsenal will be back at the Emirates Stadium this week to welcome Newcastle United in to London.
The Magpies are currently lagging in 15th position with seven losses from their past nine matches but showed improvement against Manchester United last week before losing in the end—a match they'll, no doubt, take plenty of heart from this week.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are struggling for the consistency we're used to seeing from the North London club, and despite only losing once in their last eight matches, still enter this match under a cloud of uncertainty.
Manager Arsene Wenger isn't attracting the support he normally does, and the Gunners do look bereft at times when it comes to a genuine striker. But, do Newcastle, who are yet to win away from home, have enough firepower to topple the North London club if given the opportunity?
| Dan Talintyre | Arsenal win 1-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Arsenal win 3-2* |
| Karl Matchett | Arsenal win 3-0 |
| Mike Cummings | Draw, 1-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Arsenal win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Arsenal win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Arsenal win 3-2* |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Everton vs. Chelsea
10 of 11Sunday, December 30, at 8:30 a.m. ET
They might be without giant Belgian international Marouane Fellaini, but Everton will genuinely back themselves against the reigning European champions this week in the Premier League.
Chelsea have three consecutive matches for the first time under Rafa Benitez and have only conceded one goal in their past three matches also—something that will, no doubt, please their Spanish manager.
Yet at Merseyside, against this David Moyes' team, Benitez's boys are in for one of their toughest matches, so far, this season. Everton have not lost at home all year—stopping the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Their attack is one of the most fluid and direct in the league, and with brilliance scattered all around the pitch, will, no doubt, cause nightmares for the West London club here.
Chelsea have a very strong team and will enter this match as favorites. Do the Toffees have enough firepower of their own to upset the Blues this week, or will Chelsea extend their winning streak to four?
| Dan Talintyre | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Joe Tansey | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Mike Cummings | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Chelsea win 2-1 |
| Sam Tighe | Everton win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Draw, 1-1 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
Queens Park Rangers vs. Liverpool
11 of 11Sunday, December 30, at 11 a.m. ET
After a disappointing loss away from home last week, Liverpool will travel to Loftus Road, desperate to not only win but also not to lose to the last-placed Queens Park Rangers.
Brendan Rodgers' side have lost two of their past three matches and have managed just one win from their past six appearances away from Merseyside—numbers that will no doubt encourage Harry Redknapp's men that they can win their second result of the year.
Rangers have been much stronger since Redknapp took over the club, but with a disappointing losses in succession to Newcastle and West Brom, find themselves back on the bottom heading into 2013—not the position they would liked to have been in at the start of the year.
The London club have led Chelsea and Everton to draws at home this year, showing that they can hang on against the top clubs in the league. Will they do the same here and inflict more frustration on the Reds, or will Liverpool bounce back with a strong performance in this one?
| Dan Talintyre | Liverpool win 1-0 |
| Joe Tansey | Liverpool win 3-1 |
| Karl Matchett | Liverpool win 2-1* |
| Mike Cummings | Liverpool win 2-1 |
| Mohamed Al-Hendy | Draw, 1-1 |
| Sam Tighe | QPR win 2-0 |
| Will Tidey | Liverpool win 2-0 |
* denotes highest scoring game of the week
What did you make of our Premier League tips this week?
Comment below or hit me up on Twitter: Follow @dantalintyre
