Premier League Week 19 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions for Matchday 19
The festive period is a unique stint of the English football calendar, and the Premier League is rife with intriguing storylines as supporters, players and managers alike gear up for their second game in three days.
Chelsea will face a stern test of their title credentials when they travel to Southampton in what looks like the clash of the gameweek.
Their nearest challengers Manchester City face a much more straightforward-looking home tie with Burnley, while Manchester United will make the trip down south to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
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There are myriad other intriguing matches to choose from, too. Here, let's rundown how those games are likely to finish and take a closer look at three of the most eye catching contests to be played in Week 19.
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 12 p.m. | Tottenham vs. Manchester United | 2-2 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 2:05 p.m. | Southampton vs. Chelsea | 1-2 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3 p.m | Stoke vs. West Bromwich Albion | 2-1 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3 p.m | West Ham vs. Arsenal | 2-0 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3 p.m | Aston Villa vs. Sunderland | 1-1 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3 p.m | QPR vs. Crystal Palace | 2-1 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3 p.m | Hull vs. Leicester | 2-0 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 3 p.m | Manchester City vs. Burnley | 4-0 |
| Sunday, Dec. 28 | 4:10 p.m. | Newcastle vs. Everton | 2-3 |
| Monday, Dec. 29 | 8 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Swansea | 2-1 |
| 1 | Chelsea | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 13 | +27 | 45 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 39 | 15 | +24 | 42 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 33 | 19 | +14 | 35 |
| 4 | Southampton | 18 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 31 | 14 | +17 | 32 |
| 5 | West Ham | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 21 | +8 | 31 |
| 6 | Arsenal | 18 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 32 | 22 | +10 | 30 |
| 7 | Tottenham | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 30 |
| 8 | Swansea | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 19 | +4 | 28 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 25 |
| 10 | Newcastle United | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 23 |
| 11 | Stoke | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 23 | -4 | 22 |
| 12 | Everton | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 27 | 28 | -1 | 21 |
| 13 | Aston Villa | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 20 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 18 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 19 |
| 15 | West Bromwich Albion | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 17 |
| 16 | Queens Park Rangers | 18 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 17 |
| 17 | Hull | 18 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 18 | 25 | -7 | 16 |
| 18 | Crystal Palace | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 15 |
| 19 | Burnley | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 27 | -15 | 15 |
| 20 | Leicester | 18 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 31 | -15 | 10 |
Tottenham vs. Manchester United
Louis van Gaal's side continued their fine run of form with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day but will face an altogether tougher challenge when they make the trip to White Hart Lane to tackle an in-form Tottenham team.
Mauricio Pochettino's side picked up another win on the road last time out thanks to a Christian Eriksen winner, and in the Dane and Harry Kane, the Spurs boss has two attacking talents who are jelling superbly at the moment.
As noted here by Goal.com's Liam Twomey, the pair are critical cogs in a colourful attacking line-up:
They'll fancy their chances up against a United back four that has been somewhat ropey as of late, but Van Gaal has a team that is really flourishing at the sharp end of the pitch. But the most impressive performer in recent weeks has been Wayne Rooney, a man who has been outstanding in a deeper midfield role for the Red Devils:
Football writer Graham Ruthven has been impressed with the United captain's performances in an unfamiliar role:
With both sides in red-hot attacking form and neither really shining at the back, goals are surely a given here.
Tottenham have a very decent recent record against the Red Devils, and they'll avoid defeat in front of their own fans, but United's array of offensive talents will ensure they head back to Old Trafford with a well-earned point.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United
Southampton vs. Chelsea
Ronald Koeman's team moved back into the top four after their impressive 3-1 win against Crystal Palace, and they will surely fancy their chances of springing a surprise when welcoming Chelsea to the south coast in what should be an engrossing contest.
The league leaders produced another clinical display to beat West Ham United 2-0 on Boxing Day, preserving their three-point lead in the race for the title. The likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa have hogged plenty of the spotlight for the Blues this season, but one player whose role often goes understated is Nemanja Matic.
The midfielder was magnificent against the Hammers, and as noted here by football writer Luke Moore, the Serbian international is growing into some player:
"Nemanja Matic is absolutely colossal. He's like a mixture of Alexander the Great and Jonty Rhodes
— Luke Aaron Moore (@lukeymoore) December 26, 2014"
Southampton's array of intricate attacking talent will be hoping to escape his attentions and pick up a massive win in their quest for European football.
After a tough run of games, they have rediscovered their clinical edge in front of goal in recent outings, as noted here by OptaJoe:
Chelsea just look a class apart at the moment, though. The entire team is functioning like clockwork and Jose Mourinho has struck an exceptional balance in this current squad.
A rejuvenated Saints should have enough to get on the scoresheet, but as has been the case throughout the campaign, the Londoners will be too good.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Chelsea
West Ham vs. Arsenal
Sam Allardyce and his high-flying team were brought back down to earth with a resounding bump after being dispatched by Chelsea, but they have a wonderful chance to atone for that performance when they welcome Arsenal to the Boleyn Ground.
This is one you suspect the Hammers fans will relish. Their team has been bright, purposeful, intricate and physical so far this season, and on the face of it, they have all the requisite attributes to cause major, major problems for this Gunners team. You suspect that if they start well, it'll be a long afternoon for the visitors.
Arsene Wenger's side could be set to receive a timely boost ahead of this one, though, per SamuelJayC:
One player Arsenal could have definitely done with for what will surely be a physical challenge is Olivier Giroud. But the burly Frenchman was sent off against Queens Park Rangers for a moment of madness, meaning Danny Welbeck looks set to lead the line against the Hammers.
Allardyce will surely have his players ready for the threat of Alexis Sanchez, however, and as we can see here—courtesy of Squawka Football—the Chilean is in exceptional form at the moment:
So far this season, Arsenal have really struggled against opponents on the road, and West Ham look like a team tailor-made to cause big problems for their London rivals.
The Gunners have yet to show any signs of being able to cope with such an intense style of play, making the Hammers likely and comfortable winners here.
West Ham United 2-0 Arsenal
