Premier League Table: Latest 2014 EPL Standings and Predictions for Matchday 20
The Premier League will treat us to a full set of fixtures on the first day of 2015, as teams from across the country look to get a new year off to a flyer.
And after dropping points in their final games of 2014, it’s a massive day for league leaders Chelsea and their nearest challengers Manchester City.
But just as was the case in Week 19, it’s the Blues who look to have the more difficult opponent to contend with as they travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur. By comparison, City welcome Sunderland to the Etihad as they look to put their two-goal surrender at home to Burnley behind them.
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Here’s how the table is shaping up on the cusp of the New Year’s Day fixtures, what the likely outcome will be in each match and a rundown of the three most intriguing games, as the Premier League motors past the halfway stage:
| 1 | Chelsea | 19 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 14 | +27 | 46 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 19 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 41 | 17 | +24 | 43 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 33 | 19 | +14 | 36 |
| 4 | Southampton | 19 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 32 | 15 | +17 | 33 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 34 | 23 | +11 | 33 |
| 6 | West Ham | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 23 | +7 | 31 |
| 7 | Tottenham | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 31 |
| 8 | Liverpool | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 26 | 25 | +1 | 28 |
| 9 | Swansea | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 23 | +1 | 28 |
| 10 | Newcastle United | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 26 |
| 11 | Stoke | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 21 | 23 | -2 | 25 |
| 12 | Everton | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 29 | 31 | -2 | 21 |
| 13 | Aston Villa | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 21 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 19 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 20 |
| 15 | Queens Park Rangers | 19 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 18 |
| 16 | West Bromwich Albion | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 17 |
| 17 | Hull | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 16 |
| 18 | Crystal Palace | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 16 |
| 19 | Burnley | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 29 | -15 | 16 |
| 20 | Leicester | 19 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 17 | 31 | -14 | 13 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 12:45 p.m. | Stoke vs. Manchester United | 1-2 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | West Ham vs. West Bromwich Albion | 2-0 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace | 1-0 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Hull vs. Everton | 2-2 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Leicester | 3-0 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Manchester City vs. Sunderland | 2-0 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Newcastle United vs. Burnley | 2-1 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Queens Park Rangers vs. Swansea | 2-2 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3 p.m. | Southampton vs. Arsenal | 2-2 |
| Thursday, Jan. 1 | 5:30 p.m. | Tottenham vs. Chelsea | 0-2 |
Stoke City vs. Manchester United
Mark Hughes’ team have picked up two wins from two matches over the course of the festive period and will carry some major momentum when Manchester United rock up at what promises to be a feisty Britannia Stadium.
The Potters followed up their fine win over Everton on Boxing Day with a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, and in Bojan, Hughes looks to have uncovered one of the finds of the season. As noted by football writer Chris Smith, the former Barcelona forward has looked very impressive recently after a tough start to the season:
He’ll certainly fancy his chances of causing problems amongst a United defence that’s been unsettled throughout the campaign.
Although admittedly, Louis van Gaal’s team were outstanding for the majority of their recent 0-0 draw with Tottenham.
A goal eluded United on that occasion, but when you consider the firepower this team has at the moment, it’s not a problem that’s likely to be perennial for the Dutch manager.
Juan Mata was the architect of many of the chances created at White Hart Lane, and as noted by BT Sport’s Julien Laurens, he’s been exceptional as of late:
The Red Devils’ firepower should just about get them through here against a robust and dynamic Stoke team.
There were signs that United are really starting to jell against Spurs, and if they can find a cohesive edge to match that level of performance, then they’ll be too good on the day.
Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United
Southampton vs. Arsenal
The performance of Southampton against Chelsea in their last outing was a real testament to manager Ronald Koeman.
The Saints defended magnificently against wave after wave of attacking pressure in the second half, and even without the first-choice full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand, they resembled a diligent and cohesive team.
The Dutch boss paid tribute to the spirit of his side in the aftermath of the match, per Premier League:
You suspect they’ll have to show similarly admirable levels when they tackle Arsenal in their next outing, for the Gunners look as if they’ve finally got their act together.
Arsene Wenger’s side put in a performance bristling with fortitude to win 2-1 at West Ham United last time out, showcasing the requisite steel needed to push up the league.
As noted by pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft, it was a much-needed win for the Gunners:
Not too dissimilar to West Ham, Southampton are a team that will play with intensity, hunger and defensive focus.
But on paper, the Saints look as though they have better quality of attacking players and subsequently could do a little more damage in offensive areas. With that in mind, an entertaining score draw looks the most likely outcome here.
Prediction: Southampton 2-2 Arsenal
Tottenham vs. Chelsea
The last time these two teams met, Chelsea notched a very comfortable 3-0 victory over Spurs, but Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his team can make a much better fist of things at home when the league leaders come to town.
Jose Mourinho was left highly frustrated by Anthony Taylor’s decision not to award Chelsea a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Southampton, but the Portuguese boss will have been happy with the performance put in by his team. Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard were especially impressive, as the Blues laid siege to the Saints goal in the second half.
Hazard is a man in particularly impressive form at the moment, but as noted here by MisterChip, the intricate Belgian has been wonderful ever since his big-money move from Lille:
It’s games like the upcoming one in which Mourinho will be hoping his key players can step up, especially when you consider the improvements made by Tottenham in recent weeks. Admittedly, they were a little lucky not to be a few goals behind to United at half-time last time out, but in Hugo Lloris, Spurs possess an outstanding goalkeeper.
Men In Blazers had high praise for the French international recently:
Even he won’t be able to prevent Chelsea winning this one, though. In their last meeting, the Blues were unable to call on Diego Costa due to suspension, but with the Spanish international leading the line, Mourinho’s mean will have too much for a Tottenham back four that has looked occasionally out of sorts so far this season.
Tottenham 0-2 Chelsea
