Premier League Week 19 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions

Manchester United host Chelsea in Week 19 of the 2015-16 Premier League season with the two perennial high-flyers currently struggling for form.

The Red Devils have lost four on the bounce in all competitions and dropped to sixth after their Boxing Day defeat to Stoke City, while Chelsea remain just two points above the relegation zone.

Manchester City have the chance to jump ahead of league-leaders Leicester City as they face the Foxes at King Power Stadium, and they could well take the top spot if Arsenal fail to win against Bournemouth.

Read on for the full schedule of the last round of Premier League fixtures in 2015, along with predictions and a closer look at the headline matches.

Date	Time (GMT/ET)	Fixture	Prediction
Dec. 28	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Crystal Palace vs. Swansea City	1-1
Dec. 28	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Everton vs. Stoke City	2-0
Dec. 28	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Norwich City vs. Aston Villa	2-1
Dec. 28	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Watford vs. Tottenham Hotspur	1-2
Dec. 28	3 p.m./10 a.m.	West Bromwich Albion vs. Newcastle United	0-0
Dec. 28	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	Arsenal vs. Bournemouth	3-1
Dec. 28	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	Manchester United vs. Chelsea	2-2
Dec. 28	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	West Ham United vs. Southampton	2-2
Dec. 29	7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m.	Leicester City vs. Manchester City	1-2
Dec. 30	7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m.	Sunderland vs. Liverpool	0-1

Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Quite regularly over the past decade, clashes between United and Chelsea have been tense affairs that have had their say in deciding the destination of the Premier League for that season.

However, the first meeting of the two Premier League giants in the 2015-16 campaign is a wholly different affair, with neither side currently in a position to be realistically described as title challengers.

The Blues are in 15th and have already seen off one manager this season following Jose Mourinho's recent sacking.

United boss Louis van Gaal could walk or be pushed if they lose or draw on Monday, as it would represent an eighth game on the bounce without a victory, per the Mail on Sunday's Joe Bernstein.

The two clubs are undoubtedly in crisis, and the football they have played so far this season has been poor.

All of which should add up to an unmissable encounter, per football writer Jonathan Wilson:

It is unlikely to be pretty, but both sides will be confident they can claim all three points.

There should definitely be goals. Chelsea have conceded 29 times in 18 matches this season, while United started the term impressively at the back. However, they have allowed two in each of their last four fixtures.

Wayne Rooney could be the key for the hosts. While he has been in dreadful form for the majority of the season he will have a point to prove having been dropped to the bench against Stoke on Saturday.

Diego Costa looked to have found some kind of form as he netted twice in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Watford on Boxing Day, but he will be absent for the United game, per the west London club:

Guus Hiddink will be eager to claim a scalp such as United just two matches into his second managerial spell with Chelsea but, as was evident against Watford, the Blues defence is still struggling and a high-scoring draw seems a likely outcome at Old Trafford.

Prediction: 2-2

Leicester City vs. Manchester City

Leicester fell to their first defeat in 11 league matches on Boxing Day against Liverpool and face a tough task in their attempt to bounce back as they host the Sky Blues on Tuesday.

The Manchester outfit thumped Sunderland 4-1 on Saturday and several of their key players look to be finding form.

Kevin De Bruyne scored once and assisted two against the Black Cats, while Yaya Toure netted his second goal in as many matches, per WhoScored.com.

Both midfielders will be vital against the Foxes as Manuel Pellegrini's side look to turn around a dreadful run of away form—they have not won on the road since early November—which is threatening to derail their title tilt, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

City will be boosted by the prospect of leapfrogging Leicester with a win and the prospect of overhauling the unexpected pace-setters could be vital.

Claudio Ranieri's side responded to their last league defeat—at home to Arsenal in September—by beating Norwich away.

The visit of City—arguably the favourites for the Premier League—is a whole different prospect given what is at stake, and Leicester will have to be solid at the back if they are to claim a victory.

Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy will be crucial if the hosts are to register another famous win in this extraordinary season.

However, Manchester City look to be on the up after their Boxing Day victory, and their superior quality is likely to be telling at the King Power Stadium.

Prediction: 1-2