EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 20 Premier League Fixtures
Arsenal wrestled the Premier League lead from Leicester City over the Christmas period and now hope to maintain their status as title favourites against Newcastle United.
The form of the Gunners' front line has been irrepressible in their climb up the table, as Mesut Ozil consistently proves why he is one of the greatest talents in the world.
Olivier Giroud is also having a breakout season for Arsenal, hitting the back of the net with the kind of frequency that the club's fans crave.
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The Foxes could reclaim the leadership if they better the north London giants' result, as they welcome promoted Bournemouth.
Here is the full set of fixtures for the current week, including picks and predictions for each match and a look at the potential top players:
| Jan. 2 | 12.45 p.m./7.45 a.m. | West Ham United vs. Liverpool | 1-2 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Arsenal vs. Newcastle United | 3-1 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Leicester City vs. Bournemouth | 2-1 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester United vs. Swansea City | 2-1 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Norwich City vs. Southampton | 2-2 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Sunderland vs. Aston Villa | 1-1 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. Stoke City | 1-3 |
| Jan. 2 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Watford vs. Manchester City | 2-3 |
| Jan. 3 | 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea | 2-2 |
| Jan. 3 | 4 p.m./11 a.m. | Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 2-3 |
Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott
As the Premier League heads into the turn of the year, the title is in the hands of Arsenal as they do their best to not capitulate under the strain of being favourites.
The Gunners are now 5/4 to win the league, according to Oddschecker, after leapfrogging Leicester at the summit of the table—and in light of Ozil's world-class form behind the striker.
The German has displayed why manager Arsene Wenger tempted him from Real Madrid for a king's ransom, and he is now starting to repay the faith of the French coach.
Ozil was once again at his best as Arsenal dispatched Bournemouth 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, creating the first and scoring the second.
The midfielder even drew praise from journalist and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan, who is notoriously hard to please when it comes to matters involving his favourite club:
The 27-year-old now has 16 assists in 18 Premier League matches, according to WhoScored.com, and he has provided a wave of service for Giroud and Theo Walcott.
Giroud is arguably having the best season of his career, as he continues to prove his most incessant doubters wrong.
Questions have been asked about the French international's pedigree in years gone by, but he now looks like a true predator in the No. 9 position, despite being unfashionable in certain quarters.
Walcott has been used as Wenger's pace option through the centre, but it is impossible to see him given the striker's role while Giroud is in such fantastic form.
However, the England international is a seasoned professional for the Gunners and is as reliable in attack as any of the squad.
His biggest issue has been his injury record, but if he can stay fit for the remainder of the campaign, Arsenal will go close to the title.
The 26-year-old completed 90 minutes in the league for the first time since August against Bournemouth, according to WhoScored.com, and his rehabilitation could be perfectly timed for his boss.
Wenger has resisted the temptation to overload his forward line, but he has certainly played a more direct style this year, which has started to bear fruit.
The stylistic principles have allowed Giroud to play at the point of the attack, giving Ozil the freedom to operate as a No. 10 while also drifting wide.
It mimics the success of David Silva at Manchester City, who has become the heart and soul of his team's attack while also occupying deeper space.
Wenger has found a formula to make his side win games, but false dawns have been witnessed before with Arsenal.
Every year they have a strong spell in the campaign, but they seem to fall away at the vital time. However, if Ozil can maintain his quality while the squad heals from injuries, the league leaders are going to be hard to stop through January and February.
Newcastle United will hold very little resistance against Wenger's men on their home patch, and a goal feast will be expected at the Emirates Stadium.
The Magpies defence will not have the answers to match Ozil's sorcery, and the German wizard will cast a spell to keep his team ahead in the title race.
