The highlight games for the next set of EPL matches are CHELSEA versus BOURNEMOUTH and MANCHESTER UNITED versus WOLVES. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 19 matches with his unique and insightful commentary. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Be sure to check out John’s new book, entitled “Three Days At Anfield“, a riotous and heartfelt tribute to Barnsley FC that blends football nostalgia, fan memoir, and a love letter to the beautiful game. Available on Amazon now.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Game Week-19
This set of fixtures is the reverse of Game Week-15 that took place at the beginning of December 2024.
Tuesday 30th
BURNLEY v NEWCASTLE
19.30 in England
Sky Sports
Burnley played out a goalless draw against Everton at Turf Moor on Saturday.
There’s not much else to add to that other than both teams are struggling to score at the moment meaning the post-Christmas game finished in a 0-0 scoreline.
Burnley remain in 19th place with 12 points from the 18 games played so far.
Newcastle suffered a defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
This EveryTip column did predict a win for Newcastle, however, although that didn’t materialise, it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
Newcastle had 67% possession and 16 shots, the problem being, out of those 16 shots, only 3 were on target and were comfortably saved by the United GK.
United had a speculative shot in the 1st-half that went into the net and with no further goals, inflicted the defeat on Newcastle by a 1-0 score.
What that basically means is, a team can have as much possession that’s possible and be totally in charge of a game but if they don’t put the ball in the back of the net (which is ultimately what football is about) then a team won’t win.
Newcastle sit in 14th place with 23 points after the opening 18 games.
Newcastle gained the home win at St James Park a few weeks ago, getting the victory over Burnley by a 2-1 scoreline.
Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon with the Magpies goals, both scored in the 1st-half.
Zian Flemming scored a late consolation goal for the Clarets in the 94th minute.
Burnley did play with 10 men for all of the 2nd-half after Lucas Pires was shown a straight Red Card in the 43rd minute.
Betfred offer Burnley at 9/2, the Draw at 3/1 and Odds On 4/6 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 10/3 that Nick Woltemade Scores First and 7/4 that Newcastle Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-2- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CHELSEA v BOURNEMOUTH
19.30 in England
Sky Sports
Chelsea snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
This EveryTip column often uses that phrase which means a team (Chelsea) are comfortably in front then throw away the lead and ultimately loses.
Which is what happened.
Reece James flung in a corner which seemed to go straight into the net, however, the replay showed a slight touch off Joao Pedro’s derrière, meaning it was Joao’s goal, giving Chelsea a lead at the break.
Aston Villa were never in the game and it just looked like a home win for the Blues.
That was until Unai Emery sent on Ollie Watkins who changed the proceedings, scoring twice to inflict the defeat on a stunned Chelsea by a 2-1 scoreline.
Chelsea sit in 5th place with the same 29 points as Manchester United from the opening 18 games completed.
Bournemouth were hammered by Brentford at the GTech Stadium on Saturday.
Antoine Semenyo did score a consolation goal for the Cherries, however, Brentford scored 4 to inflict the defeat by a 4-1 scoreline.
It does mean that Andoni’s Bournemouth are now winless from the last 9 Premier League games, with 4 draws and 5 defeats in those games.
That’s not a good return from a team and a Manager who are lauded as an excellent club.
Things do need to improve.
Bournemouth have dropped down to 15th place with 22 points after completing 18 fixtures.
There is a chance that Antoine Semenyo will be away from the Vitality come the January Transfer Window.
The lad has a £65 Million release clause which has to be activated in the first 10 days of the Transfer Window.
It’s rumoured that Man City will trigger that clause and Antoine will join Pep’s High Flying Blues.
There are a few teams interested such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, however, the Etihad is Antoine Semenyo’s preferred destination.
If one’s wondering why Antoine isn’t at the AFCON Tournament, it’s because Ghana, Antoine’s home country, didn’t qualify, however, Ghana have qualified for next year’s World Cup and are in England’s Group, so no doubt Mr Semenyo will be on show for the Black Stars against the Three Lions.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 0-0 score when Chelsea travelled South to the Vitality at the beginning of the month.
Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 4/7, the Draw at 7/2 and 9/2 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Cole Palmer Scores First and 21/10 that Antoine Semenyo Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v EVERTON
19.30 in England
Sky Sports
The Sean Dyche Derby!
Nottingham Forest did put in a decent performance against Man City at the City Ground on Saturday, however, Pep’s Blues showed their class by inflicting the defeat on Sean’s Trees from a 2-1 score.
Omari Hutchinson with the Forest goal to equalise City’s opener, however, Forest then conceded a 2nd to ultimately lose the game.
Forest sit in 17th place with 18 points from 18 games played.
Everton gained a point from a draw by a 0-0 score against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The game was never going to produce goals with both teams struggling to score at the moment.
Although Everton are in 12th place with 25 points, the Toffees have only scored 18 goals, which is basically a goal a game from the 18 fixtures.
Coincidentally, Forest have only scored 18 goals which between the two, is the lowest out of 19 teams, with only the bottom club Wolves having scored less.
The reason Mr Moyes’ team are as high as 11th is because of the goals conceded, which is 20.
Those stats suggest there won’t be many goals today.
Everton gained the home victory over Nottingham Forest at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Game Week-15 affair.
An Own Goal by Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic plus strikes from Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave the Toffees all 3 points from a 3-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 6/5, the Draw at 9/4 and 13/5 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/1 that Morgan Gibbs-White Scores First and 2/1 that there are Under 1.5 Goals.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 1-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
WEST HAM v BRIGHTON
19.30 in England
Sky Sports
West Ham are struggling at the moment and following another defeat, this time against Fulham on Saturday by a 1-0 scoreline, there are rumours that Nuno Espírito Santo is under pressure and some of the Hammers hierarchy want another change of Manager.
West Ham sit in 18th place with 13 points from the opening 18 games completed, which is now 5 points away from safety.
Brighton also lost at the weekend, succumbing to a defeat against Arsenal by a 2-1 scoreline.
Diego Gomez did score to halve the deficit but time ran out leaving the Seagulls with their 3rd loss from the last 5 games, with the other 2 being draws, meaning just 2 points gained from a possible 15.
Brighton sit in 13th place with 24 points from the opening 18 fixtures played.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score in the encounter between the two at the Amex earlier in the month.
Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham in the 73rd minute and with time virtually up, Georginio Rutter equalised for Brighton in the 91st minute to give both a point apiece.
Betfred offer West Ham at 9/4, the Draw at 13/5 and 11/10 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Jarrod Bowen Scores First and 7/5 that Danny Welbeck Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 1/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA
20.15 in England
Sky Sports
Arsenal gained a narrow victory over Brighton at the Emirates on Saturday.
Martin Odegaard scored the opener which was added to by a Brighton Own Goal to give the Gunners a 2-0 advantage.
Brighton did pull a goal back but the Gunners held on for the win from a 2-1 scoreline.
At the moment, Arsenal and Man City are vying for the top spot with each club swapping places depending on when the teams play.
Arsenal played after City again and jumped back to the summit following the victory, now having 42 points from the opening 18 games.
Arsenal go first this week, playing on Tuesday night, with Man City not playing until New Year’s Day, so regardless of the result today, the Gunners will be at the top going into 2026
Aston Villa are just 3 points adrift of today’s hosts but a win for Villa would still leave Arsenal at the summit as the Gunners’ goal difference is plus+22, whereas Villa’s is plus+10.
(Unless Villa win by 13 goals!)
Villa sit in 3rd place with 39 points following a victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.
The game was a strange affair with Chelsea being the dominant team for most of the game until Ollie Watkins came on as a substitute and scored twice to give Aston Villa the victory from a 2-1 scoreline.
Chelsea had scored in the 1st-half to lead at the break.
No doubt Pep Guardiola will be sitting at home wanting both teams to lose, however, a draw would be beneficial to Man City.
If one remembers, Aston Villa gained the home victory over Arsenal at Villa Park in early December.
Goals from Matty Cash and Emiliano Buendia gave Unai Emery a satisfying win over his ex-club Arsenal by a 2-1 scoreline.
Leandro Trossard did score an equaliser in the 52nd minute before the very late winner from Emi B in the 95th minute.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 8/15, the Draw at 3/1 and 11/2 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 17/2 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and Evens 1/1 that Both Teams Score.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 2-2- Get 18/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Martin Dubravka- Burnley
RIGHT-BACK- Matty Cash- Aston Villa
CENTRE-BACK- Micky Van De Ven- Tottenham
CENTRE-BACK- Jorge Cuenca- Fulham
LEFT-BACK- Patrick Dorgu- Manchester United
MIDFIELDER- Simon Adingra- Sunderland
MIDFIELDER- Florian Wirtz- Liverpool
MIDFIELDER- Rayan Cherki- Man City
FORWARD- Ollie Watkins- Aston Villa
FORWARD- Kevin Schade- Brentford
FORWARD- Raul Jimenez- Fulham
STAR MAN- Kevin Schade- Brentford
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Man City To Win- 8/15
Arsenal To Win- 4/11
Liverpool To Win- 2/11
Sunderland v Leeds United To Draw- 2/1
Correct Scores-
Sunderland v Leeds United 1-1- 5/1
Correct Tips-
Burnley v Everton-
Under 1.5 Goals- 2/1
Chelsea v Aston Villa-
Ollie Watkins To Score Anytime- 7/4
Sunderland v Leeds United-
Both Teams To Score- 5/6
MANCHESTER UNITED v WOLVES
20.15 in England
Sky Sports
The final Premier League game of 2025, sees Manchester United host Wolves.
Manchester United gained a home win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Despite only having 33% possession and being outplayed for most of the game, a speculative shot from Patrick Dorgu midway through the 1st-half, was enough to give United the victory from a 1-0 scoreline.
There has always been talk about Ruben Amorim’s unwavering belief in his tactical setup of 4/3/3.
Against Newcastle, that unwavering approach at times saw United have a 7/2/1 setup and that is if one included Benjamin Sesko as the ‘1’.
Benjamin was really non-existent in the hour or so the lad was on the pitch.
Whilst it was a poor performance from United, it was ultimately still a victory, following 2 draws and a defeat in front of the home faithful in the previous 3 games.
Which is all the Red Devils can ask for at Christmas.
United sit in 6th place with the same 29 points as Chelsea.
Six Cantona’s!
Wolves gave Liverpool a scare at Anfield on Saturday, when Santiago Bueno scored to halve the deficit after the home team had scored twice.
Unfortunately, for Rob Edwards Gold and Blacks, it was just a scare as Liverpool held on for the victory over Wolves from a 2-1 scoreline.
That’s now 16 defeats from the 18 played with just 2 drawn games on the board leaving Wolves at the bottom of the table with 2 points and a massive 16 points from safety.
United gained the away win over Wolves at Molineux back in the Game Week-15 encounter.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes (2), Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount gave Ruben’s Red Devils the victory over Rob’s Rubbish Gold and Blacks by a 4-1 scoreline.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde did score an equaliser on the stroke of half-time before the 2nd-half United goals took the game away from the home team.
Betfred offer Manchester United at Odds On 1/3, the Draw at 9/2 and 8/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Mason Mount Scores First and 5/4 that Manchester United Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Thursday 01st January 2026
CRYSTAL PALACE v FULHAM
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Happy New Year.
Crystal Palace suffered a defeat against Tottenham at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The loss from a 1-0 scoreline, is the 3rd Premier League defeat in a row added to being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Arsenal following a penalty shootout.
All in all, it has been a great 2025 for Palace who won the FA Cup and are now playing in Europe, albeit in the third tier of the European Cup competitions.
Crystal Palace sit in 9th place with the same 26 points as Brentford and today’s visitors.
Fulham gained a narrow victory over West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.
A single Raul Jimenez goal, scored in the 85th minute, gave Marco Silva’s Cottagers the Bragging Rights over Nuno Espírito Santo’s Hammers from a 1-0 score.
Fulham sit in 10th place with the same 26 points as Brentford and today’s hosts.
Crystal Palace gained the away win over Fulham when these two met at Craven Cottage for the Game Week-15 affair.
Eddie Nketiah scored first for Palace after 20 minutes before Harry Wilson equalised for Fulham 20 minutes later to take both teams in level at the break.
Marc Guehi then scored the winner for Palace in the 87th minute to give Oliver Glasner’s Eagles the victory over Marco Silva’s Cottagers from a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at 6/5, the Draw at 12/5 and 12/5 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Jean-Philippe Mateta Scores First and 12/5 that Harry Wilson Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
LIVERPOOL v LEEDS UNITED
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Liverpool gained a home win over Wolves at Anfield on Saturday.
Whilst score-lines of 3, 4 and 5-nil were predicted in some quarters, Arne’s New Slots got the victory from a narrow 2-1 score.
Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz with the Liverpool goals, both in the 1st-half.
Wolves scored to halve the deficit in the 2nd-half, however, the home team held on for the victory.
After a dodgy period for Liverpool, it is now 6 games unbeaten in the Premier League, with 4 wins and 2 draws, the last 3 being victories.
That run has lifted Liverpool to 4th place with 32 points from the opening 18 games completed.
Leeds gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
After conceding a goal to trail at the break, that man Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 8th goal of the season and his 7th in the last 6 games to give Leeds an away day point.
DCL becomes the first Leeds player since John McCole back in 1959 to score in 6 successive top-flight games.
The point gained leaves Leeds United in 16th place with 20 points from the 18 fixtures completed.
The West Yorkshire Puddings all went off into the Sunderland late afternoon sky, singing their famous ditty,
‘Marching On Together!’
Both teams shared the points from a draw by an incredible 3-3 score in this reverse fixture at Elland Rd a few weeks ago.
After a goalless 1st-half, Hugo Ekitike scored twice for Liverpool to give the away team a comfortable lead.
As it turned out, the lead wasn’t so comfortable with Dominic Calvert-Lewin converting a penalty to halve the deficit with 17 minutes remaining.
Anton Stach then scored an equaliser soon after DCL’s opener.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s 3rd in the 80th minute but like a bad dog walker, Arne’s New Slots couldn’t hold on to the lead with Ao Tanaka scoring the very late equaliser for Leeds in the 96th minute to give both teams a point apiece.
‘AO, let’s Go!’
Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 1/2, the Draw at 7/2 and 11/2 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Hugo Ekitike Scores First and 23/20 that Liverpool Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BRENTFORD v TOTTENHAM
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
The Thomas Frank Derby!
Brentford smashed Bournemouth on Saturday, gaining a great victory by a 4-1 scoreline.
Kevin Schade scored what’s commonly known as a perfect hat-trick which means one goal with his left foot, one with the right and then a header.
The Cherries’ Goalkeeper was credited with the other goal.
Bournemouth scored a consolation goal when it was 3-0.
Brentford sit in 8th place with the same 26 points as Crystal Palace and Fulham, all having completed 18 games so far.
Tottenham sit in 11th place, with a point less (25) than the Bees going into Game Week-19, following a victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Archie Gray scored the first goal of his Tottenham career, towards the end of the 1st-half to give Spurs the lead at the break.
Richarlison had 2 goals disallowed by the dreaded VAR for offside, which could have made the score better, however, Tottenham eventually got the win from a 1-0 scoreline, following 2 defeats in a row.
It will be interesting to see the reaction of the Bees faithful for the return of Thomas Frank to the GTech Stadium.
Thomas gained a victory over his ex-club and mate Keith Andrews in the encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back at the beginning of December.
Goals from Richarlison and Xavi Simons, both scored in the 1st-half, gave Tottenham the victory over Brentford from a 2-0 score.
Brentford are a better team at home.
Betfred offer Brentford at 13/10, the Draw at 12/5 and 11/5 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Kevin Schade Scores First and 11/5 that Brentford Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 16/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
SUNDERLAND v MAN CITY
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
Sunderland gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Leeds United at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
As predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
Simon Adingra scored the Sunderland goal in the 1st-half to give the Black Cats a lead at the break.
Unfortunately for the home fans in attendance, Leeds scored an equaliser just after the restart and with no further goals both teams shared the points.
Sunderland sit in 7th place with 28 points from the opening 18 games completed.
Man City continued their winning streak on Saturday, gaining a victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
That’s the 6th Premier League win in a row for Pep’s High Flying Blues, however, City had to work hard to get the victory over a resilient Forest side.
After a goalless 1st-half, goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki gave City the points from a 2-1 scoreline.
Forest did score to equalise Tijjani’s opener before Mr Cherki got the winner.
The Citizen faithful are hoping that Rayan Cherki is around for a while and not just for Christmas.
Man City stay in 2nd-place with 40 points from the opening 18 games, however, City play after Arsenal this time, so depending on the result of Arsenal v Aston Villa, Pep’s Blues could be league leaders at the end of this game against Sunderland.
There appears to be a new/old phenomenon being introduced (brought back into the game) that is ‘a long throw in!’
It’s not new, David Challinor (Tranmere and Stockport legend and current Stockport Manager) was renowned for it years ago, (even holding the Long Throw World Record at one point) and of those who remember Liam Delap’s Dad, Rory, the lad was only in the Stoke team for when Stoke got a throw-in.
That said, if one looks at the throw in taken today, most are foul throws as either the front foot is over the line or one of the feet is in the air.
When taking a throw-in, both feet have to be on the ground and behind the line.
One wonders whether the dreaded VAR will eventually get involved sometime soon and rule out a goal that is scored from a ‘foul (long) throw?’
Man City gained a professional away win over Sunderland when these two met at the Stadium of Light back at the beginning of December.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol scored the 1st-half goals with Phil Foden adding a 3rd midway through the 2nd-half to give Pep’s High Flying Blues the victory over Regis’s Black Cats from a 3-0 score.
Probably the only surprise was that Erling Haaland, who was on the pitch for the opening 70 minutes, didn’t score (again).
One predicts that Big Erling will add Sunderland to his goal-scoring list of victims today.
Betfred offer Sunderland at 13/2, the Draw at 18/5 and Odds On 4/9 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 2/1 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 7/5 that Man City Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-3- Bet on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Related Reading
Best betting site for accumulators
Bet365 review
Best cash-out betting sites
Best low or no minimum deposit betting sites
