Premier League predictions: Gameweek 20

We’re officially halfway through the 2024/25 Premier League campaign and the action is only likely to heat up at the beginning of a new calendar year.

The first half of the season brought an abundance of drama, narrative and, for some, ecstasy, but it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s all about how you finish.

The upcoming round of fixtures could have a significant impact on the final standings but there are plenty of mouth-watering matches in their own right, with Sunday’s clash between fierce foes Liverpool and Manchester United capping another intriguing weekend.

Here is how 90min believes Gameweek 20 will pan out.

Saturday serves up the bulk of the action, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United kicking things off in north London. The two sides are in contrasting form, with injury-hit Spurs struggling and the resurgent Magpies flourishing, and Eddie Howe’s side could pile more pressure on the under-fire Ange Postecoglou.

All-Midlands meetings are few and far between in the Premier League this season but Leicester City make the trip to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s new manager bounce has faded remarkably quickly and Unai Emery’s well-organised Villans could well put a porous defence to the sword.

Bournemouth and Everton produced a treat in August’s duel between the sides – well, for Cherries fans, at least. Three goals after the 87th minute secured an astounding 3-2 win for the south coast side, who will be keen to earn a less frenetic victory against the Toffees this time around.

Chelsea had been briefly considered among the title challengers this season – although not by Enzo Maresca – but successive defeats have dented their aspirations. They now sit fourth in the table and ten points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more, with victory against Crystal Palace essential to stop the rot.

Manchester City have been dire since the beginning of November but they secured an increasingly rare victory last weekend. They will want to take confidence from a much-needed win over Leicester into the weekend’s clash with West Ham United, who are fresh from a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool.

Ivan Juric has lost both of his matches in charge of Southampton to date and will be hoping it’s third time lucky against Brentford. The Saints are already cut adrift at the foot of the table and the Bees will be aiming to pour more misery on them with what would be their first away win of the current campaign.

Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal played out a feisty draw in north London earlier this season, with Declan Rice seeing red in a controversial affair. The Gunners will be keen to finish Saturday’s late kick-off with 11 men and three points as they look to close the gap on Liverpool and punish the out-of-form Seagulls.

Ipswich Town secured their first home win of the Premier League season against Chelsea last time out and are seeking to follow up that triumph on Sunday. Fulham, who failed to beat the Tractor Boys earlier this term, are unbeaten in seven matches and have secured impressive draws with Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal in recent weeks.

Man Utd will be fearing the worst when they journey to rivals Liverpool in the weekend’s big event. The Red Devils lost six matches in December alone and have struggled under Ruben Amorim, with the table-topping hosts primed to take advantage of their uncertainty at Anfield. It will be a raucous atmosphere and the Manchester giants will be hoping to come away from Merseyside with their dignity intact.

Nottingham Forest have been the surprise success story of the season and are currently sat third in the table as they continue to sparkle under Nuno Espirito Santo. The Midlands side are in mightily impressive form but have not been prolific goalscorers, and may come unstuck against the resurgent Wolverhampton Wanderers under new manager Vitor Pereira.

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