Your Guide To Week 20 Of The Barclays Premier League

With the festive period of games over, the Barclays Premier League has officially entered its second half. And as the games continue to come thick and fast in this wide open season, every match provides a crucial chance to make up dropped points. Here’s your guide to the best of this weekend’s action

Saturday January 2

-West Ham vs. Liverpool (7:45 EST)

Liverpool still isn’t playing the most attractive football, but they’ve been grinding out results. Divock Origi has been dealing with an injury and missed out on Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland, which leaves Christian Benteke to handle the striking duties. And, even though he’s getting among the goals, the Belgian isn’t the best fit for Jurgen Klopp‘s system.

West Ham isn’t hitting their early season heights, but they’re still a solid side. Much of West Ham’s fortune right now comes down to Andy Carroll and his newly debuted cornrows. He’s not the most talented player and has struggled with injuries, but you know what you’ll get from him: he’s a big target in the box with a knack for finding goals. If he keeps pitching in, whether it’s in the starting XI or off the bench, West Ham should be able to remain in the top half of the table.

-Sunderland vs. Aston Villa (10 EST)

Nothing about this forecast has changed during the holiday period; they’re the two worst teams in the league and neither really has anything to make you want to watch them. Sunderland is slightly better offensively, but slightly worse defensively, but Villa aren’t exactly offensive dynamos in their own right.

The match is interesting, though, based on the impact in the relegation battle; whoever wins will get a six point swing over their nearest opponent in the drop. Entering the second half of the season, every point will matter for these sides, so expect a gritty, scrappy effort. It’s not going to be pretty.

-Norwich vs. Southampton (10 EST)

Southampton showed both sides of their game last weekend; they blitzed Arsenal on Boxing Day, but then lost a bland 2-1 affair with West Ham on Monday. They definitely have the players to beat any team on their day but, like most mid-table sides, it comes down to consistency and the ability to perform match in and match out.

There isn’t much to say about Norwich. They’re near the bottom of the table and don’t have any true game winners on either side of the pitch. They could grind out a draw or a low-scoring win, but it won’t really be worth watching either way.

-Manchester United vs. Swansea City (10 EST)

This game could be the final straw for Louis Van Gaal if the United doesn’t get the win. After a Boxing Day loss to Stoke and a goalless draw with Chelsea, United have fallen out of the Champions League places. If the winless steak continues against 17th place Swansea, the ax could finally fall. While the Old Trafford crowd certainly wants the return of stylish football, they’ll take a win on Saturday.

Swansea also have very little going for them, although they could be boosted by a win against West Brom and a draw against Palace (who have the same point total as United). And the way this Premier League season is going, it’s hard to say they won’t have a shot to at least share the points this weekend.

-West Brom vs. Stoke (10 EST)

In past years, this would be a skippable match between two defensive, mid-table teams. This season, it’s watchable because of Stoke.

After the holiday weekend, Sexy Stoke have officially arrived. They topped Manchester United 2-0 on Boxing Day and then backed that up with a 4-3 cracker against Everton. Marko Arnautovic is finally putting his whole game together and Xherdan Shaqiri is adding finishes like this to his play in midfield.

Based on plays like that, it’s hard to pick against them, especially against a dull Tony Pulis side like West Brom.

-Arsenal vs. Newcastle (10 EST)

After failing to get out of bed on Boxing Day, Arsenal dispatched Bournemouth without much effort on Monday. Their story of the season, besides injuries, continues to be Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker has nearly an assist a game and is finding himself among the goals, too; he’s showing why he was Arsenal’s record signing and making a strong case for player of the year honors.

On the other side of things, Newcastle has gone winless in three matches since their back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Spurs. With them coming down to the Emirates after playing two matches in the previous week, it’s hard to see Newcastle finding any joy.

-Leicester vs. Bournemouth (10 EST)

Leicester is in as much of a slump as they’ve seen this season after a loss to Liverpool and a draw with Man City. Bournemouth is in a different class from those sides though. Much of the game will come down to health, though, as both Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been less than 100% lately.

Bournemouth might be without their top striker, but they’ll always try to play open, attractive football. That could play into Leicester’s hands, though, as the Foxes love to sit back and wait for chances on the counter-attack. But, no matter the result, there should be some goals and a decently open game.

-Watford vs. Manchester City (12:30 EST)

While no one would have pitched this match to watch at the beginning of the season, it could be a good one. Watford have been finding ways to score and Manchester City’s defense has looked awful on the road without Vincent Kompany.

City probably still should win, though, and their performance could be a window into their title challenge. Champions find a way to grind out results when things aren’t going smoothly and, based on the amount of money spent on the respective rosters, Man City should find a way to beat the Hornets.

Sunday 1/3

-Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea (8:30 EST)

Chelsea have been playing better without Jose Mourniho, but they’re still a confusing side to watch; even with the apparent flaws, they still should be playing better then they are. Falcao and Loic Remy remain hurt, leaving only Diego Costa in attack and Gary Cahill could miss out, making for an even more iffy back line. And life won’t get easier against Crystal Palace.

Eagles manager Alan Pardew has assembled a strong side and always finds a way to make life difficult for the big teams. Taking that and the Selhurst Park crowd into a count, and a point will be a good result for Chelsea.

-Everton vs. Tottenham (11 EST)

While both Spurs and Everton perpetually fall short in their quest for the top four, this season’s open table could give at least one of them a chance at reaching the Champions League.

With Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu, Everton have two talented young attackers. Ross Barkley can also provide penetration from deeper in the midfield if things become static. Meanwhile Tottenham have climbed to within touching distance of the top of the table. Harry Kane is still finding the back of the net, albeit not as prolifically as last season, Dele Alli is looking like a future star in the center of the park and Toby Alderweireld has become a rock in the back line. This one could turn into a six-pointer in the quest for European football.

Photo: Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil on the ball by Ronnie MacDonald, via Wikimedia Commons