Premier League predictions: Gameweek 19
Barely have you had any times to breathe since the weekend and New Year's Eve/Day Premier League fixture, than another full round of games is upon us.
From Tuesday to Thursday, all 20 clubs are in action again. The pick of the bunch is Manchester City's trip to a struggling Chelsea, but there are also important games for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, with the latter in with a chance of extending their lead at the top.
Monday 2 January
Brentford vs Liverpool
Liverpool haven't had things all their own way this season. But things have come together for the Reds since early November and they have put together back-to-back league wins either side of the lengthy World Cup break to make it a run of four in total.
Brentford will be high on confidence after impressively beating West Ham a few days ago, but the smart money is still on Liverpool here.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
Tuesday 3 January
Arsenal vs Newcastle
Arsenal put more distance between themselves and Manchester City on Saturday night, beating Brighton to capitalise on the champions being held by Everton.
Given that City are again in action after the Gunners, there is an opportunity here to at least temporarily open up that lead to 10 points and really turn the screw. But in Newcastle they face a strong opponent who are the only other team beaten only once so far this season.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Newcastle
Everton vs Brighton
Everton did well to frustrate Manchester City last time out, but that game arguably said more about the sluggish champions than it did about Frank Lampard's Toffees.
Now, they face a Brighton side that have impressed plenty of neutrals this season. The Seagulls took too long to get going in a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal but ended that game strongly and could carry momentum into their trip to Merseyside.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Brighton
Leicester vs Fulham
Leicester were one of the Premier League's form teams before the World Cup break. Sadly for the Foxes, that hasn't lasted and they have lost both games since club action resumed. Summer signing Wout Faes in particular had a nightmare against Liverpool over the weekend.
However, they have won all of their last four Premier League games against teams outside the top six. Fulham, as well as they keep doing, are seventh.
Prediction: Leicester 3-1 Fulham
Man Utd vs Bournemouth
There is a very real chance that Manchester United have finally cracked it by hiring Erik ten Hag as manager. It only took them nine years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Aside from a handful of blips, the Red Devils have looked a different proposition - especially since a wake up call in the Manchester derby in October. With back-to-back wins since Christmas, they are unlikely to struggle against a Bournemouth side that was poor against Crystal Palace.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-0 Bournemouth
Wednesday 4 January
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest
A draw against Chelsea wasn't enough to move Nottingham Forest out of the bottom three, but it did take them level on points with West Ham just above the drop zone.
Southampton have slipped all the way to the very foot of the table and are in real danger of relegation for the first time since their promotion back to the top flight in 2012.
This is a real relegation six-pointer.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Leeds vs West Ham
Leeds were finally the team to end Newcastle's winning run and now face a West Ham side desperate to break a five-game losing streak that began prior to the World Cup break and has carried on.
But Leeds have hardly been a model of consistency in recent months and could still struggle to kick on. What they have been, though, is involved in plenty of games with lots of goals at both ends.
Prediction: Leeds 2-2 West Ham
Aston Villa vs Wolves
Wolves have at least shown a little bit more stomach since Julen Lopetegui finally took charge of his first two games, getting a long overdue win on Boxing Day and then making Manchester United work hard for what was only a narrow 1-0 win at the weekend.
Aston Villa have lost against Liverpool but beaten Tottenham since Christmas. But this west midlands derby could be a very close one.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham
Crystal Palace have a real opportunity to make a statement here. But even a Tottenham side in disarray are a different proposition to the Bournemouth side the Eagles beat on New Year's Eve.
Spurs haven't recorded a Premier League win since the World Cup break and, with several players out of form or not well suited to the system, it is starting to increase pressure on Antonio Conte. The January transfer window is going to be make or break for the club this season.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Tottenham
Thursday 5 January
Chelsea vs Man City
The biggest match of the week comes right at the end, with Manchester City travelling to west London to meet Chelsea on Thursday night.
This is a crunch game for both clubs. Chelsea risk getting sucked further into mid-table and further away from the top four if they don't get a result. City, meanwhile, could be 10 points adrift of leaders Arsenal by the time this kicks off and need every point they can get to keep pace.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Man City