Premier League Matchday 19: All eyes on Arsenal as leaders host Toon

Cian Cheesbrough
LiveScore
Arsenal have picked up where they left off following the mid-season break
Arsenal have picked up where they left off following the mid-season break

The new year continues with a bang as Premier League leaders Arsenal welcome third-placed Newcastle and Chelsea host champions Manchester City.

Liverpool kick off the action with a tricky trip to Brentford, while there is a Midlands derby to savour as Unai Emery's Aston Villa host Wolves.

Read on as we preview all 10 games and look forward to the fireworks.

Brentford vs Liverpool (Monday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

Liverpool can move within one point of the top four by getting the better of Brentford this evening.

The Reds have won both their games since the mid-season break and have not tasted defeat against the Bees in their last nine meetings — a run stretching back to 1938.

But slow starts are traditionally an issue for the Merseysiders, who have only one won of their last eight games at the start of a calendar year.

Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in four goals in his last two away games (three goals, one assist), while he has 19 goals in 38 Premier League appearances in London.

Arsenal vs Newcastle (Tuesday, 7.45pm, Sky Sports)

Arsenal are set for another test of their title credentials as high-flying Newcastle visit the Emirates.

The Magpies have won five of their last six games and sit nine points behind the high-flying Gunners in third place.

While the Geordies did dispatch them 2-0 in their most recent meeting last season, Mikel Arteta's men can lay claim to being the only side with a 100% record at home this term.

Having stepped up in Gabriel Jesus' absence against West Ham and Brighton, Eddie Nketiah has 11 goals in as many starts at the Emirates.

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has impressed so far in the absence of Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has impressed so far in the absence of Gabriel Jesus

Everton vs Brighton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Everton will be determined to use an impressive point picked up against Manchester City as a foundation for an upturn in form as they welcome Brighton.

A 4-2 defeat to Arsenal on New Year's Eve leaves the Seagulls ninth going into Matchday 19, though they have tasted success in their last two Premier League away games against Wolves and Southampton.

Frank Lampard has never lost against Brighton in the English top flight (two wins, one draw) and has only faced Crystal Palace more times in the division without losing.

Veteran Seagulls midfielder Adam Lallana has hit some impressive form on the road with two goals — one more than he managed in his previous 60 away from home.

Leicester vs Fulham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Fulham will continue their surprise pursuit of the top six when they travel to Leicester.

The Cottagers secured a late 2-1 win over Southampton on New Year's Eve to close the gap on Liverpool ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium.

It is a ground they won 2-1 at during their last league visit in 2020-21 as they look to record consecutive away wins against the Foxes for the first time since 1967.

Leicester have lost their last two Premier League games at home and remain just three points from safety, despite sitting 13th.

Manchester United vs Bournemouth (Tuesday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

Manchester United begin the year in fourth thanks to their victory over Wolves and Tottenham slipping up against Aston Villa.

The Red Devils face a Bournemouth side they have beaten in seven of their Premier League meetings to date, with the Cherries suffering defeat in their two games since the mid-season brealk.

Marcus Rashford is undoubtedly the man of the moment for Erik ten Hag's side — the England striker has been involved in five goals in his last five games in all competitions (four goals, one assist).

Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his scoring touch in front of goal
Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his scoring touch in front of goal

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest (Wednesday, 7.30pm)

Two struggling teams kick off Wednesday's fixtures as rock-bottom Southampton host Nottingham Forest.

Manager Nathan Jones is still searching for his first point in charge of the Saints after suffering a third defeat in as many games against Fulham.

Southampton lost nine home games during 2022, their most in a single calendar year since losing 10 at The Dell in in 1998.

Forest picked up an encouraging point against Chelsea on New Year's Day but have struggled away from the City Ground this term, failing to score in their last six outings on the road.

Leeds vs West Ham (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

West Ham are slipping dangerously close to trouble after suffering their fifth straight defeat at home to Brentford last time out.

They can drag Leeds into similar territory with victory at Elland Road, with the Whites just two points ahead of the Hammers ahead of this clash.

Under-pressure boss David Moyes has never lost at Leeds in the Premier League in four visits — the joint most of any manager.

It could be a great chance for the East Londoners to add to their miserly 11 goals this term, with the hosts conceding three in each of their last three home games.

Aston Villa vs Wolves (Wednesday, 8pm)

Villa boss Emery has made a fantastic start to life in charge with Midlands rivals Wolves up next.

The Villans won their third game in four under the Spaniard during an impressive away display at Tottenham on Sunday thanks to goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz.

Julen Lopetegui won his first game in charge of Wolves against Everton on Boxing Day before losing to Manchester United five days later.

The two bosses have already faced each other in LaLiga this term, with Emery's Villarreal drawing 1-1 against Lopetegui's Sevilla in September.

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham (Wednesday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

Antonio Conte will be eager to arrest Tottenham's alarming slump in form as they head to fellow Londoners Crystal Palace.

Defeat at home to Villa was greeted with boos by supporters as Spurs slipped out of the top four with their fourth defeat in seven league games.

To make matters worse, they have not won any of their last 10 away matches in the capital, though they have won 15 of their 26 Premier League meetings against the Eagles overall.

Harry Kane has been directly involved in eight goals in his last six games against Palace, scoring five and assisting three.

Harry Kane has an impressive record against Crystal Palace
Harry Kane has an impressive record against Crystal Palace

Chelsea vs Manchester City (Thursday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

A blockbuster clash concludes Matchday 19 as out-of-sorts Chelsea host title-chasing Manchester City.

The Blues have won only one of their last seven games, while the champions lost more ground on Arsenal at the top after being held by Everton.

City have won seven of the last 10 meetings with the hosts, which is as many as they had in their previous 25 against them (four draws, 14 defeats).

Raheem Sterling faces his former side fresh off claiming two goal involvements in as many games since the Premier League's return (one goal, one assist).

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Premier LeagueArsenalAston VillaBrentfordAFC BournemouthBrighton & Hove AlbionChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLeicester CityLiverpoolManchester UnitedManchester CityNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSouthamptonTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton Wanderers