Matchweek 19 New Year Guide – Full Fixture Previews & Tactical Notes

Burnley are expected to line up in a 3-4-3 that becomes a 5-4-1 without the ball: a back three shielded by wing-backs Kyle Walker and Lucas Pires, plus two holding midfielders. They’ll be compact, play on the break and lean heavily on set pieces. Newcastle stick to a 4-3-3, pressing high when they can and attacking down the flanks. With a makeshift back line, they’ll still try to control the ball through Bruno Guimarães and use Anthony Gordon’s direct running on the left.

Burnley: winless in nine league games, but back-to-back draws have at least stopped the rot and included a first clean sheet in ten. Recent league run: L, L, L, L, D, D.
Newcastle: only one win in their last five. They’re three games without a victory and haven’t won away from home since August.

Burnley: defensive injuries pile up with Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts and Axel Tuanzebe out, while Maxime Estève and Joe Worrall face late tests. Josh Cullen is sidelined in midfield, so Florentino Luís and Lesley Ugochukwu are likely to start. Expect a back three featuring Josh Laurent and Bashir Humphreys alongside Hjalmar Ekdal.

Newcastle: an entire first-choice back four is missing, with Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento all unavailable. Lewis Miley could fill in at right-back, with Malick Thiaw and Fabian Schär at centre-back and Lewis Hall at left-back. Up front, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are absent, so Nick Woltemade should lead the line, flanked by Jacob Murphy and Gordon.

Key players: Kyle Walker’s leadership and pace at wing-back, Florentino Luís’ screening role and Broja’s threat in behind are vital for Burnley. Newcastle need Bruno Guimarães to dictate play, Gordon to carry the attack and Woltemade to unsettle a patched-up defence.

Projected XIs
Burnley (3-4-3): Dúbravka; Laurent, Ekdal, Humphreys; Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires; Edwards, Broja, Bruun Larsen.
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall; Guimarães, Tonali, Ramsey; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

Chelsea under Enzo Maresca use a 4-2-3-1 based on building from the back, double pivot control and creativity between the lines. Enzo Fernández and Caicedo anchor midfield, with Cole Palmer as the main playmaker, Garnacho offering direct threat from the left and João Pedro leading the line. Full-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto provide width. Bournemouth stick to an energetic 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3: they’ll press where possible but prioritise staying compact, then break quickly through Evanilson and Antoine Semenyo, with creative support from Brooks or Kluivert.

Chelsea: only one win in their last five league games, including a 2–1 home loss to Villa after leading. They have been stronger at the Bridge overall and rarely lose their final home game of a calendar year.
Bournemouth: winless in nine, with just four points in that time. Away from home they’ve lost five of their last six and conceded three or more goals in each of their last six league away games.

Chelsea: Levi Colwill is out long term, while Dário Essugo and Roméo Lavia remain sidelined. Marc Cucurella is a major doubt with a hamstring issue, meaning Gusto could shift to left-back. Wesley Fofana is fit again and pushing to partner Trevoh Chalobah at centre-back. There are no suspensions.

Bournemouth: Tyler Adams is unavailable until spring, with a few other squad players also sidelined. Alex Scott was withdrawn with a knock at Brentford but is hopeful of making this one. The Cherries got David Brooks, Justin Kluivert and Evanilson back on the pitch last time out, which boosts their attacking options. No suspensions are reported.

Key players: Palmer’s guile between the lines, João Pedro’s finishing and Enzo Fernández’s switches of play should shape Chelsea’s attack. For Bournemouth, Semenyo’s pace on the break, Alex Scott’s passing (if fit) and Petrovic/Neto’s shot-stopping will be crucial.

Projected XIs
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Enzo Fernández, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; João Pedro.
AFC Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Aarón, Diakité, Senesi, Truffert; Alex Scott, L. Cook; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson.

Forest, now under a Dyche-style approach, are likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1: compact shape, direct balls into the striker and fast counters led by Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Omari Hutchinson behind Igor Jesús. Goals have been hard to come by, so set pieces and quick breaks are key. Everton, back under David Moyes, favour a 4-5-1 away from home – deep block, disciplined lines and direct service into Beto, with Jack Grealish drifting between left wing and No.10 to provide creativity.

Forest: three defeats in their last four league games, although home form is a little better with three wins in their last five at the City Ground in all competitions. Clean sheets remain rare at home.
Everton: winless in three, but those losses came against stronger opposition. Away from home they’ve been awkward to beat, losing just one of their last five league matches on the road.

Forest: AFCON duty rules out Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré, while striker Chris Wood is still unavailable. Murillo and new signing Nikola Milenković should partner in central defence, with Elliot Anderson and Nicolás Domínguez providing energy in midfield. An attacking quartet of Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Igor Jesús is expected to start.

Everton: Jack Grealish is back after illness and should start. Jarrad Branthwaite remains out, so James Tarkowski and Michael Keane continue at centre-back. With Iliman Ndiaye at AFCON and Dominic Calvert-Lewin working back to full fitness, Beto leads the line again. There are no fresh suspensions.

Key players: Gibbs-White’s vision, Hudson-Odoi’s 1v1 ability and Murillo’s battle with Beto stand out for Forest. Everton will lean heavily on Grealish’s creativity, Beto’s hold-up play and the reliability of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Projected XIs
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Vladan; Savona, Milenković, Murillo, N. Williams; Anderson, Domínguez; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesús.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Jonjoe O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Idrissa Gueye; Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish; Beto.

West Ham likely persist with a compact 4-2-3-1: Souček and Álvarez shielding the defence, Ward-Prowse pulling strings and threatening from set pieces, Bowen as the main goal threat and Mohammed Kudus (if available) or Benrahma offering dribbling from the flanks. They’ll sit in a mid-block and counter. Brighton, under De Zerbi, continue to use a bold possession game in a 4-2-3-1 – building from the back even under pressure, pushing full-backs high and playing an attacking line with Ferguson and João Pedro leading the threat despite a horrible injury list.

West Ham: three league wins in four plus a strong defensive showing in a goalless draw with Arsenal signal a resurgence after a grim start to the season.
Brighton: very mixed, with recent results swinging between wins, draws and losses. Away from home they’ve struggled, rarely keeping clean sheets and often conceding multiple goals.

West Ham: Lucas Paquetá is a doubt after a knee issue, while Michail Antonio and Kurt Zouma are also struggling with injuries. Mohammed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd are on the verge of AFCON duty, so availability may be tight. No major suspensions are reported.

Brighton: Lewis Dunk is suspended, and an extensive injury list includes Joel Veltman, Ansu Fati, Julio Enciso, Kaoru Mitoma, Simon Adingra, Solly March, Adam Webster and Tariq Lamptey. Igor and Buonanotte have also had recent knocks, so Estupiñán and Lallana are likely to be leaned on heavily.

Key players: Ward-Prowse’s set-piece delivery, Bowen’s finishing and Álvarez’s ball winning are pivotal for West Ham. For Brighton, Evan Ferguson must be clinical, João Pedro provides the creative spark and Estupiñán’s two-way work at left-back will be crucial.

Projected XIs
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Ogbonna, Mavropanos, Emerson; Souček, Álvarez; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Benrahma; Bowen.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Milner, Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Estupiñán; Groß, Gilmour; Lallana, Dahoud, Mahmoud; Ferguson (with João Pedro roaming around the front line).

Arsenal will look to dominate the ball in a fluid 4-3-3, pressing high and attacking through Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, with Martin Ødegaard knitting play together between the lines. Villa arrive in a compact 4-2-3-1, pressing aggressively and springing quick counters through John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and Ollie Watkins. The central battle between Rice/Zubimendi and Onana/Tielemans should set the tone and could decide whether Villa can disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm.

Arsenal: five league wins in a row since losing at Villa Park, back on top of the table and strong at the Emirates with nine wins in their last ten home league games.
Aston Villa: six straight league victories and eleven wins in a row in all competitions, matching historic club runs and turning them from top-four hopefuls into serious title outsiders.

Arsenal: defensive injuries continue, with Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori sidelined. Jurrien Timber has only just returned from a long ACL layoff, so minutes may be managed. Gabriel is fit again to partner William Saliba, while Kai Havertz misses out in attack.

Aston Villa: Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are suspended. Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres and Ross Barkley are all injured, and Evann Guessand is away at AFCON. Lamare Bogarde is expected to deputise at right-back, while Amadou Onana steps in for Kamara in midfield alongside Youri Tielemans.

Key players: Ødegaard’s passing and long-range shooting, Saka’s 1v1 threat against a stand-in right-back and Eze’s knack for decisive contributions at the Emirates will be crucial for Arsenal. For Villa, Watkins’ movement and form, Buendía’s ability to drift between lines and Emiliano Martínez’s shot-stopping against his old club stand out.

Projected XIs
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Eze.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Bogarde, Konsa, Lindelöf, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendía, Rogers; Watkins.

United are expected to use a 3-4-2-1 against weaker opposition to get more attacking players on the pitch: Dorgu and Matheus Cunha supporting Šeško, with wing-backs Dalot and Shaw pushing high and Casemiro anchoring midfield. They’ll have most of the ball and look to stretch Wolves across the pitch. Wolves, in a 5-3-2, will pack central areas, sit deep and hope to survive long enough to nick something through Hwang Hee-Chan or from a set piece, leaning on João Gomes’ tenacity in midfield.

Manchester United: five wins in their last eight league games hint at progress despite inconsistency. Back-to-back home wins against Bournemouth and Newcastle have steadied things at Old Trafford.
Wolves: no wins in 18 league games, eleven straight defeats and just two points all season. They’ve scored only nine league goals and look completely devoid of confidence.

United: Bruno Fernandes remains out, Mason Mount is a major doubt, and Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are all sidelined. AFCON duty removes Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui from the squad. Lisandro Martínez is back and may anchor a youthful back three.

Wolves: centre-back Toti Gomes is injured and Emmanuel Agbadou is at AFCON, thinning defensive options. Hugo Bueno returned from injury off the bench last time and could start at wing-back. Several midfielders are missing, forcing a very patched-up XI. José Sá remains in goal with Daniel Bentley injured.

Key players: Šeško’s aerial presence, Dorgu’s form after his Boxing Day winner and Casemiro’s control should give United a platform. Wolves will lean heavily on Hwang’s poaching instincts, João Gomes’ energy and José Sá’s goalkeeping heroics.

Projected XIs
Manchester United (3-4-2-1): Lammens; Yoro, Jackson, Lisandro Martínez; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Shaw; Dorgu, Matheus Cunha; Šeško.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (5-3-2): Sá; Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Krejčí; Matt Doherty, João Gomes, B. Traoré, Hugo Bueno; Hwang; Máne, Arokodare.

Palace under Glasner lean on a 3-4-2-1 to solidify the back line, then look to spring counters through Yéremy Pino, Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah. They’re likely to cede possession and repeat the blueprint from their 2–1 win at Craven Cottage: soak pressure, then punch on the break. Fulham play a 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on width and crossing. Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe will aim to feed Raúl Jiménez, while Sander Berge and Saša Lukić provide a mix of physicality and passing control in midfield.

Crystal Palace: winless in five across all competitions and without a home win since early November, conceding at a rate of about two goals per game at Selhurst during that run.
Fulham: three wins and three losses in their last six league games, literally alternating results. Away from home they’ve quietly put together some positive performances and won three of their last six on the road.

Palace: right-back Daniel Muñoz is out with a knee issue, winger Ismaïla Sarr is on international duty and youngster Caleb Kporha is sidelined. That may mean more minutes for Clyne and a slightly reshaped midfield with Lerma and Wharton alongside Kamada.

Fulham: AFCON takes Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi out of the squad. Injuries to Rodrigo Muniz and Issa Diop further thin options up front and at centre-back. Andersen will marshal the defence, likely alongside Jorge Cuenca, with Antonee Robinson at left-back and Kenny Tete on the right.

Key players: Kamada’s passing, Nketiah’s poaching and Guéhi’s aerial presence at both ends are vital for Palace. Fulham rely on Andersen’s long diagonals, Berge’s dominance in midfield and Jiménez’s movement and finishing inside the box.

Projected XIs
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvout, Lacroix, Guéhi; Clyne, A. Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Yéremy Pino, Kamada; Nketiah.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, A. Robinson; Berge, Lukić; H. Wilson, Smith Rowe, Harrison Reed; R. Jiménez.

Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 under Arne Slot features a high press, aggressive full-backs and plenty of rotation across the front four. Without Mo Salah, Federico Chiesa takes the right wing, Florian Wirtz plays as a roaming No.10 and Hugo Ekitiké leads the line, supported by a double pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones. Leeds are likely to adopt a 3-5-2, focusing on defensive organisation and quick counters. Wing-backs Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson drop deep to form a back five, with Ethan Ampadu anchoring midfield and Anton Stach plus a shuttler (Gray or Shackleton) supporting. Breaks will be aimed into channels for Noah Okafor, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the aerial focal point.

Liverpool: unbeaten in seven across all competitions and on a run of four straight wins. At Anfield they’ve been relentless, rarely dropping points and often winning by multiple goals.
Leeds: competitive overall, with recent league form featuring wins, draws and a single defeat, but away from home they’ve struggled to turn resilience into victories and haven’t won on the road in several attempts.

Liverpool: Salah is away at AFCON, while Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajčetić and a couple of defenders are absent through injury. That pushes more responsibility onto Chiesa and Wirtz, but the Reds still have depth off the bench in Jota, Díaz and others.

Leeds: only Lukas Nmecha is ruled out, leaving Farke free to pick close to his strongest XI. Fitness and rotation from the festive schedule may still force a tweak or two, but the core lineup is settled.

Key players: Virgil van Dijk marshals Liverpool’s high line and is a set-piece threat, Wirtz’s creativity can slice open a low block and Chiesa will test Leeds’ left flank all game. For Leeds, Calvert-Lewin’s aerial power, Okafor’s pace on counters and Meslier’s shot-stopping are central to any hopes of an upset.

Projected XIs
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Curtis Jones; Chiesa, Wirtz, Mac Allister; Ekitiké.
Leeds United (3-5-2): Meslier; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Gray/Shackleton, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

Brentford are likely to use a 4-3-3: Nørgaard anchoring midfield, Jensen and Janelt providing industry and passing, with Reiss Nelson and Dango Ouattara flanking in-form striker Igor Thiago. Expect direct, physical football, high pressing and a steady stream of crosses into the box. Spurs will stay faithful to a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 possession game despite personnel issues. Bentancur’s role as deep playmaker is vital, Archie Gray adds youthful legs, and Richarlison spearheads the attack with Kudus and Solomon (or another youngster) supporting from wide areas.

Brentford: unbeaten in four league matches with back-to-back wins, including a 4–1 home thumping of Bournemouth and a perfect hat-trick performance from Kevin Schade in that run.
Spurs: one win in seven league games, five defeats in that spell and no clean sheets in eight. They’ve leaked goals heavily in recent weeks and have struggled away from home.

Brentford: Ivan Toney remains suspended and Josh Dasilva injured, but otherwise the squad is in decent shape. New attacking additions have settled in well, giving good depth in forward areas and on the wings.

Tottenham: a huge injury list persists, with James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Timo Werner, Guglielmo Vicario, Giovani Lo Celso, Ivan Perišić, Bryan Gil and others either out or only just returning. Romero and van de Ven may be risked but aren’t fully sharp. Son has a minor issue and may not start, leaving plenty of responsibility on Richarlison and Bentancur.

Key players: Nørgaard’s work in midfield, Igor Thiago’s penalty-box instincts and Nelson’s dribbling against Spurs’ full-backs make Brentford a serious threat. Spurs need Bentancur’s control, Richarlison’s finishing and Pedro Porro’s attacking output from right-back to have a chance.

Projected XIs
Brentford (4-3-3): Flekken; Hickey, Pinnock, Collins, Henry; Nørgaard, Jensen, Janelt; D. Ouattara, Igor Thiago, Nelson.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Forster; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, A. Gray; Kudus, Solomon, Donley/Bergvall; Richarlison.

Sunderland tend to use a flexible 4-2-3-1 that can morph into various shapes, with Granit Xhaka and Dan Neil in midfield, Patrick Roberts cutting in from the right, Jack Clarke driving from the left and Nazariy Rusyn or Jobe Bellingham up front. They’ll aim to stay compact in midfield, then counter quickly down the flanks. City will stick to their 4-3-3 / 3-2-4-1 hybrid: Rodri at the base, De Bruyne and Bernardo (or Foden) as advanced playmakers, and Erling Haaland leading the line ahead of a rotating cast of Foden, Álvarez or Doku in the wide roles. Expect long spells of City possession and intense counter-pressing.

Sunderland: a genuine surprise package, with three wins, two draws and one defeat in their last six league games, plus strong home form featuring five wins from nine. They’ve already taken points off bigger clubs this season.
Manchester City: on a long winning run in all competitions, with only one league loss in their last six and strong away form. They start the new year in close pursuit of top spot.

Sunderland: no major injuries reported beyond a couple of squad players. One fringe youngster is away at AFCON, but the core XI is available and settled.

Manchester City: near full strength, with only minor knocks being carefully managed. De Bruyne and Stones have returned from earlier injuries and are fit enough to feature, while Doku is also back in the matchday group.

Key players: Xhaka’s experience and bite, Clarke’s 1v1 threat against Kyle Walker and Ballard’s duel with Haaland are vital for Sunderland. City will look to Haaland’s ruthlessness, Foden’s creativity and Rodri’s control at the base of midfield to get them over the line.

Projected XIs
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Seelt, Cirkin; Xhaka, Dan Neil; Patrick Roberts, Pritchard/J. Bellingham, Jack Clarke; Rusyn.
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol, Aké; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Foden, Haaland, Álvarez.