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HAPPY NEAR YEAR!
We start a New calendar year but the Premier League year still goes on. This last half of the League is likely to be as interesting as ever. A mid-table “Grudge Match” is between position 7 and 12 is looking like talking points of the League as teams are fighting for Europa League spot. The top of table still looking shaky but Liverpool still reign. The bottom of the table is not reachable for teams above 16th. The table is shaping up nicely for some teams and for others not the way they wanted it to be going into 2019. The end is still quite a mile away and there is hope for some but others may be losing it.
Here are the previews and votes for the first fixtures of 2019:
Everton vs Leicester City
After 2 big wins against Chelsea and Manchester City, Leicester looked brighter than ever until Cardiff came around and stole their spot light. The Cunning Foxes may just have been a bit in over their heads. This may not stop them from giving a good show against Everton who are just a point behind them.
Everton drop to 10th after they defeat to Brighton and Hove. Though have been slightly better in recent performance, The Toffees will feel that they could in a better position fighting for a European spot as they have done in previous years. They are not out of the race yet and good match against The Foxes could keep them in the race.
Vote: Leicester City Win
Arsenal vs Fulham
Arsenal are surely licking their wounds after a dismal defeat to Liverpool. Their top 4 spot may just be getting thinner but it is not over yet. They have been quite a dominant force previous Derby games against Fulham and will want to get back to winning ways to keep their top 4 hopes alive.
Fulham shift up to 18th; but are still in the bottom. Their victory against Huddersfield was a slight boost to keep them pressing on towards leaving their dreaded position. The Derby game against the Gunners has never been easy for them, but they have to do their best to salvage something in order push up the table.
Vote: Arsenal Win
Cardiff vs Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff are up to 16th after winning their first away game of the season to Leicester City. They host The Spurs who will be seeking redemption after their defeat the Wolves. The Bluebirds are not out fully away from safety and will need to keep on thriving stay clear from the bottom of the table.
The Spurs’ march was halted by The Wolves who showed great courage against them at Wembley. They drop to 3rd after watching Manchester City beat Southampton. The race is still on for them to start the new year on high and a win against Cardiff is the first step.
Vote: Tottenham Hotspur Win
Bournemouth vs Watford
Bournemouth are losing their grip. They end the year on a low, having only 1 victory and 4 defeats in the month of December. They can begin the year on a high against Watford who are struggling with consistency.
Watford are still close to a European spot, but blew a chance to push up the table after a draw to Newcastle. It has largely been crunching games against Bournemouth in previous League encounters yet The Hornets can sting them hard if they are well prepared.
Vote: Watford Win
Chelsea vs Southampton
Chelsea finish 2018 on a good note after a Derby win against Crystal Palace. They hold 4th position but are still way off the top of the table but closer to City and Tottenham at 2nd and 3rd respectively. Though the title may be far off their reach they can keep heading up but vengeful Saints will want to get they first away win of the year.
Southampton looked to be coming back into shape until they faced The Citizens and lost. They are still away from the bottom of the table but only just and will need a win to push away from the dreaded area considering Burnley and Fulham’s wins that are edging them out of that area.
Vote: Chelsea Win
Huddersfield vs Burnley
Huddersfield are drowning at the bottom of the table. The losing tally rises to 7, the highest in the League this season so far. They have the home advantage to Burnley are also struggling but will need to have their socks up to pull off a win.
Burnley’s win against West Ham was slightly fruitful in their ambitions to get out of the bottom 3. The are 18th behind Southampton by goal difference but will need to show that they capable of better by beating Huddersfield which will not be easy for them away from home.
Vote: Draw
West Ham United vs Brighton and Hove
The Hammers lost to a weak Burnley side but may not be out of the fight as yet. They pursuit to get within the top 10 is not far off, but will need to take Brighton and Hove who share the same sentiment.
Brighton and Hove ended the calendar year on a high after beating Everton. They are still 13th but are edging closer to the “grudge match” in the middle of the table. West Ham are not an easy to face away from home especially that they are amongst the teams in the mid-table “grudge match”. A win would put them amongst the action.
Vote: West Ham United Win
Wolverhampton vs Crystal Palace
A stunning victory from The Wolves as they beat Tottenham for the first time since 2010. Crystal Palace are side that will not take them lightly, especially after The Wolves managed to beat them in their first game. They have the home advantage but cannot underestimate a fearless Palace side.
The Eagles may be soaring down the table after their defeat to Chelsea. They have been lacking in consistency throughout the final month of the calendar year and would need a win against biting Wolves side that surely not make it easy for them away from home
Vote: Wolverhampton Win
Newcastle vs Manchester United
Newcastle end the year at 15th and managed to get a appoint after their draw to Watford. They are still performing poorly though and will need something special against Manchester United to lift their spirits for the New Year.
A third straight win for The Red Devils has surely boosted their confidence. They will want the carry this through against Newcastle who they have shown time and time again that they are a powerful force that they should not take lightly.
Vote: Manchester United Win
Manchester City vs Liverpool
Manchester City will feel good after a victory against Southampton. The victory did not improve their title chances but they face the currently League Leaders which they will desperately need a win to keep their ambitions of retaining the title alive.
According to Ian Wright, Liverpool “are taking the title race in their stride”. The Reds outstanding victory against Arsenal showed that they are becoming an unstoppable force. Still unbeaten and yet to take on The Champions, they can pull off something special against them, though The Citizens will likely put out a good fight against them at the Etihad.
Vote: Liverpool Win
2019, let's Play Ball!