Premier League preview & predictions: Gameweek 20
Go away FA Cup, no one likes you (even if you were quite entertaining)! Get outta here!
We kid, of course the world's oldest cup competition threw up some entertaining fixtures over the weekend, especially Manchester United's victory over Liverpool and Arsenal's loss at Southampton.
But hey, we've got a wide open and exciting Premier League title race to get back to...
The headline fixture from the round is Liverpool's trip to Tottenham on Thursday, though Manchester United and Manchester City will be looking to move away from the chasing pack with wins beforehand.
But enough of all that foreplay. Instead, let 90min give you the lowdown with its preview and predictions for gameweek 20.
Tuesday
Newcastle vs Leeds
What time is kick off? 18:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? St James' Park
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), fuboTV (US)
With Frank Lampard now gone from his post at Chelsea, Steve Bruce is the manager feeling the pressure the most in the Premier League.
The Magpies have lost six of their last eight league games, failing to score in their last three, and haven't won a game since mid December. They're in real danger of being dragged into a relegation scrap and might have been feeling the heat a little more had Fulham found a winner or two in the bazillion games they've drawn over the past few months.
They have little goal threat right now, but Tuesday sees Newcastle host Leeds, who are also struggling but not to the same degree.
Marcelo Bielsa's side have lost their last two outings in the top flight to Tottenham and Brighton, failing to score in either of those fixtures.
So, a game between two teams who can't hit barndoors right now. This should be fun!
Prediction: Newcastle 0-1 Leeds
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
What time is kick off? 18:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Selhurst Park
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
You best not be sleeping on West Ham and David Moyes, y'know?
The job the Scotsman has done since returning to the London Stadium has been nothing short of remarkable. In fact, they'll jump into the top four with victory at Selhurst Park, with the teams around them playing later in the week.
Michail Antonio has scored twice in his last two games, with his side unbeaten since a 3-0 loss at Chelsea in mid December.
Palace are pretty much where you'd expect them to be in 13th, though a dire recent run of form of one win in eight league games has been extremely disappointing for Eagles fans.
Wilfried Zaha is expected to recover in injury in time for this fixture, though his sprinkling of stardust may not be enough to stop Roy Hodgson's side slipping to another defeat.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 West Ham
Southampton vs Arsenal
What time is kick off? 20:15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? St Mary's
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
We've got a re-run of one of Saturday's games here, with Southampton again hosting Arsenal following their FA Cup victory over the Gunners.
So, what's going to be different on Tuesday night? Very little really, a few starting XI tweaks aside.
Mikel Arteta had made a few changes to his team, though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a surprise omission and may not be available for a while due to an undisclosed personal matter.
That goalscoring burden will fall to the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe if the Gabon international isn't available. A win would put them four points behind fourth placed Liverpool, though Southampton would be even closer to the top four with a victory of their own.
This will be the third game between these two sides this season and the Gunners are yet to beat Ralph Hasenhuttl's men. That run may continue here, though they might go one better than at the weekend.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
West Brom vs Manchester City
What time is kick off? 20:15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? The Hawthorns
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), fuboTV (US)
Big Sam vs Pep Guardiola. It's the managerial match-up we're all gagging to see again.
It'll be the fourth time they've faced off, with Pep winning each of the previous three by an aggregate score of 11-1.
This fixture is the second biggest mismatch of the gameweek with West Brom 19th and City second, though the visitors will be without star man Kevin De Bruyne. That'll be a boost for the Baggies, who did score an impressive win over Wolves before losing at West Ham, but this will be a step too far.
An upset would be brilliant for the excitement levels of both the title race and the relegation scrap, but it seems extremely unlikely.
Prediction: West Brom 0-3 Manchester City
Wednesday
Burnley vs Aston Villa
What time is kick off? 18:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Turf Moor
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
So, things were getting worse at Liverpool, but did anyone think Burnley would be the team to end that Anfield record?
It was a brilliant result for Sean Dyche's side, who held out brilliantly in defence before nicking a penalty towards the end of the second half, cooly dispatched by striker Ashley Barnes.
They followed that up with a straightforward 3-0 win at Fulham in the FA Cup, but there's still some work to be done to move away from the relegation zone.
Alternately, Aston Villa can keep in touch with the sides in and around the top four with a victory. The Villans still have two games in hand and made light work of a poor Newcastle side on Saturday, Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore getting the goals.
Burnley have struggled for creativity and can lack a clinical edge, but how can we go against them after winning at Liverpool? That's right, we'll call it a draw.
Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea vs Wolves
What time is kick off? 18:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
We'll probably need to get the 'Wherever You May Be' lads to change that above thumbnail, giving the news that dropped on Monday. Frank Lampard was given the sack with Chelsea down in ninth, 11 points off the title race pace. Thomas Tuchel is expected to take over and could be appointed in time for Wednesday's clash with Wolves.
So, if Chelsea suddenly pull it together and beat the Wanderers on Wednesday, what does that say about their squad? And if they're pulled apart by the visitors, what does that say about their former manager?
Yeah, it's a tricky one to figure out, but that's Chelsea.
Wolves are on a poor run, failing to win any of their last six league games, though they have punctuated that run with victories in the FA Cup.
There may be a new manager bounce under Tuchel if he is appointed in time, but the Stamford Bridge affair may end with the points shared.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Wolves
Brighton vs Fulham
What time is kick off? 19:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? The AMEX
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
There aren't going to be many people who aren't of a Brighton or Fulham persuasion tuning into this one. Maybe just for the half hour before the evening's later games.
Brighton got a desperately needed win at Leeds last time out courtesy of Neal Maupay's tap in, while Fulham lost to Manchester United despite a spirited display.
Scott Parker's side have battled remarkably to keep themselves in with a chance of avoiding relegation, though they haven't been able to make their positions of strength count, drawing a number of their recent games.
Neither side are particularly prolific, but it may well be the moment the Seagulls end their horrific home record and grab their first league win of the season at the AMEX.
Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Fulham
Everton vs Leicester
What time is kick off? 20:15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Goodison Park
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), Peacock Premium (US)
This should be a really good watch. Leicester and Everton are both right in the title race and have been in terrific form of late.
The Foxes have picked up four wins and two draws since their last defeat - a 2-0 loss at home to Everton, funnily enough. The Toffees have been victorious in five of their last six games and have top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin back available following a few weeks out through injury.
Brendan Rodgers' side aren't as fortunate up front, with the lethal Jamie Vardy set for a period on the sidelines after the former England international had hernia surgery. Ayoze Perez is likely to deputise, though Kelechi Iheanacho is also an option.
James Rodriguez picked up a few assists at the weekend, while James Maddison has been in inspired form recently. This should be an entertaining affair, one the hosts may edge.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Leicester
Manchester United vs Sheffield United
What time is kick off? 20:15 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Old Trafford
TV channel? BT Sport (UK), fuboTV (US)
Remember when we mentioned the second biggest mismatch in West Brom vs Manchester City? Well, this is the bigger mismatch, certainly in terms in table position anyway.
United continued their fine recent form with a victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes striking with a late free kick to seal a 3-2 victory.
The Red Devils are growing in confidence week after week, with their last league loss coming at the very start of November. City may have a game in hand, but United have the points on the board right now.
Sheffield United got their first league win of the season against Newcastle a few weeks ago before losing to Tottenham and progressing past Plymouth in the FA Cup.
There's a lot to be done in little time for Chris Wilder's side, but Wednesday probably won't result in a favourable result for the Blades.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Sheffield United
Thursday
Tottenham vs Liverpool
The final game of the midweek schedule sees Tottenham host Liverpool.
The reverse fixture earlier in the season provided one of the games of the season as Roberto Firmino's late header earned Jurgen Klopp's side a 2-1 victory at Anfield.
Fortunes have soured somewhat in recent weeks for the Reds. They put their recent goalscoring issues to one side in the FA Cup defeat to United, but they still have their woes in defence and have struggled against sides who sit in deep.
That is the definition of Jose Mourinho's Tottenham. They're hardly in amazing form themselves but it may be a fixture tailor-made for the counter attacking threat of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
