The English Premier League returns this midweek with full action as Matchday 19 of the 2025/2026 campaign gets underway. Fans can expect thrilling encounters across Tuesday and Thursday as clubs battle for crucial points heading into the new year.
Former Arsenal star and football pundit Paul Merson has shared his thoughts and predictions ahead of the round of fixtures, adding extra spice to what promises to be a drama-filled matchweek.
Key Fixtures to Watch
All eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night as table-toppers Arsenal take on high-flying Aston Villa—a match with serious title implications. In London, Chelsea welcome Bournemouth, while Manchester United host bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Old Trafford.
Thursday’s fixtures continue the excitement as defending champions Manchester City travel to face Sunderland, and Liverpool battle Leeds United under the Anfield lights.
Arsenal lead the league with 42 points, closely followed by Manchester City and Aston Villa. Wolves, meanwhile, sit at the bottom with just two points from 18 matches—making their trip to Old Trafford a tough test.
Paul Merson’s Premier League Predictions
Burnley 0-2 Newcastle United
Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Everton
West Ham United 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa
Manchester United 3-1 Wolves
Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham
Liverpool 3-1 Leeds United
Brentford 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Sunderland 1-3 Manchester City
Matchday 19 – Fixtures & Kick-Off Times
Tuesday
8:30 p.m. — Burnley vs Newcastle United
8:30 p.m. — Chelsea vs Bournemouth
8:30 p.m. — Nottingham Forest vs Everton
8:30 p.m. — West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
9:15 p.m. — Arsenal vs Aston Villa
9:15 p.m. — Manchester United vs Wolves
Thursday, 1 January
6:30 p.m. — Crystal Palace vs Fulham
6:30 p.m. — Liverpool vs Leeds United
9:00 p.m. — Sunderland vs Manchester City
9:00 p.m. — Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur