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Welcome to the first weekend of 2026. I hope my readers enjoyed the festive period and are ready for the latest leg of a packed Premier League programme.
Round 20 begins at Villa Park in Birmingham, where high-flying Aston Villa play a Nottingham Forest side eager to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Will the locals secure another three points?
The bulk of this weekend's EPL games are played on Sunday, starting with Leeds United vs Manchester United at Elland Road. There are then matches of note in Liverpool, London, Newcastle, and Manchester.
Follow the best fixtures on TV and the top live streaming apps. Find the latest stats and trends on the user-friendly Flashscore app.
Experienced gambling writer Frank Monkhouse led followers to some nice winners and profits in December. He now aims to get an important January off to a flying start with his gameweek 20 predictions, best bets, and odds. Keep reading as he shines the spotlight on Villa, Wolves, Bournemouth, Everton, Fulham, and Newcastle, highlighting the value.
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest, Saturday, 12:30 GMT
Round 20 begins at Villa Park, where manager Unai Emery aims to deliver fans another impressive win. Aston Villa are involved in a battle for a top-four finish and a spot in next season's Champions League. Despite enduring a tough start to the campaign, the locals have impressed in winter. They boast recent victories over Arsenal, Man Utd, and Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest travel from the City Ground knowing the importance of collecting all three points. Wins don't come easy in this part of the country, but the visitors started the week one place above the relegation zone. A less-than-convincing run of form has the Tricky Trees looking over their shoulder, following defeats to Fulham and Manchester City in December.
The Premier League is unpredictable, especially at this time of year, but we'll keep things simple here. Saturday's early afternoon kick-off features a home side holding their own near the top of the table and a visiting team struggling for wins. I expect Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest to follow the form, backing the locals to secure another confidence-boosting victory.
Tip: Aston Villa win @ 5/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest, you beat the bookies.
Wolves v West Ham, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
Switching to the pick of the Saturday 15:00 kick-offs, we're off to Molineux for Wolverhampton Wanderers vs West Ham United. The home team are bottom of the table and have been for some time. Wolves are in danger of claiming an unwanted record, becoming the worst EPL side in history. It's January, and they have yet to win an EPL match.
West Ham United aren't too much better, and may join their hosts in the Championship next season. The club from East London suffered recent defeats to Man City and Fulham, conceding four goals and scoring none. They performed better when losing 3-2 at home to Aston Villa after taking the lead within 60 seconds. Saturday is a must-win for West Ham.
West Ham have been poor so far this season, but they'll have enough quality to beat the bottom of the league. It won't be pretty, and nerves will play a part, but there are goals in this West Ham side. They netted twice against Villa, once at Brighton in a 1-1 draw, and again when taking a point from Man Utd at Old Trafford early in December. Back the Hammers.
Tip: West Ham win @ 7/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: West Ham must leave Molineux with all three points to secure a profit.
Bournemouth v Arsenal, Saturday, 17:30 GMT
The final of three picks from Saturday, and we look forward to Bournemouth vs Arsenal at Dean Court. A huge crowd will be in attendance, with the locals hoping to cheer their heroes to an upset win over the betting favourites. The Cherries took a point from both Chelsea and Man Utd in December, ending goalless with the Blues and sharing eight with United.
Many respected pundits have Arsenal as favourites to win the Premier League, but there's still plenty of football ahead. Mikel Arteta's side hit the front early and looked to be pulling clear, but they now have Man City for company. With Pep's side breathing down their necks, we'll see tensions grow in the Arsenal team. The players must show they're up for the fight.
Bournemouth are no pushovers, especially when playing in front of their fans. They proved that when battling to a 4-4 draw at the Theatre of Dreams, and worked hard to deny Chelsea at this venue. The Cherries beat the Gunners home and away last season, including a 2-0 at this venue. I'm sticking with Arsenal, but we'll take the safety net of the double chance.
Tip: Arsenal or draw @ 1/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Arsenal must avoid defeat at Dean Court on Saturday evening.
Everton v Brentford, Sunday, 15:00 GMT
Moving to the first of three picks on Sunday, and it's an interesting one as Everton host Brentford. The Toffees have improved in recent times, but lack the consistency needed to push themselves into the top half and challenge for the European places. The hosts recently lost to both Chelsea and Arsenal without scoring, before ending goalless with Burnley on the road.
Brentford arrive from London in fine form, with the Bees challenging for the European places. No one connected to the club will allow themselves to dream of competing in Europe just yet, but they're certainly on the right track. Brentford impressed when hammering Bournemouth 4-1 late last month, and had no problems beating lowly Wolves at Molineux.
Can Brentford challenge for the prizes this season? Their recent form suggests so, but taking a closer look makes for interesting reading. The Bees defeated Wolves and Bournemouth, two low-ranking sides. They lost to Arsenal, Spurs, and Man City without scoring. We'll take a chance on David Moyes masterminding a home win and three points.
Tip: Everton or draw @ 4/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If this match ends in a home win or a draw, you'll secure a profit.
Fulham v Liverpool, Sunday, 15:00 GMT
There's all to play for at Craven Cottage, where Fulham host Liverpool in a match broadcast on television and the top live streaming apps. Fulham enjoy home comforts and take heart from some impressive recent performances. The Londoners climbed the table last month with wins over Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham United, beating each by one goal.
Liverpool arrive in the UK capital knowing they face a well-organised and ambitious opponent. The Reds haven't reached the levels of last season and started the week 10 points behind the current leaders, Arsenal. Are they better without Mo Salah? Some pundits believe so after seeing the champions beat both Tottenham and Wolves in late December.
Sunday's match pits two teams in great form, with confidence coursing through the squads. Both Fulham and Liverpool will believe they're favourites to claim all three points, ensuring this live match will live up to the hype. Looking at the head-to-head, a bet on both teams to score landed in each of the previous six meetings, and I'm happy to follow that trend.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The winning team isn't important to your bet. You need both Fulham and Liverpool to score at least one goal each.
Newcastle v Crystal Palace, Sunday, 15:00 GMT
Our final pick of the weekend is at St James' Park, where an expectant home crowd will turn out to see their side secure an important win. Newcastle are further down the pecking order than many expected at this stage of the campaign, but they're strong at home. The Magpies have recently beaten Fulham, Burnley, Man City, Tottenham, and Forest at this venue.
Crystal Palace fans had plenty to cheer in 2025. It was a remarkable 12 months for the club from Selhurst Park, and lovers hope for more of the same this year. They have a chance to get off to a flyer when visiting an opponent that has been just as inconsistent as themselves. Palace are in midtable, but lost to Man City, Leeds, and Spurs for a painful end to the year.
Neither side fills bettors with confidence ahead of this match, so we'll avoid playing the 1-X-2. Newcastle have claimed some big wins at home this season, but Palace love an upset, and are difficult to predict. We take our lead from the stats available at Flashscore. A bet on under 3.5 goals landed in eight of the previous ten meetings. That's good enough for us.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 2/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The winning team isn't important to your bet. You need Newcastle vs Palace to end with fewer than four goals scored by both teams combined.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.