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Premier League Matchweek 19 Preview: History, hoodoos, and high drama as 2025 closes out

30 December 2025 08:13
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Catch all the action live on SuperSport as Arsenal host Aston Villa in a summit clash that pits Unai Emery against his former club, while Chelsea and Manchester United fight to reclaim momentum.

Burnley seek to end a nine-game winless run against Newcastle, Liverpool welcome Leeds in a New Year’s Day test, and Brentford brace for Thomas Frank’s return as Spurs boss.

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Sunderland v Manchester City rounds off the week, with Erling Haaland chasing his first goal at the Stadium of Light. Every fixture carries history, hoodoos, and high stakes as the calendar flips to 2026.

Burnley v Newcastle United – December 30, 2025

Turf Moor hosts a clash steeped in streaks. Burnley have scored exactly once in all seven Premier League home games against Newcastle, but the Magpies have won the last three.

Eddie Howe’s side boast a seven-match winning run over Burnley—their joint-longest against any opponent in top-flight history. Yet Newcastle’s away form is dire: five defeats in their last six on the road, just one win in 12. Burnley, winless in nine, cling to draws for survival. Howe, once Burnley’s manager, has won his last two visits here—no ex-Clarets boss has ever managed three in a row.

Chelsea v Bournemouth – December 30, 2025

Stamford Bridge has been a tricky venue for Bournemouth, who are winless in their last eight against Chelsea.

All eight of their goals here have come in second halves, underscoring their late-fight tendencies. Chelsea, meanwhile, rarely falter in year-ending home fixtures—just one defeat in their last 22.

João Pedro thrives in these moments, with five goal involvements in his team’s final league games across the past two years. Antoine Semenyo could etch his name into history if he scores, joining van Persie, Agbonlahor, and Nolan as players to net away at Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United in a single campaign.

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Nottingham Forest v Everton – December 30, 2025

Forest have struggled against Everton since their Premier League return, winning just once in seven meetings. Everton, however, have never won three straight visits to the City Ground, despite victories in their last two.

Forest have ended the year with wins in each of the last two seasons—both against Everton. Dyche’s record in year-ending fixtures is bleak, with three straight defeats, while Moyes has just one win in five away trips to Forest. Igor Jesus, Forest’s most productive attacker this season, seeks back-to-back involvements for the first time.

West Ham United v Brighton – December 30, 2025

The London Stadium remains Brighton’s fortress: West Ham have never beaten them at home in eight Premier League attempts. Over half of their meetings end in draws, making this fixture one of the league’s most stalemated.

West Ham have already lost 11 home league games in 2025, equalling their worst-ever calendar-year record. Brighton’s Diego Gómez, prolific away from home, scored against Arsenal last time out but has yet to strike in consecutive games. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men desperately need to break the Brighton curse.

Arsenal v Aston Villa – December 30, 2025

The headline clash. Arsenal risk a third league double defeat to Villa in six seasons. Emery returns to the Emirates unbeaten in two visits with Villa, chasing a unique record as no former Arsenal boss has ever gone three away games here without losing.

Arsenal usually finish strong, winning their final league game in four of the last five years. Eberechi Eze is a specialist in year-end goals, scoring in his team’s final fixture three years running. Ollie Watkins, meanwhile, has four goals in five away games against Arsenal, making him Villa’s talisman for this tie.

 

 

Manchester United v Wolves – December 30, 2025

United have dominated Wolves in recent years, winning eight of the last 11, including a 4-1 earlier this month. Wolves, however, won at Old Trafford last season and chase consecutive away wins here for the first time since 1961.

United risk losing their final league game in three straight years—a run last seen in the early 1980s. Wolves, with 25 defeats in 2025, could equal Ipswich’s record of 26 losses in a calendar year. Patrick Dorgu’s recent surge (two involvements in two games) offers United fresh hope.

Crystal Palace v Fulham – January 1, 2026

Palace haven’t scored in their last four home games against Fulham, while the away side is unbeaten in the last nine meetings. Fulham chase a fourth straight win, something they’ve only achieved once before in the Premier League.

Harry Wilson is in sparkling form, with seven involvements in his last six games, while Raúl Jiménez has scored in back-to-back matches. Marco Silva’s record at Selhurst Park is remarkable: five visits, five clean sheets.

Liverpool v Leeds United – January 1, 2026

Liverpool have scored 19 goals in their last five against Leeds, though December’s 3-3 draw showed vulnerabilities. Leeds haven’t lost in their last 10 January league games, while Liverpool have won three straight after a poor run.

Cody Gakpo has scored in Liverpool’s first league game of each of the last two years, chasing Ian Rush’s record of three in a row. Florian Wirtz is finding rhythm, with involvements in consecutive matches for the first time in red.

 

 

Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur – January 1, 2026

Brentford are winless in four home Premier League games against Spurs, who have won their last four meetings.

Thomas Frank returns to Brentford as Spurs boss, the first ex-Bees manager to do so since 2020. Brentford’s home form is strong—eight wins in their last 12, including four of the last five. Kevin Schade arrives hot, fresh from a hat-trick against Bournemouth. Spurs, however, lost all four January league games last season, and have dropped 10 of their last 16 in the month.

Sunderland v Manchester City – January 1, 2026

Sunderland once had a four-game home winning streak against City, but have lost their last three. Pep’s side have won their last seven against the Black Cats and their last six overall, starting 2026 as they ended 2025—relentless.

City have won their first league game in 13 straight years. Erling Haaland has scored at 22 of 23 Premier League venues; the Stadium of Light is the last frontier. Rayan Cherki, with eight involvements in his last nine games, adds creative spark.

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