Ally vs Fletch predictions: Can Aston Villa beat Arsenal and go level with leaders? Will Manchester City capitalise to go top?

React to this story

Arsenal led the way at Christmas, but will there be a new Premier League leader in the new year? The Gunners face title rivals Aston Villa in a fixture they have not won for more than three years, while Manchester City face a tricky test at Sunderland. Without a major goal swing, Villa will not go top, but they can move level on points with Arsenal, while City can capitalise whatever the result.

'I'm fit again!' - Guardiola says nervy victory over Forest helped shed Christmas weight

Video credit: SNTV

The title race is heating up as we approach the halfway point in the Premier League season, with Ally McCoist and Darren Fletcher back to make their Gameweek 19 predictions.

It is shaping up to be a three-horse race at the top. Arsenal continue to lead the way on 42 points, with Manchester City just behind on 40 and Aston Villa keeping up with the pace on 39 points.

But everything can change this week, with Unai Emery returning to his old stomping ground at the Emirates with Villa, who have a brilliant record of dismantling Arsenal's title bids in north London - Mikel Arteta's side have not won this fixture since 2022.

Transfers

Arsenal to re-enter Barcola race, Man Utd eye Spanish left-back - Euro Transfer News

9 hours ago

Should Villa claim victory, as they did in April 2024, they will go level on points with Arsenal, and potentially second if City slip up when they face Sunderland on the road. Pep Guardiola's side, however, could take advantage of a Gunners defeat - or draw - to go top.

It is all up for grabs at the summit, whereas below that, Liverpool have made ground and have broken back into the top four, albeit still 10 points adrift of the leaders.

Plenty of clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Sunderland, are keeping tabs on the UEFA Champions League places, with just seven points separating Liverpool in fourth and Everton in 12th.

Think you know ball? Check out our experts' picks and have your say by voting on all 10 fixtures below.

	Wins	Points
Fletch	9	130
Ally	4	122

Gameweek 19 predictions

Date	Match	Ally	Fletch
Tue, Dec 30, 19:30	Burnley v Newcastle	1-2	0-2
Tue, Dec 30, 19:30	Chelsea v Bournemouth	3-1	2-1
Tue, Dec 30, 19:30	Nottingham Forest v Everton	2-0	2-1
Tue, Dec 30, 19:30	West Ham v Brighton	1-1	0-1
Tue, Dec 30, 20:15	Arsenal v Aston Villa	2-2	2-2
Tue, Dec 30, 20:15	Manchester United v Wolves	2-0	4-0
Thu, Jan 1, 17:30	Crystal Palace v Fulham	2-1	2-1
Thu, Jan 1, 17:30	Liverpool v Leeds United	2-1	3-0
Thu, Jan 1, 20:00	Brentford v Tottenham	1-1	1-2
Thu, Jan 1, 20:00	Sunderland v Manchester City	1-2	0-2

Selected match:

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Ally: "Wow, it is such a tough game to call, this one. I think Manchester City are the ones going to benefit the most from this match, to be honest. Villa are having an absolutely ridiculous run. Everyone keeps telling me that this is a game Arsenal cannot afford to lose. I think this has a score-draw written all over it."

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

Fletch: "What a massive game. Can Villa keep it going? I think Villa are going to score. I like a draw here. Big games like this often end up in a draw."

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa

Get involved: Vote on Gameweek 19 fixtures

Now it is over to you, the audience. Vote on the results for the next round of fixtures below!

Here is how you are getting on so far:

	Points (match result only)
Fletch	89
You (voter average)	88
Ally	82

TUESDAY

Burnley v Newcastle United

Chelsea v Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest v Everton

West Ham v Brighton

Arsenal v Aston Villa

THURSDAY

Manchester United v Wolves

Crystal Palace v Fulham

Liverpool v Leeds

Brentford v Tottenham

Sunderland v Manchester City

Ally vs Fletch scoring - and how you can play along

Each gameweek, Ally and Fletch predict the scores for every game and offer some hot takes on the biggest matches. The points system:

One point for getting the right result (win, draw or loss)
Three points for getting the score bang on
Double points for matches on TNT Sports

Want to get involved? You can vote on the result of every game - win, lose or draw - above, with a separate leaderboard tracking how you stack up against the experts.

- - -

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers