The English Premier League continues this weekend, one way or another, despite a barrage of postponements thanks to a new wave of Covid-19 infections sweeping the country.
Five EPL fixtures bit the dust by Friday after a host of positive Coronavirus tests among the players and staff of the top flight clubs.
Even clubs planning to press ahead with their weekend matches are coping with either positive cases themselves, or at least adjusting to a new set of restrictions on training and travel at a crucial point in the season.
Arsenal’s trip to Leeds was one of two Saturday fixtures to survive heading into the weekend.
The Gunners sneaked into the top four of the Premier League ahead of London rivals West Ham on Wednesday, thanks to a 2-0 victory over David Moyes’ men at the Etihad Stadium.
They now go to Elland Road to face Marcelo Bielsa and his side, who are smarting from a 7-0 thumping at the hands of the reigning champions last time out.
Manchester City will look to carry on that imperious form on Sunday when they head to the North East to face Newcastle, who are counting down the days until they can open the Saudi checkbook in the January transfer window.
Pep Guardiola’s men hold a precious, one-point lead at the top of the table as the turn of the year approaches.
Right on their tails are familiar foes Liverpool, who came from behind at Anfield to pick off the Toon Army 3-1 on Thursday night.
The Reds are slated for a Sunday afternoon trip to Covid-hit Tottenham, who have at least won three on the spin in the EPL under Antonio Conte.
Chelsea are the third side still realistically in the title mix and they’re due to hit the road on Sunday as well, with low-scoring Wolves their opponents at Molineux.
It’s claret and blue all over on Saturday afternoon, with Aston Villa and Burnley expected to take centre stage after all around them crumbled.
Ralph Rangnick’s Manchester United revolution had been expected to gather pace early on Saturday, only for their Old Trafford clash with Brighton to be called off.
The same fate befell West Ham, whose bid to break back into the top four was put on hold with the postponement of their match against struggling Norwich at the London Stadium.
Watford’s clash with Crystal Palace and Southampton’s home game against Brentford also bit the dust before Friday.
And the same was true on Merseyside, with the intriguing Goodison Park tussle between Everton and Leicester put on the back-burner.
English Premier League predictions for 18 – 19 December
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.




