Entertaining Everton ready to hold up solid Spurs

Match to catch

English Premier League football fans will have no respite, no chance to reflect on what has been a truly memorable first half to the season, as 2016 begins with another full programme of fixtures on Saturday and Sunday. The first 19 rounds of this campaign must surely be among the most entertaining ever, as the big clubs floundered and the lightweights punched far harder than expected, producing shock after shock to leave Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool amongst the also-rans. Leicester have been the story of the season, while newly promoted Watford have also been tremendous, and Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Stoke have enjoyed some inspired moments. Amidst the carnage, Tottenham have emerged as the most consistent side in the division, losing only twice and going into the new year just four points off the leaders. Spurs’ first test of 2016 is at Everton, who are the EPL’s great entertainers (their 19 games have seen 63 goals), but they haven’t recorded back-to-back league wins all season and that is why they are a disappointing 11th in the table. The Toffees haven’t beaten Tottenham in more than three years, but in this season of surprises who’s to say they won’t slow Spurs’ charge this weekend. Prediction: Everton 1 Tottenham 1.

Keep an eye on

Manchester City endured mixed fortunes over the festive season, losing to Arsenal before thumping Sunderland and playing out a scoreless draw with Leicester, but coach Manuel Pellegrini should be delighted to be within three points of the top despite suffering five defeats in the first half of the campaign. Overall they have been a disappointment - especially their hapless centre-backs in the absence of Vincent Kompany - but they remain on course for success in all competitions and it could yet be a memorable campaign. City need to pick up the pace, starting with their tricky trip to Watford on Saturday. Prediction: Watford 1 Man City 2.

For the purists

The division’s worst two teams meet at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, when Sunderland will be desperate to end a run of five straight defeats as they host rock-bottom Aston Villa. Both clubs have already changed their manager this season to little effect, so the chances of either producing a stunning turnaround in the new year look extremely slim. They have been as bad as each other recently so a draw would be the fairest result this weekend. Prediction: Sunderland 0 Villa 0.

Showing form

If Arsenal are going to end their 12-year EPL title drought this season, they will undoubtedly have to ensure mercurial German midfielder Mesut Ozil remains fit and on form. The World Cup winner was truly outstanding in the Gunners’ win over Bournemouth last time out - when he made one goal and scored the other - and Newcastle, who hit the wall with three poor results over Christmas, should be rather worried ahead of their trip to the Emirates. Prediction: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0.

Need a win

Problems have piled up for Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal in recent weeks, with the Red Devils’ poor performances no longer being masked by good results. They are without a win in eight games, which isn’t good enough for United and has seen a rapid rise in dissent inside Old Trafford. Some want to see him replaced with Jose Mourinho - but those fans should be careful what they wish for given the Portuguese’s inability to produce long-term success. On Saturday, Van Gaal’s men take on bogey team Swansea, who have won each of their last three encounters 2-1, but surely this time goal-shy United will edge to a long-awaited victory. Prediction: Man Utd 1 Swansea 0.

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