Premier League predictions: Gameweek 21 | OneFootball

It was a slow burner, but the FA Cup third round doubtlessly delivered and there's little time for respite with another Premier League gameweek around the corner.

You thought the festive period was hectic? Pfft. January's the real agent of chaos.

The weekend did allow the majority of managers to rest and rotate ahead of the upcoming midweek fixtures, and only three top-flight teams exited the FA Cup - two of which succumbed to Premier League rivals. Even Southampton won.

Those beaten will be keen to respond swiftly under the lights, with Gameweek 21 serving up some belting midweek action.

Here's how 90min projects the Premier League's upcoming midweek slate to play out.

Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool at Anfield in September / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages

Maybe that Nottingham Forest win at Anfield wasn't so stunning after all. Was it merely their 'Leicester at the Etihad' moment from 2016 on the way to unthinkable Premier League glory?

Forest's remarkable campaign has begged the question of whether they could repeat the Foxes' improbable triumph, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side third in the table. They can move to within three points of Liverpool on Tuesday, but they must beat the league leaders at the City Ground to do so.

Arne Slot's Reds have lost just once in the league all season, but Manchester United and Tottenham have both enjoyed success against the title favourites over the past week.

Before Tuesday's top-of-the-table clash, Manchester City are in action away at Brentford aiming to win a fourth-straight in the league, while Chelsea face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge off the back of a four-game Premier League winless run. The Cherries will leapfrog the Blues in the table with a win in west London.

Graham Potter also takes charge of his first game at the London Stadium as West Ham United manager. Potter oversaw a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night, but there were encouraging signs on debut. Fulham make the short trip across London to face the Hammers.

Wednesday 15 January

Gabriel won the first North London Derby of the season in N17 / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Wednesday's action is highlighted by the north London derby, with two injury-ridden Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur outfits facing off at the Emirates Stadium.

You never know what you're going to get from Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham, typified by their two most recent performances, but you can project more Arsenal misery in front of goal given their profligacy in defeats to Newcastle and Manchester United over the past week. Mikel Arteta's options up top are thinning by the game.

An emotional Gunners fanbase is growing frustrated with their current situation and defeat at home to mid-table Spurs will tip plenty over the edge.

David Moyes' Goodison Park return is the pick of the earlier kick-offs, with the Scot's second managerial bow on Merseyside arriving against an inconsistent Aston Villa team.

Newcastle are aiming to continue their rich vein of form when they face Vitor Pereira's entrerprsing Wolves at St. James' Park, while Leicester take on Crystal Palace having hit QPR for six at the weekend. The Foxes could escape the relegation zone with a win over the 15th-place Eagles.

Thursday 16 January

Are Man Utd on the come-up? / IAN KINGTON/GettyImages

Gameweek 21 rounds off with a couple of fixtures on Thursday, with the first outing arriving at Portman Road. Chelsea and Bristol Rovers have felt the wrath of Kieran McKenna's side in East Anglia over the past couple of weeks, with the Tractor Boys beginning to feel at ease in the top flight.

Brighton have been hindered by injuries over the past couple of months, but they've done an excellent job of avoiding defeat and probably should've turned several of their recent stalemates into victories. Perhaps they'll earn a long overdue triumph on Thursday.

Finally, a Manchester United team full of grit and spirit take on Southampton in what had been dubbed a relegation six-pointer after the Red Devils were beaten at home by Newcastle. United's position in the table hasn't changed, but their two most recent performances suggests they won't be dragged in the dogfight during the second half of the season.

However, they do face a Saints team who head into the fixture off the back of a rare victory. Ivan Juric's maiden win as manager arrived against Championship side Swansea City.