Premier League predictions: No stopping Manchester City, Liverpool win again

We pick out the winners and losers from the latest round of top-flight fixtures

TUESDAY - Newcastle v Everton (11.45pm kick off UAE): A huge game. Newcastle sit second from bottom having ended the winter break on a high after after beating Leeds and were the division's big spenders in the transfer window. Everton are four points and three places above the Magpies with a new manager at the helm in Frank Lampard. Prediction: Newcastle 2 Everton 1. Reuters

West Ham v Watford (11.45pm): After two league defeats on the trot and narrowly avoiding an FA Cup upset against sixth-tier Kidderminster, West Ham could do with a convincing victory. They take on a Watford side that started the Roy Hodgson era with a goalless draw at Burnley and are without a win since November. Prediction: West Ham 3 Watford 1. Reuters

Burnley v Manchester United (midnight): Fourth-place United cannot afford any slip-ups here, with West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs breathing down their necks. A penalty shoot-out defeat to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup was a blow and anything less than a win against rock-bottom Burnley, who have won just one game all season, would be a disaster. Prediction: United 2 Burnley 0. EPA

WEDNESDAY - Manchester City v Brentford (11.45pm): Despite dropping points for the first time since October in their draw at Southampton before the winter break, City remain well and truly in the driving seat to retain their title. Brentford have lost four on the spin and are in danger of being sucked into the relegation dogfight. Prediction: City 4 Brentford 1. PA

Norwich City v Crystal Palace (11.45pm): After a miserable first half of the season, Norwich find themselves on the up after two league wins that lifted them out of the bottom three and an FA Cup victory at Wolves. Mid-table Palace should halt their winning run but it could be another important point on the board for the Canaries. Prediction: Norwich 1 Palace 1. Reuters

Tottenham v Southampton (11.45pm): An FA Cup victory over Brighton gave Spurs a boost at the weekend after their humbling league defeat at Chelsea before the winter break. Antonio Conte's side are three places and two points behind fourth-place Manchester United - but have two games in hand. A comfortable night for Harry Kane and Co here. Prediction: Spurs 3 Southampton 0. AP

Aston Villa v Leeds (Midnight): Villa are back in action for first time since beating Everton on January 22 looking to build on their positive start under manager Steven Gerrard. After two wins in a row, Leeds' morale would have taken a hit after home defeat to Newcastle with games against Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs on the horizon. Prediction: Villa 2 Leeds 0. Reuters

THURSDAY - Liverpool v Leicester (11.45pm): Liverpool have coped admirably with the loss of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who were away on Afcon duty. The Reds have secured a spot in the League Cup final, FA Cup fifth round and continue to hang on the coattails of Manchester City in the league. A tight win heading their way here against an unpredictable Leicester. Prediction: Liverpool 1 Leicester 0. Getty

Wolves v Arsenal (1.45pm): A crunch clash at Molineux between two teams knocking on the door of a Champions League spot. Wolves are currently eighth, two points and two places behind Arsenal, who the same points and places shy of fourth place. A low-scoring draw on the way that will please the Gunners more than Wolves. Prediction: Wolves 1 Arsenal 1. Reuters

The winter break is over and the FA Cup pauses until next month so all eyes turn once again to the Premier League.

There is a packed midweek fixture list with only Chelsea - away on Fifa Club World Cup duty in Abu Dhabi - and Brighton not in action.

Tuesday sees Newcastle United play host to Everton, West Ham United face Watford at the London Stadium and Burnley take on Manchester United at Turf Moor.

On Wednesday, Brentford travel north to battle table-topping Manchester City, Norwich City tackle Crystal Palace at Carrow Road, Tottenham Hotspur are up against Southampton in the capital while Aston Villa versus Leeds United brings the night's action to a close.

Liverpool's home clash with Leicester City and Wolves' against Arsenal at Molineux are the two games on Thursday.

Our predictions for this weekend's matches can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.