Premier League predictions: Liverpool beat Brighton to close gap on City, United lose

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  SATURDAY: Brighton v Liverpool, 4.30pm (UAE): Four straight league defeats has seen Brighton slip into the bottom half of the table. The Seagulls are unlikely to apply the brakes when a rampant Liverpool – who ride a seven-game win streak in the Premier League – come to visit. Prediction: Brighton 0, Liverpool 3. Getty Images

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  Brentford v Burnley, 7pm: Burnley’s mini revival has been hit by two straight defeats to leave them in 18th place and a point from safety. Brentford’s win at Norwich City last time out put them six points above the relegation zone. Having played more games than most of the teams around them the Bees will really want to put some more daylight between them and their visitors. Prediction: Brentford 0, Burnley 1. Getty Images

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  Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 9.30pm: Both clubs desperately need a win to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish. Spurs tend to blow hot and cold, but last week’s 5-0 demolition of Everton showed how well new signings Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Benatancur have settled in to Antonio Conte’s tactical plans. Expect both to unpick United’s struggling midfield. Prediction: Man United 1, Spurs 2. Getty Images

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  SUNDAY: Chelsea v Newcastle United, 6pm: Chelsea’s future following sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich is uncertain, but Thomas Tuchel’s side continue to focus on matters on the pitch. Hours after the UK government froze Abramovich’s assets, Chelsea beat struggling Norwich 3-1 to record their fourth successive league win. Newcastle are no pushovers though, with Eddie Howe’s men victorious at Southampton on Thursday to put them on 31 points and well on their way to safety. Prediction: Chelsea 1, Newcastle 1. Getty Images

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  Everton v Wolves, 6pm: A 5-0 humiliation at Tottenham last time out had new manager Frank Lampard admitting that there is no magic formula to Everton’s plight as they hover perilously above the drop zone. One win in four is relegation form, and a visit by Wolves, who still have top six aspirations despite three defeats in five games, is the last thing the Toffees needed. Prediction: Everton 0, Wolves 2. PA

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  Leeds United v Norwich City, 6pm: Jesse Marsch’s first game at Elland Road ended in abject defeat to Aston Villa and Leeds supporters singing the name of his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa. Things can only get better for the American, and if any opponent could have been handpicked for his next assignment it surely would have been Norwich, who prop up the table after five straight defeats. Prediction: Leeds 2, Norwich 0. Getty Images

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  Southampton v Watford, 6pm: Southampton’s hopes of a run on the Europa League spots has been hit by back-to-back losses to stall them in 10th place. The Saints will want to get back to winning ways when they entertain second-bottom Watford. Roy Hodgson has been unable to plug the league’s second leakiest defence since he took over from Claudio Ranieri but a shutout here will boost a struggling side’s confidence. Prediction: Southampton 0. Watford 0. Getty Images

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  West Ham v Aston Villa, 6pm: Nine goals and none conceded shows an upwardly mobile Aston Villa who are pushing for European qualification. Central to that revival has been loan signings Philippe Coutinho, who was on target in the wins over Leeds and Southampton, and defender Calum Chambers. West Ham’s recent stutters threaten to undo their great work in the first half of the campaign. They need Michail Antonio to align great work on the ball with more goals. Prediction: West Ham 1, Aston Villa 2. Getty Images

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  Arsenal v Leicester City, 8.30pm: Martin Odegaard seems to be playing with a protective bubble around him at the moment, such is the ease in which the Norwegian schemer operates. His link-up play with Bukayo Sako and Alexandre Lacazette has made the Gunners one of the most entertaining teams to watch in recent weeks. Leicester, meanwhile, arrive in London on the back of consecutive wins and a history of upsetting the Gunners. Prediction: Arsenal 2, Leicester 1. PA

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  MONDAY: Crystal Palace v Manchester City, midnight: City’s lead at the top of the Premier League could be cut to three points if Liverpool beat Brighton, but Pep Guardiola’s side know how to keep their cool in a title race. Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez dazzled in the Manchester derby with two goals apiece and both are hitting their straps right when City need them. Prediction: Palace 1, Man City 3. Getty Images

Liverpool have the chance to cut Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League to three points when they kick off this weekend's fixtures.

Jurgen Klopp's side travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on the back of seven straight wins in the league, while the Seagulls have suffered four straight losses.

That match at the Amex Stadium kicks off Saturday's matches which also features Brentford v Burnley and a clash between top-four hopefuls Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the evening game.

Chelsea will look to maintain their focus on the pitch when they face a resurgent Newcastle United in Sunday's early match.

The West London club say they will fulfill all their remaining fixtures for the 2021/22 campaign despite the UK government imposing sanctions on Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich over his ties to the Kremlin as it continues to wage war on neighbouring Ukraine.

Everton hope to end their slide towards the relegation trap door when they welcome Wolves to Goodison; Leeds United entertain Norwich City, Watford travel to Southampton, West Ham clash with Aston Villa and Arsenal lock horns with Leicester City in the late match.

Manchester City are in action on Monday when they travel south to face Crystal Palace.

To see Steve Luckings' predictions for this week's matches, scroll through the picture gallery above.