Premier League predictions: Lampard wins on Chelsea return, Arsenal add to Liverpool woes

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

Premier League leaders Arsenal are currently eight points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. Getty

There was no sign of the Premier League's top two during the midweek games with Arsenal and Manchester City enjoying a rare rest from their manic schedules.

The battle for the remaining Champions League spots continued, though, with Newcastle United and Manchester United – third and fourth in the table, respectively – both in action.

Newcastle, boosted by their victory over the Red Devils last weekend, ran out 5-1 winners at hapless West Ham, Callum Wilson and Joelinton grabbing doubles on Wednesday.

United, meanwhile, edged out Brentford on the same night as Marcus Rashford scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford.

Both Arsenal and Man City return to action this weekend. Second-placed City are first up on Saturday when they face bottom club Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, while the Gunners travel to Merseyside 24 hours later to take on Liverpool at Anfield.

Saturday's other fixtures kick-off with Manchester United against Everton at Old Trafford, then Aston Villa play host to Nottingham Forest, Brentford entertain Newcastle, Fulham tackle West Ham at Craven Cottage, Leicester are up against Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium, Tottenham are at home to Brighton, and Wolves attempt to make Frank Lampard's Chelsea return a miserable one at Molineux.

Leeds United against Crystal Palace at Elland Road is the early game on Sunday.

Predictions

SATURDAY - Manchester United v Everton (kick-off 3.30pm UAE): Marcus Rashord's 15th league goal of the season saw United edge out Brentford on Wednesday as they bounced back from losing to top-four rivals Newcastle. Everton sit outside the bottom three on goal difference only but are unbeaten in four games. Prediction: United 2 Everton 0. Getty

Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (6pm): Forest manager Steve Cooper was given the dreaded vote of confidence from the club owner last week after their defeat at relegation rivals Leeds. It is now eight games without victory for Forest and they take on a Villa side that have won 10 out of 16 under Unai Emery. Prediciton: Villa 3 Forest 1. Getty

Brentford v Newcastle (6pm): The Magpies are flying after four wins in the spin and having battered West Ham 5-1 on Wednesday that gave another boost to their top-four hopes. Brentford have stumbled of late having managed just one victory in five games, denting their own European aspirations. Prediciton: Brentford 1 Newcatle 2. Getty

Fulham v West Ham (6pm): Both teams are struggling for form with Fulham having lost their last three games and West Ham coming in on the back of a dismal 5-1 home thrashing by Newcastle. The Hammers are one of three clubs outside of the botttom three thanks to goal difference only. Prediciton: Fulham 1 West Ham 1. Reuters

Leicester City v Bournemouth (6pm): Managerless Leicester sit second from bottom, two points and one place behind the Cherries and know they cannot afford any slip-up in this relegation six pointer. And they desperatley need to end a run that has seen them fail to win a game since February 11. Prediction: Leicester 3 Bournemouth 2. Reuters

Tottenham v Brighton (6pm): Fifth place takes on sixth in North London with Brighton, who have two games in hand on Spurs, look to close the gap to just a single point. Cristian Stellini takes charge of his second game following Antonio Conte's exit having drawn his first 1-1 at Everton. Prediction: Spurs 2 Brighton 1. Getty

Wolves v Chelsea (6pm): Frank Lampard finds himself back in the Chelsea dugout after his unlikely appointment as caretaker manager until the end of the season. The Blues are 11th in the table, seven points outside the top six, but taking on a Wolves side with just one win in seven games. Prediction: Wolves 1 Chelsea 3. AFP

Southampton v Manchester City (8.30pm): An away banker if ever there was one. Southampton - bottom of the table and without a win in four games - taking on second-top City, fresh from a 4-1 demolition of Liverpool. A must-win for City who are eight points behind Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand on the Gunners. Prediction: Southampton 0 City 3. Reuters

SUNDAY - Leeds United v Crystal Palace (5pm): Both clubs enjoyed 2-1 victories against relegation rivals last time out with Leeds beating Nottingham Forest, while Palace - in Roy Hodgson's first game back as manager - defeated Leicester. A draw awaits here, though, when three points would be far more welcome with the bottom of the table so tight. Prediction: Leeds 1 Palace 1. Getty

Liverpool v Arsenal (7.30pm): All eyes on Anfield for the game of the weekend. Liverpool have managed just one point from three games, managing just one goal along the way. In stark contrast, league leaders Arsenal have won seven on the trot, scoring 11 goals in their last three matches. Prediction: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 3. Getty