Premier League predictions: Arsenal back to winning ways, Newcastle beat Spurs

We pick out the winners and losers from this weekend's English top-flight fixtures

Newcastle United and Alexander Isak take on Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. PA

We are into the final stretch of this season's Premier League schedule with all still to play for in the English top-flight.

Leaders Arsenal hold a four-point advantage over Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola's side have a game in hand on the Gunners who kick off the latest round of fixtures against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.

Both City and third placed Manchester United are on FA Cup semi-final duty this weekend – against Sheffield United and Brighton, respectively.

At the other end of the table, Southampton are bottom of the pile, one place and two points behind Leicester City, with Nottingham Forest occupying the final relegation spot.

Saturday's games kick-off with Fulham against Leeds United at Craven Cottage, Brentford then play host to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace tackle Everton at Selhurst Park, Leicester entertain Wolves in a Midlands derby and Liverpool face Nottingham Forest on Merseyside.

Sunday sees Bouremouth versus West Ham United on the south coast and Newcastle United up against Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park.

Predictions

FRIDAY - Arsenal v Southampton (11pm kick-off UAE): Top versus bottom at the Emirates. Arsenal's lead over Manchester City at the top of the table is down to four points after 2-2 draws with Liverpool and West Ham, with both games seeing seeing the Gunners throw away a two-goal advantage. Next up is bottom club Southampton who are without a win in six games. Prediction: Arsenal 4 Southampton 0.

SATURDAY - Fulham v Leeds (3.30pm): Fulham saw their five-game losing streak come to an end with a 3-1 win at Everton last week. A second match in a row against relegation strugglers should provide them with more relief, with Leeds having lost their last two games 5-1 and 6-1, against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, respectively. Prediction: Fulham 3 Leeds 1. PA

Brentford v Aston Villa (6pm): Five games without a win and three defeats in a row have seen the shine taken off what had been a sparkling season for Brentford, who now take on one of the division's form team in Villa. Unai Emery's side dismantled Newcastle 3-0 last week and have now won five in a row. Prediction: Brentford 1 Villa 2. Getty

Crystal Palace v Everton (6pm): It has been a perfect return to Palace for Roy Hodgson with the 75-year-old guiding his team to three wins on the spin that have eased the Eagles' relegation fears. The same cannot be said for Sean Dyche and Everton. The Merseysiders are out of the bottom via goal difference only and are without a win in four. Prediction: Palace 2 Everton 0. Getty

Leicester v Wolves (6pm): The Foxes sit second from bottom, having collected one point from their last nine games and new manager Dean Smith has little time to turnaround the slump. Wolves have won their last two with Diego Costa scoring his first Premier League goal since 2017 in their victory over Brentford last week. Prediction: Leicester 2 Wolves 2. PA

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (6pm): Fresh from thrashing Leeds 6-1, Liverpool face another relegation-haunted club this week with a top-six spot within touching distance. Forest are on a terrible run, having gone 10 games without a win, that leaves them third from bottom and staring down the barrel of an instant return to the second tier. Prediction: Liverpool 3 Forest 0. Getty

SUNDAY - Bournemouth v West Ham (5pm): The Cherries have found some form just when it matters. Last week's last-gasp win at Spurs made it three victories from four games that have dragged them six points clear of the drop zone. It has been a similar story for West Ham who have lost once in five games and are now four points clear of the bottom three. Prediction: Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1. Getty

Newcastle v Tottenham Hotspur (5pm): A huge clash in the battle for a top-four spot with fourth-place Newcastle taking on Spurs in fifth. The Magpies were well beaten at Aston Villa last week but can move six points clear of Spurs - who were beaten 3-2 at home by struggling Bournemouth - with a game in hand if they win at St James' Park. Prediction: Newcastle 3 Spurs 1. AFP