• THURSDAY - Crystal Palace v Brighton (midnight kick off UAE): Two late goals earned Palace a point at Manchester City last time out, but the Eagles have only managed one win in their last 10 games. Brighton were second best in their defeat at Arsenal last week, but remain only three points outside the top six. Prediction: Palace 2 Brighton 2. AP
    THURSDAY - Crystal Palace v Brighton (midnight kick off UAE): Two late goals earned Palace a point at Manchester City last time out, but the Eagles have only managed one win in their last 10 games. Brighton were second best in their defeat at Arsenal last week, but remain only three points outside the top six. Prediction: Palace 2 Brighton 2. AP
  • FRIDAY - Aston Villa v Sheffield United (midnight): Villa's win at Brentford on Sunday leaves Unai Emery's side second in the table and one point behind leaders Arsenal. The Blades have registered just one point away from home all season, Villa have won all eight of their home games. Surely only one winner here. Prediction: Villa 3 Sheffield United 0. Reuters
    FRIDAY - Aston Villa v Sheffield United (midnight): Villa's win at Brentford on Sunday leaves Unai Emery's side second in the table and one point behind leaders Arsenal. The Blades have registered just one point away from home all season, Villa have won all eight of their home games. Surely only one winner here. Prediction: Villa 3 Sheffield United 0. Reuters
  • SATURDAY - West Ham v Manchester United (4.30pm): The Hammers bounced back from their five-goal humiliation at Fulham by walloping Wolves 3-0 at the London Stadium last weekend. United battled to a goalless draw at Liverpool which provided a welcome relief after their recent woes. Prediction: West Ham 3 Man United 2. Getty Images
    SATURDAY - West Ham v Manchester United (4.30pm): The Hammers bounced back from their five-goal humiliation at Fulham by walloping Wolves 3-0 at the London Stadium last weekend. United battled to a goalless draw at Liverpool which provided a welcome relief after their recent woes. Prediction: West Ham 3 Man United 2. Getty Images
  • Fulham v Burnley (7pm): The early sending off of Raul Jimenez proved the catalyst for Fulham's 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday which ended their hopes of securing a third win in a row. Burnley's loss to Everton means they have won just two of their 17 games this season and are off the bottom of the table only on goal difference. Prediction: Fulham 2 Burnley 0. AFP
    Fulham v Burnley (7pm): The early sending off of Raul Jimenez proved the catalyst for Fulham's 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday which ended their hopes of securing a third win in a row. Burnley's loss to Everton means they have won just two of their 17 games this season and are off the bottom of the table only on goal difference. Prediction: Fulham 2 Burnley 0. AFP
  • Luton Town v Newcastle United (7pm): The Hatters have lost 11 of their 16 games this campaign and are looking to avoid a fourth defeat on the spin. Newcastle's win over Fulham prevented the Magpies falling to a third league defeat in a row and they sit sixth in the table, five points off fourth place. Prediciton: Luton 1 Newcastle 3. Getty Images
    Luton Town v Newcastle United (7pm): The Hatters have lost 11 of their 16 games this campaign and are looking to avoid a fourth defeat on the spin. Newcastle's win over Fulham prevented the Magpies falling to a third league defeat in a row and they sit sixth in the table, five points off fourth place. Prediciton: Luton 1 Newcastle 3. Getty Images
  • Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (7pm): New Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping to end a woeful run of one win in 13 games, following the sacking of Steve Cooper. Bournemouth are looking to continue their excellent form of four wins and a draw from five matches that has seen them move 10 points clear of the bottom three. Nottingham Forest 1 Bournemouth 2. Getty Images
    Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (7pm): New Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping to end a woeful run of one win in 13 games, following the sacking of Steve Cooper. Bournemouth are looking to continue their excellent form of four wins and a draw from five matches that has seen them move 10 points clear of the bottom three. Nottingham Forest 1 Bournemouth 2. Getty Images
  • Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (7pm): Spurs appear to have recovered from their blip in form to win two on the trot that leaves them fifith in the table, one point behind Manchester City in fourth. Everton are on an impressive run of four wins on the spin that has seen them score eight and concede zero. Prediction: Spurs 2 Everton 1. Reuters
    Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (7pm): Spurs appear to have recovered from their blip in form to win two on the trot that leaves them fifith in the table, one point behind Manchester City in fourth. Everton are on an impressive run of four wins on the spin that has seen them score eight and concede zero. Prediction: Spurs 2 Everton 1. Reuters
  • Liverpool v Arsenal (9.30pm): Second-placed Liverpool are behind table-topping Arsenal by just a single point with almost identical goal defference. The Gunners leapfrogged the Mersysiders last weekend thanks to their 2-0 win over Brighton, while Liverpool were held to frustrating home draw by fierce rivals Manchester United. Prediction: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1. AP
    Liverpool v Arsenal (9.30pm): Second-placed Liverpool are behind table-topping Arsenal by just a single point with almost identical goal defference. The Gunners leapfrogged the Mersysiders last weekend thanks to their 2-0 win over Brighton, while Liverpool were held to frustrating home draw by fierce rivals Manchester United. Prediction: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1. AP
  • SUNDAY - Wolves v Chelsea (5pm): Wolves manager Gary O'Neil was unusually critical of his players after their loss at West Ham last time out, a defeat that means they have won just once in five games. Chelsea followed up their win over Sheffield United by knocking Newcastle out of the League Cup on penalties. Prediction: Wolves 1 Chelsea 2. Getty Images
    SUNDAY - Wolves v Chelsea (5pm): Wolves manager Gary O'Neil was unusually critical of his players after their loss at West Ham last time out, a defeat that means they have won just once in five games. Chelsea followed up their win over Sheffield United by knocking Newcastle out of the League Cup on penalties. Prediction: Wolves 1 Chelsea 2. Getty Images

Sport

Football

Premier League predictions: Villa go top of table, Liverpool and Arsenal draw

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

Gareth Cox

December 21, 2023

  • English
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Arsenal are back on top of the Premier League following their comfortable victory over Brighton last weekend, ending Liverpool's brief spell leading the pack.

The Gunners ran out convincing 2-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium which saw Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz down the Seagulls with second-half goals.

Liverpool could only draw 0-0 with Manchester United on Merseyside, a result that left Jurgen Klopp's side one point behind the North London club. And in perfect timing, the top two meet in the latest round of top-flight fixtures.

The hectic festive schedule continues on Thursday when Crystal Palace take on Brighton at Selhurst Park before Aston Villa play host to Sheffield United 24 hours later.

West Ham United's home game with Manchester United starts a busy Saturday programme, with four matches following at 7pm (UAE) as Fulham entertain Burnley, Luton Town tackle Newcastle United at Kenilworth Road, Nottingham Forest play Bournemouth at the City Ground and Tottenham Hotspur host Everton in North London.

The late game sees the top two clash at Anfield when Liverpool face off with Arsenal. Finally on Sunday, Wolves battle Chelsea in a Christmas Eve game at Molineux.

You can see our predictions for the latest round of games in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.

Updated: December 21, 2023, 2:46 AM
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