A year without defeat for Liverpool, and more joy for Chelsea and Manchester United: Premier League predictions

A look ahead to the New Year games in England's top flight

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  Brighton v Chelsea, Wednesday, 4.30pm: Chelsea were being taken apart by Arsenal on Sunday until Frank Lampard changed the formation. Result - Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2, with a late winner for Tammy Abraham. Lampard's getting the hang of this managerial gig. Getty PREDICTION: Brighton 1 Chelsea 2

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  Burnley v Aston Villa, Wednesday, 4.30pm: When third bottom of the Premier League, it does not bode well to be beaten 3-0 by 10-man Watford, one of the only two teams below. Villa are in trouble, and they need Jack Grealish to show his skills, not his petulance. Getty PREDICTION: Burnley 2 Aston Villa 0

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  Newcastle v Leicester, Wednesday, 7pm: Newcastle have hit another mini slump, losing at home to Everton and at Manchester United. They are comfortable in mid-table, but will want to change fortunes quickly. Getty PREDICTION: Newcastle 1 Leicester 3

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  Southampton v Tottenham, Wednesday, 7pm: Just a point away to struggling Norwich City was not what Jose Mourinho ordered. Clearly it's going to take a bit of time for the manager to get his message across. AFP PREDICTION: Southampton 1 Tottenham 2

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  Watford v Wolves, Wednesday, 7pm: Seven points from three games, and goals from talismanic skipper Troy Deeney. Are Watford the next club to pull off the great escape? A long way to go and this might bring a reality check. Getty PREDICTION: Watford 1 Wolves 3

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  Manchester City v Everton, Wednesday, 9.30pm: Pep Guardiola is worried that Manchester City won't even qualify for the Champions League if they continue with their erratic form. An unlikely prediction, and Sergio Aguero back in the goals will help. AP PREDICTION: Manchester City 2 Everton 1

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  Norwich v Crystal Palace, Wednesday, 9.30pm: A great point for bottom club Norwich against Tottenham. No clubs are adrift in the Premier League, and a couple of good weeks will keep them in the mix. AFP PREDICTION: Norwich 1 Crystal Palace 1

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  West Ham v Bournemouth, Wednesday, 9.30pm: David Moyes was sacked by West Ham two seasons ago. David Moyes is now the manager of West Ham. Football logic at its best. PA PREDICTION: West Ham 1 Bournemouth 1

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  Arsenal v Manchester United, Wednesday, midnight: This used to be the big game of the Premier League season. Now it's 12th-placed Arsenal against fifth-placed Manchester United. The Gunners are 31 points behind leaders Liverpool, and 11 points ahead of bottom club Norwich. Reuters PREDICTION: Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2

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  Liverpool v Sheffield United, Thursday, midnight: Sheffield United finally lost an away game, at Manchester City last time out. They made it very tricky for City, and could do the same here. But Liverpool always seem to find a way this season. AP PREDICTION: Liverpool 2 Sheffield United 0

New year, another round of the Premier League, and a significant 2020 ahead.

Liverpool, European champions, Club World Cup winners, and top of the Premier League by a massive 13 points. Whatever Jurgen Klopp and his players say - and their reluctance to discus is understandable - they will win their first league title since 1990.

Avoid defeat against Sheffield United and they will also pass the year mark since losing in the Premier League.

Half way through the season and the fight for Champions League places and avoiding the drop is likely to be the main focus.

Liverpool round off this round of fixtures at midnight on Thursday. It all kicks off with Brighton against Chelsea and Burnley hosting Aston Villa, both at 4.30pm on Wednesday.

Seven games follow on Wednesday evening, concluding at midnight with Arsenal against Manchester United.

Ahead of the New Year matches, Dominic Hart provides his predictions in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.