City scalp United in Manchester derby, Spurs maintain momentum: Premier League predictions

We dust down the crystal ball for the latest round of top-flight fixtures

FRIDAY - Leeds United v West Ham (Kick-off midnight UAE): The goals of Patrick Bamford appear to be the only thing consistent about Leeds at the moment. The attacker made it eight for the season when he scored against former club Chelsea last weekend - but his early finish to put his team 1-0 up proved a false dawn as Chelsea ran out comfortable 3-1 winners in the capital. Opponents West Ham also fell to a 3-1 defeat after taking the lead - at home to Manchester United - but three goals in 13 second-half minutes brought an end to their three game win-streak. Prediction: Leeds 3 West Ham 1. Reuters

SATURDAY - Wolves v Aston Villa (4.30pm): A big test of Wolves' attacking strength in depth coming up. Goals have been a problem this season - only four teams have scored less - and key striker Raul Jimenez now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he recovers from a fractured skull. Villa have their own problems having lost four of their last five games but you fancy a Jack Grealish-inspired return to winning ways in this Midlands derby. Prediction: Wolves 0 Villa 2. AFP

Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion (7pm): Wildly inconsistent on the pitch, events took a worrying turn off it for Newcastle last week when their match against Aston Villa was called-off due a Covid-19 outbreak at the club. The situation appears to have eased and striker Callum Wilson will be aiming to add to his seven goals already in the bag this season against a West Brom side who sit second bottom and were thrashed 5-1 at home by Crystal Palace last time out. And there will be no respite here for under pressure Baggies manager Slaven Bilic. Prediction: Newcastle 3 West Brom 1. Reuters

Manchester United v Manchester City (9.30pm): All eyes on Manchester this weekend for what promises to be a a fascinating derby battle at Old Trafford. United have won four on the trot on the domestic front but just suffered a demoralising Champions League exit. And Paul Pogba should probably be thankful there are no fans in the ground on Saturday after his agent's inflammatory comments about the midfielder wanting to quit the club. City look settled at the back, appear to have found their scoring touch - having won their last two league games 7-0 on aggregate - and look well-placed to add to United's woes. Prediction: United 1 City 2. Reuters

Everton v Chelsea (midnight): Two teams at opposite ends of the form spectrum. After the flying start to the season, Everton have lost four of their last six games and would be in even dire straights without the goals of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Chelsea, on the other hand, are on a roll winning four out of their last five games and are unbeaten in nine. Prediction: Everton 1 Chelsea 3. Reuters

SUNDAY - Southampton v Sheffield United (4pm): Desperate times for Sheffield United. Last season's success must seem like a distant memory as the Blades sit bottom of the table having taken just one point from 11 games, scoring just five goals along the way. Contrast with Southampton, fifth in the table with only the top three of Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs having scored more than their 21 goals. Striker Danny Ings returned from injury to hit the winner against Brighton last week and must be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on the hapless Blades. Prediction: Southampton 4 Sheffield United 1. EPA

Crystal Palace v Spurs (6.15pm): Jose Mourinho's Tottenham machine is showing no signs of stalling at the minute. Top of the pile having brushed aside North London rivals Arsenal last week, Spurs look organised at the back - in true Mourinho fashion - and ruthless up front thanks to Son Heung-min and Harry Kane's prolific partnership. But they will have to be wary: Palace have their own attacking dangerman in Wilfried Zaha and are capable of producing a surprise. Prediction: Palace 0 Spurs 1. EPA

Fulham v Liverpool (11.15pm): Ominous signs of a shift up in gear for the rest of the Premier League last week when Liverpool thrashed Wolves 4-0 at Anfield with Mohamed Salah opening the scoring with his ninth goal of the season. Only one defeat this season for the reigning champions and Jurgen Klopp's men are starting to gain momentum. Fulham, who sit one place and one point out of the relegation zone, are set to feel the force on Sunday. Prediciton: Fulham 0 Liverpool 3. Reuters

Arsenal v Burnley (11.15pm): They ended last season as FA Cup winners, then tied down captain and top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a new long-term deal, so all was looking rosy for Mikel Arteta's Gunners heading into the new campaign. But all is not going to plan as they sit down in 15th place and Aubameyang is now without a goal since November 1. Three points against third bottom Burnley is an absolute must or Arsenal's season is closing in on full-blown crisis mode. Prediction: Arsenal 2 Burnley 1. AFP

Leicester City v Brighton (11.15pm): Having ended a two-game losing streak with a last-gasp win against Sheffield United last week - courtesy of Jamie Vardy's ninth goal of the season - Leicester will be looking to maintain their top-four spot against the struggling Seagulls. Shock results have been coming thick and fast this season but the Foxes should come away comfortable winners here. Prediction: Leicester 2 Brighton 0. Reuters

The Premier League season might have been filled with twists, turns and plenty of shock results so far, but the top of the table has a very familiar feel to it.

There are now five of the big six sitting in the top seven with only Arsenal – languishing in 15th – bucking the usual trend.

Only Southampton, fifth in the table, can be considered a surprise and early-season pace-setters Everton and Aston Villa have dropped down into mid-table positions.

At the other end of the division, it would be a major shock if Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and Fulham were not all occupying similar positions come the business end of the campaign.

Looking ahead to this week's schedule, Leeds United's home game with West Ham kicks-off proceedings on Friday night.

Saturday starts with the day's first derby clash when Wolves face Aston Villa at Molineux, followed by – barring another surge on Covid-19 cases on Tyneside – Newcastle versus West Brom at St James' Park. Manchester bragging rights are then up for grabs at Old Trafford when United take on City, with Everton's home battle against Chelsea ending the day's fixtures.

Five games on Sunday beginning with Southampton versus Sheffield United on the south coast, then Crystal Palace against Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham's clash with Liverpool and Arsenal's game against Burnley all taking place in the capital. Leicester City taking on Brighton brings the latest round of fixtures to a close.

To see our predictions for the upcoming matches, look through the photo gallery above and click on the arrows or swipe.