Desperate times for Arsenal, a belter at Manchester United: Premier League predictions

Can anyone stop Liverpool now they have hit the summit?

SATURDAY: Crystal Palace v Liverpool (4.30pm) - Liverpool at the summit again, with a third of the season gone. An incredible 66 Premier League games in a row unbeaten at Anfield, the midweek game knocking Jose Mourinho's Tottenham off their perch at the top. Just wait until they start playing their best again. Palace are no mugs, but Jurgen Klopp is not going to relinquish the lead without a fight. PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 3. AFP

Southampton v Manchester City (7pm) - What a different season this one is to last. No runaway leader, Liverpool having had the title virtually sown up by New Year. This time around the top teams have all been dropping points, meaning Manchester City are still real challengers. And then they draw at home to West Brom to lose momentum. It could get even tougher - Southampton are having a very impressive spell - even if the midweek draw at Arsenal is like a missed chance for victory these days. PREDICTION: Southampton 1 Manchester City 1. AFP

Everton v Arsenal (9.30pm) - A point at home to Southampton is not enough to take the pressure off Mikel Arteta just yet as Arsenal flirt with the relegation places. Everton went through a rocky patch but might have turned the corner if the evidence of the fine midweek win at Leicester is to be believed. Things could soon get tougher for the Gunners. PREDICTION: Everton 2 Arsenal 0. Getty

Newcastle United v Fulham (midnight) - Newcastle manager Steve Bruce compared his side's defending to "something you see on a park on a Sunday" after they conceded three times in the last 13 minutes to lose 5-2 at Leeds in midweek. Tough for the Newcastle fans, but great for the neutrals. Toon are having their usual rollercoaster season, but should find some smoother tracks here. PREDICTION: Newcastle 2 Fulham 0. Getty

SUNDAY: Brighton v Sheffield United (4pm) - A valuable point for Brighton at Fulham means they remain out of the relegation zone. Just. One win in their last 11 Premier League matches is not safety form. However, Sheffield United have struggled even more, and this could be the one Albion have been looking forward to. PREDICTION: Brighton 2 Sheffield United 0. AP

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City (6.15pm) - So Jose Mourinho didn't like Jurgen Klopp's celebrations on the touchline when Liverpool beat Spurs in midweek. Fancy that! Not as if Mourinho has ever been known to enjoy a little pitchside antics, is it? Spurs will be keen to get back on track after losing top spot, while Leicester will want to put the defeat at Everton firmly behind them. PREDICTION: Tottenham 1 Leicester 1. AFP

Manchester United v Leeds United (8.30pm) - Leeds are becoming the great entertainers this season, smashing five past Newcastle on Wednesday night. But they are lacking consistency, much the same as Manchester United, who have really struggled at home. This one really could be any of three results. PREDICTION: Manchester United 2 Leeds United 2. Getty

West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa ( (11.15pm) - That very impressive point at Manchester City leaves West Brom in touch with the teams above. And with a new manager. Slaven Bilic's reward for promotion to the Premier League, and that surprise draw at City, was the sack. Welcome back Sam Allardyce, who has not managed since leaving Everton in 2018. Allardyce has been in charge of seven clubs in the Premier League and is yet to be relegated from the top flight. Will need to go some to preserve that record. PREDICTION: West Brom 1 Aston Villa 2. EPA

MONDAY: Burnley v Wolves (10pm) - Wolves had stuttered a little until Tuesday night and the fine, and dramatic, late win against Chelsea. They have lost just one of their past six Premier League home games, but their last trip was a 4-0 thumping at champions Liverpool. Goals are going to be harder to find without the injured Raul Jimenez and Burnley will not be an easy venue. PREDICTION: Burnley 1 Wolves 1. EPA

Chelsea v West Ham United (midnight) - Two opportunities for Chelsea to jump to the top of the Premier League, two missed. Defeats against Everton and Wolves have dented Frank Lampard's brilliant start to the season. The manager is already complaining about festive fatigue. If that's the case now, then come New Year they would will really be feeling the pace. West Ham have quietly gone about their business and are looking in fine form. PREDICTION: Chelsea 1 West Ham United 1. EPA

All rather ominous for Liverpool's rivals to see the champions climb to top spot in the Premier League with the dramatic 2-1 win over previous leaders Tottenham in midweek.

Jurgen Klopp's side have not hit the form of last season, but with all teams showing some inconsistency this campaign they have enough to be on top of the pile, and will now take some shifting.

This is now the business part of the season, with the busy festive period often indicating who will march on, and who will struggle.

Liverpool are first in action on Saturday with a trip to Crystal Palace, followed by Southampton against Manchester City, Everton up against Arsenal and Fulham at Newcastle United.

Sunday's opener has Brighton hosting Sheffield United, then Tottenham face Leicester, a cracker for Manchester United against Leeds, and the day ends with West Bromwich Albion against Aston Villa,

The remaining two games of the round are on Monday, with Burnley hosting Wolves, and Chelsea against London rivals West Ham United.

Ahead of the latest round of fixtures, Dominic Hart has provided his predictions in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.