Jose Mourinho in his element and the perfect time for Mohamed Salah to steal the show: Midweek Premier League predictions

A look ahead to the action in England's top flight on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Crystal Palace v Bournemouth, Tuesday, 11.30pm: While Wilfried Zaha remains at Crystal Palace, they always have a chance of ruffling feathers. He is a supreme talent and Palace have done well to keep him so long since his failed Manchester United adventure. Zaha scored in the surprising 2-0 win at Burnley at the weekend, and he can help them improve on a solid 11th position this week. PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 2 Bournemouth 1 Reuters

Burnley v Manchester City, Wednesday, 12.15am: Burnley won 3-0 at Watford, then lost 2-0 at home to Palace. Mind you, champions City have dropped four points in their last three games, so hardly consistent themselves. Kevin de Bruyne is showing the form that makes him such a class act, and that will be crucial for City if they are to start one of their incredible winning runs. PREDICTION: Burnley 1 Manchester City 2 EPA

Chelsea v Aston Villa, Wednesday, 11.30pm: A point at Manchester United after three against Newcastle was an excellent week for Villa, who seem to be getting to grips with the Premier League. Jack Grealish is such a key to their form, and the more he flourishes the better Villa will get. Chelsea are having a little wobble. PREDICTION: Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 2 Getty

Leicester v Watford, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Have some sympathy for poor Watford. Just 14 games into the season and they have sacked two managers, picked up just one win and are rock bottom. But against Southampton on Saturday, for the third time this season VAR admitted a mistake which cost them points. It might not ultimately make the difference, but it would help. Now the small matter of visiting a Leicester side that can't stop winning. PREDICTION: Leicester 4 Watford 0 Reuters

Manchester United v Tottenham, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Jose Mourinho back at Old Traffod so soon after taking over at Tottenham. It's certainly the match of the midweek fixtures and the Special One will love his reception and being centre stage. He will also do absolutely anything to avoid defeat against his former club, parking a fleet of buses is that's what is required. PREDICTION: Manchester United 1 Tottenham 1 Getty

Southampton v Norwich, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Losing 1-0 with 12 minutes to go against bottom club Watford, only to win 2-1 with the help of an incorrect VAR decision. On such margins can a season, and Premier League survival, hinge, though James Ward-Prowse's free-kick winner was worthy of special praise. Can they now cash in? The nerves will still be there. PREDICTION: Southampton 1 Norwich 1 Getty

Wolves v West Ham, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Wolves lie in sixth place, level on points with Tottenham, and into the knockout stages of the Europa League. Just one problem; their manager Nuno Espirito Santo is so good other clubs will come calling, and when there is big money and possible Champions League action on offer, will he really say no? PREDICTION: Wolves 2 West Ham 0 Getty

Liverpool v Everton, Thursday, 00.15am: The Mersey derby, one of the bitterest rivalries anywhere in the football world. Jurgen Klopp's side are flying, and Marco Silva's struggling, but that doesn't guarantee anything in this humdinger of a fixture. Mohamed Salah has been quiet by his standards lately; this would be the perfect moment to burst into his peerless brilliance. PREDICTION: Liverpool 2 Everton 1 EPA

Sheffield United v Newcastle, Thursday, 11.30pm: Few would have predicted it on his appointment, but Steve Bruce is slowly but surely winning over the Newcastle doubters. They aren't exactly chanting his name in the stands just yet, but getting a draw against champions Manchester City will do his cause no harm. Jonjo Shelvey, awful against Villa but magnificent against City, can give his boss a big hand. PREDICTION: Sheffield United 1 Newcastle 1 Getty

Arsenal v Brighton, Friday, 00.15am: So it was just a matter of time. Goodbye Unai Emery, welcome Freddie Ljungberg, for now. The Gunners sit below Sheffield United in the Premier League table and interim boss Ljungberg will need to change that. The signs were there against Norwich, but the result did not follow. Tense times but another big chance for three points. PREDICTION: Arsenal 2 Brighton 1 AFP

A rare midweek round of Premier League fixtures and December can be moving month in the Premier League.

No more international breaks until the spring, and fixtures coming thick and fast until into the New Year.

These midweek challenges can make all the difference, with three games in a week or so. Suddenly gaps open at the top and bottom, and teams seemingly enjoying mid-table comfort are looking over their shoulders at the dreaded relegation zone.

Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are two of those clubs, and face each other at 11.30pm on Tuesday knowing a win will keep them looking up rather than down. Manchester City, surely now out of title contention, visit Burnley at a quarter past midnight in the other 'Tuesday' fixture.

Manchester United v Jose Mourinho is certainly the pick on Wednesday at 11.30pm, relegating the Merseyside derby at 12.15am to a sideshow (though possibly not for Liverpool and Everton fans).

The midweek bonus round is completed with Shefield United v Newcastle and Arsenal v Brighton on Thursday night/Friday morning. Two days later, they start the fun all over again.

Ahead of the games, 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.