• Sheffield United v West Ham, Friday, midnight: One game, one win, one clean sheet. David Moyes couldn't have asked for more after the 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth finally gave West Ham fans something to cheer. It remains to be seen whether that result was the new manager bounce or something more tangible. Getty PREDICTION: Sheffield United 1 West Ham 1
    Sheffield United v West Ham, Friday, midnight: One game, one win, one clean sheet. David Moyes couldn't have asked for more after the 4-0 thrashing of Bournemouth finally gave West Ham fans something to cheer. It remains to be seen whether that result was the new manager bounce or something more tangible. Getty PREDICTION: Sheffield United 1 West Ham 1
  • Crystal Palace v Arsenal, Saturday, 4.30pm: Arsenal recorded an emphatic 2-0 win over Manchester United last time out. Mesut Ozil covered 11.54km in that match, more distance than any other Arsenal player. And record signing Pepe was making things happen in attack. Perhaps the future is looking brighter for Mikel Arteta. Reuters PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2
    Crystal Palace v Arsenal, Saturday, 4.30pm: Arsenal recorded an emphatic 2-0 win over Manchester United last time out. Mesut Ozil covered 11.54km in that match, more distance than any other Arsenal player. And record signing Pepe was making things happen in attack. Perhaps the future is looking brighter for Mikel Arteta. Reuters PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2
  • Chelsea v Burnley, Saturday, 7pm: A mixed few months for Frank Lampard's reign at Chelsea, and welcome relief in the FA Cup with the win over Nottingham Forest. They need to string a few results together and with Tammy Abraham's continued fine form, this could be a launchpad for 2020. EPA PREDICTION: Chelsea 3 Burnley 0
    Chelsea v Burnley, Saturday, 7pm: A mixed few months for Frank Lampard's reign at Chelsea, and welcome relief in the FA Cup with the win over Nottingham Forest. They need to string a few results together and with Tammy Abraham's continued fine form, this could be a launchpad for 2020. EPA PREDICTION: Chelsea 3 Burnley 0
  • Everton v Brighton, Saturday, 7pm: Everton were outgunned and outclassed by Liverpool reserves in the FA Cup, and Carlo Ancelotti must now know the full extent of the task he is facing. He does have talent at his disposal, such as Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but it's not going to be easy. Getty PREDICTION: Everton 2 Brighton 0
    Everton v Brighton, Saturday, 7pm: Everton were outgunned and outclassed by Liverpool reserves in the FA Cup, and Carlo Ancelotti must now know the full extent of the task he is facing. He does have talent at his disposal, such as Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but it's not going to be easy. Getty PREDICTION: Everton 2 Brighton 0
  • Leicester v Southampton, Saturday, 7pm: No Jamie Vardy, no problem. Even though Leicester's prolific striker was missing, they still won 3-0 at Newcastle on New Year's Day. Since the start of last season, James Maddison has scored eight Premier League goals from outside the box - more than any other player. They have stars everywhere in this amazing season. EPA PREDICTION: Leicester 2 Southampton 1
    Leicester v Southampton, Saturday, 7pm: No Jamie Vardy, no problem. Even though Leicester's prolific striker was missing, they still won 3-0 at Newcastle on New Year's Day. Since the start of last season, James Maddison has scored eight Premier League goals from outside the box - more than any other player. They have stars everywhere in this amazing season. EPA PREDICTION: Leicester 2 Southampton 1
  • Manchester United v Norwich, Saturday, 7pm: It's just not happening for Manchester United at the moment, or Jesse Lingard. He returned to the starting line-up at Arsenal, but was hardly involved. He played the first half against Manchester City, and they were 3-0 down by the break. It's Ole Gunnar Solksjaer who really needs a break and this could be the match. Reuters PREDICTION: Manchester United 2 Norwich 0
    Manchester United v Norwich, Saturday, 7pm: It's just not happening for Manchester United at the moment, or Jesse Lingard. He returned to the starting line-up at Arsenal, but was hardly involved. He played the first half against Manchester City, and they were 3-0 down by the break. It's Ole Gunnar Solksjaer who really needs a break and this could be the match. Reuters PREDICTION: Manchester United 2 Norwich 0
  • Wolves v Newcastle, Saturday, 7pm: A draw at Rochdale in the FA Cup, three successive Premier League defeats. Newcastle fans will be anxiously looking down at the table, rather than upwards. Brazilian striker Joelinton has failed miserably to win over the fans so far and something needs to change. AFP PREDICTION: Wolves 3 Newcastle 1
    Wolves v Newcastle, Saturday, 7pm: A draw at Rochdale in the FA Cup, three successive Premier League defeats. Newcastle fans will be anxiously looking down at the table, rather than upwards. Brazilian striker Joelinton has failed miserably to win over the fans so far and something needs to change. AFP PREDICTION: Wolves 3 Newcastle 1
  • Tottenham v Liverpool, Saturday, 9.30pm: A cracker of a game, though nothing seems to trouble Liverpool this season. Tottenham are not convincing, but will at least welcome back Son Heung-min to league action with injured Harry Kane out until April, at the earliest. It probably won't be enough for Jose Mourinho, and buses will be parked. EPA PREDICTION: Tottenham 1 Liverpool 2
    Tottenham v Liverpool, Saturday, 9.30pm: A cracker of a game, though nothing seems to trouble Liverpool this season. Tottenham are not convincing, but will at least welcome back Son Heung-min to league action with injured Harry Kane out until April, at the earliest. It probably won't be enough for Jose Mourinho, and buses will be parked. EPA PREDICTION: Tottenham 1 Liverpool 2
  • Bournemouth v Watford, Sunday, 6pm: Watford fans are signing the tune to the Great Escape already after a surge in form under Nigel Pearson. However, they are still in deep relegation trouble, though if Ismaila Sarr continues to torment defences, they have hope. Reuters PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2 Watford 1
    Bournemouth v Watford, Sunday, 6pm: Watford fans are signing the tune to the Great Escape already after a surge in form under Nigel Pearson. However, they are still in deep relegation trouble, though if Ismaila Sarr continues to torment defences, they have hope. Reuters PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2 Watford 1
  • Aston Villa v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm: Pep Guardiola didn't bother playing his strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus against Manchester United, yet they were still leading 3-0 at half time in the League Cup in midweek. What does that say to the critics who claim Guardiola is only successful because of his spending power? Seemed more like a tactical masterclass from a brilliant coach. AFP PREDICTION: Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 3
    Aston Villa v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm: Pep Guardiola didn't bother playing his strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus against Manchester United, yet they were still leading 3-0 at half time in the League Cup in midweek. What does that say to the critics who claim Guardiola is only successful because of his spending power? Seemed more like a tactical masterclass from a brilliant coach. AFP PREDICTION: Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 3

Football

Jose Mourinho suffers again, and Manchester United make some headway: The Premier League predictions

A look ahead to the action in England's top-flight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Dominic Hart

January 10, 2020

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Tottenham went to Liverpool on the final day of March last season as the Premier League title race headed towards its incredible climax.

A 2-1 win for Jurgen Klopp's side maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table, ahead of Manchester City, who beat Fulham the same weekend. Arsenal were third after beating Manchester United, passing fourth-placed Spurs on the way.

Liverpool were ultimately thwarted in the title race, though the Champions League provided some decent compensation – at Tottenham's expense.

But how things have changed this season as Spurs prepare to host Liverpool at 9.30pm on Saturday.

Liverpool head the table by 13 points from Brendan Rodgers' Leicester, they are 14 points ahead of Pep Guardiola's City, and 28 clear of Tottenham, who have a new manager in Jose Mourinho.

There seems little doubt Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy in May – or even before –and it's now a question of how many points they get. This still could be a tricky fixture, even with Tottenham missing Harry Kane, and is certainly the standout game this weekend.

The action gets under way at midnight on Friday with Sheffield United against West Ham, and Saturday's 4.30pm kick off sees Crystal Palace against Arsenal. Manchester United host Norwich at 7pm, and Leicester bid to maintain their great season at home to Southampton.

Ahead of this round of fixtures, Dominic Hart attempts to predict the outcome of each match in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows or thumbnails, or if using a mobile device simply swipe.

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