Leicester up to second, the title race back on: all the Premier League predictions

A packed weekend of action could prove significant, so time to take a look at the action in England's top tier

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  Southampton v Leicester, Friday, 11pm. Leicester, the miracle Part 2? May be a bit far-fetched but Brendan Rodgers side are in third place, a fabulous achievement so far. Jamie Vardy is looking lethal again, and with Southampoton conceding nearly two a game, this could be another big day for the striker. PREDICTION: Southampton 0 Leicester 2. AFP

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  Manchester City v Aston Villa, Saturday, 3.30pm: What an extraordinary season Raheem Sterling is having, with 16 goals already following his midweek 11-minute hat-trick in the Champions League. Long gone are the days when his finishing used to be a issue. Better teams than Villa have folded at Manchester City, and there appears to be only one outcome. PREDICTION: Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 1. PA.

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  Brighton v Everton, Saturday, 6pm: Things are getting pretty uncomfortable for Brighton and manager Graham Potter. Just as they were for Everton boss Marco Silva until that win over West Ham last weekend. Brighton beat Spurs before the international break, only their second win, and need to redisover that kind of form. Quickly. PREDICTION: Brighton 1 Everton 1. Reuters

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  Watford v Bournemouth, Saturday, 6pm: Midfielder Gerard Deulofeu is certainly capable of producing moments of magic, but Watford needs bucketloads of the stuff if they are to get their season on track, with no wins so far. Bournemouth won 4-0 at Viacarge Road last season, so the signs are not good for the bottom placed side. PREDICTION: Watford 1 Bournemouth 2. AFP

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  West Ham v Sheffield United, Saturday, 6pm: Sheffield united continue tpo defy all the predictions (including this column). The stunning 1-0 win for Chris Wilder's team on Monday moved them up to the top half of the Premier League table. They are also yet to lose away. Will that record stay intact this weekend? PREDICTION: West Ham 1 Sheffield United 1. Reuters.

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  Burnley v Chelsea, Saturday 8.30pm: Willian has found his best form again, and that means Chelsea are doing very well indeed. The Brazilian can make that team tick, as is evident by their fouth place in the table. Burnley are tough to crack at home, this will be close. PREDICTION: Burnley 0 Chelsea 1. PA

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  Newcastle v Wolves, Sunday, 6pm: Newcastle have managed only five Premier League goals this season, the joint lowest with Watford. The fact that Mathew Longstaff's strike beat Manchester United proves anything can happen. But Wolves are a team on the rise. PREDICTION: Newcastle 0 Wolves 2. Reuters

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  Arsenal v Crystal Palace, Sunday, 8.30pm: Arsenal in fifth place after five games doesn't seem too shabby, until you remember they are aready ten points behind leaders Liverpool. Unai Emery hasn't found the consistency yet, and the defeat at Shefield United last round was a big blow. Palace could overtake the Gunners with a win. PREDICTION: Arsenal 1 Crystal Palace 1. Reuters

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  Liverpool v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm: Another fine win for Liverpool in Europe... and another fine win for Tottenham in Europe. Spurs have had their struggled, but the 5-0 win over Red Star Belgrade may be the result to kickstart their season. When Son Heung-Min is in scoring form, they can trouble anyone. PREDICTION: Liverpool 2 Spurs 2. AP

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  Norwich v Manchester United, Sunday, 8.30pm: returning from European action and straight into the Premier League is always a challenge, and with Manchester United's lack of league goals this season this could be tricky. However, despite Norwich's attacking threat, Old Gunnar Solskjaer should get some relief here. PREDICTION: Norwich 1 Manchester United 2. Reuters

Finally, the Liverpool juggernaut was slowed by Manchester United, the first time they have not grabbed all three points this season.

A temporary setback? Quite possibly on the evidence of their Champions League display in midweek. But they really were poor at Old Trafford, and fortunate to get anything. Perhaps there is mileage in this title race after all.

Liverpool face a stiff test in the game of the weekend against Tottenham on Sunday. By then Manchester City are likely to have narrowed the gap to three points at the top as they kick off the Saturday action at home to Aston Villa.

Chelsea go to Burnley in the 8.30pm kick-off on Saturday, before four games on Sunday.

It all starts on Friday night at Southampton where a Leicester win would lift them to second spot, albeit temporarily. They are having some season. Remember the last one they started like this?

Ahead of the fixtures, sports editor Dominic Hart provides his predictions in the gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile, simply swipe.