• Arsenal 2 Liverpool 3 Why? Both sides are good going forward but not so hot at the back so there should be goals in this one. But Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah maintaining his excellent form, look as if they will have the edge to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot. Paul Ellis / AFP
    Arsenal 2 Liverpool 3 Why? Both sides are good going forward but not so hot at the back so there should be goals in this one. But Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah maintaining his excellent form, look as if they will have the edge to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot. Paul Ellis / AFP
  • Everton 1 Chelsea 2 Why? Everton are on a roll under Sam Allardyce and have moved comfortably away from the bottom of the table. But, they were lucky to draw at Liverpool, and Chelsea, with Eden Hazard leading their attack, should have too much for them, even without the suspended Alvaro Morata. Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
    Everton 1 Chelsea 2 Why? Everton are on a roll under Sam Allardyce and have moved comfortably away from the bottom of the table. But, they were lucky to draw at Liverpool, and Chelsea, with Eden Hazard leading their attack, should have too much for them, even without the suspended Alvaro Morata. Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
  • Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Watford 0 Why? Watford are in a slump, having picked up just one point from their last five games. With Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended, this is a great chance for Chris Hughton’s Brighton to forget their own struggles and return to winning ways. Hannah McKay / Reuters
    Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Watford 0 Why? Watford are in a slump, having picked up just one point from their last five games. With Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended, this is a great chance for Chris Hughton’s Brighton to forget their own struggles and return to winning ways. Hannah McKay / Reuters
  • Manchester City 5 Bournemouth 0 Why? Hard to see City not extending their record winning streak to 17 here. Whether it's Gabriel Jesus or Sergio Aguero leading the line, City should have too much for the opponents whom against they began their winning run back in August. Stu Forster / Getty Images
    Manchester City 5 Bournemouth 0 Why? Hard to see City not extending their record winning streak to 17 here. Whether it's Gabriel Jesus or Sergio Aguero leading the line, City should have too much for the opponents whom against they began their winning run back in August. Stu Forster / Getty Images
  • Southampton 2 Huddersfield Town 1 Why? Huddersfield will be buoyant after putting four past Watford last weekend, but Southampton will be confident themselves of picking up three points with Charlie Austin back on the goal trail after returning from injury. John Sibley / Reuters
    Southampton 2 Huddersfield Town 1 Why? Huddersfield will be buoyant after putting four past Watford last weekend, but Southampton will be confident themselves of picking up three points with Charlie Austin back on the goal trail after returning from injury. John Sibley / Reuters
  • Stoke City 1 West Bromwich Albion 0 Why? A tale of two horribly out of form sides. This is unlikely to be one packed with entertainment, but simply thanks to the threat Peter Crouch always offers from set-pieces, Stoke will fancy their chances of nicking the points. Tony Marshal l/ Getty Images
    Stoke City 1 West Bromwich Albion 0 Why? A tale of two horribly out of form sides. This is unlikely to be one packed with entertainment, but simply thanks to the threat Peter Crouch always offers from set-pieces, Stoke will fancy their chances of nicking the points. Tony Marshal l/ Getty Images
  • Swansea City 0 Crystal Palace 3 Why? Swansea have just dismissed Paul Clement as manager, but that is unlikely to have any immediate consequence on their form. Roy Hodgson has done a great job in resurrecting Palace’s season and another three points is likely with Wilfried Zaha in such great form. Darren Staples / Reuters
    Swansea City 0 Crystal Palace 3 Why? Swansea have just dismissed Paul Clement as manager, but that is unlikely to have any immediate consequence on their form. Roy Hodgson has done a great job in resurrecting Palace’s season and another three points is likely with Wilfried Zaha in such great form. Darren Staples / Reuters
  • West Ham United 1 Newcastle United 0 Why? Like Hodgson, David Moyes was not a popular choice when he took over at West Ham but he has done a great job so far. This is will be a low scoring affair, but with Marko Arnautovic finding the form that made him a summer signing by Moyes’s predecessor Slaven Bilic, he could be the difference maker. Lee Smith / Reuters
    West Ham United 1 Newcastle United 0 Why? Like Hodgson, David Moyes was not a popular choice when he took over at West Ham but he has done a great job so far. This is will be a low scoring affair, but with Marko Arnautovic finding the form that made him a summer signing by Moyes’s predecessor Slaven Bilic, he could be the difference maker. Lee Smith / Reuters
  • Burnley 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Why? Burnley continue to be the surprise story of the season under Sean Dyche. Their 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium earlier in the campaign was a shock at the time, but given what has since transpired that result has become less surprising by the week. Tottenham are struggling for momentum and will again look to Harry Kane to at least earn them a share of the spoils. Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
    Burnley 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Why? Burnley continue to be the surprise story of the season under Sean Dyche. Their 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium earlier in the campaign was a shock at the time, but given what has since transpired that result has become less surprising by the week. Tottenham are struggling for momentum and will again look to Harry Kane to at least earn them a share of the spoils. Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
  • Leicester City 0 Manchester United 2 Why? Leicester have improved considerably under Claude Puel, but United are having a great season - they are just unfortunate it has coincided with City’s record-breaking run. With Paul Pogba back from suspension to dominate the midfield, United should have too much for Leicester. David Klein / Reuters
    Leicester City 0 Manchester United 2 Why? Leicester have improved considerably under Claude Puel, but United are having a great season - they are just unfortunate it has coincided with City’s record-breaking run. With Paul Pogba back from suspension to dominate the midfield, United should have too much for Leicester. David Klein / Reuters

Football

Liverpool edge goal-fest with Arsenal, Man City extend winning record to 17: Premier League predictions

Two teams battling it out for a place in the top four take each other on in Friday night's fixture.

Graham Cagyill

December 21, 2017

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The busy festive period in the Premier League is well and truly under way, and there are a number of intriguing matches to look forward to this weekend.

None more so than Friday night's clash between two sides with ambitions of making the top four, and thus entry into next season's Uefa Champions League.

Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium one point behind the visitors who occupy fourth spot in the table. Therefore a win for either side would provide a big boost for their respective top four hopes.

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Elsewhere, champions Chelsea face a tricky trip to in-form Everton, who have banished their early season struggles since the arrival of Sam Allardyce.

Manchester City will look to extend their record-breaking winning run when they entertain Bournemouth before Manchester United contest Saturday's late kick-off at Leicester City.

Ahead of all the action, Graham Caygill provides his predictions and reasons for his chosen scorelines.

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