Liverpool edge out Manchester United in top-of-table clash: Premier League predictions

The January fixtures are coming thick and fast with the two old rivals going head-to-head

THURSDAY - Arsenal v Crystal Palace (Kick-off midnight UAE): Three league wins on the spin - and an FA Cup win over Newcastle - has seen the pressure ease somewhat on Gunners manager Mike Arteta. The goals were flowing in their last league outing when West Brom were ruthlessly brushed aside in an emphatic 4-0 win. Palace secured a much-need three points in their previous Prem game when hapless Sheffield United were dispatched 2-0, their first victory in five games. Prediction: Arsenal 3 Palace 1. Getty

SATURDAY - Wolves v West Bromwich Albion (4.30pm): If Sam Allardyce was under any illusions about the size of the challenge in front of him when he took over at the Baggies, they have quickly been blown away in the last couple of weeks. Since grabbing a point at Liverpool, Big Sam has seen his team beaten 5-0 and 4-0 in consecutive home games - to Leeds and Arsenal, respectively - as well as losing to third-tier Blackpool in the FA Cup. Wolves are hardly flying themselves and are without a win in five. Prediction: Wolves 2 West Brom 1. PA

Leeds v Brighton (7pm): There's rarely a happy medium with Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds. If they're not sticking five goals past teams - see Newcastle and West Brom - they are leaking six themselves - at Manchester United - or losing to fourth-tier Crawley in the FA Cup. After two 3-0 defeats on the bounce, they will be looking to inflict something similar on Premier League draw specialists Brighton. Prediction: Leeds 3 Brighton 0. Getty

West Ham v Burnley (7pm): The Hammers were buzzing after their victory at top-four Everton last time out in the league, a win - courtesy of Tomas Soucek's late goal - that meant manager David Moyes had won against the Merseyside club he left in 2013 for the first time. Burnley have dragged themselves out of the bottom three after a couple of wins of late but were beaten at home by Manchester United on Tuesday. Prediction: West Ham 1 Burnley 1. AFP

Fulham v Chelsea (9.30pm): It may have been a tap-in from a couple of metres out against fourth-tier opposition in Morecambe in the FA Cup, but to Chelsea and Timo Werner, it was a much-needed boost. The German striker had not scored since November 7 and manager Frank Lampard has been under increased pressure after recent struggles. Lampard now needs him to do the business in the league, preferably starting here at their London rivals who are fighting for their top-flight lives. Prediction: Fulham 1 Chelsea 2. Reuters

Leicester v Southampton (midnight): A great test for both team's aspirations this season. Leicester, sitting pretty in the top four, up against a Southampton side eyeing a European spot themselves next season and coming on the back of an impressive win over Liverpool. The Foxes have won at Newcastle and made short work of second-tier Stoke in the FA Cup in their last two games. Prediction: Leicester 2 Southampton 2. AP

Sheffield United v Spurs (6.05pm): Finally, at the 18th attempt, Sheffield United secured the first three points of the season with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, a scoreline that flattered their opponents. It remains an Everest of a challenge in front of them though, nine points from safety having played more games than most of their rivals. Coming up against Spurs' attacking dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min is probably not what was needed if the Blades wanted to make it two wins on the spin. Prediction: Sheffield United 0 Spurs 2. PA

Liverpool v Manchester United (8.30pm): As if this fixture needs any more spice but when Paul Pogba volleyed home the winner against Burnley on Tuesday, it meant United leap-frogged Liverpool and took over top spot in the table. In the past seven seasons since Alex Ferguson quit the club, United have never been higher than second at this stage of the season. Now it is up for Jurgen Klopp's side to react and show why they are reigning champions. Prediction: Liverpool 2 Manchester 1. EPA

Manchester City v Crystal Palace (11.15pm): Palace have already won one game in Manchester this season - a memorable 3-1 win over United - and will need some more of that magic up against Pep Guardiola's side here. Roy Hodgson, the oldest ever manager in the Premier League at 73, will need all of his experience - and Wilfried Zaha in full flow - to complete the Old Trafford-Etihad Stadium win double. Prediction: Man City 4 Palace 0. PA

MONDAY - Arsenal v Newcastle (Midnight): Just 10 days after Arsenal knocked the Magpies out of the FA Cup, the two teams return to the Emirates for a league match. And after a miserable run of form, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is finding his position increasingly under the spotlight. A disastrous defeat at rock-bottom Sheffield United, that saw Bruce start the game with a back five and one up front, left the beleaguered boss facing ferocious criticism from a fanbase increasingly unhappy with the team's defensive tactics. Prediction: Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0. Getty

All eyes will be on a blockbusting battle between two of English football's most bitter rivals that takes place on Sunday.

Manchester United, who have just taken over the Premier League top spot from Liverpool after beating Burnley on Tuesday, travel to Merseyside to take on the reigning champions at Anfield.

Paul Pogba, who scored the winner against Burnley, insists the chance to take on Jurgen Klopp's men could not have come at a better time for the in-form Red Devils.

But there is plenty of other action before we get to that clash of the titans. On Thursday night, we have a London derby when Arsenal play host to Crystal Palace.

A hectic Saturday schedule kicks off with a Midlands spat between Wolves and West Bromwich Albion at Molineux, followed by Leeds versus Brighton in Yorkshire. West Ham against Burnley and Fulham versus Chelsea take place in the capital, while Leicester's clash with Southampton at the King Power Stadium completes the day's action.

Sunday starts with Sheffield United versus Tottenham at Bramall Lane, then on to the Liverpool-United game, and finally Manchester City facing Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

Ahead of the next round of fixtures, check out the 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.