Mohamed Salah and Liverpool to pick up where they left off as Chelsea stumble again: Premier League predictions

Check out deputy sports editor Steve Luckings' predictions for this week's round of matches

Liverpool v Newcastle United, Saturday, 3.30pm: Liverpool entered the international break looking down on the rest of the Premier League after a 100 per cent start to the season. The Reds should carry on where they left off against Newcastle despite the Magpies' recent upturn after a difficult start. PREDICTION: Liverpool 3, Newcastle 0. Reuters

Brighton & Hove Albion v Burnley, Saturday, 6pm: Both these sides average a point per match from their opening four games. While Graham Potter has tried to bring about a more expansive and inventive style to Brighton's play, Burnley's pragmatism will see them walk away with a first away win of the campaign. PREDICTION: Brighton 0, Burnley 1. EPA

Manchester United v Leicester City, Saturday, 6pm: The cheers from the opening day victory over Chelsea have been replaced by the doubts that dogged Manchester United last season about whether their squad has the ability to challenge the top four. A winnable home game against Leicester City is up next, where Harry Maguire (pictured) faces his former teammates. PREDICTION: Manchester United 2, Leicester 1. EPA

Sheffield United v Southampton, Saturday, 6pm: Of all the promoted clubs, Sheffield United have acquitted themselves best in the English top-flight. The fluidity of their movement, with the three centre-backs just as likely to pop up on the wings as cut out crosses, has made them enjoyable to watch. Southampton fought back to claim a point against Manchester United last time out. They will need to show the same resolve again if they are to leave Bramall Lane with anything. PREDICTION: Sheffield United 1, Southampton 1. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, Saturday, 6pm: The best news to greet Spurs fans before the international break was that playmaker Christian Eriksen wasn't sold during the transfer window. The great Dane played and scored in the 2-2 North London derby and is crucial to their hopes of climbing up the table from ninth place. PREDICTION: Tottenham 3, Crystal Palace 1. Reuters

Wolves v Chelsea, Saturday, 6pm: Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is repaying the trust placed in him by manager Frank Lampard with four league goals in as many games. His pace and predatory instincts have unnerved defences so far. Wolves need to cut off the supply line to the young Englishman. PREDICTION: Wolves 1, Chelsea 1. Reuters

Norwich City v Manchester City, Saturday, 8.30pm: Manchester City will feel aggrieved to have dropped points already this season, although in truth they could have totted up a cricket score in the draw against Tottenham, such was their dominance. City rarely fail to put away the league's smaller teams. Don't expect that to change against Norwich. PREDICTION: Norwich 0, Manchester City 4. Reuters

Bournemouth v Everton, Sunday, 5pm: Everton are starting to put together consistent results and under Marco Silva have developed into one of the league's most attacking teams. New signing Alex Iwobi is already an improvement on his former Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott, but Bournemouth at home are no pushovers, and Everton will find their upward momentum halted. PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2, Everton 0. Reuters

Watford v Arsenal, Sunday, 7.30pm: New manager Quique Sanchez Flores faces an uphill task turning Watford's fortunes around, having replaced fellow Spaniard Javi Gracia earlier this week. Arsenal fielded Nicolas Pepe alongside Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against Tottenham and Unai Emery would be foolish not to go with the same attacking triumvirate against a woeful Watford. A losing start for the returning Flores. PREDICTION: Watford 0, Arsenal 2. Reuters

Aston Villa v West Ham United, Monday, 11pm: Aston Villa have as good a reason as any to wonder what constitutes a "clear and obvious" error missed by VAR after having a goal incorrectly ruled out in the defeat to Crystal Palace. Jack Grealish was not only denied a penalty but was booked for diving in the buildup, despite having been fouled twice before laying on a pass for Henri Lansbury to score. West Ham look a much improved attacking force with Sébastien Haller up front and will inflict more woe on a fellow team in claret and blue. PREDICTION: Aston Villa 1, West Ham 2. Reuters

With the first international break of 2018/19 out the way, the Premier League resumes with a familiar look at the top of the table as Liverpool and Manchester City lead the way.

Liverpool entered the break with a 100 per cent record, signing off with an impressive 3-0 away win at Burnley. Up next for Jurgen Klopp's side are Newcastle United, who are showing signs of revival under Steve Bruce after a difficult start to the campaign.

Champions Manchester City travel to Norwich City in Saturday's late kick off, looking to carry on their goalscoring form that saw them put four unanswered goals past Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.

Other notable games sees Quique Sanchez Flores return to the Watford hot seat after the Hornets parted ways with Javi Gracia this week. The Spaniard, who managed Watford for a season in 2015, will be given a baptism of fire on his return to English football with a red-hot Arsenal the visitors to Vicarage Road.

Ahead of the games, deputy sports editor Steve Luckings 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.