Premier League predictions: Man United misery for Jose Mourinho, derby relief for Liverpool

We look ahead to this weekend's top-flight action in England

Watford v Leicester City, Saturday, KO 4.30pm: The battle at the bottom of the league is growing tenser by the week with only one point separating 15th place from the relegation zone. Watford sit one place above the drop zone, but only on goal difference, and Nigel Pearson needs striker and captain Troy Deeney to continue his scoring touch. The Hornets have failed to find the target in 13 league games this season, a figure that has to improve if they want to stay up. Leicester had no such problems last week when they thrashed Aston Villa 4-0. Getty. PREDICTION: Watford 1 Leicester City 3

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace, Saturday, KO 7pm: Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side have certainly shown some fight in their last two matches - narrowly losing 2-1 at champions-elect Liverpool and drawing 2-2 at home to Chelsea. But one point from their last four matches is dire form that will see them plying their trade in the Championship next season. And Palace are awkward customers who have won their last three games 1-0 to ease their own relegation fears. The Cherries' winless streak to go on. EPA. PREDICTION: Bournemouth 1 Crystal Palace 1

Manchester City v Burnley, Saturday, KO 7pm: After his derby horror show against Manchester United last week, the usually reliable City goalkeeper Ederson will be hoping to resume normal service at the Etihad this weekend. It would be fair to suspect that Clarets keeper Nick Pope will be the busier between the sticks and if City - with the wounds from Old Trafford still raw - score early, it could be a battering for Burnley Getty. PREDICTION: Manchester City 4 Burnley 1

Newcastle United v Sheffield United, Saturday, KO 7pm: Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin is one of those players who seems to have no idea what he is going to do next with the ball, so what hope for defenders? The Frenchman scored a vital winner against Southampton last week that took the Magpies eight points clear of the relegation zone. This weekend, he will need to find his way past the second meanest defence in the top-flight as the Blades have conceded just 25 goals this season. Only Liverpool have leaked less. Reuters. PREDICTION: Newcastle 2 Sheffield United 1

Norwich City v Southampton, Saturday, KO 7pm: Time is fast running out for rock-bottom Norwich. The Canaries are six points away from safety, have the worst goal difference by a considerable margin and have one win in six league games. But they were unlucky to lose at high-flying Sheffield United last week, defeated Leicester City the game before and now take on a Southampton side being dragged into the relegation dogfight themselves. The Saints are seven points above the drop zone after losing three of their last four matches and are starting to feel the strain. PA. PREDICTION: Norwich City 1 Southampton 0

Chelsea v Aston Villa, Saturday, KO 9.30pm: A full Premier League debut to remember last week for Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour. The 18-year-old Scot slotted straight into the base of the Blues midfielder and was the fulcrum to a 4-0 demolition job over Everton. Frank Lampard's side will be hoping for a repeat showing at Stamford Bride against free-falling Aston Villa. Monday's 4-0 thrashing at Leicester City was Villa's fourth defeat in a row and left manager Dean Smith admitting that his team "have made more individual errors than anyone his season". AFP. PREDICTION: Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 0

West Ham United v Wolves, Sunday, KO 6pm: West Ham might have gone down to a narrow defeat to Arsenal last week, but there was plenty to give Hammers manager David Moyes hope. They looked solid in defence, while the pace and power provided by the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Sebastien Haller meant they looked dangerous on the break. Wolves, meanwhile, were held to a disappointing home draw by West Ham's relegation rivals Brighton and will be hunting for a win to keep alive their top four hopes. Expect goals at the London Stadium. Reuters. PREDICTION: West Ham United 2 Wolves 3

Tottenham v Manchester United, Sunday, KO 8.30pm: Confidence is in short supply at Spurs at the moment. In the space of ten days they have seen their top four hopes all but disappear, have been knocked out the FA Cup and Champions League, and saw January signing Steven Bergwijn added to their hefty injury list. United, on the other hand, are flying after winning the Manchester derby last week which took them to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea. The misery goes on for Jose Mourinho. Getty. PREDICTION: Tottenham 1 Manchester United 3

Everton v Liverpool, Monday, KO midnight: Think back just a couple of weeks and it would have taken a brave soul to have predicted the seemingly unstoppable Liverpool express would come off the rails in such spectacular fashion. Four defeats in five games, undefeated league record gone, out the FA Cup, Champions League reign over ... surely now they cannot lose their first Merseyside derby since 2010? Judging by Everton's 4-0 battering at Chelsea last week, you would think not. But then, these are strange days... EPA. PREDICTION: Everton 1 Liverpool 2

They may be stumbling over the winning line of late, but this should be the weekend that Liverpool move within touching distance of securing the Premier League title ... and at the home of their local rivals Everton, just to make it even sweeter.

The title could be even more of a formality if Burnley produce an unlikely away win at second-placed Manchester City on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's side travel across Stanley Park on Monday night to face the blue half of Merseyside on their home turf.

It was way back in 2010 that Everton last came out on top against Liverpool. David Moyes was the winning manager that day with Roy Hodgson just a few months into his disastrous Reds' reign.

At the other end of the table, the bottom three of Norwich City, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are in dire need of points as they face Southampton, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, respectively – all of which are taking place on Saturday.

Ahead of this week's action, Gareth Cox 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.

Last weekend's Premier League action

SATURDAY: Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 1: Jurgen Klopp's side moved another step closer to a first league title in 30 years, despite an early wobble on Merseyside. Callum Wilson put Bournemouth into a shock ninth-minute lead before Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both found the target before the break. It was Liverpool's 22nd successive Premier League win at Anfield, breaking the English top-flight record set by Bill Shankly's team in 1972. Getty

Arsenal 1 West Ham 0: Alexandre Lacazette's goal 12 minutes from time saw Arsenal defeat their London rivals. It was the France forward's third goal in four games and victory lifted the Gunners up to ninth in the table. PA

Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0: Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew scored just before the half-hour mark to earn Palace a third successive Premier League victory. It was Ayew who earned the Eagles a 1-0 win over Brighton last weekend, while relegation threatened Watford failed to build on their stunning victory over Liverpool. Reuters

Sheffield United 1 Norwich City 0: Billy Sharp headed home the winning goal after 36 minutes - but Sheffield United were thankful for on-loan keeper Dean Henderson who made three crucial late saves to clinch all three points. The Blades kept up their hopes of a European place next season, while Norwich remain rooted to the bottom of the table, six points from safety. Reuters

Southampton 0 Newcastle United 1: Winger Allan Saint-Maximin scored the winner 11 minutes from time to earn Newcastle their first victory in five games. Magpies midfielder Matt Ritchie saw his first-half penalty saved by Alex McCarthy, while Moussa Djnepro was shown a red card for a nasty foul on Isaac Hayden. The win moved Newcastle above Southampton in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone. Reuters

Wolves 0 Brighton 0: Wolves missed the chance to go fourth in the table after a dull goalless draw against struggling Brighton. Chances were few and far between at Molineux, as the Seagulls still await their first victory of 2020. Reuters

Burnley 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1: A Dele Alli penalty in the 50th minute earned Spurs a point at Burnley, who had taken an early lead through Chis Wood. The result means Tottenham have now gone five games without a win in all competitions and their four-year run of top-four finishes looks like it is coming to an end. Reuters

SUNDAY: Chelsea 4 Everton 0: Carlo Ancelotti endured a miserable return to Stamford Bridge as his Everton team was ripped apart by Chelsea. Mason Mount put the home side in front after 14 minutes with Pedro doubling their advantage seven minutes later. Second-half goals from Willian and Olivier Giroud completed the rout and keeps Chelsea on track for a top four finish. AFP

Manchester United 2 Manchester City 0: The red half of Manchester earned the derby bragging rights after a goalkeeping horror show for City. Anthony Martial opened the scoring with a volley from a clever Bruno Fernandes free-kick that keeper Ederson should have saved. Scott McTominay added a late second from 35 yards after the Brazilian threw the ball directly to him. United moved up to fifth in the table. EPA

MONDAY: Leicester City 4 Aston Villa 0: A much-needed three points for third-placed Leicester after their recent slump. Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy was back among the goals with a brace at the King Power Stadium. It took the 33-year-old to 19 goals and reignited talk of coming out of international retirement with England. It was a fourth consecutive league defeat for Villa who remain second bottom. EPA