Premier League predictions: Manchester City and Liverpool share the spoils, more woe for West Ham and Bournemouth

The battle for a top-four spot and to avoid the drop hotting up in the latest round of matches

TUESDAY: Brighton v Manchester United (Kick-off 11.15pm UAE time): Another vital game for United - unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions - and their quest for a top-four spot, especially with the likes of Chelsea and Wolves also in fine form. Brighton, though, will be a tough challenge. As their relegation rivals' form drops off a cliff, the Seagulls are unbeaten in three matches, all against sides in the top half of the table - drawing with Wolves and Leicester, while beating Arsenal. Prediction: Brighton 1 Manchester United 2. Reuters

WEDNESDAY: Arsenal v Norwich City (9pm): Two away wins in a row - against Southampton in the league and Sheffield United in the FA Cup - have given the Gunners a much-needed boost. Manager Mikel Arteta remains confident his team can qualify for Europe and a home game against the hapless Canaries is just what the doctor ordered. Bottom club Norwich have lost three league games in a row and are six points adrift from safety. Prediction: Arsenal 3 Norwich 0. AP

Bournemouth v Newcastle United (9pm): Bournemouth's form has plummeted at the worst possible time, with two defeats and no goals since the Premier League restart and one win in their last seven games. Manager Eddie Howe admits the Cherries' form "hurts deeply" as the pressure mounts on his team that sits third from bottom. Newcastle's restart form has got gradually worse, after starting with an excellent win over Sheffield United, drawing with Aston Villa before losing to Manchester City in the FA Cup by a 2-0 scoreline that flattered the Magpies. Prediction: Bournemouth 0 Newcastle 2. Reuters

Everton v Leicester City (9pm): The pressure is building on Brendan Rodgers' Foxes. A disappointing restart from the team in third place has seen them draw with struggling Watford and Brighton - which needed a penalty save from Kasper Schmeichel to prevent the Seagulls taking all three points - and lose to Chelsea in the FA Cup. And with the likes of Chelsea, Wolves and Manchester United breathing down their necks, Leicester need to rediscover the winning touch. Everton earned their first win in five games by winning at Norwich in their last match. Prediction: Leicester 2 Everton 1. AFP

West Ham United v Chelsea (11.15pm): The Hammers are another team in the bottom five whose form has deserted them. Three defeats on the spin with no goals scored screams of a team in trouble and the last thing David Moyes' men needs would be a derby defeat against their London rivals. Chelsea, though, are in fine fettle with three league wins in a row and an FA Cup semi-final spot secured. Prediction: West Ham 1 Chelsea 3. PA

THURSDAY: Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur (9pm): Relief all round for Spurs in their last match when they defeated West Ham 2-0 to secure their first win in eight games, while Harry Kane scored his first goal since his injury he picked up on New Year's Day. The Blades, meanwhile, have endured a miserable restart with one point from three league games and an FA Cup exit at home to Arsenal. With just one goal in four matches as well, the gloss is being taken off what had been a superb season for Chris Wilder's men. Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Tottenham 2. EPA

Manchester City v Liverpool (11.15pm): In what many would quite rightly have thought would be a possible title-decider at the start of the season, is in fact merely a coronation for Liverpool. A first title in 30 years was sealed last Thursday when City were beaten at Chelsea, sparking wild celebrations on Merseyside over the weekend. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed his team will give Liverpool a guard of honour before the match - but expect the appreciation-club to end there as City attempt to secure some consolation in a season when they have been made to look distinctly second best by Jurgen Klopp's men. Prediction: Manchester City 2 Liverpool 2. EPA

Liverpool might be champions, but there is still plenty to play for as we head into the Premier League season home straight.

At the foot of the table, good form is almost non existent as the bottom five find securing even a point a real struggle.

On a crucial night on Wednesday, Norwich City (bottom), Bournemouth (third bottom) and West Ham (fourth bottom) are all in action – against Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea, respectively.

Fourth-placed Chelsea need a victory to maintain their momentum in the race for a Champions League spot, while Manchester United, in sixth, need to beat Brighton on Tuesday to keep the pressure on Frank Lampard's men.

We have saved the best until last as last season's title winners Manchester City play host to Jurgen Klopp's new kings of the Kop at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

To see our predictions for the coming matches, look through the photo gallery above and click on the arrows or swipe to look at the next image.