Spurs surge on as Gunners misfire at Manchester United: Premier League predictions

The crystal ball is dusted down once again for the latest round of matches in England's top-flight

Friday - Wolves v Crystal Palace (midnight kick-off UAE): Two very well-drilled teams sitting comfortably in the top half of the table, both very reliant on one man for their goals in six league games this season. Out of the six goals Wolves have managed, Raul Jimenez has four of them, while Wilfried Zaha accounts for five of Palace's eight. Anything other than a low-scoring, tight game here would be a major surprise. Prediction: Wolves 1 Palace 0. EPA

Saturday - Sheffield United v Manchester City (4.30pm): City's stuttering start continued last week when it took a second-half strike by substitute Phil Foden to rescue a point at West Ham. And the problems mount for manager Pep Guardiola with striker Sergio Aguero joining key midfielder Fernandinho on the injury list for the next month. Anything less than three points at Sheffield United - second bottom, with one point - and the alarm bells will be ringing for last season's runners-up. Prediction: Sheffield United 0 City 2. Reuters

Burnley v Chelsea (7pm): It has been a woeful start to the season for Sean Dyche and Burnley. One point and three goals from their first five games is relegation form, although they can count themselves unlucky to have hove lost at home to Spurs on Monday. It is safe to say that sitting in tenth place after six matches was not what Frank Lampard - or owner Roman Abramovich - had in mind after a summer of heavy spending. But surely it is only a matter of time before their array of attacking talent propels them back towards the top four. Prediction: Burnley 0 Chelsea 3. Reuters

Liverpool v West Ham United (9.30pm): The fact that Liverpool recently lost 7-2 at Aston Villa, have the joint worst defensive record in the league but are still joint top of the table, tells you everything you need to know about this bonkers start to the season. The champions are nowhere near hitting top gear, yet are still only goal difference away from leading table again. West Ham - who have beaten Leicester, then drawn with Spurs and Manchester City in their last three games - will provide tricky opposition at Anfield. Prediction: Liverpool 2 West Ham 1. EPA

Sunday - Aston Villa v Southampton (4pm): The two surprise packages of early season clash at Villa Park. Villa were brought crashing back down to earth with a thump last week when, after winning their first four games, Dean Smith's side were thrashed 3-0 at home to Leeds. Southampton also ended an unbeaten run by defeating Everton 2-0 with an impressive performance at St Mary's which means they now have taken 10 points from a possible 12. Prediction: Villa 2 Southampton 2. AFP

Newcastle v Everton (6pm): Newcastle's erratic form continued last week when they scraped a draw at Wolves, thanks to Jacob Murphy's cheeky last minute free-kick at Molineux. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow continues to be the Premier League's busiest goalkeeper - with 32 saves, 13 clear of his opposite number here in Jordan Pickford - and he could well be facing another hectic day against Everton's exciting attacking talent. Prediction: Newcastle 1 Everton 2. Getty

Manchester United v Arsenal (8.30pm): The days of Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger sides going at it hammer and tongs may be long gone, but this remains a classic Premier League fixture. Looking at the current table, neither side will be remotely happy, with United down in 15th and the Gunners four places higher. All eyes are on veteran Edinson Cavani to see whether the Uruguayan will be a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-esque success or a Radamel Falcao-like let down at Old Trafford. Prediction: United 2 Arsenal 1. AP

Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton (11.15pm): Could be a tough evening for Brighton as they come against the most in-form attacking duo in the Premier League in Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. When Kane set-up Son to score Spurs' winner at Burnley on Monday, it was the ninth time time they have combined for a league goal this season - and their 29th in total. Only Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard at Chelsea have more. Prediction: Spurs 3 Brighton 0. Reuters

Monday - Fulham v West Bromwich Albion (9.30pm): Two of the Premier League's bottom dwellers meet at Craven Cottage, without a win between them from 12 games and with the joint-worst defensive records. Slaven Bilic's side have at least acquired three draws along the way, better than Fulham's meagre single point. Lots of goals a distinct possibility here but with Fulham's winless-woes set to continue. Prediction: Fulham 2 West Brom 3. AFP

Leeds United v Leicester City (midnight): What a start to the new campaign Patrick Bamford is having with newly-promoted Leeds. Last week's hat-trick at high-flying Aston Villa took the English attacker's tally for the season to six as Marcelo Bielsa's side continue to cement their reputation as the league's new entertainers. A more familiar name also on six goals is Leicester striker Jamie Vardy who came off the bench to score the winner at Arsenal on Sunday. Prediction: Leeds 2 Leicester 1. EPA

Attempting to predict Premier League results is proving to be a thankless task this season.

Just by looking at the current table, you can see that all has not being going as expected with form books being flung out of the window.

Four of the Big Six – Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and United – currently sit in tenth place and below, while Everton, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Southampton are all in the top seven. The joint-worst defence in the division? Champions Liverpool.

Expect more madness in the latest round of fixtures that kick-off on Friday with Wolves taking on Crystal Palace.

Saturday sees Sheffield United starting proceedings against Manchester City, followed by Burnley versus Chelsea and then Liverpool playing host to West Ham.

On Sunday, Aston Villa are at home to Southampton, Newcastle entertain Everton, while Manchester United face Arsenal in the game of the day at Old Trafford. Spurs and Brighton contest the day's final game.

Fulham and West Bromwich Albion and Leeds' clash with Leicester complete the schedule on Monday.