Liverpool vs. Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Nigel Pearson could not have wished for a tougher start to life in the Watford dugout as his basement-dwelling side visit runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
The Reds will be looking to move 11 points clear of Leicester City in what is their final league game before Christmas, whereas Watford remain rooted to the foot of the table with six points now separating them from safety.
We say: Liverpool 3-0 Watford
Make no mistake - this is a potential banana skin for Liverpool. The league leaders are likely to make changes and will come up against a team boosted by a new manager whose first priority will be to make them organised and difficult to break down.
However, Liverpool have faced plenty of teams like that in recent times and seem to have mastered the art of getting through them, and this weekend should be no different. The win may not be quite as emphatic as some of Liverpool's at home to Watford over the past few seasons, but it is hard to see anything other than a comfortable home triumph.
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> How Liverpool could line up against Watford
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Burnley vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 3pm)
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Newcastle United will be looking to continue their impressive run of form when they travel to an off-colour Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies have risen into 11th spot in the table following back-to-back wins, but Burnley have dropped to 13th having suffered three defeats in their last three league outings.
We say: Burnley 1-1 Newcastle
Three of the last six Premier League meetings between these two teams have finished level, and it would not be a surprise to see another draw on Saturday afternoon. Newcastle will be full of confidence following their recent form, but Burnley are certainly good enough to pick up a point on home soil.
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Chelsea vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)
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Chelsea head into their Premier League fixture with Bournemouth looking to strengthen their position in the top four of the standings.
However, the Blues have recorded just three points from a possible 12, while the Cherries have suffered five successive defeats in the top flight.
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Despite Bournemouth's recent form, we cannot help but feel that a trip to Stamford Bridge is a good opportunity for the Cherries to get back on track. However, while the Blues have been unconvincing in front of their own fans this season, they may be able to grind out a hard-fought win.
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> How Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth
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Leicester vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)
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Leicester City will be looking to make it nine Premier League wins in a row when they welcome struggling Norwich City to the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Foxes are currently second in the Premier League table having enjoyed a fine campaign to date, but Norwich are inside the relegation zone with just 11 points to show from their 16 games thus far.
We say: Leicester City 2-0 Norwich City
It is difficult to predict anything other than a home win this weekend when taking everything into consideration. Surprise results do tend to occur at this stage of the campaign, but we fancy Leicester to triumph at the King Power Stadium in routine fashion.
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Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 3pm)
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Sheffield United and Aston Villa square off at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon with the newly-promoted clubs having endured contrasting fortunes since returning to the top flight.
While the Blades sit just two points adrift of fifth-placed Manchester United, Villa only remain out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Aston Villa
With Villa requiring a response to their capitulation against Leicester, this game could prove to be closer than many are predicting. However, we feel that the home side will show the greater desire to get three points on the board ahead of the upcoming Christmas period.
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Southampton vs. West Ham (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Southampton play host to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday evening with the opportunity to move above the visitors in the standings.
After the club's disappointing run of form, Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini may lose his job with defeat at St Mary's, a result which could potentially leave the club in the relegation zone.
We say: Southampton 1-2 West Ham United
With their backs against the wall, West Ham produced a performance at Chelsea last month, and they face similar circumstances heading into the weekend. While we expect a closely-fought contest, the Hammers could rally to gain all three points.
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Man Utd vs. Everton (Sunday, 2pm)
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Manchester United will be looking to make it three straight Premier League wins for the first time since January when they welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils have risen into fifth position in the table courtesy of back-to-back victories, while Everton moved into 14th spot last weekend with a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park.
We say: Manchester United 3-1 Everton
Both teams will enter the match in confident form following impressive results last weekend, but it is difficult to back Everton to pick up all three points when taking everything into consideration. It would not be a surprise to see a draw, although we expect Solskjaer's team to put another win on the board.
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> How Manchester United could line up against Everton
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Wolves vs. Tottenham (Sunday, 2pm)
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Wolverhampton Wanderers play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon needing to avoid defeat in order to remain ahead of their opponents in the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho takes Spurs to Molineux having recorded nine points from a possible 12 since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout.
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
With both teams having competed in midweek, this match is a difficult one to call. While Spurs ran riot at Molineux last season before eventually claiming a narrow win, we feel that Wolves will do enough to earn a share of the spoils on this occasion.
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> How Tottenham could line up against Wolves
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Arsenal vs. Man City (Sunday, 4.30pm)
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Pep Guardiola will bring up 200 matches in charge of Manchester City when the champions visit Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides have endured disappointing campaigns to date, with Man City slipping 14 points off the pace set by Liverpool and Arsenal beginning the weekend in ninth place, seven points off the top four.
We say: Arsenal 1-3 Man City
Man City have been more prone to slip-ups in recent weeks than at any point in the last two seasons, so it would not be a major shock if Arsenal were to come away from this game with something to show for it. However, the Gunners have even greater problems of their own at the moment and, if Man City are anywhere near their best, it is likely to be a relatively comfortable away win.
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> How Arsenal could line up against Man City
> How Man City could line up against Arsenal
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> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match
> Combined XI: Arsenal vs. Man City
Crystal Palace vs. Brighton (Monday, 8pm)
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One of English football's more unorthodox rivalries enters its latest chapter on Monday night when Crystal Palace welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Selhurst Park in the 'A23 derby'.
Just two places separate the two sides in the table ahead of the weekend's action, with Palace sitting 10th and Brighton three points behind in 12th.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton
It is difficult to separate these two sides, with both coming into this match in good spirits following a recent upturn in form. Palace generally tend to be better away from home, while Brighton were impressive on their last away outing at Arsenal, so we are backing the Seagulls to get something from this game.
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