Only a fool would miss the English Premier League football action this weekend, as the top flight heads into April off the back of the international break last weekend.
And there’s precious little time for joking around, as the EPL kicks off with the mouthwatering contest between Manchester City and Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime.
It’s a different – and more desperate – tone to recent years as the pair meet at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions are pulling out the stops to keep the pressure on at the top of the table, while the Reds are locked in an almighty scramble just to pinch a top six place come May.
It’s a sunnier picture for Arsenal as they seek to maintain their eight-point advantage at the top later in the day.
The Gunners are at home to Leeds, who have perked up in recent weeks following the sacking of Jesse Marsch but remain deep in relegation peril as they head south to the Emirates Stadium.
North London rivals Tottenham must wait until Monday night to begin life after Antonio Conte.
It all proved too much in the end for the combustible Italian, whose inevitable Spurs departure was announced during the international window.
An instant reaction is required from Harry Kane and Co, then, as they travel to Goodison Park to challenge an Everton side unbeaten in three in their battle to beat the drop to the Championship.
Another classic is on the cards in the north east on Sunday, when Newcastle welcome Manchester United to St James’ Park.
Erik ten Hag’s men can bolster their claim on a third-placed finish with a positive result on Tyneside, while the home side would go above the Red Devils on goal difference if they can seal victory on home turf.
Sunday’s other EPL fixture is a relegation six-pointer between West Ham and Southampton.
Both start the weekend in the drop zone ahead of their London Stadium showdown, with the Hammers sitting a point above the rock bottom Saints.
Elsewhere on Saturday, it could scarcely be more of a mid table contest when Chelsea host Aston Villa in the Premier League’s evening kick off.
Both were in improving form before knocking off for international duty, too, unbeaten in three and four matches respectively to go into their Stamford Bridge match level on 38 points.
There’s a classic feel to the Midlands duel between Nottingham Forest and Wolves, who could both use the points in their respective bids to pull away from trouble as the run-in approaches.
And the same can be said for Crystal Palace and Leicester ahead of their nervy encounter at Selhurst Park.
Patrick Vieira paid the price for an abysmal run of form when he was sacked as Eagles coach, meaning yet another return to the dugout for veteran ex-England boss Roy Hodgson, who goes up against his fellow former Liverpool chief Brendan Rodgers.
Two overachievers will tangle on the south coast, meanwhile, as Brighton take on Brentford at the Amex Stadium with both teams having scooped up 42 points so far this campaign.
Promoted Fulham are right up there with the unlikely pair, despite a tricky last few weeks that has seen them go three without a win.
Marco Silva will be confident in his charges turning it around at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, as they go to face relegation-haunted Bournemouth.
English Premier League predictions for 1 – 3 April
Manchester City v Liverpool
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | E. Haaland(Manchester City) Mohamed Salah(Liverpool) C. Gakpo(Liverpool) D. Núñez(Liverpool) |
AFC Bournemouth v Fulham
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | M. Solomon(Fulham) |
Arsenal v Leeds United
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | B. Saka(Arsenal) Gabriel Martinelli(Arsenal) J. Harrison(Leeds United) |
Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford
| Result prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | S. March(Brighton & Hove Albion) |
Crystal Palace v Leicester City
| Result prediction | Leicester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Leicester City to win |
| Team to Score prediction | none |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Nottingham Forest / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Chelsea v Aston Villa
| Result prediction | Aston Villa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / Aston Villa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | O. Watkins(Aston Villa) |
West Ham United v Southampton
| Result prediction | West Ham United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | West Ham United / West Ham United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Newcastle United v Manchester United
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | A. Isak(Newcastle United) M. Rashford(Manchester United) |
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | H. Kane(Tottenham Hotspur) |
AFC Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion
| Result prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | S. March(Brighton & Hove Albion) |
Leeds United v Nottingham Forest
| Result prediction | Leeds United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Leeds United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | J. Harrison(Leeds United) |
Leicester City v Aston Villa
| Result prediction | Aston Villa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / Aston Villa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Aston Villa |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | O. Watkins(Aston Villa) |
Chelsea v Liverpool
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Liverpool to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Mohamed Salah(Liverpool) C. Gakpo(Liverpool) D. Núñez(Liverpool) |