The English Premier League continues to rattle along this midweek, with a full set of fixtures played out between Tuesday and Thursday across the country.
Manchester United have enjoyed a stunning turnaround in fortunes since bringing former midfielder Michael Carrick back as interim manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Four straight wins have marked the Red Devils as the EPL’s form team and they take centre stage on Tuesday night, as Carrick returns to his boyhood club West Ham.
A fifth victory on the bounce would take United to the dizzy heights of third, while the Hammers have also sparked into life with three wins from their last four, meaning another three points would take them to the brink of salvation from the relegation zone.
Leaders Arsenal go to Brentford for a London derby that is the only show in town on Thursday.
The Gunners have recovered from a blip with back-to-back wins, giving them a six-point cushion at the top of the standings coming into the midweek round.
Their hosts have an identical recent record and are defying all expectations under boss Keith Andrews this season, sitting seventh and right in the mix for a shot at qualification for European football.
Wednesday sees Premier League title challengers Manchester City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s men have six points to make up on Arsenal at the summit but enjoyed a rare comeback victory at Liverpool at the weekend.
The visitors have lost three of their last four as they slip away from the continental pace in a congested pack.
An Anfield sucker punch was the latest blow to Liverpool in their scramble to qualify for next season’s Uefa Champions League.
Arne Slot and his Reds now face a devilish trip north to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland, who are hanging on in there in the top half, in their own remarkable return to the top flight under the steady hand of Regis le Bris.
Aston Villa are third in the EPL and also needing to arrest a slump in form, with Brighton the visitors to Villa Park.
The Seagulls know a thing or two about what a collapse in results looks like, with young coach Fabian Hurzeler coming under increasing pressure following derby defeat at the weekend and with his sinking side now only eight points clear of the drop zone.
Another upstairs – downstairs contest pits Chelsea against Leeds on Tuesday.
The Blues are matching Manchester United’s pace in the form table thanks to four straight victories as Liam Rosenior defies the critics in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Daniel Farke’s West Yorkshire side are also going well with one loss in their last four, but remain nervous with only six points keeping their heads above the choppy relegation waters.
It could be a grim affair across the capital city, meanwhile, when underperforming pair Tottenham and Newcastle face another trial.
Spurs’ inability to buy a win has even led to suggestions they are in a relegation battle under creaking coach Thomas Frank.
Things aren’t much better on Tyneside, where a third successive EPL loss saw long-serving Eddie Howe and his players booed off the St James’ Park pitch.
It’s a far sunnier picture for Everton and Bournemouth, who meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with both enjoying impressive unbeaten sequences.
David Moyes’ Toffees have a three-point edge on the Cherries in the battle to break into the top six, with both clubs handily placed for a big finish as winter turns to spring.
There was some much-needed relief for Crystal Palace on Sunday, as they came out on top in a rival clash of dubious quality away to Brighton.
It was a win to halt an alarming slide down the table and one that Wednesday’s visitors can only dream of, with emotional coach Scott Parker and his Clarets staring down the barrel of yet another return to the Championship.
Nothing is certain for Nottingham Forest either, with Sean Dyche’s side just one place and three points above the dotted line.
A home game against Wolves, then, presents an excellent opportunity to create some breathing space, with Rob Edwards’ doomed side having registered just a single Premier League victory all campaign.
Chelsea v Leeds United
| Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea |
| Team to Score prediction | Chelsea only |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Everton v AFC Bournemouth
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
West Ham United v Manchester United
| Result prediction | Manchester United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Manchester United |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |