The English Premier League cracks on towards Christmas this weekend, although there will be a distinct lack of goodwill to all men in certain quarters.
Mohamed Salah sparked outrage at Liverpool with his fiery comments to the press last weekend.
So much so that Saturday’s home game against Brighton could serve as something of an awkward farewell for the legendary Egyptian, before he jets off to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Seagulls head to Anfield locked on points with Arne Slot’s Reds, with both in nearly-but-not-quite form in the race for continental qualification come May.
EPL leaders Arsenal play the Saturday night match when they welcome Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lost for just the second time this season amid late drama last weekend, while their miserable visitors have collected just two points all campaign and have lost all four since Rob Edwards returned to Molineux as head coach.
A fascinating top half tussle sees Chelsea go up against Everton.
The Blues are a point better off than the Merseyside club and start the weekend fifth, albeit having gone three games without a win in the league.
David Moyes has his Toffees in fine form amid their new stadium bounce – and they go to Stamford Bridge knowing that the dizzy heights of the top four are within range.
Manchester United are sandwiched between the pair in what is becoming a right old top half tangle.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in three as they return to Old Trafford on Monday night to tackle a Bournemouth side that have been bang out of form as they tumble down the table.
Andoni Iraola’s Cherries did stop the rot last weekend at least, as they held Chelsea to a draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Five Sunday fixtures in the Premier League are lit up by the return of the Wear-Tyne derby when Sunderland host arch-rivals Newcastle.
It’ll be a spicy affair at the Stadium of Light between the neighbours, not least because just a points splits the pair in the battle to push on towards the European qualification places.
And what a game at Selhurst Park, too, as fourth-placed Crystal Palace aim to get stuck into title challengers Manchester City.
The Eagles have won three of their last four as they continue to soar, while Pep Guardiola’s charges come into the weekend off the back of three straight wins to leave them two points shy of Arsenal at the summit.
There’s pressure aplenty at the City Ground where Nottingham Forest face Tottenham.
Pressure eased on Spurs boss Thomas Frank with a home success over his former club last time out, while two defeats in the last three have left Sean Dyche’s Forest just a couple of points clear of relegation danger.
Aston Villa are absolutely flying at the top end of the Premier League, thanks to five straight wins.
Phlegmatic boss Unai Emery has crushed talk of a title tilt this week but his team are just three points off the pace as they go to West Ham.
There’s no such calm for the Hammers – is there ever? – who are without a win in four and sitting firmly in the relegation zone despite the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo to the hottest of seats.
Also scratching around in the lower reaches are Brentford and Leeds, albeit with the duo in contrasting recent form.
They contest the late EPL game on Sunday at the Gtech Community Stadium with the Bees having lost three of their last four, while the Yorkshire club have collected a much-needed four points from their last possible six.
Saturday’s fourth and final fixture, meanwhile, is another ridden with relegation angst.
Burnley can’t buy a point at the moment, let alone a victory, leaving them above only winless Wolves in the pile.
The Clarets have an opportunity to end that sequence at Turf Moor when Fulham make the trek to the north west off the back of back-to-back defeats of their own.
Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth
Result prediction: Manchester United to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester United / Manchester United |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester United only |
Brentford vs Leeds United
Result prediction: Draw
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Result prediction: Manchester City to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester City only |
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur
Result prediction: Tottenham Hotspur to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur |
| Team to Score prediction | Tottenham Hotspur only |
Sunderland vs Newcastle United
Result prediction: Newcastle United to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / Newcastle United |
| Team to Score prediction | Newcastle United only |
West Ham United vs Aston Villa
Result prediction: Aston Villa to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / Aston Villa |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Result prediction: Arsenal to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal |
| Team to Score prediction | Arsenal only |
Burnley vs Fulham
Result prediction: Fulham to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Fulham / Fulham |
| Team to Score prediction | Fulham only |
Chelsea vs Everton
Result prediction: Chelsea to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Result prediction: Liverpool to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / Liverpool |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |