This weekend has a demolition derby feel about it, as the English Premier League returns following last weekend’s break for the FA Cup Third Round.
It all kicks off on Saturday lunchtime when Manchester United host bitter rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have drawn three successive EPL matches to underscore their listless season so far, but still manage to sit seventh in the table thanks to a monstrously competitive and unpredictable midtable below them.
Ruben Amorim paid for his insolence with his job at United, as former midfielder Michael Carrick prepares to take charge until the end of the campaign.
City have also drawn three on the spin but remain the nearest challengers in the title race.
Another rival clash follows straight after, with Tottenham playing West Ham amid what could be a toxic atmosphere in north London.
Both are languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table as the Hammers, in particular, looking in increasing danger of relegation as Nuno Espirito Santo struggles to right the ship.
Spurs chief Thomas Frank has that sinking feeling as well, thanks to another three games without a win as the pressure mounts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
There’s even a third derby to go at across the capital, when Chelsea meet Brentford.
The Blues have slipped alarmingly off the pace in the battle for Uefa Champions League qualification and face an imposing task at Stamford Bridge, as Keith Andrews brings his Bees off the back of an incredible run of form that sees them start the weekend fifth in the standings.
Leaders Arsenal play in the evening kick off when they go to Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners have a six-point buffer at the top of the EPL as they attempt to finally go one better under the charge of Mikel Arteta.
Sean Dyche had been cutting an increasingly troubled figure in the City Ground dugout – until a timely victory at West Ham last time out handed them a huge boost in their survival battle.
Liverpool are another heavyweight club to have endured three straight stalemates.
Anfield will be demanding all three points when Burnley visit Merseyside, with the Clarets looking doomed to relegation back to the Championship despite the best efforts of coach Scott Parker.
Aston Villa are poised to capitalise on any cock ups at the summit, as they take on Everton on Sunday.
The out-of-sorts Toffees arrive in the West Midlands looking to reignite their season, while Villans boss Unai Emery is quietly plotting an unlikely title charge.
Wolves and Newcastle contest Sunday’s other EPL match when they face off at Molineux.
The Toon Army are in fine form after winning three on the spin, hoisting them to sixth in the Premier League standings at the start of the weekend, while their hosts remain rock bottom despite going three unbeaten under Rob Edwards.
It’s an all-south coast contest on Monday night, meanwhile, when Brighton host Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium.
Both clubs are part of the midtable jostle with the Seagulls unbeaten in three, while the Cherries returned to winning ways at the Vitality Stadium by dispensing with Tottenham.
Sunderland and Crystal Palace are also right in that mix ahead of their Stadium of Light date on Saturday.
But both have seen results go off a cliff in recent weeks, having previously been seen bothering the Champions League qualification places until the wins deserted them.
There has been a similar drop off for Leeds, who have now gone four without a victory after an impressive recovery under boss Daniel Farke.
They play Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday with the visitors going well, ninth in the Premier League table and derby day winners over Chelsea last time out.
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | none |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Manchester United v Manchester City
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City) |
Leeds United v Fulham
| Result prediction | Leeds United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Leeds United / Leeds United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | D. Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) Raul Jimenez (Fulham) |
Chelsea v Brentford
| Result prediction | Brentford to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Brentford to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Kevin Schade (Brentford) Igor Thiago (Brentford) |
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Liverpool v Burnley
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Liverpool to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
| 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 | n/a |
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United
| Result prediction | Newcastle United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Newcastle United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) |
Aston Villa v Everton
| Result prediction | Aston Villa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Aston Villa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) |
Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth
| Result prediction | AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | AFC Bournemouth / AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |