The English Premier League signs off for the international football break this weekend – and there are opportunities for gains at the top of the table.
With the FA Cup quarter-finals also taking place before players are flung far and wide across the globe, it gives leaders Arsenal the chance to take a tantalising, nine-point lead at the summit.
Mikel Arteta’s men feature in Sunday’s sole league fixture against fellow London club Crystal Palace.
And they know they can put clear air between themselves and nearest challengers Manchester City, who are on FA Cup last eight duty against Championship leaders Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea are also in EPL action, as they face Everton at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s evening kick off.
Two wins from two, plus progression in the Uefa Champions League at the expense of Borussia Dortmund, has eased the piled up pressure on coach Graham Potter.
It’s an improving picture for the relegation-threatened Toffees, too, who have clambered out of the drop zone thanks to four points from their last possible six under Sean Dyche.
Tottenham are solidly in the top four shake up, even with their disintegrating relationship with coach Antonio Conte dominating the headlines.
Spurs go to St Mary’s Stadium to face Southampton on Saturday, with the home side sat at the foot of the Premier League table.
Friday night sees the EPL action begin with a battle between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle at the City Ground.
The Toon Army are out to bolster their top six credentials, while the hosts are one of a cluster of teams deeply concerned with matters at the wrong end of the standings.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the meeting between Wolves and Leeds creates a scrap between two more worried about the trap door to the Championship.
Brentford have more than half an eye on continental qualification when they welcome Leicester, who are in free fall following four consecutive EPL losses.
And Bournemouth attempt to record back-to-back wins to boost their push for survival when they travel to mid-table Aston Villa.
English Premier League predictions for 17 – 19 March
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
| Result prediction | Nottingham Forest to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / Nottingham Forest to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
| 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) |
Brentford v Leicester City
| Result prediction | Brentford to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Brentford to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | I. Toney(Brentford) |
Liverpool v Fulham
| 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) M. Solomon(Fulham) |
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
| 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 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | H. Kane(Tottenham Hotspur) |
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United
| 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 |
Chelsea v Everton
| Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Chelsea to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Arsenal |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Gabriel Martinelli(Arsenal) |
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
| Result prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion / Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | S. March(Brighton & Hove Albion) M. Rashford(Manchester United) |
Manchester City v West Ham United
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | E. Haaland(Manchester City) |