The English Premier League continues its charge into the second half of the season this weekend, with a full set of fixtures across the country between Saturday and Monday.
A classic EPL clash lights up the schedule when Arsenal do battle with Manchester United on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta has steered the Gunners to pole position in their bid to win the title for the first time since the glory days of Arsene Wenger and his unbeaten Invincibles back in 2004.
They start the weekend with a seven-point lead at the top, having endured the agony of second-placed finishes in each of the last two seasons.
A new broom has swept clean at Old Trafford, meanwhile, with former midfielder Michael Carrick installed on an interim basis following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Carrick couldn’t have made a better start, sweeping to victory in the Manchester derby to take the Red Devils to fifth place in the Premier League table and well positioned heading towards the business end of the campaign.
Chelsea made a welcome return to winning ways last time out and they now face the short trip south of the River Thames for a London derby at crisis-club Crystal Palace.
Everything has unravelled for the Eagles less than a year on from their historic FA Cup triumph.
A horror week has seen them become the Cup’s biggest giantkilling victim at the hands of National League North side Macclesfield, lose key defender Marc Guehi to Manchester City and have the news made public that coach Oliver Glasner will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season.
So the mood could turn mutinous with the Blues in town, for whom new coach Liam Rosenior is eyeing a push towards the top four.
Aston Villa have only won one of their last four, much to the annoyance of coach Unai Emery, but still sit third in the EPL standings.
They travel to Newcastle for an enthralling St James’ Park contest, with Eddie Howe’s hosts having shot up the table thanks to three wins and a draw from their last four outings.
Saturday sees five Premier League fixtures, building towards the late kick off when Liverpool attempt to end their four-game drawing streak at Bournemouth.
The Reds have stalled in recent weeks but still lie fourth ahead of Mohamed Salah’s comeback from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, while the Cherries are in tentatively improving form having lost just once in their last four.
It’s remarkable to say that Manchester City are in worse form than rock bottom Wolves over their last quartet of league fixtures, going into their match at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola and Co are rueuing a couple of missed opportunities to close the gap to Arsenal at the top, while derby defeat to Manchester United stings beyond the points on the board.
Their visitors have finally shown signs of life under coach Rob Edwards, albeit with 14 points still separating them from the dotted line and a miraculous bid at survival.
Personal salvation is also on the mind of Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, who is clinging on to his role in North London after little more than half a season in the job.
At least Spurs don’t have the pressure of fixing their miserable home record this weekend, as they instead make the journey to the north west to play Burnley.
The Clarets come into the Turf Moor tie having recorded creditable draws with Manchester United and Liverpool, but need to turn hope into victories sharpish if they are to escape an immediate return to the Championship.
Also in deep trouble are West Ham, although they did help to pile the pressure on Frank with their last-gasp derby success at Tottenham last weekend.
They kick off the weekend in the Saturday lunchtime game, with Sunderland the visitors to the London Stadium.
Regis le Bris finally saw his Mackems return to winning ways last time out, keeping them right in the mix for a shock continental qualification amid a congested top half of the EPL.
Fulham and Brighton are safe as houses in midtable and within striking distance of the Wearside club.
They meet at Craven Cottage with the home side coming into the weekend a point and a place ahead of the Seagulls, with both striving to look up rather than down in the second half of the campaign.
Monday night football sees another two teams in encouraging recent form face off, as Everton welcome Leeds to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.
David Moyes has found the formula to perk up his Toffees since the festive period, while their visitors from West Yorkshire collected their sixth victory of the season last week to further ease their relegation concerns under Daniel Farke.
Brentford and Nottingham Forest wrap up the Premier League programme for the weekend when they go head-to-head on Sunday.
The Bees’ incredible run came to an end with defeat last weekend, while four points from a last possible six have given Sean Dyche a timely boost in their battle to beat the drop.
West Ham United v Sunderland
| Result prediction | West Ham United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | West Ham United / West Ham United |
| Team to Score prediction | West Ham United only |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
| 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 |
Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion
| 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 |
Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester City only |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Liverpool |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |