The English Premier League roars back into life from its winter semi-slumber with a round of midweek fixtures that sees all 20 teams back in action.
It’s been an off-kilter affair since the turn of the year, with all sides given a weekend off as well as two rounds of FA Cup action.
But we’re back firing on all cylinders now, not least with Wednesday night’s contest between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp’s side top the EPL table and will stay there whatever happens thanks to their five-point advantage, which has even allowed their combustible German coach to keep his cool despite injury to star man Mohamed Salah while on duty for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
They will be wary of the Blues, who are finally creeping up the standings having also won three on the spin as boss Mauricio Pochettino finally seems to be getting his message across.
A London derby also lights up Wednesday, as Tottenham go up against Brentford.
Spurs are poised for a tilt at Uefa Champions League qualification under Ange Postecoglou, while the Bees finally curtailed their long losing run with victory last time out.
Reigning champions Manchester City complete Wednesday’s triumvirate, welcoming back club legend Vincent Kompany in the opposing dugout as coach of Burnley.
Pep Guardiola’s men will expect to keep leaders Liverpool on a tight leash, with their visitors from North Lancashire mooching around in the Premier League relegation zone.
Two Thursday matches include the resumption of Manchester United’s grim slog of a season, as they face a potentially horrible trip to Wolves.
Erik ten Hag’s men are eighth in the table and going nowhere fast, while they also know they’ll drop below their rapidly improving hosts if they lose at Molineux.
Thursday also sees Bournemouth make the trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham.
The Hammers could use three points to keep yet another European charge at the forefront of their minds, while the previously excellent Cherries have just overripened in recent weeks, losing their last two.
Five Tuesday night fixtures include an eye-catching contest in Birmingham, with Aston Villa going up against Newcastle.
Unai Emery’s Villans can solidify their top four ambitions with victory, while the Toon Army need to stop the rot that has seen them tumble down the table thanks to four consecutive losses.
Arsenal recovered from a blip over the festive period to secure a 5-0 home win last time out.
They leave the comfort of the Emirates Stadium to play away at Nottingham Forest, who are casting a nervous look over their shoulder at the drop zone despite the appointment of new boss Nunu Espirito Santo.
Also in the scramble to avoid playing Championship football next season are Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.
Veteran boss Roy Hodgson knows his job is seriously at risk if his Eagles side can’t fashion something positive at Selhurst Park against the team that props up the EPL table.
Everton are only a point above the relegation places themselves as they go to Fulham.
It could be a nervy Craven Cottage encounter with the home side not faring much better, while Toffees chief Sean Dyche needs to keep his side’s focus on the pitch despite the financial uncertainty swirling around the Merseyside club.
Luton are itching to take advantage of any slip up from the men in blue, as they aim to break out of the drop zone when they host Brighton.
The Seagulls are the latest to step into the unique atmosphere of Kenilworth Road, but they do so in good form having not lost in four Premier League outings.
EPL Predictions for 30 January 2024 to 1 February 2024
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
| Result prediction | Nottingham Forest to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Nottingham Forest to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Wood(Nottingham Forest) Gabriel Magalhães(Arsenal) |
Fulham v Everton
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Everton / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Everton |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Luton Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
| Result prediction | Luton Town to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Luton Town to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | E. Adebayo(Luton Town) |
Crystal Palace v Sheffield United
| Result prediction | Crystal Palace to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Crystal Palace / Crystal Palace to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | M. Olise(Crystal Palace) |
Aston Villa v Newcastle United
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | A. Isak(Newcastle United) |
Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Richarlison(Tottenham Hotspur) |
Manchester City v Burnley
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Manchester City to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Bernardo Silva(Manchester City) |
Liverpool v Chelsea
| 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) Diogo Jota(Liverpool) D. Núñez(Liverpool) C. Palmer(Chelsea) |
West Ham United v AFC Bournemouth
| Result prediction | West Ham United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | West Ham United / West Ham United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | M. Kudus(West Ham United) D. Solanke(AFC Bournemouth) |
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United
| Result prediction | Wolverhampton Wanderers to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Wolverhampton Wanderers / Wolverhampton Wanderers to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |