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It’s a smorgasbord of mouth-watering clashes this weekend. Newcastle v Arsenal, Liverpool v Brighton and Spurs v Villa create interest at the top end. Six teams desperate for points also meet in three must-win games: Ipswich v Leicester, Southampton v Everton and Wolves v Palace.

Perhaps the most eyes though will be on Man U under caretaker manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy who takes the reins after Ten Hag's sacking on Monday. They take on the high-flying Chelsea.

Last weekend was remarkable for the number of late goals. Of the 31 scored, ten came after the 80th minute, five of them in stoppage time. Never count your money in the EPL until the final whistle is blown.

NEWCASTLE v ARSENAL

History: This has been largely dominated by Arsenal for a long period, although Newcastle has won two of the last three at St James' Park.

Overview: A crucial game for both sides. Newcastle will lose touch with the top six altogether with a loss, while Arsenal will probably be eight points adrift of Man City if they get nothing from this. Both sides are defensively sound, it's a matter of who has the most goals in them. Looks quite even on paper.

Prediction: Draw at $3.90.

BOURNEMOUTH v MANCHESTER CITY

History: These sides have met 14 times since Bournemouth's ascendency to the top-flight and City has won every time.

Overview: Bournemouth has picked up four points from a possible six against Villa and Arsenal in the past fortnight. This presents an even tougher challenge, but they did give the champions a scare on their home patch last season. City haven't put a two-goal gap on a side since round 3 so this could be closer than some think.

Prediction: Manchester City win at $1.60.

IPSWICH v LEICESTER

History: The only recent meetings were in last season's Championship when both games ended 1-1.

Overview: Ipswich showed plenty of fight when they went down to ten men at Brentford, and nearly snatched an equaliser. Their home form is better than their away form so they will come into this with a bit of confidence. Leicester was outclassed by Forest last weekend to end a run of two straight wins. Ipswich, still without a win in nine, need this more.

Prediction: Ipswich win at $2.25.

LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON

History: A quick turnaround after Liverpool defeated Brighton 3-2 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. Brighton's only win in seven visits to Anfield in the EPL came during Covid lockout. Overall, in the past four seasons it has been close, with two wins apiece and four draws.

Overview: Both sides come off 2-2 draws but Brighton has the bitter taste after giving away two very late against struggling Wolves. Liverpool came from behind to grab a point at Arsenal last weekend in a high-quality and entertaining fixture. The momentum is with the Reds, and the home ground advantage is worth around a goal.

Prediction: Liverpool win at $1.45.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WEST HAM

History: Just the four recent clashes following Forest's promotion and it is two wins each, with all results going the way of the home side.

Overview: The Forest resurgence continued at the King Power last weekend when they clinically disposed of Leicester. This is a well drilled side that gives little away, as their fine results against some of the competition heavyweights shows.

They face an unpredictable West Ham, who were very lucky to get all three at home against Man U thanks to a very dodgy penalty awarded in stoppage time. The home side is clearly going better.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest win at $2.10.

SOUTHAMPTON v EVERTON

History: Southampton won on penalties when the sides met in the Carabao Cup at Goodison in September. Before the Saints relegation in 22/23, neither side could claim bragging rights with a good mixture of results. 

Overview: To their credit, Southampton held tight after an early Man City goal and kept it respectable. That effort came after they butchered a two-goal lead at home against Leicester. Just how effective they will be defensively when not parking 11 behind the ball as they did against City remains to be seen. Coincidentally, Everton's last two away games have been against newly promoted sides, and they picked up four points. Expecting this to be close.

Prediction: Draw at $3.40.

WOLVES v CRYSTAL PALACE

Overview: Wolves fought back in outstanding fashion to steal a point at Brighton. Gary O'Neil's side has no trouble finding the net, but they are defensively the worst in the league.

The visit of Palace might offer some welcome relief as the Eagles have struggled in attack all season. Things are looking up though. A fine win over Spurs last weekend was followed with a Carabao Cup win at Villa, albeit against a makeshift line-up. Injuries to Eze and Wharton in that game are concerning. This is D-Day for Wolves.

Prediction: Wolves win at $2.60.

TOTTENHAM v ASTON VILLA

History: Remarkably, there has not been a draw in the past 20 meetings of these sides in all competitions. Villa has won at three of its last four visits to Tottenham.

Overview: Spurs put the 1-0 loss at Palace behind them with a big win over Man City midweek in the Carabao Cup. Injuries to Romero and Van de Ven soured the result against a side that were not at full strength and at times disinterested. It is not a defining result, but still a positive reaction.

Villa wasted two points by conceding at the death against Bournemouth. Momentum is hard to maintain with the midweek fixtures starting to pile up. The strength of Spurs at home might be the difference.

Prediction: Tottenham win at $1.90.

MANCHESTER UTD v CHELSEA

History: Chelsea won 4-3 at Stamford Bridge in April which was their first win over Man U in the league for 13 games going back to 2017. Their last win in the league at Old Trafford came in 2013.

Overview: Man U started life under caretaker manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy with a thumping midweek Cup win over Leicester. Ten Hag's sacking came after a luckless defeat at West Ham, but plummeting to 14th on the table was too much. This has been a good fixture for the Red Devils and while RVN's honeymoon period endures they can expect something positive from this match.

Chelsea was too good for Newcastle in the league last weekend then made 11 changes and went down to the same rival midweek. One of the best counter-attacking units in the game, but they can come apart defensively.

Prediction: Draw at $3.50.

FULHAM v BRENTFORD

History: These west London rivals have only met four times in the EPL, with Fulham winning once and Brentford twice. The Bees won 3-0 at Craven Cottage last season.

Overview: Fulham's very late escape against Everton papered over some cracks that are appearing after a bright start to the season. Just one point from the last nine available sees them slide to midtable but, until the Everton game, it had been a tough few weeks of fixtures.

Brentford has surprisingly become the entertainers, at the Gtech at least. Nine goals in their last two home league games has people asking 'Ivan who?' The Bees have been less convincing away from home. A point separates these sides on the ladder and this game will probably reflect that.

Prediction: Fulham win at $2.00.

SUGGESTED WAGERS

Newcastle and Arsenal to draw: 1 unit at $3.90.

Wolves to win: 2 units at $2.60.

Manchester Utd v Chelsea – match goals four or more: 2 units at $2.20.