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Liverpool are set to face Arsenal this weekend. Bogdan Maran/AP/Press Association Images
Predictions

Premier League preview: how to fill out your weekend football accumulator

Liverpool v Arsenal, Man United v Fulham and more thoughts on the upcoming action.

All games kick-off at 3pm unless stated otherwise

Liverpool v Arsenal (12.45)

Arsenal are riding high at the top of the league despite pundits continually doubting their title-contending credentials.

The Gunners are two points clear of City, but face a significant test on Saturday.

Liverpool haven’t lost in 10 games at Anfield, so a Gunners win may finally prompt critics to take their title challenge seriously.

That said, a draw wouldn’t be a bad result, given how formidable Brendan Rodgers’ side tend to be at home.

Bet: Draw @ 12/5

Aston Villa v West Ham

An eight-point gap separates 9th place Southampton and 10th place Aston Villa — somewhat incredibly, Paul Lambert’s side are closer to the relegation zone than to the Saints.

Their home form this season has been less than impressive, while the Hammers are hoping to go three matches unbeaten for the first time this season.

The odds are slightly in Villa’s favour unsurprisingly however, with West Ham only winning one of their last 15 visits to their ground.

Bet: Aston Villa @ 23/20

Chelsea v Newcastle

Chelsea are riding high following their impressive 1-0 defeat of Man City on Monday.

Nevertheless, they come up against a team who have already beaten them once already this season — the newly Kinnear-less Newcastle.

Yet few are tipping the Magpies to prevail this time around and with good reason, as they have only beaten them once at Stamford Bridge since 1986.

Bet: Chelsea @ 1/4

Crystal Palace v West Brom

A battle of two struggling sides who are both on 23 points and thus, hovering above the relegation zone.

Tony Pulis’ men have shown some encouraging form of late though, while the Brummies have also demonstrated signs of improvement under Pepe Mel.

Consequently, it should be a tight game at Selhurst Park, though Palace’s record of 13 points out of a possible 18 under Tony Pulis at home suggests they have the ability to prevail tomorrow.

Bet: Draw @ 9/4

Norwich v Man City

City are going into Saturday’s game on the back of a rare loss, having been unexpectedly defeated at home by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

Yet they will still be confident, given that they’re playing a team that they previously beat 7-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Chris Hughton’s men do at least have Wes Hoolahan back in their squad, after he was left out last week when his future at the club was in doubt.

Bet: Man City @ 4/11

Southampton v Stoke

Having suffered a considerable dip in form following their hugely promising start to the season, Southampton appeared to be enjoying somewhat of a second lease of life now.

They are unbeaten in their last four matches, though come up against Manchester United’s conquerors from last week Stoke.

The United game, though, was their first win in seven games, so they could struggle against Mauricio Pochettino’s in-form side.

Bet: Southampton @ 4/7

Sunderland v Hull City

Having looked almost certain to go down at one point, Sunderland have been reinvented under Gus Poyet.

Their 3-0 win away at Newcastle last week highlighted their current confidence, with Adam Johnson in particular finally showing his true potential with six goals in four games.

The Black Cats consequently should have enough to topple a Hull team that are without a win in five matches.

Bet: Sunderland @ 11/10

Swansea v Cardiff (Saturday, 17.30)

The All-Welsh derby should be an intriguing affair, with the two teams’ just three points apart in the league, even though Swansea are as high as 12th and Cardiff are all the way down in 19th.

Both sides have also endured managerial instability over the course of the season, with Malky Mackay and most recently, Michael Laudrup, leaving their posts in controversial circumstances.

Their similar form makes this game especially hard to predict, but home advantage should give the Swans a slight advantage.

Bet: Swansea @ 17/20

Tottenham v Everton (Sunday, 13.30)

Along with Liverpool and perhaps United, the two teams most likely to battle it out for the fourth Champions League spot play at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Tottenham will be boosted by the likely return of Mousa Dembele and Andros Townsend, while Gerard Deulofeu and Seamus Coleman are back for Everton.

There seems to be little between the two sides in terms of the talent available from their respective squads, so don’t be surprised if this one fails to produce a winner.

Bet: Draw @ 12/5

Man United v Fulham (Sunday, 16.00)

Could the situation get any worse for United?

After last week’s dreadful loss to Stoke, it seems unlikely, especially as they ostensibly face the perfect opposition in bottom of the table Fulham, who are themselves desperately short on confidence.

The Londoners have only ever beaten United once at Old Trafford in the Premier League, defeating the Red Devils 3-1 in 2003 — another impressive run that David Moyes will be hoping to avoid ending.

Bet: Man United @ 2/9

Accumulator

Putting €10.00 on the above bets will earn you precisely €10,273.63.

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