Leicester vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Returning from Dubai unexpectedly worse for wear, Arsenal play their first game in 10 days on Saturday lunchtime, when they rock up to the King Power Stadium for a Premier League date with Leicester City.
The Gunners have not been in action since being slain by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-finals, whereas the Foxes were controversially beaten by Manchester United in the FA Cup last Friday.
We say: Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal
Defence might be the best form of attack for a decimated Arsenal side at the King Power, especially when taking Leicester's atrocious recent home form into account.
The Foxes might have impressed at Old Trafford, but even a Gunners outfit with just three fit attackers will be a different kettle of fish to an off-colour Man United, and we still expect Arteta's men to mark their return to British shores with a comfortable win.
> Premier League preview: Leicester vs Arsenal
> Bare bones in attack: Predicted Arsenal XI vs. Leicester
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> Havertz update as Gunners suffer fresh blow: Arsenal injury list for Leicester clash
Aston Villa vs. Ipswich (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Both buoyed by reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town resume Premier League duties with a date at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions edged out Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to seal knockout progression last weekend, while the Tractor Boys were convincing victors over Coventry City in their most recent affair.
We say: Aston Villa 3-1 Ipswich Town
Ipswich may have a glint in their eyes if they line up against a depleted Villa defence, but the hosts should make up for any shortcomings at the back with ruthlessness in attack.
Also taking into account the Lions' wonderful recent record at their West Midlands home, Emery's men should get back to winning ways in the Premier League with little fuss.
> Premier League preview: Aston Villa vs Ipswich
> Sammie is stricken again: Predicted Ipswich XI vs. Aston Villa
> Rashford decision, Watkins status: Predicted Villa XI vs. Ipswich
Fulham vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Seeking to strengthen their grip on a top-four finish in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest travel to Craven Cottage to face fellow European hopefuls Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The Cottagers will be looking to complete their second league double over the Tricky Trees in three seasons after winning the reverse fixture 1-0 at the City Ground in September last year.
We say: Fulham 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Fulham have struggled to grind out victories on home soil in recent weeks, but their impressive record against Nottingham Forest will give them hope of collecting three valuable points this weekend.
However, the Tricky Trees boast the second-best away record in the division and it is difficult to back against the likes of Wood, Elanga and Gibbs-White making their mark in the final third. With that in mind, a share of spoils could be on the cards this time around.
> Premier League preview: Fulham vs Nott'm Forest
> Hudson-Odoi, Murillo hope: Predicted Nott'm Forest lineup vs. Fulham
> Jimenez or Muniz? Predicted Fulham lineup vs. Nott'm Forest
Man City vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Fifth faces sixth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Manchester City welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium for an intriguing top-four battle.
The two teams lock horns for the first time since they played out a 1-1 draw at St James' Park in September last year.
We say: Manchester City 2-2 Newcastle United
The less said about Newcastle's away record against Man City the better, but there is reason for the Magpies to be optimistic heading into Saturday's contest, which arguably represents one of their best chances in recent years to come out on top against a mentally and physically fragile Citizens outfit.
Both teams could well be on the scoresheet here, particularly the hosts who have found the net in each of their last 32 Premier League games against Newcastle, but we feel that Guardiola's men may ultimately struggle to put their stamp on the contest against a settled and well-organised Magpies side, so a score draw could be on the cards.
> Premier League preview: Man City vs Newcastle
> Will Gordon, Joelinton, Botman be fit? Predicted Newcastle lineup vs. Man City
> Gonzalez home debut, right-back dilemma: Predicted Man City lineup vs. Newcastle
> Grealish, Akanji latest, Bobb chances: Man City injury list for Newcastle clash
Southampton vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Bournemouth will be looking to boost their Premier League top-four hopes when they travel across the South Coast to St Mary's to take on basement club Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
The Saints will be seeking revenge against the Cherries after they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Vitality Stadium at the end of September last year.
We say: Southampton 1-4 Bournemouth
Southampton will back themselves to score having found the net in each of their last four Premier League matches, but it is difficult to envisage this Saints side getting the better of Iraola's well-oiled Bournemouth machine and securing back-to-back PL wins for the first time since February 2022.
Despite the absence of several injured players, the Cherries have the firepower to caught plenty of problems to Southampton's frail backline and they will be regarded as firm favourites to claim maximum points at St Mary's.
> Premier League preview: Southampton vs Bournemouth
> Kluivert, Ouattara, Brooks to return? Predicted Bournemouth lineup vs. Southampton
> Onuachu starts, Sulemana benched: Predicted Southampton lineup vs. Bournemouth
West Ham vs. Brentford (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Atoning for London derby defeats with a London derby win will be the objective for both West Ham United and Brentford in Saturday's Premier League showdown at the London Stadium.
Graham Potter's men let a 1-0 lead slip in a 2-1 reverse to Chelsea two Mondays ago, while the Bees became Tottenham Hotspur's first Premier League victims of 2025 in a 2-0 home defeat.
We say: West Ham United 2-2 Brentford
What Brentford have lacked at home they have made up for on the road in recent weeks, and any team visiting the London Stadium can be sure that West Ham will give up opportunities to the opposition.
However, Frank's men should still fall short of winning three Premier League games away from home for the first time, as a Bowen-reinforced West Ham still pack a punch up front and gave Chelsea a brilliant run for their money two Mondays ago.
> Premier League preview: West Ham vs Brentford
> Mbeumo chasing personal best: Predicted Brentford XI vs. West Ham
> First minutes for Ferguson? Predicted West Ham lineup against Brentford
Crystal Palace vs. Everton (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Everton return to action three days after the astonishing finale to the Merseyside derby in midweek when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
James Tarkowski scored a phenomenal 98th-minute volley to salvage a point against rivals Liverpool, and draw the curtain on the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton
Even in defeats to Villa and Bournemouth, Everton could easily have taken something, and they were excellent all over the pitch against Liverpool, showing what a brilliant job Moyes has done with limited resources since returning to the club.
This is usually an unwelcome fixture for Palace, with just two wins in 23, but their form has also been impressive of late, and this should be a close, intriguing battle between two clubs now almost assured of safety.
> Premier League preview: Crystal Palace vs Everton
> Glasner to welcome back attacking trio? Predicted Crystal Palace lineup vs. Everton
> Who will replaced injured Ndiaye, suspended Doucoure? Predicted Everton XI vs. Palace
Ben Knapton
