Liverpool vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Two giants of the English game languishing in mid-table obscurity kick off this weekend's Premier League action, as Liverpool take on Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
The ninth-placed Reds and 10th-placed Blues only have 28 points to boast from their top-flight outings approaching the midway point of the season, although the hosts hold a game in hand over their capital counterparts.
We say: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Liverpool's defence had to withstand wave after wave of pressure from Wolves in the FA Cup, but they held out well in a marked improvement of their levels of resilience, which will serve them well against a Chelsea side still struggling for results on the road.
With the roar of the Anfield faithful behind them and the expected return of the nuisance that is Nunez, we have faith in Liverpool to continue their wonderful goalscoring streak at home and send Chelsea back to London with zero points to their name.
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> How Chelsea could line up against Liverpool
> How Liverpool could line up against Chelsea
> Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Liverpool
> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Chelsea
Bournemouth vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Both involved in the multi-club scrap for Premier League survival, Bournemouth and an improving Nottingham Forest side clash at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
While Forest have won three of their last five league games to pull clear of the drop zone, their hosts occupy 17th place in the table following a 2-0 defeat at Brentford last time out.
We say: Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest
All five of Nottingham Forest's Premier League victories this season have been to nil, and they have failed to win any of the 13 games in which they conceded at least once. That trend may continue in a low-scoring draw on the South Coast, which would at least stop the rot for a free-falling Bournemouth side.
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Leicester vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Aiming to end a miserable run of four successive Premier League defeats, Leicester City host high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Brendan Rodgers's side were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Nottingham Forest last weekend, while the Seagulls swooped and destroyed Liverpool 3-0 on the South Coast.
We say: Leicester City 0-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester's goalless outing at Nottingham Forest was not for the want of trying, as the chances they created were let down by a lack of killer instinct, but Brighton are not renowned for any defensive excellence away from home.
However, one consolation goal may even be a step too far for the Foxes, with Brighton scoring at will and sure to take advantage of the hosts' ongoing injury and confidence issues to extend their winning streak.
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Southampton vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Southampton will be looking to extend their winning run in all tournaments to four matches when they welcome Aston Villa to St Mary's on Saturday lunchtime.
The Saints came from behind to defeat Everton 2-1 in their most recent top-flight battle, while Unai Emery's men defeated Leeds United by the same scoreline.
We say: Southampton 2-2 Aston Villa
A Southampton team evidently growing in confidence can no doubt trouble a leaky Villa rearguard, and Jones's side have not experienced much difficulty in front of goal at home, in spite of their miserable set of results.
Emery's team are a force to be reckoned with on the attacking front, though, and we can anticipate a share of the spoils in a high-scoring South Coast stalemate.
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West Ham vs. Everton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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West Ham United welcome Everton to the London Stadium on Saturday in a crucial clash at the bottom of the Premier League.
The result of this game could determine who the next Premier League manager to be sacked will be.
We say: West Ham United 2-0 Everton
Despite their rotten run of form, it is hard to imagine a team with such quality as West Ham's staying near the bottom for much longer.
Everton are in complete crisis, and there is the distinct possibility that is going to spill over onto the pitch, as they have shown no signs of being able to win a match recently.
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Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Aiming to take points off a top-four side for the second time in the space of four days, Crystal Palace host Newcastle United at Selhurst Park in Saturday's Premier League contest.
Patrick Vieira's side left it late to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in midweek, while the Magpies also waited until the dying embers to scrape past Fulham 1-0 at the weekend.
We say: Crystal Palace 0-1 Newcastle United
Losing Guimaraes is undoubtedly a major blow to Newcastle's Champions League aspirations, and the league's meanest defence will need to use their recent patience training to good effect against a Palace side who have already kept them out twice this term.
A lack of midweek action will certainly benefit Howe's men, though, and while Saturday's match may not be a goal-laden classic, it is one that the Magpies should still prevail in.
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Barney Corkhill
