Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on December 11, 2024© Imago
Seeking a way out of their mid-season malaise, Premier League champions Manchester City will try to revive their ailing title defence on Saturday, when they visit Aston Villa.
Following last week's dramatic derby defeat, City have lost five of their last seven league games; meanwhile, Villa's recent revival was halted by a late collapse last time out.
We say: Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City
While City have wobbled, Villa are still vulnerable, so both sides would probably settle for a draw - even if neither manager would admit it.
The hosts are harder to beat on home turf and rarely fail to score, so they can extend the champions' long wait for an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Brentford head coach Thomas Frank on October 26, 2024© Imago
After their dreams of EFL Cup stardom crashed and burned in midweek, Brentford make a welcome return to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, when Nottingham Forest visit for a Premier League battle.
Thomas Frank's men fell to a 3-1 loss to Newcastle United in Wednesday's cup quarter-final, while the Garibaldi pulled off a tremendous late turnaround to sink Aston Villa 2-1 last weekend.
We say: Brentford 3-2 Nottingham Forest
No matter how dire Brentford's situation appears to be when they play away from home, Frank's men always respond with a spectacular attacking performance on their own patch, and Saturday's game should be no different.
A morale-boosted Forest side have our backing to wipe out the Bees' clean sheet, especially with the fresher legs in their ranks, but Santo's men are not at all watertight defensively away from home and should fall just short in a blow to their Champions League chances.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Will Murillo, Yates be fit? Predicted Forest XI against Brentford
> Defensive blows but an attacking boost? Predicted Brentford XI vs. Forest
Jack Taylor celebrates after scoring for Ipswich Town on December 14, 2024© Imago
Looking to enjoy a top-flight success in front of their East Anglian faithful for the first time this season, Ipswich Town will welcome Newcastle United to Portman Road on Saturday afternoon for a Premier League clash.
The Tractor Boys delivered a significant blow in the survival race last weekend by downing Wolverhampton Wanderers in the West Midlands, whilst the Magpies have enjoyed a pair of productive North-East battles over the past seven days.
We say: Ipswich Town 1-2 Newcastle United
Buoyed by two handsome home victories over the past week, we are expecting Newcastle to arrive at Portman Road with a great deal of confidence on Saturday afternoon.
Ipswich have failed to win back-to-back matches in the Premier League so far, and we cannot envisage the Tractor Boys starting that habit against the talented Magpies.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen celebrates after scoring on December 9, 2024© Imago
Still waiting for their first-ever Premier League home win over Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United hope to end their Seagulls hoodoo on Saturday at the London Stadium.
Neither side managed to pick up three points in gameweek 16, as Julen Lopetegui's men played out a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth after their visitors were beaten 3-1 by M23 derby rivals Crystal Palace.
We say: West Ham United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
While West Ham have showed a slightly sturdier edge to them in recent home games, an injury-hit Brighton are lacking inspiration at the minute and cannot be relied on to bolt the back door shut either.
Hurzeler's men can often give as good as they get in the final third, though, and their hosts have not shown anywhere near the level of consistency for us to believe that they can finally beat the Seagulls in a Premier League home game; an entertaining stalemate seems the most likely outcome.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Welbeck woes continue but duo to return: Predicted Brighton XI against West Ham
> One in, one out: West Ham predicted XI against Brighton
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus on December 18, 2024© Imago
After Wednesday's five-goal extravaganza in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, Saturday's Premier League London derby between midweek foes Crystal Palace and Arsenal has a lot to live up to.
The two capital counterparts reunite at Selhurst Park after Mikel Arteta's men prevailed 3-2 in the last eight of the League Cup, reaching the semi-finals thanks to a born-again Brazilian.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
Both Crystal Palace and Arsenal should only be too familiar with how the other sets up after Wednesday's affair, but while the Eagles' first-teamers may be a little leggy, Arsenal's regular starters will not be battling similar levels of fatigue.
Glasner's men can still trouble a Gunners backline that has conceded in six straight Premier League away games, but Arteta's men still have our vote to make London derby lightning strike twice and ensure that the gap to Liverpool does not expand any more.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> Who will replace the suspended Munoz? Predicted Palace XI vs. Arsenal
> Jesus decision, will Rice return? Predicted Arsenal XI against Crystal Palace
> Another concern for Tierney? Arsenal injury list for Crystal Palace reunion
Find out more about upcoming fixtures, odds and offers in our guide to Premier League betting sites.
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