New Year's Eve's Premier League predictions including Brighton vs. Arsenal

Wolves vs. Man Utd (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Manchester United will be bidding to make it three Premier League victories in a row when they travel to Molineux on Saturday afternoon to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Red Devils are currently fifth in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with a game in hand on the capital club, while Wolves sit 18th, boasting 13 points from 16 matches in 2022-23.

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Manchester United

Lopetegui has brought a feel-good factor back to Wolves, and the home side will be confident of picking up a strong result in this match. Man United have been impressive in their two matches after the World Cup, though, and we are expecting the Red Devils to edge a close game at Molineux to boost their top-four hopes.

> How Manchester United could line up against Wolves

> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Wolves

Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace meet at the Vitality Stadium on New Year's Eve looking to bounce back from resuming their Premier League campaigns with a defeat.

The Cherries and Eagles now sit in 14th and 11th position in the standings respectively, but Bournemouth can only move ahead of Palace if they win by a five-goal margin.

We say: Bournemouth 1-1 Crystal Palace

On the back of suffering defeats earlier this week, avoiding another has become increasingly important. With that in mind, do not be surprised to see a competitive draw play out on the South coast, one which may suit both clubs at this stage.

Fulham vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

After returning to Premier League action in contrasting style, mid-table Fulham and rock-bottom Southampton meet at Craven Cottage on New Year's Eve.

While the Cottagers cruised to victory at Crystal Palace in their Boxing Day fixture, Saints slumped to another top-flight defeat despite a change of management just before the World Cup break.

We say: Fulham 2-1 Southampton

Fulham got off to a flying start upon their return to action, and with confidence coursing through their veins can take advantage of Southampton's woes to end 2022 with successive wins: the Saints are short of spark in the final third and have lost six from eight on the road so far.

Man City vs. Everton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Manchester City welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium on New Year's Eve in a game with very differing implications for both.

Frank Lampard's job at Everton is arguably now the most fragile in the whole top flight.

We say: Manchester City 3-0 Everton

If Man City are in the mood, nothing can stop them, and they should have no problem creating chances against the side who have conceded the most shots in the league.

Once Everton go behind, they very rarely recover, so an early City goal could lead to a long afternoon for the Toffees in Manchester.

> How Man City could line up against Everton

> Man City injury, suspension list vs. Everton

Newcastle vs. Leeds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to finish a remarkable year in suitable style, Newcastle United put their unbeaten home record on the line again as they welcome Leeds United to St James' Park on Saturday.

After wins in both league and cup marked their return to competitive action over the past week, the Magpies now host a side struggling just outside the Premier League's drop zone following a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

We say: Newcastle United 2-0 Leeds United

Though stranger things have happened, the combination of Newcastle's stingy defence and a leaky Leeds back line should surely result in a 10th top-flight win for the Toon. Riding the crest of a wave following results either side of the World Cup break, Eddie Howe's men can score at least twice to secure three more points on the final day of a transformative year.

Brighton vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Premier League leaders Arsenal will endeavour to end 2022 on a high note when they travel to the Amex to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening.

The Gunners came from behind to beat West Ham United 3-1 on Boxing Day, while the Seagulls got the better of Southampton by the same scoreline on the South Coast.

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Arsenal

Midfield absentees should hit Brighton hard here, with Caicedo and Mac Allister both capable of game-changing moments for the hosts, and the reintroduction of Zinchenko would nullify the Seagulls' engine room qualities even further.

De Zerbi's side are still no pushovers on their own turf and can feel confident of troubling the Arsenal backline, but Arteta's ruthless side ought to expose a weaked Brighton base to record a 14th win of the Premier League season.

> How Arsenal could line up against Brighton

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Brighton