Saturday's Premier League predictions including Aston Villa vs. Arsenal

Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 12.30pm)

First place in the Premier League table is up for grabs on Saturday lunchtime, as Liverpool make the trip south to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Reds ruined Chris Wilder's Sheffield United return with a 2-0 beating of Sheffield United in midweek, while discontent grew in the capital as Palace lost to Bournemouth by the same scoreline.

We say: Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool

Both teams' treatment rooms are slowly welcoming more injury victims, but while Liverpool have plentiful options to replace their stricken players, Doucoure and Eze arguably fall into the irreplaceable category for Palace.

Hodgson's men will be under immense pressure to put in a strong shift this weekend, but even an adequate response to Wednesday's defeat should not be enough to prevent Liverpool rising to the top of the rankings.

> How Liverpool could line up against Crystal Palace

> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Crystal Palace

Brighton vs. Burnley (Saturday, 3.00pm)

On the hunt for a fourth win from five matches in all competitions, Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Burnley to their Amex home in Saturday's Premier League contest.

The Seagulls came from behind to overcome Brentford 2-1 in midweek, while the Clarets were brought crashing back down to earth in a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Burnley

While they remain culpable of giving the odd goal away, especially with so many players out of contention through injury, Brighton's firepower should make up for any defensive lapses they experience against their lowly visitors.

A rare clean sheet is not out of the question for De Zerbi's men either, as Burnley have not travelled well all season long and should leave the Amex empty-handed.

Man Utd vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Manchester United and Bournemouth will be looking to build on their midweek victories in the Premier League when they square off at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The Cherries will be seeking revenge against the Red Devils after they lost both home and away fixtures to Erik ten Hag's side last season by an aggregate score of 4-0.

We say: Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth

Amid talk of pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag, Man United have won six of their last eight Premier League fixtures to edge closer to the top four, and they will be confident of securing three more points against a Bournemouth outfit whom they have had plenty of joy against over the years.

The Cherries themselves are enjoying a sweet run of form, and while they will fancy their chances of breaching a United backline that has conceded in nine of their last 13 games, we believe that the Red Devils will find a way to come out on top at Old Trafford.

> How Man Utd could line up against Bournemouth

> Man Utd injury, suspension list vs. Bournemouth

Sheff Utd vs. Brentford (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Second time could be the charm for returning Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on Saturday, as the Blades host Brentford at Bramall Lane in the Premier League.

Wilder's homecoming was ruined by Liverpool in a 2-0 loss to the Reds on Wednesday, while the Bees failed to cling onto a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

We say: Sheffield United 0-1 Brentford

With the Brentford doctors working overtime, Sheffield United may feel that the time is nigh to claim another precious three points, especially if Wilder brings the new manager bounce to Bramall Lane.

The Bees will still come into the clash as slight favourites, though, and while their attacking absences should be well and truly felt, Frank's rejigged defence can keep a shot-shy Blades at arm's length to get back on track and deepen their hosts' demotion fears.

Wolves vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Fresh from their heavy five-goal thumping by Fulham, Nottingham Forest travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts, meanwhile, enter this contest seeking to win back-to-back top-flight matches for the first time this season after beating Burnley in midweek.

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Wolves have already picked up points against Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United on home soil this season and they will be confident of securing another victory against a deflated Forest outfit, who are desperate to stop the rot and avoid slipping closer towards the danger zone.

Considering the contrasting form of these two sides and Wolves' superior record against Forest, we believe that the hosts will find a way to score for the 17th successive game and register another important win, piling more pressure on Cooper's side in the process.

Aston Villa vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Taking on the most recent team to conquer them at Villa Park in the Premier League, Aston Villa host table-topping Arsenal in Saturday's mouthwatering West Midlands affair.

Both clubs marched to dramatic one-goal successes in midweek, as Unai Emery's crop bested Manchester City 1-0, while the Gunners produced one of their trademark late comebacks in a pulsating 4-3 beating of Luton Town.

We say: Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

Two gifts from Martinez denied Villa a slice of the spoils versus Arsenal in February, but the Lions have been near-unbreakable at home since and should not be handing out any festive presents to Emery's former employers, whose defensive display versus Luton left a lot to be desired.

Similarly, two Raya blunders made Arsenal's evening far nervier than it should have been, and while the time is nigh for Villa to end their losing streak versus the Arteta-less Gunners, a 15th successive Premier League home win may elude them in an entertaining stalemate.

> How Arsenal could line up against Aston Villa

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Aston Villa