Nott'm Forest vs. Man City (Saturday, 12.30pm)
© Imago
Two Premier League teams battling for a top-four finish lock horns at the City Ground on Saturday lunchtime as third-placed Nottingham Forest play host to fourth-placed Manchester City.
The Citizens are looking to complete the double over the Tricky Trees for the second successive season after securing a comfortable 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in early December.
We say: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester City
Man City have had almost a full week to rest and gain some valuable time on the training ground - particularly the younger players and new signings - much to the delight of Guardiola, who will hope to have a refreshed side firing against a well-organised Forest backline that has been one of the most difficult to break down in the PL this season.
The Citizens did score three goals against Forest earlier this season, though, and scored 11 more in their four meetings prior to that, so they will certainly back themselves to find the net on Saturday. Forest will also fancy their chances of making the net ripple with leading marksman Wood up top, but we are backing the visitors to just edge this contest and climb up to third.
> Premier League preview: Nott'm Forest vs Man City
> Pep to go strong for top-four battle: Predicted Man City lineup vs. Nott'm Forest
> Nuno to make five changes? Predicted Nott'm Forest lineup vs. Man City
> Rodri, Ake, Stones updates: Man City injury, suspension list for Forest clash
> Erling Haaland's record vs. Nottingham Forest
Brighton vs. Fulham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Two Premier League teams harbouring realistic aspirations of securing European football for next season do battle at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Brighton & Hove Albion play host to Fulham.
The Seagulls will be seeking revenge against the Cottagers after they were beaten 3-1 in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage three months ago.
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Fulham
Fulham boast an impressive Premier League record against Brighton and have also looked strong away from home in recent weeks, so they should be confident of success on the South Coast this weekend.
However, Brighton have enjoyed an upturn in form and having already beaten fellow European hopefuls Chelsea, Newcastle and Bournemouth in the last few weeks, we are backing the Seagulls to claim at least a share of the spoils on home soil.
> Premier League preview: Brighton vs Fulham
> Who will replace suspended Lukic? Predicted Fulham lineup vs. Brighton
> Hinshelwood change, Welbeck recall: Predicted Brighton lineup vs. Fulham
Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Crystal Palace will be looking to move closer to the top half of the Premier League table when they welcome relegation-threatened Ipswich Town to Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Victory for the Eagles will see them complete their first league double over the Tractor Boys since the 2010-11 Championship season after they secured a narrow 1-0 win at Portman Road in the reverse fixture three months ago.
We say: Crystal Palace 3-1 Ipswich Town
Considering the contrasting form of these two teams, Crystal Palace will be regarded as favourites to come out on top against an Ipswich side who are struggling to grind out positive results in their quest to avoid the drop.
Even without the presence of top scorer Mateta in attack, the Eagles will still back themselves to pose a threat against a defensively frail Tractor Boys outfit who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight PL games, conceding 24 goals in the process.
> Premier League preview: Crystal Palace vs Ipswich
> McKenna to make seven changes? Predicted Ipswich lineup vs. Crystal Palace
> Mateta out, Nketiah in? Predicted Crystal Palace lineup vs. Ipswich
Liverpool vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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First meets worst at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, as Premier League leaders Liverpool host basement boys Southampton in a true mismatch on paper.
The Reds return to their title pursuit on the back of a scarcely believable 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, while the Saints' last outing ended in a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Chelsea.
We say: Liverpool 5-0 Southampton
What is a mismatch on paper will surely prove to be a mismatch on the field too, as even a rotated Liverpool side should overwhelm their Championship-bound visitors with ease.
The 58-point chasm between the two sides ought to be reflected in the scoreline, and the Reds can then put their feet up for Manchester United vs. Arsenal on Sunday.
> Premier League preview: Liverpool vs Southampton
> Ugochukwu returns, will Harwood-Bellis start? Predicted Southampton XI vs. Liverpool
> Elliott to start after PSG heroics? Predicted Liverpool XI vs. Southampton
> Gakpo latest, trio absent: Liverpool injury, suspension list for Southampton
> Mohamed Salah's record vs. Southampton
Brentford vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Sat either side of the top-half line in the Premier League table, Brentford and Aston Villa do battle at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Bees have had over a week to reflect on a 1-1 home draw with a rejuvenated Everton, while the Lions put one foot into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 slaying of Club Brugge in midweek.
We say: Brentford 2-2 Aston Villa
Aston Villa's struggles after Champions League matches are well-documented, as the Lions have failed to win any of their last seven Premier League games immediately following a top-level European tie.
That shocking streak is likely to continue in an eventful stalemate this weekend, as while Brentford cannot buy a win at home right now, Villa do not travel well in the Premier League and may already have one eye on their next Champions League engagement.
> Premier League preview: Brentford vs Aston Villa
> Asensio among a few changes: Predicted Aston Villa XI vs. Brentford
> Will Norgaard return from concussion? Predicted Brentford XI vs. Aston Villa
Wolves vs. Everton (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Still thriving under the wily wing of David Moyes, Everton endeavour to stretch their unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches on Saturday night, when they rock up to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Toffees most recently recovered from a one-goal deficit to rescue a 1-1 draw away at Brentford, while Wolves' fiery FA Cup clash with Bournemouth ended with the same scoreline before Vitor Pereira's men were dumped out on penalties.
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Everton
Nineteen of Everton's 30 Premier League goals this season have come in the first half of games, and given Wolves' struggles when conceding first at Molineux, that statistic does not spell optimism for Pereira's men.
Also missing the attacking guile of leading marksman Cunha, Saturday's match has the makings of a painful watch for the Wolves faithful, whose side could fall victim to a Moyes defensive masterclass.
> Premier League preview: Wolves vs Everton
> Is Doucoure available again? Predicted Everton XI vs. Wolves
> Who steps into Cunha's shoes? Predicted Wolves XI vs. Everton
Find out more about upcoming fixtures, odds and offers in our guide to Premier League betting sites.
Ben Knapton
