Premier League predictions: Chelsea continue mini revival, wins for Spurs and Arsenal

The first international break of 2023 begins next week meaning the relentless club schedule takes a breather before kicking back into gear for the big finale.

Haaland sends powerful message in Man City's quest to break Champions League glass ceiling

It is also a reduced Premier League fixture list this weekend with Manchester City, Manchester United, Brighton and Fulham all on FA Cup quarter-final duty.

Kicking-off the seven league games that are taking place will be Nottingham Forest against Newcastle United at the City Ground on Friday evening.

Saturday sees Aston Villa playing host to Bournemouth, Brentford entertaining Leicester City, Southampton taking on Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium, Wolves tackling Leeds United at Molineux and finally Chelsea's home clash with Everton.

Last, but by no means least, league leaders Arsenal face Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

This week's predictions

FRIDAY - Nottingham Forest v Newcastle (midnight kick-off UAE): Forest are being dragged back into the relegation mire having gone five games without a win and are just two points outside the bottom three. Newcastle are back up to fifth in the table after beating Wolves last week in only their second league victory of the year. Prediction: Forest 1 Newcastle 2. PA

SATURDAY - Aston Villa v Bournemouth (7pm): The Cherries enjoyed a shock home win against Liverpool last week - but have managed only two victories on their travels all season. Villa could yet force their way into contention for a European spot next season, with Ollie Watkins leading the charge after six goals in seven games. Prediction: Villa 3 Bournemouth 0. PA

Brentford v Leicester (7pm): A rare blip from the Bees last week when they fell to a narrow defeat at Everton - bringing an end to their impressive 12-match unbeaten run. Leicester are in dire staights after losing four games on the spin and only goal difference keeps them out of the relegation zone. Prediction: Brentford 2 Leicester 1. PA

Southampton v Tottenham (7pm): Goals remain Southampton's big problem, they have managed just 20 this season - they same that Spurs striker Harry Kane has managed all on his own. The England captain bagged a brace against Nottingham Forest last time out, consolidating Tottenham's spot in the top four. Prediction: Southampton 0 Spurs 2. PA

Wolves v Leeds United (7pm): A big two games coming up for Wolves, both against fellow strugglers - first Leeds and then Nottingham Forest. If the Yorkshiremen are to avoid the drop, they will need more goals from Patrick Bamford, whose strike against Brighton last week was only only his second league goal of the season. Prediction: Wolves 1 Leeds 0. Getty

Chelsea v Everton (9.30pm): Chelsea look to continue their mini revival of three wins in a row that have relieved the pressure on manager Graham Potter. Everton's 1-0 defeat of Brentford last week pulled them out of the bottom three, but their away record remains woeful with just one victory all season. Prediction: Chelsea 3 Everton 0. Getty

SUNDAY - Arsenal v Crystal Palace (6pm): Arsenal, fresh from five league wins on the spin that leaves them five points clear at the top of the table, take on a Palace side three points outside the bottom three and without a victory in 10 games. Surely only one winner here. Prediction: Arsenal 4 Palace 1. Getty

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