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Former Everton colleagues reunite on the Goodison Park touchline for one final time on Saturday lunchtime, where David Moyes’s Toffees host Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Premier League.
While the Merseyside outfit went down in the derby against Liverpool last time out, the Gunners strengthened their hold on second place by sinking Fulham 2-1 on home soil.
We say: Everton 1-1 Arsenal
While Everton are not exactly renowned for prolific displays in front of goal, the Toffees will sense an opportunity to go at Arsenal’s ravaged backline, who will surely not come out of this one unscathed.
Arteta’s men may understandably also have one eye on Real Madrid too, and avoiding more injuries before the clash with the European champions is of paramount importance, so the visitors may be content with a score draw in this one.
> Premier League preview: Everton vs Arsenal
> Saka decision, decimated defence: Predicted Arsenal XI vs. Everton
> Moyes alters the attack: Predicted Everton XI vs. Arsenal
> Gabriel, Timber, White updates: Arsenal injury, suspension list for Everton clash
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Two Premier League teams bidding to bounce back from midweek defeats meet at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon as West Ham United play host to Bournemouth.
The Cherries rescued a point in a 1-1 draw with the Hammers in the reverse fixture at the Vitality Stadium in December, with Enes Unal scoring a stunning 90th-minute free kick to cancel out Lucas Paqueta’s 87th-minute penalty.
We say: West Ham United 1-2 Bournemouth
Scoring the opening goal could be crucial in this fixture for West Ham as they have won all five of their Premier League games at the London Stadium when they have scored first, compared to eight defeats in nine matches when conceding the opener (D1 L8).
There has been little to separate these two teams in recent meetings and another tight contest could be in store, but considering that Bournemouth have more to play for heading down the home straight, we are backing the Cherries to come out on top by a slender margin.
> Premier League preview: West Ham vs Bournemouth
> Kluivert decision, Cook, Smith dilemma: Predicted Bournemouth lineup vs. West Ham
> Ferguson, Fullkrug dilemma: Predicted West Ham lineup vs. Bournemouth
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Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion go head-to-head at Selhurst Park in the next edition of the M23 derby on Saturday after both suffered disappointing results in the Premier League in midweek.
The hosts were minutes from defeat against basement boys Southampton, while Brighton suffered a thrashing at home to European rivals Aston Villa.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
The last five meetings at Selhurst between these two have ended 1-1, and there is a real possibility that they could set a new intriguing top-flight record, with little to separate the two in recent months.
Brighton play earlier than Fulham below, and the four sides above them, so they have the opportunity to put the pressure on their European rivals, but this will be a tough assignment against an ever-improving Palace outfit.
> Premier League preview: Crystal Palace vs Brighton
> Returns from injury and suspension expected: Predicted Palace lineup vs. Brighton
> Three changes from vicious Villa humbling: Predicted Brighton lineup vs. Palace
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Fresh from their much-needed midweeks victories, 18th-placed Ipswich Town and 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers do battle in a pivotal Premier League contest at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Old Gold will be seeking revenge against the Tractor Boys after they suffered a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Molineux almost four months ago.
We say: Ipswich Town 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ipswich have struggled at Portman Road for some time and have shipped four or more goals in four home Premier League matches this season, more than they had in their first five seasons and 101 home games combined in the division between 1992-93 and 2001-02 (three), something which will give Wolves hope of success this weekend.
Both teams have had their spirits lifted by midweek victories and goals at both ends could be on the cards, but we are backing Wolves to claim another crucial win to all but secure their top-flight status for next season, even without the presence of Cunha in attack.
> Premier League preview: Ipswich vs Wolves
> No Cunha again, Strand Larsen to lead the line: Predicted Wolves lineup vs. Ipswich
> Philogene return, Phillips decision: Predicted Ipswich lineup vs. Wolves
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Two erstwhile European champions both harbouring ambitions of Champions League football next season collide on Saturday evening, as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest square off at Villa Park in the Premier League.
Both continental chasers enter the weekend on the back of midweek successes, as the Lions’ trip to Brighton & Hove Albion ended in a 3-0 victory, while the Tricky Trees took down Manchester United thanks to a former Red Devils flame.
We say: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Premier League fixtures hardly come more fascinating than this; both Villa and Forest are enjoying exceptional winning sequences, and Saturday’s evening battle may very well be a precursor to the FA Cup final.
On this occasion, however, we envisage Emery’s men flexing their Villa Park muscles and capitalising on Forest’s away-day defensive woes to come up trumps, thus putting a slight dent in their visitors’ Champions League prospects.
> Premier League preview: Aston Villa vs Nott’m Forest
> Wood status, defensive dilemma: Predicted Forest XI vs. Aston Villa
> Asensio to continue hot home streak? Predicted Villa XI vs. Forest
Find out more about upcoming fixtures, odds and offers in our guide to Premier League betting sites.
