Chelsea win at Manchester United as Liverpool thrash West Ham and Tottenham triumph: Premier League predictions

After a two-week break England's top flight is back in action. Bonus prediction on the League Cup final, where Manchester City are backed to beat Arsenal.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20:  Eden Hazard of Chelsea runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on February 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)
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Following a two-week break for the FA Cup, the Premier League is back with nine games over the weekend. There is also the League Cup final on Sunday, which features league leaders Manchester City up against Arsenal. Here are the predictions.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Leicester City vs Sheffield United - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - February 16, 2018   Leicester City's Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring their first goal    Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy will be a threat to Stoke City. Carl Recine / Action Images via Reuters

Leicester City 2 Stoke City 0

Saturday, 4.30pm

Why? Stoke are still struggling for goals, despite replacing Mark Hughes with Paul Lambert as manager. Leicester are inconsistent, but in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have two proven match-winners.

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez gestures during the final minutes of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on February 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez inspired his side to a win over Manchester United in their most recent league game. Mark Runnacles / Getty Images

Bournemouth 1 Newcastle United 2

Saturday, 7pm

Why? Rafa Benitez has proved excellent at masterminding Newcastle to big wins on their travels against relegation rivals. This could be more of the same as they carry on the momentum of their 1-0 win over Manchester United two weeks ago.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Brighton & Hove Albion vs Coventry City - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - February 17, 2018  Brighton manager Chris Hughton before the match   Action Images via Reuters/Tony O'Brien
Brighton have become tough to beat at home under Chris Hughton. Tony O'Brien Action Images via Reuters

Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Swansea City 0

Saturday, 7pm

Why? Swansea are in good form and the arrival of Carlos Carvalhal has galvanised the club. Brighton are tough to beat on home territory and Chris Hughton's side can take a big step toward securing their survival here.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Swansea City vs Burnley - Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Britain - February 10, 2018   Burnley manager Sean Dyche   Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers    EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.
Burnley have not won since December 12. Andrew Boyers / Action Images via Reuters

Burnley 2 Southampton 1

Saturday, 7pm

Why? Burnley had a great first half to the season but have not won since December 12 and have picked up five points out of a possible 30. They are still playing well on occasions, as was highlighted by a draw with Manchester City earlier this month. They can return to winning ways against a Southampton side who are still struggling for consistency.

Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane (L) celebrates with Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah after scoring their third goal during the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen first leg football match between FC Porto and Liverpool at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal on February 14, 2018.
Liverpool won the game 5-0. / AFP PHOTO / Francisco LEONG
Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah, right, is in great form at present. Francisco Leong / AFP

Liverpool 3 West Ham United 1

Saturday, 7pm

Why? Liverpool are flying offensively at present, averaging two goals a game in 2018 and there is no reason to expect that to change on Saturday with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both in great form.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Huddersfield Town vs AFC Bournemouth - John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - February 11, 2018   Huddersfield Town’s Steve Mounie celebrates scoring their third goal with Aaron Mooy    Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff    EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.
Huddersfield Town will look to Steve Mounie for the goals at West Bromwich Albion. Jason Cairnduff / Action Images via Reuters

West Bromwich Albion 2 Huddersfield Town 2

Saturday, 7pm

Why? This probably is make-or-break for Alan Pardew's reign as West Brom. They really cannot afford to lose this game. Huddersfield are not in good form either, but have the forward threat of Steve Mounie to capitalise on West Brom's weak backline. A draw won't do either side any favours but it is the most likely outcome.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton vs Crystal Palace - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - February 10, 2018   Everton's Theo Walcott reacts   Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith    EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.
Everton will look to Theo Walcott for inspiration at Watford. Lee Smith / Action Images via Reuters

Watford 0 Everton 0

Saturday, 9.30pm

Why? This could well be a tight tactical affair. Watford will want to bounce back after their loss at West Ham and Javier Gracia has already made the side more well organised since taking over from Marco Silva. A point will suit Everton too, with the Merseyside club looking to exploit Theo Walcott's pace against Watford's slow backline.

Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring during the English FA Cup fifth round soccer match between Rochdale AFC and Tottenham Hotspur at the Crown Oil Arena in Rochdale, England, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Tottenham's Harry Kane will look to score in his fifth successive match at Crystal Palace. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

Crystal Palace 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Sunday, 4pm

Why? Tottenham need to keep the momentum up in their bid to finish in the top four. Palace are a lot more limited without the injured Wilfried Zaha and Tottenham will look to Harry Kane to continue his good form that has seen him score in his past four games.

Soccer Football - Champions League Round of 16 First Leg - Chelsea vs FC Barcelona - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - February 20, 2018   Chelsea's Willian celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates as Pedro collides with N'Golo Kante    REUTERS/David Klein
Chelsea will look to maintain their momentum from their draw with Barcelona at Manchster United on Sunday. David Klein / Reuters

Manchester United 1 Chelsea 2

Sunday, 6.05pm

Why? United still have not clicked in terms of a formation with Alexis Sanchez in the side. This will be a close encounter, but if Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante can replicate their form from the draw with Barcelona then they can leave Old Trafford with the three points.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City - DW Stadium, Wigan, Britain - February 19, 2018   Manchester City's Sergio Aguero reacts   Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Sergio Aguero and Manchester City will look to bounce back from their FA Cup exit against Arsenal in the League Cup final. Carl Recine / Action Images via Reuters

League Cup final

Manchester City 4 Arsenal 1

Sunday, 8.30pm

Why? City may have lost to Wigan but they still should have the confidence to bounce back and win the first domestic trophy of 2018 at Wembley Stadium. Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling will have too much for Arsenal's backline.