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Article by Premier League Correspondent Paul Glanfield

A great week for Arsenal ends with a tough test at Old Trafford, although the pressure will firmly be on the hosts in the game of the weekend. It’s hard to see any of the top sides not taking three points this weekend away from this fixture so quite likely the big losers from the weekend at the top will be playing at Old Trafford on Sunday. Further down the table Aston Villa will be hoping to seize the opportunity to put some more distance between themselves and the relegation zone, whilst Norwich host West Ham in a bid to leapfrog the Hammers.

Saturday 9th November

Aston Villa vs Cardiff

Villa have one of the most sought after strikers in the league in Christian Benteke, and will be desperate for him to weigh in with a goal on Saturday to end a barren spell for the club in front of goal. Cardiff, whilst fresh from a memorable victory last weekend, probably won’t have enough on the day away from home. I expect a home win, with a Benteke bullet sealing the points for the Villains.

Prediction – 1-0

Chelsea vs West Brom

Hard to see anything other than a home win here as Chelsea keep the pressure up on Arsenal above them. West Brom are sitting pretty in mid-table and I do expect them to give the Blues a decent game for half an hour. But Chelsea have clicked into gear lately and once they get the first I can’t see anything other than a dominant home win.

Prediction – 3-0

Crystal Palace vs Everton

Palace are in real danger of being down before Christmas at this rate. Everton had a decent tussle with Spurs last weekend and it could’ve gone either way in the end, but they will bounce back here with another 3 points to keep their name in the hat for the top four.

Prediction – 0-2

Liverpool vs Fulham

In spells Fulham have been the worst side in the league this season, and away at Anfield is not a fixture I can see them getting anything from. Liverpool will be hurting from last week’s Emirates humbling and, determined to still prove they are in with a shot at the title, should crush Fulham at Anfield.

Prediction – 4-1

Southampton vs Hull

Southampton have been so impressive this season, but I do expect the natural order of things to develop over the coming months and them to settle in at around 7th or 8th in the league, which would still be a fantastic achievement. Hull have also impressed over the first quarter of the season and they should have enough to battle to a point this weekend.

Prediction – 1-1

Norwich vs West Ham

Norwich need a performance after last week’s debacle at Manchester City. This should be a decent match, a real cut and thrust affair. I can see the home side claiming a much needed victory but wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the other way.

Prediction – 2-1

Sunday 10th November

Spurs vs Newcastle

There are still no signs of Spurs blowing anyone away at the moment, which will be a slight concern to their fans. They really need to mix in an occasional 3-0 win to compliment the 1-0s, and perhaps this is a decent opportunity. But Spurs can’t seem to get the early goal and that’s why all I can see here is another tight victory, but if they do manage to break through early this could finally be the week for them to turn it on a bit.

Prediction – 1-0

Sunderland vs Man City

City look to be tuning into Pellegrini’s style of play now, and whilst I still think they might be vulnerable against the better sides in the division, they do have the ability to be the most explosive attacking force in the league on their day. Poyet will be desperate for things to start moving in the right direction but the good times are not going to begin this weekend.

Prediction – 0-3

Man Utd vs Arsenal

United have got to win this, and that is the only reason I think they will, because everything else points to an Arsenal victory. If Arsenal beat United that puts the reigning champions 11 points behind the league leaders.

Such a deficit so early in the season is just unthinkable for United. They had to pull it out of the fire against Hull the other week and I can see them doing the same here, coming from behind to stun the Gunners, perhaps in undeserved fashion.

Prediction – 2-1

Swansea vs Stoke

Both sides could do with a win after indifferent starts. If anything I think the Swans could nick it, but it won’t be easy after a long journey home from Russia, especially after yet another late sucker punch. Stoke are struggling for goals and I can see that trend continuing here with the home side taking the points.

Prediction – 1-0

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