Premier League football returns this weekend after the second international break of the season, and with it comes arguably the biggest game in English football as Manchester United host history-chasing league leaders Liverpool.
Manchester City will be looking to get back to winning ways against Crystal Palace, while Tottenham Hotspur know that a drastic improvement is needed as they host winless Watford - two of eight games on a bumper Saturday of action.
Here, Sports Mole provides its score predictions for the nine Premier League matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
Everton vs. West Ham United (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Everton will be hoping that the international break has given them the chance to arrest a terrible run of form when they return to Premier League action against West Ham United on Saturday.
The Toffees have lost their last four league games to slip into the relegation zone, piling the pressure on Marco Silva ahead of the visit of eighth-placed West Ham.
We say: Everton 1-1 West Ham
Everton will be desperate to stop the rot on their return to league action after the international break, but they are coming up against a West Ham team with plenty of attacking quality. We can see the hosts ending their losing streak, but still being forced to wait for another victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Aston Villa vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (Saturday, 3pm)
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Aston Villa welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Midlands on Saturday afternoon for what promises to be a tight encounter.
The two sides have almost identical records after eight games, managing two wins and sitting just above the bottom three, meaning that victory would represent an important psychological boost early in the campaign.
We say: Aston Villa 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
With just one point separating these sides in the table and both team wary of the consequences of defeat, expect a cagey affair devoid of many opportunities at Villa Park this weekend, with space being minimised wherever it may present itself. A low scoring draw is therefore the most likely outcome.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Bournemouth vs. Norwich City (Saturday, 3pm)
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Bournemouth welcome Norwich City to the Vitality Stadium this weekend with the visitors in desperate need of points.
The Canaries head into this game languishing in the relegation zone but will know that victory over Eddie Howe's side would represent a powerful psychological milestone for a side yet to win away from home this season.
We say: Bournemouth 2-0 Norwich City
It is somewhat impossible to gauge which Norwich side will turn up this weekend, whereas you get the impression that Bournemouth, in front of their own supporters, are certain to produce a performance packed with energy and total organisation.
Against a visiting side set up to play ambitiously, Bournemouth's players are likely to win the ball in some dangerous areas as the game goes on, giving the Cherries a platform from which to create good opportunities.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Chelsea vs. Newcastle United (Saturday, 3pm)
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Chelsea head into Saturday's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United looking to extend their winning run in all competitions to five matches.
The Magpies make the trip to West London on the back of a 1-0 win over Manchester United, a result which has left the club in 16th position in the standings.
We say: Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle United
While Chelsea have sometimes struggled in front of their home supporters this season, we feel that the Blues have come through their inconsistent run of form in West London. Newcastle could make it difficult for their hosts, although Lampard's side have enough quality to grind out another win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Chelsea could line up against Newcastle
> How Newcastle could line up against Chelsea
Leicester City vs. Burnley (Saturday, 3pm)
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High-flying Leicester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they welcome Burnley to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
A last-gasp defeat at the hands of leaders Liverpool before the international break slowed the Foxes' impressive start to the season, and they will face another difficult test against a Burnley side sitting just two points behind them in the table.
We say: Leicester 2-0 Burnley
Burnley will pose an entirely different challenge for Leicester to the one they experienced against Liverpool last time out, but this Rodgers side looks like one which can win in a variety of different ways. It may not be as pretty as the hosts would like, but we are backing them to get back to winning ways this weekend.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford (Saturday, 3pm)
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Tottenham Hotspur will hope that the international break has provided an opportunity to move on from a dreadful run of form when they host Watford on Saturday afternoon.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have lost four of their last five games across all competitions but could barely have selected a better opponent to face when in need of a victory, with Watford still searching for their first win of the season.
We say: Tottenham 3-0 Watford
Something has to give in this battle between two drastically out of form teams. For all of Tottenham's troubles this year, their home league form has generally stayed quite steady and that could give them a significant edge in this match. Watford have not always been as bad as their points tally suggests so far this season, but they may have to stomach another defeat against a Spurs side sure to be demanding a response.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Tottenham could line up against Watford
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3pm)
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In-form Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to make it five wins in a row across all competitions when they welcome struggling Southampton to Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
After a slow start to the season, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have risen up to 11th in the Premier League table, whereas Southampton go into the game sitting just one place above the relegation zone.
We say: Wolves 2-1 Southampton
Wolves seem to be back on form after a slow start to the season and, even accounting for the international break, they should be full of confidence after beating Man City last time out. Southampton, by contrast, come into the game in poor form and it is tough to see that improving soon with a difficult run of games coming up.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Manchester City travel to South London to face Crystal Palace on Saturday determined to get back to winning ways.
Pep Guardiola's side fell to a disappointing defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers two weeks ago while Palace currently sit sixth after recording consecutive wins before the international break.
We say: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
City are dangerous at the best of times but a City team with a point to prove is a tough proposition and an early goal in Saturday's game get should ensure they get back to winning ways against their in-form opponents.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Man City could line up against Crystal Palace
Manchester United vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 4.30pm)
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History beckons for Liverpool at the home of their greatest rivals on Sunday when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford looking for a record-equalling 18th consecutive top-flight win.
A whopping 15 points already separate the sides after just eight games of the season, with Liverpool having won all eight so far this term compared to only two league victories for United.
We say: Man Utd 0-2 Liverpool
Everything points towards a Liverpool win in this match, and it would take a drastic change in recent form for United to get anything out of the game. It is never easy at Old Trafford, particularly in a match with so much history, but rarely will Liverpool have been looking forward to an away game against United as much as they are this one.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Manchester United could line up against Liverpool
> How Liverpool could line up against Manchester United
> Combined XI: Manchester United vs. Liverpool
Barney Corkhill
