Maddison & Fred to tussle for supremacy
Manchester United v Leicester City
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 1
This match has all the hallmarks of a surprisingly end-to-end and high-scoring game, the sort of late Saturday kick-off that swings into action for the simple reason that neither team is in a very good place at the moment. Brendan Rodgers' influence is waning, leading to some wishy-washy football, and Manchester United have not taken to Ralf Rangnick's methods at all.
A lot will come down to key individual battles as Leicester look to spring forward vertically and United do likewise. The most interesting area is the United half-spaces - the column of grass between full-back and centre-back - because this is where Harvey Barnes and James Maddison like to operate. As they drift into these areas from the flanks, United's wonky midfield might not be able to track them effectively.
Then again, Fred is in exceptional form at the moment and may inspire Nemanja Matic to a strong showing here - plus the Brazilian is becoming a major threat at the other end. Fred's ability to weave away from danger and set United's quick forwards away could be a major feature of an entertaining match at the King Power.
Back over 3.5 goals at 2.47/5
Lampard to play into Moyes' hands
West Ham v Everton
Sunday, 14:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Everton have had a couple of good results under Frank Lampard but only when forced into a deeper and more defensive shape by their opponents. Whenever they face a team willing to let Everton have the ball and play their own way - a spaced-out game that leaves huge gaps to be exploited on the break - they are thoroughly beaten.
That's what we saw in the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, and West Ham should be capable of bringing the worst out of Everton and Lampard. David Moyes is arguably the Premier League's best reactive tactician, devising and adapting his strategy based on opposition weaknesses. As such, he will have noted Lampard's naivety and will lure the visitors forward.
Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio can expect to find all the space they need to attack venomously, while a wide-open Everton midfield is surely going to be dominated on the break by Declan Rice as he surges forward in possession. This could be another heavy defeat for Everton.
Back West Ham to win at 1.758/11
Bentancur crucial to big midfield battle
Tottenham v Newcastle
Sunday, 16:30
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
The basis of Newcastle United's revival - aside from being able to spend £90 million in January - is Eddie Howe successfuly adopting a tactical strategy that forms a neat halfway point between their Benitez-Bruce defensive roots and the high-pressing attacking football they will wish to play in the future. For now, Newcastle have a relatively low starting block but snap into challenges in midfield to set the forwards away.
Under Antonio Conte, Tottenham have often struggled against teams like that. Their own relatively low starting positions make it hard to move the ball into the final third when confronted in central midfield, although things have improved since Dejan Kulusevski has come into the team as the link man - giving the deeper midfielders a forward passing option. If Spurs are to build through a sharp tackling Newcastle midfield, he will need to be on his game.
But more important is Rodrigo Bentancur, whose performances are improving all the time. His elegance under pressure, and ability to sew things together intight spaces, has relieved some of the pressure on Tottenham's wobbly defence and got them moving higher up the pitch. If he is in form, Spurs should have enough to outmanouvre the impressive Joe Willock and Joelinton.
Back Spurs to win and over 2.5 goals at 2.255/4
Transition moments crucial for both sides
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Monday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Crystal Palace's 0-0 draw with Manchester City is a good starting point to analyse this one. On the whole, Patrick Vieira is happy to reinstate some Hodgsonian football when the big teams visit, but while Pep Guardiola slows things down by recycling possession his protege Mikel Arteta is happy to be more vertical - making use of opportunities to burst quickly through the lines.
Palace will be most in danger when trying to build out from the back, as they like to do under Vieira. Here, Arsenal's hard pressing could win the ball in the Palace third, leading to goalscoring opportunities in the transition. However, if Palace are able to stay composed and avoid errors they should be fine; Arsenal are extremely narrow for a top team, which plays into the hands of a compact defensive blockade.
As for Palace's attacking threat, again it is all about transitional moments. There is little chance of success once Arsenal are set, but if Vieira's side can quickly change gears to get Wilfried Zaha on the ball then he will fancy his chances one-on-one with Cedric Soares. The 0-0 draw with City was characterised by a lot of luck but also some impressive Palace breaks. Monday night's game should go the same way.
Back the draw at 3.412/5