Premier League predictions for GW 23 as Liverpool take on Man Utd

The Premier League plays host to another enticing round of fixtures this weekend, capped off by Liverpool v Manchester United at Anfield.
Gameweek 23 kicks off with in-form Watford taking on inconsistent Tottenham at Vicarage Road on Saturday lunch-time.
Later, the 3pm games see Manchester City continue their tough task to close the gap on Liverpool at the top when they face Crystal Palace at the Etihad before Chelsea travel to Newcastle United in the evening.
And on Sunday, Burnley host Leicester City before the big one: Liverpool v Manchester United.
As usual, we’ve had two writers predict the outcome of all 10 matches. There are also percentile odds, based on the Smarkets betting exchange, for every result possible in each game.
Watford vs. Tottenham
Steve Jennings: Watford have had a bit of extra rest after the postponement of their cup replay while Spurs played on Tuesday night. And so the Hornets might have more energy than the visitors, who need to turn their form around but may struggle to get more than a point against Nigel Pearson’s in-form side. Watford 1-1 Tottenham.
Chris Smith: Spurs have become horrifically inconsistent in recent weeks, winning just one of their last five Premier League games. Jose Mourinho will now be well aware of the task at hand. Watford are on the up under Nigel Pearson and are well capable of another result here. Watford 2-1 Spurs.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Serge Aurier, one of Spurs’ best creative outlets in recent weeks, has made at least 19 more tackles than any of his teammates in the Premier League this season (53).
Smarkets odds
Watford win: 29.85%
Draw: 27.03%
Tottenham win: 42.74%
Arsenal vs. Sheffield United
SJ: Having only lost to Liverpool and Manchester City on the road, Sheffield United will be keen to take another scalp at the Emirates. Arsenal will be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but may still have enough attacking quality to edge past the Blades if they stay tight at the back. Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United.
CS: The Gunners still aren’t setting the world alight, but the performance levels have certainly improved under Mikel Arteta. Sheffield United will be a robust test but Arsenal should seal only their seventh Premier League win of the season here. Arsenal 2-0 Sheffield United.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Oliver Norwood, who has created more chances (33) than any Arsenal player this term, will look to provide opportunities from set-pieces.
Smarkets odds
Arsenal win: 52.63%
Draw: 26.32%
Sheffield Utd win: 20.83%
Brighton vs. Aston Villa
SJ: Brighton have been unpredictable all season, which makes this one an enticing prospect. Villa must bounce back from their humbling at the hands of the champions and are likely to be more cautious at the back here, aiming to hurt Brighton on the break. If they can do that, the visitors might leave with a point. Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa.
CS: There’s rarely any shame in being trounced by Man City, even 6-1, but Aston Villa barely laid a glove on the defending champions last time out. Brighton have won just one of their last seven league games and are struggling for confidence themselves. Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jack Grealish has created 53 chances in the Premier League this term as well as scoring six goals and registering five assists.
Smarkets odds
Brighton win: 59.17%
Draw: 21.74%
Aston Villa win: 18.52%
Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
SJ: After City eased past Aston Villa last weekend, it’s difficult to see anything but another convincing win for Pep Guardiola’s side. The margin of victory perhaps won’t be as convincing, with Roy Hodgson’s organised Eagles showing how to win at the Etihad last season. A repeat of that is very unlikely, though. Man City 4-1 Crystal Palace.
CS: Man City have looked back to their rampant selves recently and the way they dismantled Villa last time out was a joy to behold. Crystal Palace have caused problems in the past, but not this time. Man City 3-1 Crystal Palace.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in 21 Premier League goals this season, scoring seven and assisting 14.
Smarkets odds
Man City win: 89.29%
Draw: 8.00%
Crystal Palace win: 3.12%
Norwich vs. Bournemouth
SJ: A Bournemouth side in free-fall is surely the perfect game for Norwich to kick-start some sort of push for Premier League survival. Eddie Howe simply has too many injuries to contend with at the moment, so the Canaries have no excuse but to pull off a rare win against fellow strugglers. Norwich 2-0 Bournemouth.
CS: It’s all gone wrong for these two and if either are to stand a chance of saving themselves from what feels like an inevitable relegation, victory here is non-negotiable. Of course, that pressure can often hinder teams, so don’t be surprised to see a cagey draw. Norwich 0-0 Bournemouth.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Teemu Pukki has registered 27 shots on target in the Premier League this season, at least 13 more than any Bournemouth player.
Smarkets odds
Norwich win: 43.48%
Draw: 27.03%
Bournemouth win: 29.41%
Southampton vs. Wolves
SJ: Southampton have won four of their last five games, continuing their impressive turnaround since that 9-0 defeat to Leicester. However, Wolves were unlucky to lose at Old Trafford in the cup on Wednesday and will be eager to get back on track with a customary away victory. Southampton 1-2 Wolves.
CS: Ralph Hasenhuttl is performing miracles with Southampton, who look less and less like a relegation-doomed team by the week. Wolves are without a win in five across all competitions since beating Man City and likely wouldn’t turn their nose up at a point here. Southampton 2-2 Wolves.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Danny Ings has scored 52% (14) of Southampton’s 27 Premier League goals this season – a higher individual contribution than any other player in the division.
Smarkets odds
Southampton win: 40.32%
Draw: 28.57%
Wolves win: 30.30%
West Ham vs. Everton
SJ: Two more unpredictable sides go head-to-head this weekend with a pair of new managers still trying to figure out their systems and tactics. That probably suits the home team more, though Everton are still repairing relations with their fans after losing to Liverpool’s kids. All of which points towards a draw. West Ham 2-2 Everton.
CS: It was a tight game, but Everton couldn’t have asked for a better reaction to their Merseyside derby humiliation than a 1-0 win over Brighton last time. Former Toffees boss David Moyes has West Ham looking much more solid, but Everton fared well here last season and could do so again. West Ham 1-2 Everton.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Richarlison has been directly involved in three goals across his last three Premier League games, scoring twice and assisting another.
Smarkets odds
West Ham win: 32.26%
Draw: 27.78%
Everton win: 39.68%
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Newcastle vs. Chelsea
SJ: Chelsea have been far better on the road than at home in recent weeks and that should continue against an injury-hit Newcastle side. Even with a lively home crowd behind them, the Magpies simply won’t have enough quality to thwart Chelsea‘s talented attackers. Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea.
CS: Chelsea have lost just one of their last six games across all competitions and a 3-0 win over Burnley last time out will fill them with confidence. Newcastle have wobbled recently and are sliding back down the table. Things won’t get much better here. Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Callum Hudson-Odoi has scored in each of his last two games across all competitions.
Smarkets odds
Newcastle win: 14.71%
Draw: 21.28%
Chelsea win: 63.69%
Burnley vs. Leicester
SJ: This would usually be a good time to face Leicester, who have rather suddenly fallen down to third after allowing Manchester City to overtake. But Burnley are in free-fall and Brendan Rodgers’ men will be confident of picking up a useful three points at Turf Moor. Burnley 1-3 Leicester.
CS: Burnley are on the slide and were woeful in their 3-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge last week but Leicester won’t exactly be too thrilled with going down 2-1 at home to Southampton. That said, Brendan Rodgers’ men will head north with a real point to prove, spelling trouble for Sean Dyche. Burnley 0-3 Leicester.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Despite being the Premier League’s top scorer with 17, Jamie Vardy is looking to improve on a run of just one goal in his last six games across all competitions.
Smarkets odds
Burnley win: 21.74%
Draw: 25.64%
Leicester win: 51.81%
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
SJ: Manchester United will look to their victory at the Etihad as a blueprint for getting something at Anfield. That said, Liverpool look unstoppable and will be even more up for this one with a view to continuing their incredible unbeaten run. Liverpool 3-0 Man Utd.
CS: The runaway Premier League leaders against the only side to take points from them this season, as if Liverpool v Man Utd needed any more spicing up. These clashes are usually impossible to predict but in all honesty, it seems silly to back anything but another win for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jordan Henderson has made more tackles (42) than any other Liverpool player in the Premier League this season.
Smarkets odds
Liverpool: 70.92%
Draw: 18.18%
Man Utd win: 10.42%