Saturday's Premier League predictions: Will Arsenal and United cope with physical opponents?

We bring you our Premier League scoreline predictions all in one place as teams look to head into Christmas on a high, with tough matches in store for Arsenal and Manchester United.

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley

We’re backing Arsenal to return to winning ways after two straight defeats, but only just! The Gunners’ defensive problems persist and they’ve struggled to victory in five of their last six meetings with the Clarets, winning by a single goal. Home advantage should count but expect a tough afternoon for a patched up backline against Burnley’s physical forwards.

Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton

After a rotten run of form that has seen the Cherries drop into the bottom half, with six defeats in seven, Brighton could leapfrog Eddie Howe’s side with victory. The Seagulls, however, haven’t beaten Bournemouth in nine attempts and we don’t see that changing here having lost six of nine away games this season.

Chelsea 3-1 Leicester

Plumping for another home victory this afternoon, and one that could see Foxes boss Claude Puel in the firing line, Chelsea are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge and that is unlikely to change. Leicester have been decent on the road in general this season but need to sharpen up in front of goal, so this should be a relatively straightforward win for the Blues.

Huddersfield 0-0 Southampton

Both league meetings between these sides ended in stalemate last season and we’re tipping that to become a hat-trick this afternoon. Saints picked up an excellent win over Arsenal last time out but have won just four points on the road all season, scoring only seven goals. Their hosts, however, have managed a pathetic three on home soil, so a low scoring affair seems a near certainty.

Manchester City 2-0 Crystal Palace

While Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t been as defensively astute in recent weeks as they were at the start of the season, we’re tipping a first clean sheet in seven matches this weekend. Palace haven’t so much as scored a goal on their last five trips to the Etihad Stadium and have earned just one point from the last 18 available on the road.

Newcastle 1-0 Fulham

This is a huge game in the relegation mix up, with Fulham aiming to avoid being bottom of the pile at Christmas and their hosts able to get some significant breathing space with a victory of their own. All eyes will be on Aleksandr Mitrovic on his return to St. James’ Park but the Cottagers have scored just once in their last four away games and have just one point to their name from their travels this season.

West Ham 2-1 Watford

While Watford arrested their slide into the bottom half with victory over Cardiff last time out, West Ham have jumped ahead of the Hornets on goal difference following consecutive wins. A match between two sides that should have one eye on a potential top six finish, the Hammers momentum should see them through in an entertaining game.

Cardiff 1-2 Manchester United

On another day United’s trip to Cardiff wouldn’t have been so eagerly anticipated but the watching world waits to witness Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game at the Old Trafford helm having replaced Jose Mourinho. Up against his former employers in Cardiff, this will be no pushover against a team that has won four of their last five at home, but we feel that new manager bounce should see the visitors scrape to victory.