Another big weekend of Premier League action awaits with Alan Shearer back with his predictions before it all kicks off.

After a busy week of European football, Aston Villa and Manchester City meet at Villa Park with Enzo Maresca’s side looking keep their lead at the summit of the Premier League.

Arsenal host Everton before a thrilling London derby takes centre stage with Chelsea hosting Tottenham at Stamford Bridge =.

Sunday sees third place Brighton head to Liverpool before Manchester United host Bournemouth at Old Trafford in a game that could very well decide Michael Carrick’s future.

As ever, England legend and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has revealed his Premier League predictions to Metro.

Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest

Again, another manager who desperately needs a result. I mean, I haven’t seen anything really from Forest to suggest that they’ll give me great confidence with going and getting a result.

I know they did a lot better last weekend against Arsenal. They made it very difficult for Arsenal. In the last five minutes, they missed two big, big chances and should have scored and shouldn’t have gotten something out of the game. They didn’t, so they’re in the mire, and they’re sitting second bottom, which isn’t a good look. You would think that because of recent history with the owner, then he wouldn’t be prepared to do something, or it wouldn’t bother him to do something.

I would sit on the fence and say a point a piece, which seems right for me in terms of how Ipswich are and how Forest are.

Prediction: Draw

Aston Villa vs Manchester City

I was impressed with Villa last week at Newcastle. They’ve won three out of three in the Champions League, scored another three goals after their six in the last one in the Champions League.

Unai Emery is a phenomenal manager. He’s an incredible coach. I mean, he did a job on Newcastle last week. There’s never any panic with the players that they’ve sold, for him to rebuild again.

City changed it around in terms of leaving players out in the Champions League, so they’re able to bring them back. They’ll go strong again, I guess. Villa will make it extremely tough for them, but I think City will have enough to win the game again.

Prediction: Man City win

Arsenal vs Everton

I think Everton will go to Arsenal and try and frustrate the hell out of them. They’ll try and sit deep and get numbers behind the ball. It’ll be difficult for Arsenal. I’m not expecting another great game. But I do think Arsenal will have enough. They had a good performance and got a good result in Munich. I think they’ll have enough to win the game.

Saka came off injured, and I’d be amazed if he was fit for the weekend after what looked like a thigh injury, which normally you’re talking about a month if it is. So, whether how much they’ll miss him, I mean, I know they’ve got Madueke and Eze, but the Saka thing would be a concern, although he hasn’t quite been right this season anyway. I do still think they’ll have enough here.

Prediction: Arsenal win

Coventry vs Fulham

After their win last weekend, Fulham need to kick on now. I mean, it’s a massive game again. But you can say the same for Coventry. I watched Coventry on Monday evening against Spurs. They just lacked precision in the final third. No lack of effort, endeavour, all of those things. Just lacked a bit of quality in the final third, and that’s going to have to improve.

I’m not expecting that many goals in this one, so it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s a nil-nil. A point a piece.

Prediction: Draw

Chelsea vs Tottenham

I was impressed with Caicedo. Chelsea are looking a more well-rounded team and I think Caicedo’s played a huge part in that, he’s made the difference. It was only the last two or three games that that’s happened. I think the reason for that is because of what Caicedo gives you in midfield. Him and Henderson have done really well. No surprise they’ve stiffened up a bit with those two in midfield.

Spurs did all right. Great to see Maddison back and scoring a goal. Kulusevski came back in for the last few minutes, got a good reception. I still didn’t think they played great, despite getting a good result. So, I’m going to go Chelsea home win.

Prediction: Chelsea win

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle

I’m going to say Newcastle away win, simply because they’ve had a free week to work on everything. Crystal Palace have travelled to Turkey, so they’ve been on a flight there for four hours and four hours back after a game. I know he might change it, but they haven’t got that many options. So for that reason, I’m going to go for a Newcastle win, and the demand from the away fans will roll Newcastle on. With no confidence, I’m going to say Newcastle away win. It could be a scrappy one-nil win.

Prediction: Newcastle win

Hull vs Brentford

Brentford were down to nine men last week, and Yarmolyuk’s sending off hurt them badly, so he’ll be suspended. I do think they might get back to winning ways though in this one. I think they’re a really good team, and I don’t think that’ll affect them that much. Hull are maybe finding the reality of the Premier League. They haven’t won for a while. So, I think Brentford will beat them.

Prediction: Brentford win

Liverpool vs Brighton

Brighton are flying, and they are playing some great football. It’ll be a really tough game for Liverpool. It tells you something that Brighton are going to Anfield, and I’m actually thinking of predicting they can go there and win because I just think they’ll pick Liverpool up in the way they play. Because of the uncertainty of Liverpool defensively, I think Brighton will score goals. I’m going to go score draw.

Hurzeler is doing a phenomenal job. He’s a really young coach. But I just think the system at Brighton is such an incredible system. I don’t say it’s easy for any manager, but in terms of the continuity and how it works, I guess we’ve seen other managers leave, big managers leave. We’ve seen directors of football leave, but the constant at Brighton is they’ve sort of finished and punched above their weight. Now, I guess now their target is Champions League football? So yeah, he’s done an amazing job. He’s doing an amazing job.

Prediction: Draw

Manchester United vs Bournemouth

I know playing on Thursday in such a massive game won’t help Bournemouth, even though they got a fantastic win, we’ve seen it with teams and playing Thursday and Sunday can take a toll. But, very much like my prediction for Newcastle this weekend, I would have no confidence saying this, but I think because of the desperation of United and because of the situation, Bournemouth can get something here.

So for that reason, I’m going to say a draw again, because I’ve got no belief Man United can go out and win the game. A draw will do nothing for Michael Carrick.

Prediction: Draw

Sunderland vs Leeds

Sunderland are struggling, one reason is because of Europe, and one reason is because they haven’t got Brian Brobbey in there, he’s been out injured. I don’t know whether he’ll be back at the weekend.

It’s no surprise, I said that they’ll struggle this season because of the size of the squad that they’ve got. One of the players came out and criticised their performance and their hunger last weekend. But again, they’ll need a reaction. I’m not sure they’ll get it. I mean, the Leeds fans will come up in their thousands. So, I’m going to go away win Leeds.

Prediction: Leeds win

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