Premier League Predictions: Can Leicester stop City going top on Saturday?

We have a bumper day of Premier League action in store on Saturday, with 16 teams set to play - Greg Lea previews five matches and offers his Premier League predictions.

Leicester v Manchester City

Kick-off: 12.30pm Saturday

With Arsenal not in action until Sunday, Manchester City will go top of the Premier League with a win at the King Power Stadium in the first game of the weekend. They will have to overcome a Leicester team that has picked up form of late, with back-to-back victories over Leeds and Wolves following a goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

Leicester certainly look to have found their shooting boots again, but keeping Manchester City out at the other end will be difficult despite the fact they have kept three clean sheets in a row. Expect the attacks to triumph over the defences in this one.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 1.99

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

A 1-1 draw with Sporting CP in the Champions League means Tottenham have now gone three games without a win in all competitions. Antonio Conte has already dismissed his team’s Premier League title chances, but if Spurs want to stay within reach of top spot before the World Cup break they cannot afford to drop points in matches like this.

We could see Conte go back to basics against Bournemouth, encouraging his team to prioritise defensive solidity above all else. The Cherries have failed to find the net in either of their last two outings, so this should be a low-scoring encounter.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 2

Brighton v Chelsea

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Graham Potter returns to the Amex Stadium to face his former club on Saturday. Brighton’s form has dipped since Potter joined Chelsea; Roberto De Zerbi guided the Seagulls to a creditable 3-3 draw with Liverpool in his first game in charge, but since then his team have taken just one point from 12 available.

De Zerbi has had a tough start to this tenure in terms of fixtures, as Brighton have faced Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and now Chelsea. Potter is still unbeaten in his new position, however, and the Blues should get the job done on the south coast.

Prediction: Chelsea to win @ 2.6

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth team was renowned for its leaky defence, but the Newcastle side he currently coaches have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season. No team in the division has a better record over the last six games either, so Aston Villa will be up against it despite their 4-0 thrashing of Brentford last time out.

The Magpies have kept a clean sheet in exactly half of their six home games this term, and Villa will have to work hard to put the ball in the net here.

Prediction: Newcastle clean sheet @ 2.5

Liverpool v Leeds

Kick-off: 7.45pm Saturday

Steven Gerrard has gone, and Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl have overseen some good results of late, which leaves Jesse Marsch as the Premier League manager most likely to lose his job next. Leeds have lost four games on the bounce and now occupy a place in the relegation zone, having risen as high as third in late August.

Liverpool bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest by beating Ajax 3-0 in midweek, thus securing their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. This feels like an opportunity for the Reds to register an emphatic, confidence-restoring victory in the Premier League.

Prediction: Liverpool -2.5 Asian handicap @ 2.78

Premier League predictions

Leicester City v Man City: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 1.99
Bournemouth v Spurs: Under 2.5 goals @ 2
Brighton v Chelsea: Chelsea to win @ 2.6
Newcastle United v Villa: Newcastle clean sheet @ 2.5
Liverpool v Leeds United: Liverpool -2.5 Asian handicap @ 2.78