Arsenal face Anfield toughie

Cape Town - Leaders Arsenal’s nearest rivals may sense an opportunity to leapfrog them after the imminent midweek round of English Premiership fixtures.

The Gunners go to Merseyside to face another proud old outfit, eighth-placed Liverpool, on Wednesday and can expect no special favours - certainly our pundits are thoroughly divided about the outcome.

That said, Leicester (in second) won’t have matters all their own way at Tottenham, whilst Manchester City - off the lead by three points - should also be tested at home to Everton.

Each round of the 2015/16 Premiership campaign, a panel of our staff has a crack at predicting the results - do the exercise yourself, if you like, and see how you compare afterwards.

Compiled by Rob Houwing (Newcastle-partial), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton), Herman Mostert (Chelsea), and a trio of Manchester United devotees in Tashreeq Vardien, Lloyd Burnard and Maano Nekhavhambe.

Three points are awarded for an entirely correct scoreline, and one for right result.

OUR FORECASTS:

ASTON VILLA v CRYSTAL PALACE
Tuesday, 21:45

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-2
Herman: 1-1
Tashreeq: 0-2
Lloyd: 1-0
Maano: 1-1
Last season: 0-0       

BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM
Tuesday, 21:45

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-3
Lloyd: 1-2
Maano: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable                                     

NEWCASTLE v MANCHESTER UNITED
Tuesday, 21:45

Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 0-2
Herman: 1-2
Tashreeq: 0-2
Lloyd: 1-1
Maano: 0-2
Last season: 0-1                     

CHELSEA v WEST BROM
Wednesday, 21:45

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Herman: 2-0
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 3-0
Maano: 1-0
Last season: 2-0                            

MANCHESTER CITY v EVERTON
Wednesday, 21:45

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 3-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 2-1
Maano: 2-1
Last season: 1-0                              

SOUTHAMPTON v WATFORD
Wednesday, 21:45

Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-1
Maano: 2-2
Last season: Not applicable                                   

STOKE v NORWICH
Wednesday, 21:45

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 1-1
Tashreeq: 2-0
Lloyd: 1-0
Maano: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable                

SWANSEA v SUNDERLAND
Wednesday, 21:45

Rob: 2-2
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-2
Maano: 2-0
Last season: 1-1    

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL
Wednesday, 22:00

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1  
Herman: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-2
Maano: 1-1
Last season: 2-2   

TOTTENHAM v LEICESTER
Wednesday, 22:00

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 1-0
Maano: 0-1
Last season: 4-3   

*LEADERBOARD:

144 - Maano (10 points in last round)
134 - Garrin (6)
122 - Rob (8)
120 - Herman (9)
116 - Lloyd (5)
113 - Tashreeq (4)