Premier League predictions: Leicester lose to Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle as chasers close in on leaders

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There are only five Premier League games this weekend due to seven top-flight teams competing in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Nevertheless, there are important battles taking place which will affect the top and bottom of the table.

Check out the predictions of @robsummerscales below.

SEE ALSO: FA Cup quarter-final predictions: Man United to crash out as West Ham set up all-London last four

Norwich City 1-4 Manchester City

This should be easy for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, who are the joint-highest scorers in the 2015-16 Premier League.

Norwich have only kept three clean sheets all season – fewer than any other top-flight team – and have lost nine of their last 10 games in all competitions.

Stoke City 2-1 Southampton

Just two points separate these two, who start Saturday eighth and ninth respectively in the table.

However, the Potters are in better form, having taken 10 points from a possible 12, while Southampton are winless in three games.

Furthermore, Stoke are famously good at home. And the Saints have the worst away record of any side in the Premier League’s top 10 this term.

Bournemouth 2-2 Swansea City

Despite their lowly league positions, Bournemouth and Swansea go into Saturday afternoon’s game high on confidence.

The Swans travel to the South Coast on the back of wins over Arsenal and Norwich, while Bournemouth also registered back-to-back victories recently, beating Southampton and Newcastle.

November’s 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium means there have been 22 goals scored in the last five meetings between these two sides. They are well-matched and another high-scoring tie seems likely.

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur

Thursday’s 3-0 defeat in Dortmund, where Spurs played a weakened team in the Europa League, has increased the pressure on the visitors to win at Villa Park on Sunday.

Fortunately for Tottenham, bottom-of-the-table Villa are – unlike Euro giants Dortmund – absolutely awful.

That midweek defeat is likely to fire Spurs up and, if they start well and grab an early goal, they could easily hit three, or four, or even five. After all Liverpool scored six here last month!

Leicester City 1-2 Newcastle United

Never underestimate the power of New Manager Syndrome.

Rafa Benitez took charge at Newcastle on Friday and, while the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss faces a tough task, he has inherited a squad full of attacking talent.

If Benitez can inspire the likes of Georgina Wijnaldum, Moussa Sissoko, Jonjo Shelvey and Seydou Doumbia, then there is every chance the Magpies could spring a surprise by becoming just the third team to beat Leicester in the league this season.

More Stories Georgina Wijnaldum Jonjo Shelvey Moussa Sissoko rafa benitez Seydou Doumbia