Cape Town - It’s the big battle between second and third in the English Premiership, but the majority view of the Sport24 gurus is that the positions of Manchester United and arch-enemies Liverpool will remain unchanged after Saturday’s crunch meeting.

Four of the panel see a stalemate at Old Trafford – it was 1-1 there last season – although there is lesser support for both other outcomes, only indicating further that this clash is a tough pick for forecasters.

If they do share the spoils, the Red Devils will retain a two-point cushion on the log.

Each round of the 2017/18 Premiership campaign, a group 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), Lloyd Burnard, Tashreeq Vardien, Baden Gillion and Lynn Butler (all Man Utd) plus Craig Taylor (Liverpool).

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

OUR FORECASTS:

MANCHESTER UNITED v LIVERPOOL
Saturday, 14:30

Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 2-2
Lloyd: 1-2
Lynn: 2-2
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 1-1

Last season: 1-1              

EVERTON v BRIGHTON
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 1-1
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 2-0

Last season: Not applicable               

WEST HAM v BURNLEY
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-0
Lynn: 0-2
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 1-0

Last season: 1-0              

NEWCASTLE v SOUTHAMPTON
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-0
Lynn: 1-0
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 0-1

Last season: Not applicable               

WEST BROM v LEICESTER
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: 0-0
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 1-1
Lynn: 0-2
Craig: 0-2
Baden: 1-3

Last season: 0-1                

HUDDERSFIELD v SWANSEA
Saturday, 17:00

Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 0-3
Lynn: 2-1
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 1-1

Last season: Not applicable                                              

CHELSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE
Saturday, 19:30

Rob: 3-1
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 3-2
Lloyd: 2-2
Lynn: 2-1
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 1-0

Last season: 1-2                                   

ARSENAL v WATFORD
Sunday, 15:30

Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 3-2
Lloyd: 3-0 
Lynn: 1-0
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 2-1

Last season: 1-2

BOURNEMOUTH v TOTTENHAM
Sunday, 18:00

Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 0-2
Tashreeq: 2-2
Lloyd: 1-3
Lynn: 1-3
Craig: 0-2
Baden: 1-2

Last season: 0-0

STOKE v MANCHESTER CITY
Monday, 22:00

Rob: 0-2
Garrin: 0-2
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 1-3
Lynn: 1-4
Craig: 0-3
Baden: 1-4

Last season: 1-4

*LEADERBOARD:

222 Garrin (8 points in last round)
219 Lloyd (9)
209 Tashreeq (12)
205 Rob (8)
202 Craig (6)
189 Lynn (9)
169 Baden (6)