Arsenal fall to West Ham as Chelsea survive Southampton – The National’s EPL predictions

Managerless Palace know this is a fixture they cannot afford to lose if they hope to remain in the top flight next season. QPR have turned things around in recent weeks though and with Charlie Austin looking confident, the home side will condemn Palace to another defeat. PREDICTION: QPR 3 Crystal Palace 1 EPA/SEAN DEMPSEY

Leicester have been playing well of late, but without picking up the points their performances have deserved. Against Tottenham, they could have won. Hull did win, although fell behind before doing so. This could be the tie of the day, but Leicester’s poor run of form will continue. PREDICTION: Hull 2 Leicester 1 (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

On paper, City could turn this fixture into a cricket score, but Burnley should not be mocked. Organised and determined, the Clarets will put up a fight and make life hard for City’s stars. The home side though will inevitably get the three points in the end. PREDICTION: Man City 2 Burnley 0 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Chelsea arrive at St Mary’s in formidable form and with a squad unrivalled in strength in depth, while Southampton looked back to their potent best against Crystal Palace. Ronald Koeman’s side would need to play to their highest possible level to get a result and tiredness will not allow it. PREDICTION: Southampton 0 Chelsea 2 AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLIS

West Ham’s strong start to the season is being thoroughly tested this week with matches against Chelsea and Arsenal. They failed their first audition with a 2-0 defeat to the league leaders, but against Arsenal they could fare better as they target the visitors’ dodgy defence and soft core. PREDICTION: West Ham 1 Arsenal 0 (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Separated in the league by a single point, both teams will be well aware that this represents a winnable fixture. Consistently inconsistent, the result could swing either way, but a draw is the most likely outcome. PREDICTION: Aston Villa 1 Sunderland 1 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

A couple of weeks ago, Swansea would have arrived as the more likely victors, but Brendan Rodgers’ side appear to be turning the corner. With Raheem Sterling operating as a striker, the Reds suddenly have pace to burn and will finish the year with three valuable points. PREDICTION: Liverpool 2 Swansea 1 (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Roberto Martinez’s Everton are enduring a poor run of results, but they will see a trip north to Newcastle as an ideal opportunity to address that. Alan Pardew, however, needs a win too and his side – cheered on by the local vocal support – will have the edge to get the win. PREDICTION: Newcastle 2 Everton 0 (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Mark Hughes has got his Potters side playing some attractive football and their 1-0 away win over Everton is proof that results will come if performances continue. Against West Brom though, tiredness and motivation will be a factor and a draw could be the most likely outcome. PREDICTION: Stoke 1 West Brom 1 (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

Gary Meenaghan delivers The National’s Premier League predictions for Week 19, including a West Ham United victory over Arsenal and Chelsea staying atop the table with a win over hosts Southampton.

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