Chelsea take a step closer to title, Liverpool add to Man City’s misery: Premier League predictions

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A full Premier League fixture list returns this weekend and Thomas Woods has provided his predictions for each game.

West Bromwich Albion 2 Arsenal 0

Why? There is a noticeable contrast between West Bromwich Albion at home (eight wins) and away (just three wins) this season. They have taken only one point off the seven teams above them in the table, but this is a chance to change that. A general mood of disarray hangs over Arsenal, and West Brom can exploit that.

Crystal Palace 0 Watford 0

Why? Palace have only 14 goals at home this season, Watford have scored 12 on the road. With the home side scrapping for points in a relegation battle, and Watford not totally safe, this will be a tight, scrappy affair.

Everton 2 Hull City 1

Why? It will be interesting to see what body language Romelu Lukaku shows on Saturday after the news he will not sign a new contract at the club. Hull can score here, but Everton are in excellent form — they have won five and lost one of their last eight — and will come out on top again.

Stoke City 0 Chelsea 1

Why? The way Eden Hazard performed in Chelsea's FA Cup victory over Manchester United on Monday suggests a strong climax to the season for the Belgian is on the horizon. This match is ideal for him. Chelsea can let Stoke take the initiative and pounce on the break.

Sunderland 2 Burnley 0

Why? What a break for Sunderland — the visit of a near guaranteed three points in the shape of Burnley — just at the time the bottom-placed side need them most. The Premier League's worst team on the road actually played pretty well in their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last week. For the home side, Jermain Defoe has not scored in three games, and a return to form is desperately needed to help his side's bid to avoid relegation.

West Ham United 3 Leicester City 2

Why? The back-to-their-old-selves Leicester face a big test against a West Ham side who have played well, attacking wise, without getting the results in recent weeks. Andre Ayew is in contention for a first-team role after various injuries and he would give them a different dimension in attack. Should be goals in this one.

Bournemouth 2 Swansea 1

Why? Joshua King is in fine goalscoring form for Bournemouth with seven goals in his last five games, and the home side can expect him to be on target again against the league's worst defence. Swansea could be without striker Fernando Llorente, who has 11 goals this season, and that would be a setback.

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester United 1

Why? United may be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but they must travel north confident of three points against a Middlesbrough side who are now in the relegation zone, having not won since December 17 in the league. The home team have two goals in their last eight games, while United boast the league's third-best defence. Middlesbrough also go into this fixture following the departure of manager Aitor Karanka. There is only going to be one winner.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Southampton 1

Why? Southampton can penetrate Tottenham's superb defence and have the potential to cause an upset. But as long as Son Heung-min plays as well as he did in the FA Cup last week, when he scored a hat-trick, Spurs will be fine. The South Korean has big boots to fill in the shape of injured Harry Kane, but he is up to the task.

Manchester City 0 Liverpool 2

Why? City are coming to terms with their exit from the Uefa Champions League and Liverpool can exploit that. Jurgen Klopp's side travel to Manchester with a full week's rest and a record of performing against the league's biggest sides. If City defend anywhere near like they did in Monaco, they will be in trouble.

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