Each week, The National Deputy Sports Editor Thomas Woods predicts the outcomes of the English Premier League, this week anticipating wins for Chelsea and Liverpool. Here are his results for the season.
Chelsea 3 Bournemouth 1
Why? If you've watched Eden Hazard closely in recent weeks, the Belgian has been slowly improving and he looks ready to unleash a monster performance. This could be the game for it. Bournemouth have shipped 18 goals away from home. An early goal for Chelsea and this could get messy for the visitors.
Stoke City 1 Manchester City 1
Why? Since Stoke were promoted to the Premier League in 2008/09, City have won only once in the league at the Britannia Stadium and that was last year when Sergio Aguero scored twice in a 4-1 win. In the other six games, Stoke won once and five were draws – four of those 1-1. Aguero might not be fit for this tie and City's defence will be tested, especially from set pieces.
Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0
Why? Sunderland's mini revival should come to a halt against Arsenal. The home side have a lot of injuries, but there is still enough quality on display. Mesut Ozil will be central to Arsenal now that Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla out injured and the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a huge boost as his pace will trouble Sunderland's centre-backs.
Manchester United 1 West Ham 0
Why? United have won 11 of their last 12 home games against West Ham in all competitions and the visitors are in a bit of a slump, having failed to win in their last four. The visitors best chance of winning might be to ditch targetman Andy Carroll and opt for pace up front. Even so, United's attack should be able to score at least once and they have only conceded one goal all season in the league at Old Trafford.
Southampton 2 Aston Villa 0
Why? One positive for Villa from the 3-2 home defeat to Watford last week is that they scored two goals, having managed just three in their previous six home games. But this is a side who don't score a lot and concede at a rate of almost two goals a game. That equals home win.
Swansea City 1 Leicester City 1
Why? Swansea are getting closer to the drop zone as the weeks go by after a decent start to the season. On paper, they have the makings of a top-eight side but it isn't coming together and the visit of Leicester – unbeaten on the road – is a major test. Both sides should get on the score sheet but if I had to pick a win, Leicester probably have the best chance, given theirs and Jamie Vardy's form.
Watford 1 Norwich 0
Why? A battle of two promoted sides but Watford look in better shape so far this season. This game will be decided by two factors – Watford's defence and the fact they have strikers who are actually scoring goals. Watford's strike force of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo have 12 goals between them, whereas the highest total by any Norwich striker is two.
West Bromwich Albion 1 Tottenham 1
Why? Holding Spurs back from a major title challenge is their away record. They've only won two of six away games this season and it is likely they are reverting to the mean somewhat after a 2014/15 campaign in which they won had the fourth best away record in the division. West Brom can be a tough place to take three points from – just ask Arsenal.
Newcastle 0 Liverpool 1
Why? There's two big questions around this game. First, can Newcastle score. Judging by the last month or so, the answer is no. They are toothless. Secondly, who plays up front for Liverpool? Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi scored five between them on Wednesday in the League Cup. But will Jurgen Klopp give Sturridge a second game in five days with his injury history? Probably not and with him and Philippe Coutinho out, Liverpool will probably be a little less explosive up front.
Everton 1 Crystal Palace 2
Why? This might be the most exciting game of the weekend. Two sides in fine form, exciting wingers, full-backs who pile forward frequently. This could easily go either way but given the amount of away wins there have been this season, Palace have a decent chance of an upset.
