Each week, The National Sports Editor Thomas Woods predicts the outcomes of the English Premier League, this week foreseeing a Manchester City victory and draws for the rest of the top four. Here are his results for the season.
West Ham 1 Manchester City 2
Why? Before they lost at Newcastle last week, West Ham were eight games unbeaten and this will be a hard-fought victory for City. But Sergio Aguero looks like he is coming into a classic Sergio Aguero-style run of form. He is fit, he scored twice last week and he should get on the score sheet against West Ham.
Norwich 0 Liverpool 2
Why? Forget the defeat to Manchester United last week – that game is a grudge match and form is irrelevant. Liverpool showed plenty of promise in a 3-3 thriller at home to Arsenal in the previous game and the movement of their front three was great to watch. One criticism being thrown at Jurgen Klopp's side is that they lack a presence up front, with Christian Benteke sat on the bench. But Roberto Firmino is far more mobile in that central role and he could have plenty of joy on the counter attack against Norwich.
Crystal Palace 0 Tottenham 0
Why? Palace are symbolic of a strange Premier League season all round. A superb start, flirting with the Uefa Champions League spots and then suddenly they are on a five-game winless run having lost the last three. They are missing winger Yannick Bolasie and, against London rivals, this could be a game where they decide to at least come away with a clean sheet and a point.
Leicester City 1 Stoke City 1
Why? Leicester are stuttering a touch and it has coincided with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez having a couple of mediocre games. They are still a good shout to finish in the top four but the visit of Stoke, also in fine fettle and only six points off the top four, will see them drop more points.
Manchester United 1 Southampton 1
Why? The previous meeting between these two produced five goals in a United win. Saints are unpredictable – they have won eight and lost eight – but they should at least be able to score against Louis van Gaal's men who are somehow hanging on to vague title hopes. Sadio Mane, a United transfer target, is one to watch for the visitors.
Sunderland 2 Bournemouth 1
Why? Sunderland are showing signs of life after a dismal start to the season. They've won two of their last three and, at home against relegation rivals, this is a game they really have to win. The key will be Sunderland's back four, statistically the worst in the league. If they can keep Bournemouth to one goal at best then you have to fancy on-form Jermain Defoe to lead his side to victory.
Watford 2 Newcastle 2
Why? Watford will be worried by four losses on the bounce, but they did host Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City as well as a tough trip to Southampton in that spell. They have been decent defensively at home so the idea of them conceding twice to Newcastle might seem a bit far fetched. But it feels like Steve McClaren's men are gathering momentum. They've scored five in their last two games and this could be an unexpected thriller.
West Bromwich Albion 2 Aston Villa 0
Why? Villa's last two games – a win and a draw – hide the fact that they are still creating very little up front. Away from home in a midlands derby against a solid West Brom side, it is hard to see them taking a point.
Everton 3 Swansea City 1
Why? Everton should have taken three points from Chelsea last week and it is the story of their season. Plenty of great performances but without the results to back it up. They have only won six games which is only one more than Newcastle and Sunderland who are in the bottom three. At home against a struggling Swansea side they should get a win on the board in some style.
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0
Why? This is a situation Jose Mourinho would thrive in and Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink might just channel the spirit of his predecessor. Chelsea battled their way to a 2-0 win over Arsenal earlier in the season while they were in a run of turgid form. They are not playing much better now, but I fancy them to shut up shop and take a point.