Man United bounce back in style, Chelsea face tough Southampton trip — PL predictions

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As the Premier League enters its 10th round of matches, Thomas Woods provides his score predictions. Click here for our results on the season.

Sunderland 0 Arsenal 3

Why? Arsenal couldn't penetrate a stubborn Middlesbrough defence last week in a 0-0 home draw, but there is no way they will be held goalless at Sunderland. Arsenal have generally been merciless on the road against lower table teams this season, with a 3-1 win at Watford and a 4-1 win at Hull City. Sunderland have conceded 16 goals in nine games and only scored six. A hammering is on the cards.

Manchester United 4 Burnley 0

Why? It's backlash time for United after the 4-0 thumping at Chelsea last week. They ground out a League Cup win over rivals Manchester City's reserve side on Wednesday but need to get back on track in the league. If they get flowing, and with the help of an early goal, the home side have the quality to steamroll Burnley. Sean Dyche's side have a 100 per cent losing record away from home this season.

Middlesbrough 1 Bournemouth 0

Boro are desperate for a win having not registered three points since the second week of the season. They are the league’s second lowest scorers but can grind out a win here if they build on a solid defensive performance. It won’t be pretty.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Leicester City 1

Leicester have conceded 13 goals in four away games this season and their inconsistent campaign will continue with another thrashing at the hands of Tottenham. Jamie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater, two of the stars of last season’s title triumph, are out of form and it is really hurting the champions.

Watford 2 Hull City 0

Hull will be heading for relegation if they haven’t picked up some wins by Christmas. They have lost five in a row and are winless in seven. This game is followed by encounters with Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough in a run that could define the rest of their season. If they are still struggling by January when they face a stretch of four games against Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, then they are doomed.

West Brom 0 Manchester City 2

City haven’t won in six games in all competitions but they will be able to put it right at the Hawthorns. After a strange couple of games for Sergio Aguero, in which there have even been rumours he might have fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola, expect him to get back on the goal trail.

Crystal Palace 2 Liverpool 2

Goals are surely on the cards here. For a start, Liverpool could struggle to cope with the aerial power of former player Christian Benteke. Liverpool meanwhile, have goal threats all around the field and Palace are hardly defensively sound.

Everton 1 West Ham United 1

Everton’s fine start to the season has been halted by a four-game winless run and they will also find it tough to take three points off West Ham. Slaven Bilic’s side are coming into form and pulled off an impressive 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday in the League Cup. If they can keep Romelu Lukaku quiet, they will get a point.

Southampton 2 Chelsea 1

Southampton often trouble the league’s biggest club’s at St Mary’s and this will be one of those occasions. Record signing Soufiane Boufal could make his home league debut and big things are expected of the Moroccan forward. The home side’s pace on the flanks will be the key factor.

Stoke City 0 Swansea City 0

This has Monday night match has stalemate written all over it. Bob Bradley’s Swansea are a work in progress and he will be happy to take a point home from Stoke. The home side have plenty of attacking weapons but they don’t always fire.