Ahead of the Premier League Boxing Day fixtures, The National's sports editor Thomas Woods provides his predictions for all 10 games. Here are his results for the season.
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Stoke 0 Manchester United 0
Why? Given Stoke’s recent form — five clean sheets in seven games — and United’s lack of shots on target, this is unlikely to be high scoring. Given the way this season has panned out, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if United came away with a counter-attack win, but everything is pointing towards a draw.
Aston Villa 1 West Ham United 0
Why? Villa will see this is a massive chance to get three points. West Ham haven’t won in seven games and, although the home team have only one win all season, they have at least found their shooting boots in recent weeks.
Bournemouth 1 Crystal Palace 2
Why? Palace have one of the best away records in the league with only Leicester City and Arsenal having won more games on the road. Bournemouth are also in cracking form, with three wins on the bounce, so expect this to be an entertaining match. Palace’s superior fire power edges it.
Chelsea 1 Watford 0
Why? Was Chelsea’s major improvement last week down to Jose Mourinho leaving or the fact they were playing Sunderland? Watford will be a much tougher proposition, hard to break down and with two in-form strikers in Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney. But Chelsea should edge this, probably with a goal from a set piece.
Liverpool 1 Leicester City 1
Why? Liverpool are back to being one of the most unpredictable sides in the league, especially since offering a lot of false hope by thrashing Manchester City 4-1 five games ago. Given the way Liverpool are defending, Leicester are likely to score and probably take a point.
Manchester City 3 Sunderland 0
Why? Even if Manuel Pellegrini rests players, Sunderland should be easy pickings for City’s talented squad. Their manager could probably leave Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero on the bench and still triumph by a goal or two.
Swansea City 0 West Bromwich Albion 0
Why? The goals have really dried up for Swansea, with only Villa scoring fewer at home. Against a solid West Brom defence, another stalemate to go with last week’s 0-0 draw with West Ham is on the cards
Tottenham 1 Norwich City 0
Why? Spurs should win this game but they will be wary of Norwich’s performance at Old Trafford last week and the fact that Newcastle won on the last visit to White Hart Lane two weeks ago. If Spurs turn some of their draws into wins they can be title challengers. This is a chance to get the ball rolling.
Newcastle 1 Everton 1
Why? Newcastle will be kicking themselves that they didn’t beat Villa at home last week, especially after going 1-0 up. This is a much tougher game, Everton have already demonstrated their ability in away games on several occasions this season, but they are another team who draw too many — eight of their 17 matches.
Southampton 1 Arsenal 1
Why? This prediction goes against all the form books but it is more of a gut feeling that Southampton will produce to the level they were showing earlier in the season. A showcase game, a defence with a point to prove and visitors who are depleted by injuries (even if they do have probably the most strength in depth in the league).
