Sergio Aguero should feast on Hull defence and Merseyside derby will excite – The National’s EPL predictions

Aston Villa v Chelsea: Villa were woeful in losing 5-0 at Arsenal last week and they struggle to find the net. Not a great time to come up against the leaders, who have the second meanest defence behind Southampton. This is just a case of how many Chelsea will win by. PREDICTION: 0-3. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Leicester City v Crystal Palace: Despite a promising run of three unbeaten games recently, Leicester have been bottom of the table since their 13th game of the season. Alan Pardew’s Palace will keep things tight and look to nick a goal on the break. PREDICTION: 0-0. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

QPR v Southampton: Who knows what the mood is going to be in the QPR dressing room after Harry Redknapp’s surprise departure as manager on Tuesday. QPR haven’t won away, which is putting extra emphasis on their home matches. Unfortunately for them, having lost to Manchester United, they now face Southampton, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Chelsea in a row. Relegation looms. PREDICTION: 0-1. Clive Rose/Getty Images

Swansea City v Sunderland: Gary Monk’s Swansea got an excellent win on the road at Southampton last Sunday to snap out of a four-game winless spell and they will fancy their chances against a Sunderland side who don’t travel well. The visitors have drawn more games (11) than any other team, but Swansea should clinch a close win. PREDICTION: 2-1. Ian Walton/Getty Images

Everton v Liverpool: Everton’s 1-0 win at Palace on Saturday was only their sixth victory in 23 league games. Their form this season is confusing, given the quality in their squad. And this makes them a dangerous team to play, especially in a derby game. If they click and play to 2013/14 levels, they can beat anyone. Liverpool are expected to leave Daniel Sturridge on the bench as he comes back from injury, which will limit them going forward. PREDICTION: 0-0. Michael Steele/Getty Images

Newcastle United v Stoke City: Newcastle are a hard side to work out. They can beat Chelsea one week and lose at home to Sunderland the next. Which Newcastle turns up on Sunday is anybody’s guess. Stoke arrive at St James’ Park on the back of two wins and should come back with at least a point, regardless. PREDICTION: 1-1. AP Photo/Scott Heppell

West Ham United v Manchester United: You wouldn’t guess for all the criticism they have received, but United have the third best defence in the league, having conceded 22 in 23 games. They have let in just five in their last 10 games in all competitions. However, West Ham have a giant striker in Andy Carroll. The last time United faced a similar player, Stoke’s Peter Crouch, he caused all sorts of problems on a windy day. PREDICTION: 1-1. Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal: North London derbies rarely disappoint for goals and expect this one to be the same. Arsenal’s form in their last three games has been emphatic – scoring 10 goals to the opposition’s zero – but they won’t keep a clean sheet here, especially if Arsene Wenger chooses the derby to give a debut to new signing Gabriel at centre-back. PREDICTION: 2-2. Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Burnley v West Brom: Tony Pulis’s good start to life at West Brom came to halt with a 3-0 home thrashing by Spurs on Saturday. Now they face a Burnley side who will fancy their chances of beating relegation rivals at home. PREDICTION: 1-0. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Thomas Woods offers his predictions for the upcoming round of English Premier League fixtures on Saturday, including the blockbuster game of the weekend when Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal as the winner could climb into the top four of the table. Manchester United will visit West Ham United while Everton and Liverpool also square off.

Click through the photo gallery for the complete set of predictions.

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