Each week, The National Deputy Sports Editor Thomas Woods predicts the outcomes of the English Premier League. Here are his results for the season.
Arsenal 3 Tottenham 2
Why? Both sides have been excellent defensively this season, but an early goal could open the game up. We've seen some absolute thrillers in recent years – two 5-2s, 3-3, 4-4, 5-1 – and there's a chance this ends up in similar fashion. Arsenal are weakened enough by injuries to be beatable and Tottenham should be able to give them a run for their money. I keep saying it but Alexis Sanchez holds the key here. Even at 3-0 down against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, the German side appeared to fear Sanchez when he got the ball. He can do almost anything and Spurs might not be able to stop him.
Bournemouth 0 Newcastle 1
Why? Newcastle are below Bournemouth in the table – 18th to 17th – but statistically the home side have had a worse season in several departments. Bournemouth have two wins to Newcastle's one, but have lost more games and conceded more goals. They haven't won in five games and a clearly struggling up front. This game could go either way but Newcastle probably have more players who could produce an individual moment of brilliance to clinch a tight game.
Leicester City 2 Watford 0
Why? Watford will make it tough for Leicester to break them down but Claudio Ranieri's side have scored at least twice in five of their last seven games. With Jamie Vardy's goal-a-game form continuing, expect a home win.
Manchester United 2 West Bromwich Albion 0
Why? United haven't scored for two straight league games, pressure is building on Louis van Gaal to get his team playing "the United way" with more attacking football. This game is a fine chance to get back to scoring ways and get the fans off his back. West Brom have won three of five away from home, but one of those was against nine-man Stoke. This is the kind of game United should win with ease.
Norwich City 1 Swansea City 1
Why? Norwich are one of several teams on awful runs of form. They've lost four in a row and haven't won since early September. Defence is their issue, having conceded 23 in 11. They seem to be able to find the net in most games, but can't keep a clean sheet (they haven't had one all season). So you have to back Swansea to score and at least earn a point.
Sunderland 0 Southampton 2
Why? The 6-2 defeat at Everton highlighted the problems Sam Allardyce faces in trying to steer this Sunderland side away from relegation. At least their home form is a bit better than than on the road. They have only lost two of their five games at the Stadium of Light, but Southampton have bags of quality and plenty of pace on the break, especially in Saido Mane.
West Ham 1 Everton 0
Why? Everton's thrashing of Sunderland showed how potent an attacking side they can be, but they also conceded twice against one of the league's worst forward lines. They are missing Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka, two senior figures in defence. In what could be a tight game between two fine teams, West Ham might find some joy exploiting the inexperienced visiting defence, either through the pace of Diafra Sakho or the power of Andy Carroll.
Stoke City 1 Chelsea 1
Why? Chelsea have beaten Arsenal and Aston Villa 2-0 this season. In every other game, they have conceded at least twice. Stoke away is a fixture that bothers Jose Mourinho at the best of times and he usually pics a more physical, defensive minded side. It's going to be very tricky for Chelsea to come away from this with three points. They have the individual quality, but most of those individuals aren't performing.
Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2
Why? Villa are the worst side in the league. There's no getting around it. They are bottom and have lost seven in a row. The only realistic scenario in which City won't come away from this game with a win is if they have man sent off. They outclass Villa in every department.
Liverpool 1 Crystal Palace 0
Why? Jurgen Klopp's side showed a ton of resilience to come back from a goal down to beat Chelsea last week. They still have plenty of improvement and this is a different kind of test – trying to break down a Palace side who are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league. Christian Benteke will be important if he starts, giving Liverpool the option to go direct when they want.
