The National Sports deputy editor Thomas Woods makes his picks for the midweek Premier League matches. Read below or click through the arrows above to see his predictions.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
A win for either side here would be huge in the context of gaining a Champions League spot, with defeat for Liverpool leaving them seven points adrift. This should a tight game, Liverpool should start Daniel Sturridge for the first time since his return from injury and he will go head-to-head with in-form Spurs striker Harry Kane. A draw with both to score. Draw, 1-1.
Arsenal v Leicester City
Leicester, on 17 points, could end Tuesday night four points adrift at the bottom of the table. Queens Park Rangers (19) and Hull City (20) all have some chance of winning but Leicester, on the road against an Arsenal side smarting from a derby defeat, have next to no chance. Especially if Alexis Sanchez is fit again for the home side. Arsenal, 3-0.
Hull City v Aston Villa
This is a game Hull must surely win. They know Villa are even going to score zero (most likely) or one (unlikely). Hull have the talent in midfield in Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore to dominate midfield and if their strikers are clinical this could be a comfortable win. Hull, 2-0.
Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers
Without top scorer Charlie Austin, QPR are going to struggle, even by their standards. They have lost 11 of 11 away games and scored just six times, with Austin netting four of those. However, Sunderland have only two home wins and have drawn more games than any other side in the league. Draw, 0-0.
Chelsea v Everton
It is clear that Chelsea are not the same side without Diego Costa. They go from excellent to very good but that should still be enough to beat Everton. Romelu Lukaku has been one of this season’s disappointments since joining Everton from Chelsea. His touch was heavy in the derby draw with Liverpool and if that doesn’t improve, the visitors will be starved of chances. Chelsea, 1-0.
Manchester United v Burnley
Home wins haven’t been hard to come by for United this season and they should cruise past Burnley who are fragile defensively. This a good chance for Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao to get in the goals ahead of a tougher game – away at Swansea next weekend. Manchester United, 2-0.
Southampton v West Ham United
This could be the game of the round, with two confident sides with European aspirations facing off. The impact of each side’s pace players will be key. Sadio Mane and Eljero Elia on either wing for Southampton can get behind defences while Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing caused Manchester United all sorts of problems on the break on Sunday. Draw, 1-1.
Stoke City v Manchester City
Man City are struggling to step into fourth gear at the moment and the title is in danger of slipping out of their grasp on Wednesday. Stoke are a match for any side at home and City have gone winless while Yaya Toure has been on international duty. Though he was playing with the Ivory Coast on Sunday night, Manuel Pellegrini may have no choice but to put him straight back in the side. Draw, 1-1.
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Alan Pardew would love to get one over on his former club Newcastle and he has a great chance here. Palace have won three of their last four and are looking up at the top 10 rather than the relegation zone. Newcastle will be lucky to come away with a draw. Crystal Palace, 2-1.
West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City
West Brom should be able to hold a Swansea side who desperately miss Wilfried Bony’s presence up front. New signing Callum McManaman, who was so impressive for Wigan last season, gives the home side a spark they previously missed with his driving right-wing runs. West Brom, 2-1.
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