Olivier Giroud and Arsenal romp; Man United and Man City draw – The National’s EPL predictions

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The National Deputy Sports Editor Thomas Woods makes his picks for Round 32 in the Premier League.

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Burnley v Arsenal

Burnley’s last two home games were promising – a win over Manchester City and a draw with Spurs – and if they score the first goal here you could see them frustrating Arsenal and perhaps clinging on to a victory. But this Arsenal side has so much firepower, with the Olivier Giroud in red-hot form. They will make it eight straight wins. PREDICTION: Arsenal, 3-0.

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

Spurs can get some momentum back with what, on paper, should be a straight forward home win but there are two factors at play – Villa fighting for survival and Tim Sherwood going back to his former club. This could be another game like Tottenham’s 4-3 win over Leicester last month ... a home win eventually but fairly nervy along the way. PREDICTION: Spurs, 3-2.

Swansea City v Everton

Swansea have had another fine season and are pretty much locked in to eighth place. Their home form has been key, winning eight of 16 games and losing only four times. Everton on the back of three straight wins will be tough opposition and a draw is the most likely outcome, with a goal for in-form Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis. PREDCITION: Draw, 1-1.

Southampton v Hull City

Hull are in serious danger of being dragged into the bottom three. They haven’t won in five and are only two points from safety. With QPR and Burnley showing signs of life, they could be in the relegation zone by the end of the weekend. PREDICTION: Southampton, 2-0.

Sunderland v Crystal Palace

Only Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have more points than Palace over the last six games. Key to their improvement under manager Alan Pardew has been their attacking play, and the performances of midfielder such as Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie. Sunderland beat Newcastle on Sunday, but they created little apart from the goal. They are still in big trouble. PREDICTION: Palace, 2-0.

West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City

Tony Pulis’s West Brom were turning The Hawthorns into a bit of a fortress until last week’s 4-1 mauling by QPR. Take it as one of those wacky results and expect them to get back to winning ways in this Midlands derby against a Leicester side who, for all their promise, have lost 12 of their 16 away games. PREDICTION: West Brom, 3-1.

West Ham United v Stoke City

These two are level on 42 points and there isn’t much to pick between the sides. Both have run Chelsea close in recent weeks, both have conceded 39 goals this season. It’s hard to see many goals in this one. PREDICTION: Draw, 0-0.

Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea

QPR have goals in them in recent games – they scored four at West Brom and three at Villa – so there’s a good chance they will find the net, even against the league’s second meanest defence. Chelsea won’t be quite as dangerous without the injured Diego Costa, but QPR have conceded 58 goals this season and Eden Hazard should lead Jose Mourinho’s men to another victory. PREDICTION: Chelsea, 4-1.

Manchester United v Manchester City

United go into the derby as the form team. The question is whether that form has turned into genuine confidence to go and inflict a defeat on their neighbours, who are severely off colour. City have outplayed United several times in recent seasons and both sides will probably be happy if this ends in a draw. PREDICTION: Draw, 1-1.

Liverpool v Newcastle United

Like City, Liverpool are in need of a confidence boost. Newcastle helped City get back on track, temporarily, by serving up a 5-0 win last month and this is just the game Liverpool need too. Expect Daniel Sturridge to get his name on the scoresheet in a simple win. PREDICTION: Liverpool, 2-0.