Thomas Woods predicts the outcome of week 14 of Premier League
fixtures, which include Manchester City aiming to see off Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium
and tough away trips for Chelsea and Manchester United....
Saturday
Newcastle v Chelsea
This is the third of a tough run of games for Newcastle following an away defeat at Manchester City and a fortuitous draw at Manchester United. They should feel the most confident about a home game against Chelsea, who are losing games at an abnormal rate for them. 2-1
Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City
Seven points from 13 games is an abysmal record, yet that has earned manager Steve Kean a pay rise. Rovers have shown flashes of good play, but this is a results business and it is hard to see them having much success against a Swansea side who pass the ball around with much more verve. 1-1
Manchester City v Norwich City
The visitors have handled themselves well in trips to the bigger teams this season, earning a draw at Liverpool and deserving points at Manchester United and Chelsea. This may not be the romp most people would expect, but City should still triumph. 2-0
Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion
Roy Hodgson, the West Brom manager, has challenged his star forward, Peter Odemwingie, to up his game after a poor season so far. Both sides have a decent amount of attacking flair and neither is particularly adept at defending. 1-2
Tottenham Hotspur v Bolton Wanderers
Not an ideal opponent for a struggling Bolton side. Spurs are on form, playing with style and scoring plenty. They could move to second in the table, at least until Aston Villa host Manchester United in the later game. 3-0
Wigan Athletic v Arsenal
Arsenal have not won either of their last two trips to the DW Stadium, with defeat in 2010 memorably ruling them out of the title race. Confidence will be high this time though and Wigan, despite last week's win at Sunderland, are playing like firm relegation candidates. Oh yeah, and Arsenal have Robin van Persie. 0-4
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Villa are this season's draw specialists, United are playing like a team in need of motivation. Hard to see the champions losing, even tougher to call a victory. 0-0
Sunday
Everton v Stoke City
Everton are the team in form in this encounter and couple that with a Stoke team who generally struggle on the road, a home victory is logical. 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland
Shorn of manager Steve Bruce, Sunderland face a team who are also in a rut. The two teams have earned just 10 points between them from their last eight games. Expect caution and little entertainment. 0-0
Monday
Fulham v Liverpool
Fresh from a Carling Cup victory at Chelsea on Tuesday, Liverpool should have no problem seeing off another London side. They won this match 5-2 last season. 0-2