Premier League predictions

Thomas Woods predicts the outcome of the eighth week of Premier League fixtures, which includes Liverpool hosting old rivals Manchester United, Manchester City at home to Aston Villa, Everton visiting Stamford Bridge and the Black Country derby.


Saturday

Liverpool v Manchester United

Both sides have kinks to iron out. Liverpool's manager, Kenny Dalglish, is trying to work out how to get the best out of an under-performing Andy Carroll. United have been shaky at the back, though, but Nemanja Vidic will return at Anfield. Liverpool romped home in this fixture last season and, after not hitting top form this season, this could be the occasion to do it. 2-1

Manchester City v Aston Villa

David Silva is in sensational form and is rapidly turning into City's most important player. The home side may be short in attack, if Sergio Aguero does not recover from a groin injury, but they can still call on Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli. Not too bad. Villa, this season's draw specialists, will probably play for one. 1-0

Norwich City v Swansea City

A battle of two promoted teams, both have got off to decent starts and sit level in the top half of the table on eight points. Swansea have yet to win away from home though and that could be a stumbling block here. 2-1

QPR v Blackburn Rovers

Despite a decent campaign so far, they also have eight points, QPR have yet to win at home and have only scored one goal. This is the occasion to break that duck against a Blackburn side in the relegation zone, and they don't travel well. They have conceded seven in three games on the road, and have lost five of seven games this season. 3-0

Stoke City v Fulham

Fulham, who have a poor away record over the past three or four seasons, are up against it against a physical Stoke side who held Manchester United and beat Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium earlier in the season. 2-0

Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers

This signals a chance for Bolton to end their poor form. They have lost six in a row but much has been made of the fact they faced Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in that run of games. Wigan are not as good as those teams and also miss their key striker Hugo Rodallega. 0-1

Chelsea v Everton

This will be a tough match for Chelsea so don't expect a glut of goals. But Everton are hurting for their lack of firepower at the moment and, especially if Chelsea get the first goal, it's hard to see them outscoring the home side. 1-0

Sunday

West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

A West Midlands derby, it will be frenetic and passionate. Form goes out the window, which is just as well for the home side. On paper they have a team to match Wolves, though could be without Peter Odemwingie, their star striker. West Brom to edge a thriller. 3-2

Arsenal v Sunderland

Some respite for stuttering Arsenal in the fact that they face a team in worse form than themselves. Both teams should be higher up the table. Nicklas Bendtner, the Dane, will start for Sunderland against his old side. You fancy the visitors to score, but Arsenal to net more. 3-1

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Alan Pardew's home side are in top form and unbeaten. But Spurs are also playing well and that makes this one tough to call. Newcastle have home advantage, but Spurs have more "match winners" in players like Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor and Luka Modric. 1-1