Arsenal and Man City evens; Manchester United perk up – EPL predictions

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Each week, The National Sports Editor Thomas Woods predicts the outcomes of the English Premier League, this week foreseeing a draw between Arsenal and Manchester City. Here are his results for the season.

Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1

Why? This is the heavyweight clash of the week and it will be interesting to see how each manager approaches it. Arsene Wenger could strike a major blow in the title race if he sends his team out all guns blazing. Arsenal are capable of thrashing any team on their day. City's Manuel Pellegrini, on the other hand, has already given us an idea of his approach to these games with the way his side played in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and it is probably pragmatic of him on Monday to take a point again. Then there is the case of Leicester. If they beat Everton two days earlier, both Arsenal and City would be wary of losing ground by settling for a point.

Chelsea 1 Sunderland 1

Why? This is likely to be Jose Mourinho's last match in charge of Chelsea. Half his team seem to have stopped playing for him and, from the way he has been speaking this past week, he seems determined to exit with a bang. Sunderland have been woeful on the road at times this season, but Sam Allardyce will set them up to defend deep and they have a great chance to score on the counter attack

Everton 2 Leicester 2

Why? Maybe the most exciting match-up of the weekend. Leicester seem unstoppable at the moment, but I think Everton's front line will have some joy against their defence. You've got two of the in-form strikers in the league, Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku, and two of the most exciting wingers in Riyad Mahrez and Gerard Deulofeu. Expect plenty of goals.

Manchester United 1 Norwich City 0

Why? Despite United's generally toothless displays over the last month, you can put last week's loss to Bournemouth down to the situation. With so many players out, Louis van Gaal fielded a depleted side and, despite the reaction of some pundits, it wasn't a major surprise that Bournemouth pulled off the win. We'll see how many players return for the visit of Norwich, but United's home form has been good enough to suggest they can pull off a tight win.

Southampton 1 Tottenham 1

Why? Southampton's win at Chelsea seems a long time ago and they have now lost three of their last four games, which seems strange given the talent in their squad. Facing their former manager Mauricio Pochettino, they should be able to raise their game against a Tottenham side who have drawn four of seven on the road.

Stoke 1 Crystal Palace 1

Why? These teams' form over the past five games in all competitions is identical – three wins, a draw and a loss. It's a tough one to predict: Stoke have kept three clean sheets in a row but Palace are a side with goal threats across the front six. The battle between Yannick Bolasie and Glen Johnson down Palace's left side may decide this one.

West Bromwich Albion 0 Bournemouth 1

Why? Bournemouth have given their chances of survival a huge lift with eight points from their last four games, scoring eight goals along the way. They will fancy themselves to score at The Hawthorns and could take all three points, given that the home side only score at a rate of a goal a game and have lost half their home matches.

Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1

Why? These two, along with Sunderland, have put in some atrocious displays this season, but Newcastle are showing signs of life. They have far more attacking talent and that should be the deciding factor here.

Watford 0 Liverpool 0

Why? Just when you thought Jurgen Klopp had stamped his mark on this Liverpool side, they put in two consecutive stinkers – the 2-0 loss at Newcastle and the 2-2 draw at home to West Brom. Quique Sanchez Flores is no mug and the Watford manager will likely be happy to take a point from this, so don't expect his side the be piling forward. He'll aim to nulify Liverpool's swift counter attacks by sitting back.

Swansea 1 West Ham United 0

Why? The goals have dried up for West Ham, who haven't netted in their last two games. Injuries have really put a halt to their good run of form, with no win in six. This feels like a game Swansea have to win. They are fourth bottom but their performances earlier this season suggest that they are a much better side than that.