Everton, Arsenal on the up; Chelsea and Manchester United in a tight fight: PL predictions



The Premier League remains tight at the top, with seven teams within five points of first. Thomas Woods predicts how things will shake out this weekend. Click here to see our results for the season.

Bournemouth 2 Tottenham 2

Why? Bournemouth were brilliant in the 6-1 destruction of Hull City last week. The visitors were bad, but the lopsided scoreline was also because of the pacey, energetic performance from Eddie Howe's home team. With Tottenham coming off a tough Champions League trip to Germany and probably without Toby Alderweireld, attack should be on top in this one.

Arsenal 3 Middlesbrough 0

Why? Middlesbrough are trending down. They haven't won since the second game of the season, have lost four in five and are struggling to score. It all points to an Arsenal victory.

Burnley 0 Everton 2

Why? Burnley are another promoted side who are struggling to score and they come up against the second best defence in the division. Everton have too much talent – especially with Yannick Bolasie coming into form – to be tamed by Burnley.

Hull 1 Stoke City 2

Why? Manager Mike Phelan will expect a reaction from his side after shipping six at Bournemouth, but they take on a Stoke team coming off their best performance of the season. The visitors will see this as a major chance to leapfrog Hull out of the bottom three. And they should be able to.

Leicester 1 Crystal Palace 1

Why? Going with form, Leicester will struggle again after a midweek Champions League victory. There's a chance the home side will be without Wes Morgan, who appeared to play through 90 minutes with an injury on Tuesday against Copenhagen. Either way, Leicester's defence is no longer formidable – Palace will be able to score.

Swansea 2 Watford 0

Why? After a promising fightback in the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal, Swansea will fancy their chances of getting a victory in Bob Bradley's first home game in charge. Watford are unpredictable – their last two away games were a defeat at Burnley and a win at Middlesbrough.

West Ham 3 Sunderland 0

Why? You have to fear for David Moyes' job – it's hard to see where Sunderland get a win at the moment. West Ham's form has picked up just in time for this tasty home match and Dimitri Payet should be able to do pretty much whatever he wants. A couple of goals beckon for the Frenchman.

Liverpool 2 West Brom 0

Why? Manchester United stifled Liverpool on Monday night but Jurgen Klopp's side were immediately better once Adam Lallana replaced Daniel Sturridge, allowing Phillipe Coutinho to play in a more advanced role. On Saturday, the same line-up should mean chances and eventually goals even though West Brom will make it tough.

Manchester City 2 Southampton 1

Why? What will the Champions League trip to Barcelona take out of City? Southampton are similar to Everton, who held City last week. They will trouble several of the big six sides this season but, equally, you wouldn't be surprised if City ran out 4-0 winners. Expect it to be a bit tighter on Sunday, with City sneaking a win.

Chelsea 0 Manchester United 0

Why? Jose Mourinho's plan against title rivals on the road is well known. He sets his sides up not to lose and takes a win if it comes his way. Having held Liverpool, who have been far more fluid in the final third than Chelsea this season, to a goalless draw, United should be able to do the same here. If this game turns into a win for either side, it might be from a set-piece goal.

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From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (11.30pm)

Saturday Freiburg v Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund, Cologne v Wolfsburg, Arminia Bielefeld v Mainz (6.30pm) Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (9.30pm)

Sunday Werder Bremen v Stuttgart (6.30pm), Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (9pm)

Monday Hoffenheim v Augsburg (11.30pm)

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

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Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5


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