Saturday
Fixture: Blackburn 3-0 Newcastle
Venue: Ewood Park (Blackburn home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: I cannot be confident of either of these teams, but I don't believe in a draw either. This is one of those mid-table games where the result is too random to bet on. Avoid.
Betting Advice: no bet
Fixture: Bolton 0-1 Man Utd
Venue: Reebok Stadium (Bolton home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: You would suspect Man Utd, who are fast becoming the 'other' side in a two-horse race, will win this one. They are 1/2 to win this and they should, which will make it nine points for United since Liverpool last took to the field. Not worth the price, though.
Betting Advice: no bet
Fixture: Chelsea 2-1 Stoke
Venue: Stamford Bridge (Chelsea home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: That scratchy home record of Chelsea's is under scrutiny again this weekend, and you wouldn't be totally confident of a home win after another sloppy defensive display against Southend in the FA Cup midweek compounded an abject display at Old Trafford on Sunday. Chelsea's current form makes the 1/ 4 on offer from the bookies an absolute joke.
Betting Advice: no bet
Fixture: Man City 1-0 Wigan
Venue: Eastlands (Man City home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: It's always an interesting pick when Man City are involved. They followed up a 5-1 drubbing of Hull with a 2-2 draw away to Blackburn, which is a vast improvement on the rest of their December. Things will keep improving for them, but Wigan are the team of the moment and are an interesting bet with any advantage in the Asian Handicaps. In other words, can't see them losing, but they might have to hold on for a draw.
Betting Advice: 5pts Wigan +0.25 at 113/100 (2.13 at Bet365)
Fixture: Sunderland 1-2 Aston Villa
Venue: Stadium of Light (Sunderland home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: The quickest strike force in the Premiership - cannily coined Villa's greyhounds by David Pleat - against one of the more ploddy defences. I see an away win.
Betting Advice: 2pts Villa to win at 13/10 (2.3 at 888sport and BlueSq)
Fixture: WBA 3-0 Boro
Venue: Hawthorns (WBA home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Two teams bereft of confidence, desperately waiting for the end of the season so they can build again. And it's only January. Ouch.
Betting Advice: no bet
Fixture: Hull 1-3 Arsenal
Venue: KC Stadium (Hull home)
Kick-off: 5.30pm GMT
Verdict: The only reasonable price on offer for one of the big four this weekend sees Arsenal at the KC Stadium. I still maintain the Hull bubble has burst and I still believe that Arsenal are a major force. Take the tip, back 'em big.
Betting Advice: 7pts Arsenal to win at 8/11 (1.73 at Skybet)
Sunday
Fixture: West Ham 3-1 Fulham
Venue: Boleyn Ground (Wham home)
Kick-off: 1.30pm GMT
Verdict: I can't decide whether either of these teams is capable of a late run into contention for a top sixth place. West Ham (10th) and Fulham (9th) both have decent form, but keeping letting themselves down. However West Ham's draw at Newcastle showed a spine to match a bravado they have always had, and I tip them to sneak past Fulham who are appalling away from Craven Cottage.
Betting Advice: 1pt West Ham at 6/5 (2.2 generally)
Fixture: Spurs 1-1 Portsmouth
Venue: White Hart Lane (Spurs home)
Kick-off: 4pm GMT
Verdict: It is pretty clear that Spurs have a huge advantage for this game. Of course, there is the home advantage, which is priced in, but under their current form they kind of negate each other. However, Harry Redknapp will know Portsmouth inside out - and he will know how to beat them.
Betting Advice: 2pts Spurs to win at 8/11 (1.73 generally)
Monday
Fixture: Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool home)
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Verdict: Liverpool will be under tremendous pressure for this game. Their draw at Stoke - a poor performance - opened up the door for man Utd who are very likely to have caught nine points up on the leaders since that game. Anything other than a win will mean surrendering the league leadership, probably for the near and long-term future. I expect them to step up to the plate, but there's no value here.
Betting Advice: 1pt Liverpool to win at 4/6 (1.67 at Ladbrokes)
