Saturday
Fixture: Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
Venue: Villa Park (Villa home)
Kick-off: 12.45pm GMT
Verdict: It is going to take more than a couple of days on the training pitch for the talented Russian Guus Hiddink to turn Chelsea round. There is discord in the dressing room and doubt throughout the team. Villa, on the other hand, worship their manager, have oodles of confidence and are in danger of pushing on to join the title race.
Betting Advice: 2pts Aston Villa to win at 12/5 (3.4 at Boylesports and Skybet)
Fixture: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Venue: Emirates Stadium (Arsenal home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Although it is not the best price on offer this weekend, Arsenal are now officially worth backing to the hilt. Although everyone has been talking about the arrival of Arshavin, it is the return of Eduardo from that horror tackle at Birmingham over a year ago that has really got the Emirates buzzing. We could see the return of the old rampaging Arsenal here on Saturday.
Betting Advice: 7pts Arsenal to win at 4/9 (1.44 at Boylesports, Victor Chandler, BlueSq and 888sport)
Fixture: Stoke 2-2 Portsmouth
Venue: Britannia Stadium (Stoke home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Talking about newly-backable sides, Portsmouth are back on track after taking the sensibly option of washing their hands of Tony Adams. Portsmouth are a much, much better side than their relegation struggle suggests. Paul Hart is an accomplished coach who is better than his own track record and is a possible permanent replacement if he gets it right. Stoke should feel the force of a Pompey resurgence as Man City have already done.
Betting Advice: 1pt Portsmouth to win at 2/1 (3.0 generally)
Sunday
Fixture: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Liverpool may think they are in a two-horse race for the title, but if they don't beat Man Utd's city rivals here then there will be no chance of them catching the leaders. And they may find their second spot in danger. Man City continue to be erratic and woeful and it is difficult to see a marked improved here.
Betting Advice: 4pts Liverpool to win at 8/13 (1.63 at Victor Chandler)
THE NO BETS
Saturday
Bolton are not to be entirely trusted with our money, particularly at home to West Ham who have improved exponentially under Gianfranco Zola.
Middlesbrough still look relegation threatened but may sneak a point if Wigan are not truly focused on their game.
Manchester United are out of our price range. I can't do 1/4s after a nasty incident at Wembley dogs in the 80s. Blackburn should be beaten, though.
Sunday
Fulham are vulnerable against West Brom, who have disappointed too much this season to be worth backing.
Newcastle might sneak this one against Everton, but I refuse to back against the tough Merseysiders.
Monday
Hull desperately need top win this one. In fact both do as Tottenham could be back in the bottom three if they lose. Too close to call.
