Tuesday
Fixture: Portsmouth 0-1 Aston Villa
Venue: Fratton Park (Portsmouth home)
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Verdict: Cup holders Portsmouth's tame exit from the FA Cup at home to Swansea highlighted something that I have been telling people for a long time: Tony Adams is not fit to manage a Premiership side. For heavens sake, he wasn't fit to manage a League Two side when he was Wycombe manager. He managed just 12 wins out of 53. Villa should be good enough to take three points from the hapless south coast side.
Betting Advice: 3pts Aston Villa to win at 13/10 (2.3 generally)
Wednesday
Fixture: Man City 2-1 Newcastle
Venue: Eastlands (Man City home)
Kick-off: 7.45pm GMT
Verdict: The knee jerk reaction is to be very wary of Man City, but the new personnel should have an effect at home to Newcastle. For all the talk of City's poor season, they are 11th in the league, just a win away from the top half of the table. In the league they've won their last two games against higher opposition, including a 5-1 win against Hull. Newcastle, on the other hand, have won only once on their travels (and that was against Tony Adams' Portsmouth), and have not won since before Christmas
Betting Advice: 5pts Man City win at 4/5 (1.8 at Betfred, Paddy Power and Skybet)
Fixture: Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Venue: Goodison Park (Everton home)
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Verdict: I am in absolutely no doubt that Arsenal are still in with a very good chance of winning the title still, and to do so they have to beat the likes of Everton. IF Everton have a soft underbelly this season it is their home record, with just three wins all season. Everton are beset with injuries, particular in their forwards, and are also likely to be without midfield maestro Mikel Arteta. At 6/4 Arsenal are worth a punt.
Betting Advice: 2pts Arsenal to win at 6/4 (2.5 generally)
