Чемпионат Англии от BBC

FRIDAY (BOXING DAY)

Stoke v Man Utd (1245 GMT)

Stoke are having a spell of injuries but they are strong at home, with only two defeats, and can cause problems.

But in Manchester United they are playing against a team who can play against anyone, anywhere. They are used to coping with everything thrown at them and they will win.

Verdict: 0-2

Chelsea v West Brom (1300 GMT)

Cheslea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari needs to adopt a more attacking style at home, maybe playing Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka together.

West Brom got a great win against Manchester City last week and sometimes late goals give a big boost for the next game, but as poor as Chelsea's home record has been, by their own high standards, you have to fancy them to win.

Verdict: 2-0

Portsmouth v West Ham (1300 GMT)

Portsmouth will continue to score goals with Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch up front and if boss Tony Adams can rectify their defensive problems, they will be a good side.

West Ham were unlucky to lose against Aston Villa - they will play worse and win games this season, but this will not be one of them.

Verdict: 2-1

Tottenham v Fulham (1300 GMT)

Tottenham have gone off the boil a bit recently, but I can see boss Harry Redknapp turning it round for the London derby.

This should be a good game of football as Fulham try to get the ball down and play, but they are yet to win away from Craven Cottage this season - a run that will continue.

Verdict: 2-1

Liverpool v Bolton

Liverpool won comfortably at Bolton earlier in the season and while they have slipped up at home against Hull, West Ham and Fulham since, they played well at Arsenal last week.

Bolton are improving and are a decent Premier League side. They are scoring goals and all parts of the team are working together, but I reckon Liverpool will beat them again.

Verdict: 2-0

Man City v Hull

An interesting game - it is Manchester City boss Mark Hughes' turn to be under pressure this week. They are too easy to play against when they don't have the ball, but he will be sorting that out.

Hull have picked up more points away from home and have been outstanding so far, but I feel City have bottomed out and may get a break in this game and start to bounce back.

Verdict: 2-1

Middlesbrough v Everton

Middlesbrough are without a win in six and it is going to be important for them to hold on to players like Stewart Downing if they are going to turn it around.

Everton's away form is good and they have done well recently considering they don't have a recognised striker but I sense a draw at The Riverside.

Verdict: 1-1

Sunderland v Blackburn

Sunderland caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia is buying time for Niall Quinn and doing his own chances of landing a permanent job no harm. His side are playing with cockiness and Steed Malbranque, Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones were a handful for Hull.

New Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce knows he has loads of work to do. He has the Roque Santa Cruz transfer saga hanging over the club - Cruz wants to go, so Allardyce should get the money and strengthen with his own buys.

Verdict: 2-1

Wigan v Newcastle

Wigan will be as tough and physical as always and bar the defeat at Arsenal two weeks ago, have been on a good run.

Newcastle have slowly been turned around by boss Joe Kinnear. They have only lost two in 12 under him and they are starting to get players back to fitness - even Mark Viduka has been spotted.

Verdict: 1-1

Aston Villa v Arsenal (1715 GMT)

This is a big game. Aston Villa have struggled to win more at home because teams tend to play deeper to negate the pace threat of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Arsenal have to be able to defend better than they did against Liverpool if they want to come away from Villa Park with a point. I think they will, but that means Villa will stay above them.

Verdict: 1-1

Mark Lawrenson was talking to BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener