PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS

Man Utd v Liverpool (1245 GMT)

Both teams had excellent results in Europe this week but this is all about the race for the Premier League and, as far as that is concerned, even if Manchester United lose on Saturday they are still massive favourites for the title.

I fancy this for a draw. While Rafael Benitez surprised a lot of people in midweek with the way his side set out to get at Real Madrid from the start, there's no way you will see them do the same at Old Trafford - that's not in his psyche at all.

He will go and try not to concede, frustrate United, and then nick a winner - but I'm going to go for a goalless draw, which United won't be overly dismayed about at all.

Verdict: 0-0

Arsenal v Blackburn

It was a big result for Blackburn on Wednesday, coming from behind to beat an excellent home outfit in Fulham, but this is a step up in class.

Arsenal will undoubtedly be buoyed by coming through their Champions League tie against Roma, albeit on penalties, and they now have some big names coming back - Eduardo da Silva, Theo Walcott - and Cesc Fabregas is not far away.

With that in mind, I fancy Arsenal to end their recent goalscoring problems and secure a relatively comfortable win.

Verdict: 2-0

Bolton v Fulham

It might just be a good time to play Fulham. They have had a downturn in their fortunes of late but I was surprised they lost to Blackburn on Wednesday because their home form has been outstanding.

On top of that, they've struggled to win away from home all season, even though they have been difficult to beat, and Bolton are a tough unit - organised, strong, and they don't make too many mistakes.

It's testament to Bolton that they aren't mentioned too often in connection with relegation any more and that's because Gary Megson has them playing well, so I have to fancy them.

Verdict: 2-0

Everton v Stoke

Everton have got the bit between their teeth and they are now a side that can win even if they're not playing well - always the sign of a good side.

They've also got players coming back to fitness, such as Louis Saha, and they appear a team high on confidence.

Stoke, on the other hand, are another team that have really struggled away from home and are almost completely reliant on their home form. They got a great draw at Aston Villa last week, but that was the exception rather than the rule for them so you have to back Everton here.

Verdict: 2-1

Hull v Newcastle

Newcastle are another team hoping to get some key players back fit for their run-in and they don't get much more key for them than Michael Owen, who could play a part at the KC Stadium.

Newcastle's problem is that they've got some really tough fixtures to come and I really think it is touch-and-go whether they stay up.

Hull are also in the mix down there but they had a good win against Fulham last week and I fancy this to be a draw - which would be a much better result for Hull than Newcastle, given that it would put Phil Brown's side on 33 points and almost home and hosed.

Verdict: 1-1

Middlesbrough v Portsmouth

After a good win against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago, Middlesbrough crashed again at Tottenham last week and I just wonder if they have bottomed out.

That said, this is a big relegation six-pointer with both teams in the bottom three, and it might just bring the best out of the home side.

I fancy both have too much to go down, though. I read that Portsmouth have spent this week out in Dubai so even if they don't play particularly well they'll have nice tans.

Verdict: 2-1

Sunderland v Wigan

Sunderland are very strong at home and will consider themselves unlucky not to have beaten Spurs last time out when Robbie Keane's late equaliser denied them.

Wigan, on the other hand, are scratching around a little bit of late, typified by their match last week against West Ham, which was a real battle. The players ended up trying to referee the game themselves there, although that was probably just as well given that Stuart Atwell was in charge.

Steve Bruce's side have started to look a little bit inconsistent and they are are missing Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey all of a sudden, so I'll tip the Black Cats to edge this one.

Verdict: 2-1

SUNDAY

Chelsea v Man City (1330 GMT)

Everything that Guus Hiddink touches turns to gold at the moment and Chelsea look like they have an edge back.

I've said it before, but Hiddink has got Didier Drogba playing and he is so important to Chelsea - not just when he's scoring but as someone who can occupy centre-halves and cause them problems, as we saw in the Champions League match at Juventus in midweek.

City's great problem is that this comes on the back of their Uefa Cup match against AaB Aalborg, of course, and their away form is not much to sing about anyway.

Verdict: 2-0

Aston Villa v Tottenham (1600 GMT)

I look at this game and I wonder if Tottenham can keep their unbeaten stretch going after playing so well in the Carling Cup final, battering Middlesbrough and drawing up at Sunderland in their last three games.

Their confidence will be high, but I think this week off might have been key for Aston Villa after their recent blips.

I'm sure Martin O'Neill and his players will have taken time out to rest, assess how far they've come and look at what they need to do to finish fourth, so I'm backing them to edge it.

Verdict: 2-1

MONDAY

West Ham v West Brom (KO 8.00)

West Ham scored one of the goals of the season last week against Wigan and there is a different air about them these days.

They tell me the training and the coaching is outstanding down there now and, even with a few injuries, the players are working really hard and well together.

On the flip side, West Brom are a side that consistently pushes the self destruct button on a weekly basis and I can't see anything other than another away defeat for them here.

Verdict: 2-0

Mark Lawrenson was talking to BBC Sport's Sam Lyon