SATURDAY

Aston Villa v Bolton

Villa will want to hit back after Wednesday's last-minute defeat to West Ham while Bolton will probably be feeling a little unhinged after their demolition at home to Chelsea.

Martin O'Neill's team will have enough to deal with everything the visitors throw at them though.
Verdict: 2-0

Blackburn v Portsmouth

Pompey are starting to get the results their performances have deserved over the last few weeks.

They've started to score goals, which has been a real problem, and that brings confidence.

Blackburn will have to cope with the physical and aerial threat of their visitors but they'll be OK and I'm going for a draw and a continued improvement from Portsmouth.

Verdict: 1-1

Man City v Burnley

Burnley have really struggled on the road with their defence shipping in goals but they've carried on trying to play their football which has opened themselves up to a lot of teams.

I expect City to take this win and with a two-week break before their next match I reckon their players will be up for this one.

Verdict: 2-0

Tottenham v Sunderland

Spurs will be disappointed after losing badly to Arsenal last week but it just underlined the gap that remains between them and the top four.

Sunderland have had some great results against the big teams although they have blipped recently which will be driving manager Steve Bruce mad.

They've really suffered from the loss of injured Lee Cattermole and they'll struggle to get any points at White Hart Lane.

Verdict: 3-1

Wolves v Arsenal (1730 GMT)

Arsenal could have won every game this season with the way they've been playing and with all their players slowly coming back from injury they've started playing with the swagger we have come to expect.

The gulf is just so massive between the lower teams and the top clubs and Wolves will struggle to handle the movement of Arsenal's midfield this weekend.

Verdict: 0-2

SUNDAY

Hull v Stoke

I really liked this week's statement by Hull's new chairman Adam Pearson when he said that manager Phil Brown would remain in his job if they started winning matches.

It was a realistic and pragmatic approach with no glossing up of the situation which is what Brown and the club needs.

Hull just haven't been getting the run of the ball and that seems to happen when you're near the bottom of the table. A point each won't be a bad result for either team.

Verdict: 1-1

West Ham v Everton

The Hammers had a great result against Villa but the injury to Carlton Cole is not good news for them.

They haven't got many recognised strikers available now and I think they'll struggle against a team who seem to be playing almost every day!

Everton are slowly getting their players back to full fitness and have a good opportunity to take all three points on their travels to London.

Verdict: 0-2

Wigan v Fulham

It was a fine result for Fulham last week and highlights how good a manager Roy Hodgson is. He set his team up well against Liverpool, allowing them to come on to his players before Fulham opened the game up and scored in the second half.

But Wigan have been doing well and getting fired up against the top teams but have also conceded a lot of goals. They are a team full of athletes and are a tough team on their day and they may sneak this one.

Verdict: 2-1

Chelsea v Manchester United (1600 GMT)

United are struggling defensively and are dealing with a few injuries, while everybody have been impressed with Chelsea.

Most teams have their blips but I just don't see where they will be coming from with Carlo Ancelotti's men.

The squad at Stamford Bridge seem to be a much happier and fitter bunch and move the ball around much quicker than they used to which may well prove too much even for United.

Verdict: 2-1

MONDAY

Liverpool v Birmingham

With all the talk surrounding Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's position at the moment, what are the odds on Birmingham's namesake striker Christian grabbing the winner? You can see the headlines now - "Benitez sinks Benitez".

That said, I don't think that will happen. Liverpool's performance in their Champions League draw with Lyon in midweek was hugely encouraging, and with Birmingham's struggles away from home this season in mind, I see the Reds returning to winning ways.

I don't think Liverpool fans need appeasing over Benitez. Good managers - and he is a good manager - are hard to find and they will give him time. When Steven Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani and Fernando Torres are fully fit, Liverpool will be a completely different prospect.

Verdict: 2-0

Mark Lawrenson was talking to BBC Sport's Mark Ashenden

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