Arsenal v Stoke
Arsenal, of late, have played two and lost two - goals for none, goals against six. Interesting. That and the realisation of what Chelsea did to his team on Sunday probably led to Arsene Wenger's bad mood on Wednesday.
Next up for them are Stoke, who have been good ever since they came into the league and they will always give you a really tough game. If you're not on your mettle, then they can punish you.
Arsenal will have cope with their physicality, but they will have so much of the ball - and their movement is so good from midfield - that they will be able to counter that.
Verdict: 2-0
Match preview
Aston Villa v Hull
Hull are a side reborn since Adam Pearson took over as chairman and all of a sudden they are playing with a bit of confidence. The pressure has come off them since they moved out of the bottom three and they've done well.
Their trouble is that they are coming up against Villa, who are a good side at home. Martin O'Neill will hope Hull do not come and sit back because Villa are still very much a counter-attacking side, but either way I expect them to have too much for the Tigers.
Verdict: 2-0
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Blackburn v Liverpool
I watched Blackburn against Chelsea on Wednesday and I thought they were very, very good, because they mixed good football in with their strength and their ability from set-pieces and it was a real breath of fresh air.
Saying that, they go into this game on the back of 120 minutes of tough cup football, plus penalties, and that could come back to haunt them. Sam Allardyce will be back in charge but I just think Liverpool will have a bit too much for them.
Verdict: 0-1
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West Ham v Man Utd
Manchester United are another team to have rested a host of first-teamers in the week and the players that they'll call upon on Saturday are sheer quality.
West Ham may have scored five against Burnley last week but in truth they could have conceded five as well and I just don't think they are strong enough defensively to consistently be winning games at the moment.
Verdict: 1-3
Match preview
Wigan v Birmingham
This is an interesting match, even though I can't see it being a rip-roarer.
After losing 9-1, Wigan came back to win 1-0 last week and that's probably their best result of the season. They needed a response after the Spurs match and they got one - fair play to them.
But Birmingham have been doing very well of late. Everybody told Alex McLeish he couldn't play one up front but now everybody has settled into the system, he has proven that he can.
I'm going to go for a score draw.
Verdict: 1-1
Match preview
Wolves v Bolton
Wolves worry me. In defence, in all honesty, they could do with a Mick McCarthy figure - they just don't have anyone in their ranks who drags them forward and organises them.
However, this game is against Bolton and while they are strong and don't give you too many chances, they are fallible. Wolves will have to score first in this game to have a chance, I'd say, but I just fancy McCarthy to get a reaction from his players.
One can only hope the Molineux crowd buy into the match as well, though, because it was a strange, subdued atmosphere at last week's derby and Wolves need more than that.
Verdict: 1-0
Match preview
Man City v Chelsea (1730 GMT)
City's goals against Arsenal in the Carling Cup were quite exceptional - even if you could say it was against the Gunners' reserves.
But Chelsea, even though technically they drew, will feel the defeat against Blackburn and with the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka and so on to come back into the side, they will be a team on a mission.
Everyone has been saying Mark Hughes is a man under pressure after seven Premier League draws on the spin, but they're only three points off fourth and now they're in the Carling Cup semi-finals, so I don't buy into that.
That said, this could be the wrong time to play Chelsea.
Verdict: 1-2
Match preview
SUNDAY
Fulham v Sunderland
Fulham, back at home where they always look strong, against a Sunderland side that have been a bit hit-and-miss away from the Stadium of Light.
Lee Cattermole is a big loss to Sunderland when they go away from home, and with Danny Murphy looking likely to feature for Fulham they look a very good side at the Cottage.
I can't see Thursday's Europa League game having too much of an impact on Fulham's form on Sunday either, so I'm going for a home win.
Verdict: 2-1
Match preview
Everton v Tottenham (1600 GMT)
Everton had a really good result on Wednesday but it came at a cost and while Jo, apparently, might be OK, the addition of Dan Gosling and Sylvain Distin to their long list of injuries will not help them.
Tottenham, meanwhile, looked good for half an hour against Manchester United in the Carling Cup but as soon as they went behind they fell away, the doubts crept in and looked like the same old Spurs.
This has draw written all over it, for me.
Verdict: 1-1
Match preview
Mark Lawrenson was talking to BBC Sport's Sam Lyon |