Manchester United versus Manchester City : 0-0
The long unbeaten league run is over for United and now the real race for the title starts; they have to react well against their 'noisy' neighbours. Sir Alex will be eager to see his side get a massive victory at Old Trafford, but also a draw for his side wouldn't be the end of the world with the Reds five points clear of the Citizens with a game in hand. And that will play into the defensive hands of Roberto Mancini and his Italian-style side, with this bound to end up a goalless or low-scoring draw.
Arsenal versus Wolverhampton Wanderers : 3-0
Both sides are two-faced. Everytime the Gunners look like they are going to mount a title charge, they drop points in games they were looking to win. And four of Wolves' seven wins this season have come against sides in the top six, while Mick McCarthy's side are fresh from ending United's unbeaten run last week. But Arsenal are a formidable prospect at the Emirates and with Robin Van Persie in good form, I can only see one outcome.
Birmingham City versus Stoke City : 1-1
I'm slightly surprised Birmingham have struggled this year, they have a good squad with a decent team spirit and finished ninth last term. But second-season syndrome consistently rears its head (Reading, Ipswich, Hull to name a few) and survival will be Alex McLeish's main objective this campaign. Tony Pulis has brilliantly engineered a Stoke side that can now look for a top-ten finish, and a draw here will keep that target well in sight.
Blackburn Rovers versus Newcastle United : 2-1
Newcastle secured one of the best results in Premier League history last week, coming from 4-0 down at half-time to draw with Arsenal, and it was a truly terrific effort from the players. They should stay in the Premier League this season but I fear they will fall to a Blackburn side with bigger aspirations. New owners, new management and a new emphasis has Rovers looking upwards and three points here will keep them pushing the top ten and even an outside shot at the European places.
Blackpool versus Aston Villa : 1-1
Two sides in differing form and I can see an entertaining clash here. Blackpool are the league's entertainers; Charlie Adam orchestrates an attacking line-up and they cause any team problems despite the poor run they are currently on. On the other hand, Villa have regained their form after bad results towards the end of the last year, with the addition of Darren Bent complimenting a fine attacking force from the Villans. The Midlands side will be targeting a win but the Seasiders will fight and scrap for everything.
Liverpool versus Wigan Athletic : 2-0
The Reds now have four victories in four games; and that's without the real introductions of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll to boost them yet. Kenny Dalglish has now proved his appointment was worth more than just sentiment, and his side are now almost unbelievably back in contention for a European or even Champions League place. That should continue here against a Wigan side who have flair on the front foot but not enough nous at the back to keep out a confident Liverpool attack. Expect Suarez to start making his mark.
West Bromwich Albion versus West Ham United : 1-0
A big game at the bottom of the table for both sides and the boost of a new manager might just tip the scales. Roy Hodgson is back in the game with the Baggies, a very good appointment from them, and hopefully he can inject some solidity into the side. The home team will score goals but they also concede them for fun, which will need to change. But a vastly disappointing West Ham team are the opposition; Avram Grant needs the team that has beaten Manchester United and Fulham to turn up at the Hawthorns. Time is running out to escape that vacuum near the bottom of the league, and every point is priceless.
Sunderland versus Tottenham Hotspur : 1-2
Both Sunderland and Tottenham have had good seasons and will be looking to push on from this point to solidify their targets. The Black Cats have done especially well; they sit in seventh spot with a four point gap to eighth - so will need to keep on winning to ensure their chances of a European spot. Spurs obviously got fourth place last season and only sit in fifth at the moment; but Manchester City have improved and they are currently level on points with out-of-form defending champions Chelsea. A win here would put them in real contention of Champions League football two years in a row, which would be almost as good an achievement as getting them there in the first place.
Bolton Wanderers versus Everton : 1-1
A strange one this. Bolton started the season in great form with Johan Elmander leading the way; but have now fallen three places to eighth and the Swedish hitman hasn't scored in seven league games. Daniel Sturridge has injected a bit of pace into the side, and that gives them a good chance at the Reebok. Everton are a strange side; they go from the highs of five goals against Blackpool and wins over Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool to defeats against West Brom and Stoke. David Moyes will be eager for his side to find consistency, starting with a solid result at Bolton.
Fulham versus Chelsea : 1-0
I wrote not to long ago that Fulham would go down, but they have picked up in form; collecting fourteen points in eight games. Mark Hughes will get his side fighting for results, and that might spell even more trouble for Carlo Ancelotti and his out-of-form Chelsea side. The signing of Fernando Torres and the recent wins at Bolton and Sunderland were meant to signal a new dawn at Stamford Bridge, but the dire display against Liverpool put them back down in the doldrums. They have to be really careful now; many more poor results could see Tottenham or Liverpool take their place in the Champions League, which would be disastrous for Roman Abramovich's investments.
And down in Pompey Corner....
Doncaster Rovers versus Portsmouth : 1-1
I'm hoping for a solid display and a draw in a difficult away day. Doncaster may only be fifteenth but they showed with a victory at Fratton Park that they are a dangerous side with skillful players, and they have a decent record at the Keepmoat Stadium. The inclusion of Ricardo Rocha at the back will hopefully tighten things up, while Dave Kitson is due a goal. One is soarly needed for Pompey to have any chance of getting a positive result at Rovers.
Play Up Pompey.
And there you have it. Now it's up to the players to prove me right.
NWR
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