PREMIER LEAGUE Predictions

Stoke v Wigan
There has obviously been a bit of unrest at Stoke this week following the altercation between manager Tony Pulis and striker James Beattie.

You might call it old-fashioned management - the sort of thing that used to happen every other day.

I have seen lots of players held by the throat half way up the dressing room wall.

I don't think too much should not be made of it and I don't think it will affect Stoke's performance on Sunday.

Wigan are in the sort of cycle where they play well and win one week but then look awful and lose the next. They are extremely inconsistent.

Verdict: 2-0

Birmingham v West Ham
Birmingham give very, very little away and are on a good run at the moment having won four and drawn two of their last six fixtures.

If it keeps going then manager Alex McLeish will be able to attract a better quality of player during the January transfer window.

West Ham are without striker Carlton Cole at the moment and look a little bit small and lightweight.

I am certainly concerned about the goals they are conceding - especially the three that Burnley scored when the game should have been dead and buried.

Verdict: 2-1

Bolton v Man City
Manchester City need to follow up their victory over Chelsea with another three points.

Mark Hughes' team have not lost since 20 September. They have had a lot of draws and although a lot has been made of this I don't think it is a big problem.

It is losing games that impacts on a team's confidence - but staying unbeaten keeps it intact.

I still think that they need to address how many attacking and how many defensive players they deploy in certain parts of the pitch.

They have had a week off and I think they will defeat a Bolton side that disappointed at Wolves.

The problem at Bolton over the last few years has been goals, specifically, who is going to score them?

For example, Kevin Davies is a good player and a real handful for the opposition but he is not a prolific scorer.

Verdict: 0-2

Burnley v Fulham
I thought Burnley were unlucky to lose at Portsmouth last weekend. It was a game that they possibly could have won, let alone drawn.

But what Burnley are doing is generally ensuring that in the match after a defeat they are picking up at least one point. This means they are avoiding long losing streaks - and this is the secret to staying in the Premier League.

Fulham are a very well coached side and excellent defensively - although they do have the odd hiccup away from home and are not quite the same without Andy Johnson in the side.

Verdict: 1-1

Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea might have a couple of players out injured but they have a fantastic home record and will really be out to win this match.

After away defeats to Blackburn and Manchester City and the draw at Stamford Bridge against Apoel Nicosia, they will be looking to kick on. If they have had a blip, I think it is over.

Everton's comeback against Tottenham last weekend was excellent.

It was driven by young defender Seamus Coleman and the last 30 minutes was like watching football from 20 years ago - Everton were really up and at 'em. It was great.

I think David Moyes's team will give Chelsea a good game but that the home side will have too much quality.

Verdict: 2-0

Hull v Blackburn
As soon as you saw Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard suffer a knee injury at Villa last weekend - you automatically feared the worst.

The news he will be back in January softens the blow. His return over recent weeks has made a difference both on and off the pitch.

Hull lost to an in-form Villa last weekend but have done OK at home recently, with two wins and a draw in their last three fixtures at the KC Stadium.

Blackburn don't really create all that much but they are extremely dangerous at set pieces. If Hull can cope with this aspect of the game I think they will take all three points.

Verdict: 1-0

Sunderland v Portsmouth
I just cannot work out Sunderland. They should be doing better than they are.

Against Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal you can see what they are capable of producing. But in certain games they have capitulated - though this happens more on the road than at home.

Portsmouth really do worry me. Having to borrow money repeatedly to be able to pay players' wages just will not work in the long term.

I get the impression that Peter Storrie has been marginalised. The chief executive is really good at his job - and they should let him get on with it. If they don't I think there could be real, real problems.

We have not had a club go out of business in the Premier League but every other day there seems to be a story about the finances at the club.

Verdict: 2-1

Tottenham v Wolves

We saw Tottenham played some fantastic football at both Manchester United and Everton, really causing their opponents problems.

But there was a 20-minute spell in each match when they played like a team who had never met before.

Basically, they are not very mentally strong.

But at home against Wolves, with the crowd behind them and against a team that is not very good defensively, I do not think they will have any problems.

Verdict: 2-0


Man Utd v Aston Villa

Manchester United have lots of injuries in defence, but they also have lots of good footballers - and good footballers are able to play in most positions.

People should not be surprised that they have managed to cope with people in makeshift positions so far.

United are likely to have Wayne Rooney back in their side on Saturday - while Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov could also feature.

Even so, Villa are quite buoyant at the moment and will play on the counter attack at Old Trafford with their wide men pushing on.

Verdict: 1-1

Liverpool v Arsenal

I think that Fernando Torres will return for Liverpool, but I am not sure Alberto Aquilani will feature.

He played 76 minutes against Fiorentina on Wednesday and Rafael Benitez will probably decide the Italian needs 23 weeks to recover!

Benitez will probably change his team completely and play two holding midfielders against an Arsenal team that will possibly be without a recognised front man.

We have got to the point now with Benitez where nobody knows what team he is going to field for any given match or what his plan is for the rest of the season.

By and large he is a popular figure and generally the Anfield crowd have been patient with him.

But I just wonder whether Liverpool are now actually further away from the Holy Grail of the Premier League title than when he arrived in June 2004. And that is a big worry.

Arsenal will not struggle to stay in the top four by virtue of the fact that they have lots of really good players.

Liverpool are the vulnerable top-four side but I still think they will finish in one of those places.

Their record over the last few months in the Premier League is poor but they are still very much in touch with the top form.

With Torres back and Steven Gerrard getting back to his world-class form, Liverpool will beat a lot of teams.

But that does not mask the fact that there is no Plan B at the club.

Have a look at the back of a programme at Anfield and you will see an unbelievably long list of professionals - but how many of them are top quality? Not many.

There is an awful lot of mediocrity in that squad.

It will be an entertaining game - it always is when Arsenal are involved. I think they are great on the eye, the best team for a neutral to watch.

Verdict: 1-1
BBC