Derby v Man Utd

Straight away you look at this fixture and have to say 'away win'. Derby look shot and even a good manager like Paul Jewell hasn't been able to revive them which tells you just how much they are lacking.

Manchester United will go there, probably rest one or two players and still have a side packed with match-winners, and win this one comfortably.

Verdict: 0-3

Liverpool v Reading

Liverpool are going well, as everyone knows, and I thought they controlled the game from start to finish in gaining a fantastic result against Inter Milan in midweek.

Reading, on the other hand, apart from at Middlesbrough the other week, haven't been at all convincing on the road and although they've had two good wins back-to-back, I can't see them getting much here.

Verdict: 2-0

Portsmouth v Aston Villa

This looks like a draw to me - two teams pretty close to each other in the league, and they are similar in that they have a lot of pace and a good blend of youth and experience.

It'll be a tight game, I fancy, and I can just see them cancelling each other out.

Verdict: 1-1

We all think Sunderland will stay up because of their home form but they lost to Everton recently and this is another tough game for them.

Chelsea are a funny side at the moment in that they keep having the odd blip but then rattle back and crush someone - ie, Derby - so this will be a tight game but one, ultimately, that the Blues will win.

Verdict: 1-2

West Ham v Blackburn

I'm going to go for West Ham - goodness knows they need to stop the rot. They've had injury problems again, of course, but they do have a good squad

This isn't the greatest hunting ground in the world for Blackburn generally and, as I say, the Hammers will be going all out to get something after a run of three straight 4-0 defeats.

Verdict: 2-0

Arsenal v Middlesbrough 1715 GMT

Middlesbrough bounced back well from their FA Cup defeat to Cardiff with the draw at Aston Villa in the week and it sounds like they deserved more, which will have encouraged manager Gareth Southgate.

That said, this is Arsenal they are playing - and in the wide open expanses of the Emirates Stadium they are lethal, unlike Boro - I just can't see who will score for them - so I'll go for a home win.

Verdict: 2-0

SUNDAY

Fulham v Everton (1330 GMT)

I'd have to go for an away win for Everton here - the Toffees did so well in fighting back against Fiorentina in the week only to go out in the worst way possible, on penalties, but they will be full of confidence.

Meanwhile, you just feel with Fulham they are scrambling around for results and the best they seem to be able to get at present is a draw, which is not good enough.

Verdict: 1-2

Wigan v Bolton

I'm going for Wigan to win this narrowly, in a real kind of messy Lancashire derby on an awful pitch, during which the ball might get stretchered off.

Verdict: 1-0

Man City v Tottenham (1600 GMT)

I think Tottenham will have had a lot taken out of them by the two hours or so they played in Eindhoven in midweek, and this is far from an easy trip.

Meanwhile, although Man City are stuttering to a certain extent their home form still remains fairly good, so I'll go for a narrow home win.

Verdict: 1-0

MONDAY

Birmingham v Newcastle (2000 GMT)

I'm going for a draw here, which probably won't really suit either team - although Newcastle will take anything they can get, you feel.

You wonder where Newcastle points will come from, but come they will I think, while Birmingham will also be alright as long as their young players keep putting in the performances they have done lately.

Verdict: 1-1

Mark Lawrenson was talking to Sam Lyon