Newcastle v Man Utd
It was a bad, bad result for Newcastle at Bolton and they just haven't got enough scrappers, I think that's obvious. Still Obafemi Martins is back now and Michael Owen can't be too far away so the sooner they get them both fit and playing, the better.
As for Man Utd, well they are staggering really aren't they. Whichever team Sir Alex Ferguson puts out, with however many changes, it always does the business.
It just goes to show that Ferguson has the best squad of players in the league, with the best mentality, and you can't ever bet against them really.
Verdict: 0-2
Stoke v Bolton
Well, I don't suppose this will be a classic - there won't be any Baftas handed out for this match, I'm sure.
Stoke have to win their home games to give themselves any chance of survival - they can't buy a win away - but the trouble is that every team knows what they're all about at the Britannia Stadium now.
Bolton, though, are one team that can cope with their physical presence and I'm sure they'll be up for the scrap.
Verdict: 1-1
Wigan v West Ham
This is a good match-up between two managers who have done ever so well.
Wigan, without Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios these days of course, impress me and I thought they were very unlucky not to get something from their match against Chelsea at the weekend.
And you look at West Ham and wonder how long they can keep up their recent performances with such a relatively small squad, but they look a very well coached side and play really good football.
I have to go for the home team on this one, though.
Verdict: 2-0
Blackburn v Everton (2000 GMT)
Both teams are hard working, both are very well organised, and for one side to come out on top it might come down to a moment of magic or something.
I remember Everton played at Ewood Park in the Carling Cup earlier in the season and were very poor in a 1-0 defeat - they will be determined to improve on that showing this time, but I see this being a draw.
Verdict: 2-2
Fulham v Hull (2000 GMT)
You have to back Fulham all the way on this one. At home they are the real deal and were even unlucky not to get all three points against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday - they are a good quality side.
Hull, on the other hand, have a massive mental problem - firstly they continue to concede the first goal which means they are forever chasing games, which is no good, and secondly their star performers from earlier in the season are starting to look ordinary.
The fact they haven't won in the league for so long, as well, means they really are under the cosh at the minute and I can only see this game going one way.
Verdict: 2-0
Tottenham v Middlesbrough (2000 GMT)
The most important factor ahead of this game is just how much Sunday's Carling Cup Final defeat to Manchester United has taken out of Spurs.
Tottenham at home are a difficult proposition and if they can quieten Stewart Downing and Sanli Tuncay, they will win - especially with the players who weren't available on Sunday, like Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane, chomping at the bit.
Middlesbrough come into the game on the back of a couple of wins, including Saturday's terrific defeat of Liverpool, but I'm backing Tottenham to just fall over the line on this one.
Verdict: 2-1
|