Birmingham v Aston Villa (1200 GMT)

I saw these two sides play each other at the start of December in the Carling Cup and, to be honest, there was not a great deal between them. Nikola Zigic scored the Blues' winner late on and I can see this one being another very close game.

Both teams are struggling near the bottom of the table but I cannot see either of them going down because Villa have got match-winners in their squad and Birmingham are tough defensively, although they did not show that in the first half of their Carling Cup defeat at West Ham this week.

They should both be able to get players in to help them turn things around too. David Bentley has already joined Birmingham on loan for the rest of the season which is a good move by Alex McLeish, and it looks like Villa are backing their boss Gerard Houllier in the transfer market as well because he has already moved to try to buy Jean Makoun from Lyon and Charlie Adam from Blackpool.

Prediction: 1-1
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Sunderland v Newcastle (1200 GMT)

This is a revenge mission for Sunderland after they were completely taken apart by Newcastle when they met at St James' Park at the end of October and their players will be motivated by memories of that match - it could be quite a fiery encounter.

Newcastle could do with having Andy Carroll back but, after a few weeks out, I cannot see how he will be 100% fit even if he does return. Their confidence also might have taken a knock after their FA Cup defeat at the hands of non-league Stevenage last weekend.

Sunderland were on the wrong end of a Cup upset too, at home to League One side Notts County, but they have had a few injuries to contend with and their line-up was not as strong as the one Newcastle put out.

Prediction: 2-0
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Liverpool v Everton (1405 GMT)

If Kenny Dalglish didn't know already how big a challenge he has taken on by becoming Liverpool boss for a second time then I would think he certainly knows now after Wednesday's defeat by Blackpool.

The Reds will be without the suspended Steven Gerrard and the injured Jamie Carragher which is a massive blow, especially in a derby match where you want strong characters.

But Anfield will be absolutely crackling for Dalglish's first home game back in charge. There will be a great atmosphere and I think Liverpool fans know the players need all the help they can possibly give them at the moment because, quite simply, some of them are just not good enough.

Like me, Everton manager David Moyes was at Bloomfield Road to watch Liverpool lose to Blackpool on Wednesday and he will probably be hoping the Reds put in the same sort of display against his side.

Moyes has done a great job with what he has got in his squad. He still needs a striker but he doesn't have any money to go out and buy so, if they do get anyone in, then it will probably be a loan deal.

Prediction: 1-1
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Tottenham v Man Utd (1610 GMT)

Tottenham were left aggrieved by refereeing decisions in their defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford in October, and Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is probably still losing sleep over the way Nani scored after he had rolled the ball out thinking he had a free-kick.

But Spurs still gave it a real go in that game and, especially at White Hart Lane, they are capable of giving any side a real defensive examination. I know United have not lost in the Premier League all season but I think their unbeaten record will end here.

Tottenham will throw everything at them and, seeing as he has spent the week training with Spurs, you can probably throw in the David Beckham-factor as being a big plus for them as well - not that he is likely to play, but just because he has been around the place.

Spurs are certainly in touch with the sides at the top of the table, but I cannot see them winning the title. We saw against Everton last week that they have one or two shortcomings defensively. Going forward they are absolutely brilliant but at the back they are not strong enough to win the title.

Prediction: 2-1
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