The new year finds the two Manchester clubs at the top of the league table with the difference that United have played two games less than City have.

 

West Brom v Manchester United
Manchester United remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League after drawing 1-1 at Birmingham on Tuesday night. However, their form on the road is stopping them pulling clear at the summit with seven draws from eight away games in the league this season. They will hope for better in the clash against West Brom and they rightly start this match as favourites with the Baggies struggling recently after a strong opening to the campaign. United were very close to beating the Blues this week but Lee Bowyer's controversial equaliser saw the hosts snatch a point. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson blamed the referee for the failure to pick up the victory but the signs still look good for the Red Devils to hit their straps in the coming months. The draw at 4.20 with Bet365 will have some supporters but United look poised to pick up the three points and we will keep a watching brief on this contest.
Verdict: West Brom 0 Manchester United 2

 

Liverpool v Bolton
Having just lost at home to Wolves after a shocking display and with the normally patient Kop calling for his departure, the last thing under-fire Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson wants is a home game with Bolton. Wanderers have no respect for the so-called big boys and were very unlucky to lose 1-0 at Chelsea after giving them plenty to think about at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Hodgson's only consolation is that his mis-firing side surely cannot play any worse than they did against Wolves. Games between these two sides are traditionally tight contests and with the headlines claiming the Reds are in crisis, there must be some appeal to the 5.00 Bet365 are offering for a Bolton win. But we think the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will be stung by the criticism and will at least improve. Whether or not that is enough to overcome a tenacious Bolton side we will have to wait and see so we will steer clear of this one.
Verdict: Liverpool 1 Bolton 1

 

Manchester City v Blackpool
Manchester City are now level on points with rivals Manchester United at the top of the table but you wouldn't feel confident backing them at a best price of 1.28  to beat underestimated Blackpool. The Seasiders have won two away games on the spin to sit eighth and they won't be scared of a trip to Eastlands. However, we still remember the heavy defeats at Arsenal and Chelsea earlier in the season and City definitely have the quality in their ranks to punish Ian Holloway's men. It is less than two weeks since City's disappointing home defeat against Everton so be wary of putting too much faith in them. Fast starts have been key to the wins over Aston Villa and Newcastle with three goals scored in the opening 10 minutes in those two games. You can get 4.00 with Bet365for a goal in the first 10 minutes on New Year's Day but that isn't quite tempting enough for us to take an interest with doubts over City's consistency.
Verdict: Manchester City 3 Blackpool 1

 

Stoke v Everton
Fortress Britannia Stadium has looked anything but recently with two homes defeats in a row giving Everton plenty of confidence for this clash. The Toffees are good away from home with only two defeats on their travels this season but they are draw specialists. The Toffees have drawn 10 of their 19 games so far and that is the reason they are having to look over their shoulder rather than contemplate a push for Europe. It is 3.25 with Bet365 for this match to finish all-square. That is the place to be with Stoke likely to produce an improved display after the disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham on Monday. Expect both these sides to sit in the mid-table ranks at the end of the campaign and this New Year's Day dust-up should do nothing to disprove that thinking.
Verdict: Stoke 1 Everton 1

 

Sunderland v Blackburn
It was contrasting fortunes for Sunderland and Blackburn on Tuesday with a defeat at home to Blackpool for the Black Cats and a win at West Brom for Rovers. Sunderland rightly remain favourites to win this New Year's Day meeting and they are decent value at 1.90 to do so. Blackpool are the only team to win in the league at the Stadium of Light this season and that record suggests the Black Cats have every chance of getting back on track. They created plenty of chances as they fell to defeat last time out and it won't be long before Darren Bent is back among the goals. Steve Kean is the permanent boss at Blackburn now and he will be mightily relived by the victory against West Brom. He still faces a tough task to get Rovers performing better than they did under Sam Allardyce and will find that a few bad results will heap the pressure back on. Nikola Kalinic scored twice in the success at The Hawthorns but his red card means he misses out through suspension and his team-mates will find it tough to make it two games unbeaten.
Verdict: Sunderland 3 Blackburn 0

 

Tottenham v Fulham
Fulham's win at Stoke has eased some of the pressure on Mark Hughes but he could be back under the cosh when his side make the trip to Tottenham. Harry Redknapp's men are playing with real swagger at the moment with no defeat in 10 league and European games. Gareth Bale is undoubtedly the star of that run but all of Spurs' plethora of attacking talent have the talent to shine. Peter Crouch is without a goal since the 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen on November 24 but this looks like a great chance for him to get back on the scoring trail. Jermain Defoe is suspended and Roman Pavlyuchecnko failed to find the back of the net when given the chance to start in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Newcastle. Crouch entered that match as a 72nd minute substitute and he will be well rested for the clash against the Cottagers. Back him at 2.20 to score anytime with Bet365.
Verdict: Tottenham 3 Fulham 0

 

West Ham v Wolves
Defeat for either of these sides is simply unthinkable in what is a massive relegation six-pointer at Upton Park. The Hammers slipped back to the foot of the table following Wolves' surprise 1-0 win at Liverpool on Wednesday, the first they have achieved on the road this season, and will go into the game full of confidence, although still beset by injury worries. Is it asking too much for them to play a third game in a week and with the intensity they showed at Anfield in such a crucial encounter? Only time will tell, but with West Ham unbeaten in their last three (two draws and a win) we think that and the backing of their vociferous fans will give them the edge. But from a betting perspective, it's one we'd like to take a raincheck on.
Verdict: West Ham 2 Wolves 1

 

Birmingham v Arsenal
It's a racing certainty that Arsenal will restore big guns Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie to their starting line-up after Arsene Wenger's decision to make eight changes backfired when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Wigan on Wednesday evening. Wenger defended his rotation, claiming: "I had to change the team - with all these matches we cannot play always with the same team." But after their impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea on Monday, to only get a point at the DW Stadium was a massive letdown for a side who have their eyes firmly set on winning the title this season. So if we accept Arsenal will be back to full-strength, does this still mean they have enough to claim victory at "fortress" St Andrews? Even though they are struggling at the wrong end of the table, Blues have lost just once at home this season - with three wins and five draws - and held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday thanks to a late goal from Lee Bowyer. Birmingham will stop the Gunners playing, just as they did against United, and it will take something special to break them down. So once again our thoughts turn to Arsenal frontman Robin van Persie. We had tipped him to get his first Premier League goal of an injury-hit season at Wigan in midweek, but the Dutchman was rested and our bet was void. However, in a game likely to be feisty and short on chances, a player who takes set pieces and has the skill, power and pace to trouble any defence must surely be a potential matchwinner. So, as the old saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again ... we'll go for Van Persie to get the first goal at 5.50 with Bet365.
Verdict: Birmingham 0 Arsenal 1

PICKS:
Stoke and Everton to draw at 3.25 at Bet365.
Sunderland to beat Blackburn at 1.90 at Betsson.
Peter Crouch to score at any time v Fulham at 2.20 at Bet365.
Robin van Persie at 5.50 to get first goal at Bet365.