Hello all. It’s been a quiet week this week to be honest. I think everyone is finally taking a break after all the goings on in the build up to Christmas and New Year. I’ve put all my christmas stuff away, I taken the baulbles down and got the fairy off the top of the tree. I was shocked he got up their given how much Jug Ears hates heights.

I awoke the other morning to the familiar smell of Jug Ears soiling himself. That can only mean one thing – Don is back. I will leave it for a few days before having a word. In the meantime poor old Jug Ears won’t go out and not even our “special cuddles” are comforting him. Still on the bright side I’m getting plenty of manure for the garden. Fernando should rise a treat in the spring. Hmmmm ……….

The credit crunch is biting here too, the amount of people taking stuff to the local pawnbrokers is amazing. I thought we were all above that on this estate. Mind you some are well off, I saw Don loading some of their furniture into a van yesterday, you would have thought they would have waited until the new stuff arrived first.

I told Don this morning I’m popping round for a word over the weekend, so we shall see how that goes. For now, here are your predictions …..

Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United

Rovers find themselves with a game in hand and an extra week off after their game was called off last week – a good chance for the new managers tactics to bed in. Rovers know they can escape the drop zone with a win and with the extra game to play things will be looking better.

It’s hard to know what to say about Newcastle at the moment. The league is very tight and they seem to be doing just enough to stay mid table but no more. The have Owen scoring again which is a good thing, but I can only see them taking a point here.

Prediction : 1-1

Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United

Bolton lost late to Arsenal last week and although their position is mid table they will still be looking over their shoulders as Europe looks beyond them. This is the last game they needed at this moment.

United are on fire. They have got over their erratic form at the start of the season and are moving through the gears at exactly the right time. They can go top with a win (which they will get), but they wouldn’t deny my beloved the title, would they ?

Prediction : 0-2

Chelsea v Stoke City

Chelsea were well beaten last week and all of a sudden find themselves losing ground on the top two. Failure to win here and it could well be the end of their title hopes and with Villa and Arsenal in hot pursuit the top 4 is not a given either.

Stoke somehow got a point out of the mighty reds last week and know that anything they get on the road is a bonus. Chelsea’s home form has been patch to say the least this season but I still expect them to take all 3 points here.

Prediction : 2-1

Manchester City v Wigan Athletic

City are in the middle of a massive massive transfer negotiation, however on the pitch itself things haven’t been working and they are too close to the drop zone for comfort. They will be hoping the extra week off will benefit them.

Wigan are on a great run at the moment and have suddenly broken away from the scrum at the middle and lower end of the table. They may be dreaming of Europe themselves, but I am backing City to come good at home here.

Prediction : 2-1

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Sunderland only managed a point last week against “them” it should have been all 3 but you can’t have anything can you ?? Sunderland are generally strong at home and will be looking to their home form to keep them up this year.

Villa just cannot lose at the moment and will know that Arsenal will pounce on any slip up to push them out of the top 4. However with Chelsea also in their sites Villa have an extra incentive and I see an away win here.

Prediction : 1-2

West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough

Albion lost again last week but will be heartened by the fact that none of the teams above them managed to take advantage and will know a win today will put them right back in with the pack at the bottom of the table.

“They” are in real trouble but managed to scramble a point last week – still it wasn’t a win so not all that bad. They still haven’t dropped into the bottom 3 but after they lost today I hope they will finally do that.

Prediction : 3-0

Hull City v Arsenal (KO 17:30)

When Hull went Arsenal and won it was seen as the Tigers introducing themselves to the league and almost the end of Arsenal’s title challenge. However now Hull are in the middle of an awful run and another defeat or two and they are back in the relegation dogfight.

Arsenal are hanging on in there for 4th place, but only just. They know they need to keep pace with Villa but will also see Chelsea as catchable and because of that I cannot see Hull winning again as the will to win will be greater from the Gunners.

Prediction : 1-2

West Ham United v Fulham (Sunday, KO 13:30)

West Ham picked up what was for them a good away point last week to keep a little bit of daylight between them and the scrap below them. A win in this one could be critical as it could put more daylight there and drag Hull in to if it they lost.

Fulham are in exactly the same situation as the Hammers with regard to points however the pressure is off them ever so slightly as they do have 2 games in hand. I think this will factor into the game a little. However I see a stalemate in the East End.

Prediction : 1-1

Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth (Sunday, KO 16:00)

Spurs lost late on last week to Wigan and that put them back in the bottom 3, something no Spurs fan would have predicted where they would be with 17 games to go. The home form is the key to survival and it needs to start now.

A few weeks ago Portsmouth were in 7th and looking upwards. Now a change of manager and the loss of a couple of players and they are right in the thick of the relegation battle. Spurs will win here to go above their opponents.

Prediction : 2-0

Liverpool v Everton (Monday, KO 20:00)

The mighty reds were somehow denied by Stoke last week and this may cost them top spot by the time this game starts. I still know we will win the league but we must stop drawing to naff teams to keep it close for ‘entertainment purposes’.

Everton have been on a good run of late themselves, and it could end up as a 4 way scrap for 3rd and 4th if they can keep that run going. Unfortunately that battle will have to wait a week as they will be bettered at the Mecca.

Prediction : 3-0