SATURDAY

Stoke - Liverpool (1245)

If I was Stoke boss Tony Pulis, I would be thinking 'Steven Gerrard won't be playing, Fernando Torres won't be playing', let's get stuck into Liverpool. If anyone didn't already know, take Gerrard and Torres out of the Liverpool team and it is ordinary in the least.

In all honesty, if Liverpool spent the season without Gerrard and Torres, then Liverpool would do well to finish halfway up the table.

Verdict: 2-1

SATURDAY 16 JANUARY

Hamilton v Rangers (1230)

The teams fought out a brilliant contest in the Scottish Cup last weekend and I'm sure everyone will be hoping for more of the same.

New Douglas Park is always a difficult place to go. Hamilton are a team in form and are playing well.

Arsenal v Everton

Arsenal, at the moment, look the only team who want to win the league in terms of their recent results - and all that without Robin van Persie, whose return towards the end of the season could prove absolutely crucial.

Everton have improved of late and I think the signing of Landon Donovan on loan is a decent one. But, while their results and performances are on the right trend, I don't see them getting anything at all from the Emirates.

Verdict: 2-0

MONDAY

Tottenham v West Ham (1245 GMT)

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had striker Jermain Defoe on the bench against Fulham but I think he will unleash him against his former team. Spurs have started to show defensively they can keep clean sheets and with that base you have to fancy them as they have pace and power in all areas.

BOXING DAY

Birmingham v Chelsea (1245 GMT)

Birmingham have been on an excellent run of nine games without defeat, which has more or less coincided with the new owner taking over.

However, it puts Blues under a little bit of pressure going into this game. Normally most of their supporters would not expect them to take any points from this fixture but now there is a level of expectation to obtain a result.

Chelsea could do with a victory and I think that they will end Birmingham's unbeaten sequence.

SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER

Celtic v Hamilton

Celtic will be really disappointed with what happened at Tynecastle last week. Leading 1-0, I just couldn't see Celtic letting it slip, but it just didn't go for them. If they had won that match, it would really have set them up nicely for the festive fixtures. They are at home to Hamilton, which ought to be the ideal chance for three points.

Hamilton will cause them problems, though, and will have a few moments in the match where they will have to score. They must take their chances. But if Celtic can keep it tight at the back, it should be a comfortable home win.