Much like the Bundesliga, yours truly likes to take a little winter break every year. But you didn't think I would leave you without an update before the Man U-Chelsea game(if you did think that, you were almost right)? The reason the handsome mug of the Special One is gracing the top of this post is because Jose Mourinho will be the Special Guest of Manchester United(a little strange because Inter Milan face Man U in the Champions League). Abramovich is out of town, so there won't be any awkward hugs, but it will be Mourinho's first appearance at a Premiership game.Saturday
WBA at Aston Villa- This would seem a simple game, except for Villa's poor home form this season. Villa also have a number of injuries, with Laursen, Cuellar and Carew out, while Gareth Barry and Luke Young missed their FA Cup match. The Baggies have Zuiverloorn, Morrison and Teixeira struggling to be fit, as they try to grab their second road win. It's a bit of a surprise that neither team has done much business in the transfer market, but it has been quiet so far. Expect a wide open game, and Villa's attack should be too much for the West Brom defense. Villa 3-1
Hull at Everton- The wheels have come off Phil Brown's bus, and Hull are beginning their descent down the table. Hull fans will not be comforted by the news that they are targeting Luis Boa Morte, as Phil Brown tries to find more players his age. Everton look to have regained the defensive form that propelled them last season, and Cahill may continue to lead the line even with Anichebe fit. Everton 1-0
Blackburn at Fulham- Which team has allowed the fourth fewest goals in the Premiership? That would be the Mighty Whites of Fulham, whose defense has pushed them to ninth in the league. Sam's club(clever) will have a tough time playing long ball, with the size of Fulham's back line. Bullard is likely to miss out, while Davies and Gera hope to feature. Santa Cruz will probably never play a game for Big Sam, so this game could be a bit toothless. Draw 0-0
Sunderland at Middlesbrough- After a strong start, Boro are again flirting with the drop, while Sunderland are only a couple points clear of the drop as well. Boro are desperately trying to keep hold of Stewart Downing, while Sunderland are doing the same with Kenwyne Jones. With Aliadiere out, Mido and Alves will need to pour in the goals in the second half of the season if they want to stay up. Draw 1-1
West Ham at Newcastle- These teams may be a little higher up the table, but this is another six-pointer. Zola's team has lacked any consistency, and just about every player on the roster has been linked with a move away. Newcastle will want to forget about their 5-1 demolition at the hands of Liverpool, but they've also had a number of players linked with moves away. Martins is out for Newcastle, but this is Michael Owen's chance to sell himself for a move away. Newcastle 2-1
Manchester City at Portsmouth- City are a point behind Pompey, even though they've scored 17 more goals. With Defoe leaving, a number of other players being linked with moves away, and the club for sale, the confidence of Portsmouth players will be at an all-time low. Mark Hughes will have Wayne Bridge to bolster his back line, but with Robinho and Ireland likely to be out, the Welshman knows he is hanging on by a thread. City 2-1
Bolton at Arsenal- With Gallas and Silvestre out, this is just the kind of team the Gunners did not want to be facing. Fabregas, Walcott and Rosicky are all out for a while, so this will look like a Carling Cup team. This will be a chance for those young players to prove they should be playing, before Monsieur Wenger brings in some replacements. Bolton are without Kevin Nolan and Gretar Steinsson, but they might fancy themselves a point. RVP and Adebayor will be the key, and if they get any decent service they should win this game for the Gunners by themselves. Arsenal 2-1
Liverpool at Stoke- Stoke nicked a draw at Anfield earlier in the season, but this is a much different side. Fuller is still serving a ban for hitting a teammate, but its unlikely that they'll end their slide against the Reds. With Chelsea and Man U facing off, Liverpool will want to try and create some distance between themselves and the rest Big 4. Torres will probably play, but not start for the Reds. Liverpool 3-0
Sunday
Tottenham at Wigan- Wigan have quietly got themselves up to seventh in the league, which has led to some of their players being linked to Real Madrid(a lesson to all those teams that hope to do well). Tottenham have just seen 100% inflation on Defoe, and it will be interesting if he partners with Pavlyuchenko up front. Jenas and King should be back for Tottenham, but Spurs are dealing with a number of other injuries. Draw 1-1
Chelsea at Man U- The camera men will be busy, and expect a number of closeups of Ferguson, Scolari and Mourinho. Ferdinand and Evra should be back for United, while Terry is back for Chelsea. After their draw in the FA Cup, the pressure is on Chelsea and they'll want to show that they are still in the title race. Draw 1-1
