On paper it isnâÂÂt a cracking weekend of Premier League action, but at least it goes on forever: previous cancellations mean the fixtures keep on coming all the way up until Wednesday. Hurrah! Football!
Do leave comments, by the way â feel free to make your own predictions and take issue with the nonsense below. ItâÂÂs not that this blogger feels hopelessly lonely (though that is also true); more that the possibility for different opinions is great because predictions are such a widely varying...thing.
Yeah.
SATURDAY
Wolves v Liverpool (12.45pm, Sky Sports 2 & HD2, 5 Live Radio)
At first you canâÂÂt help but wonder why 5 Live would choose to use its precious credits in covering this early kick-off when Sky Sports is showing it, but then you realise that both radio and television stations are basically going to keep showing Liverpool games until Kenny Dalglish wins one.
This is a good chance for King Kenny to get off the mark, but itâÂÂs not as if he needs to alleviate any pressure: heâÂÂd be a fan favourite even if he got Liverpool relegated, and club chairman Tom Werner has already said heâÂÂs impressed by the progress, even the turnaround, the Scot has led.
Turnaround? Two defeats, one draw? Maybe standards are slipping. Still, Dalglish has lifted spirits, got the players on his side, fans love him etc. etc. You do ask yourself what he would have to do to become unpopular on the red end of Merseyside. You feel relegation wouldnâÂÂt be enough. Take a dump on a portrait of Bill Shankly, perhaps?
What wonâÂÂt happen: Dalglish to take a dump on a portrait of Bill Shankly, perhaps
What will happen: Wolves won this fixture at Molineux just three weeks ago, and if they keep their nerve they could win this one â especially with Steven Gerrard still serving a suspension. Instead, they do enough to grind out a 0-0 draw
Arsenal v Wigan (3pm)
Arsenal beautiful, Wigan unpredictable etc. â these predictions write themselves, donâÂÂt they?
Oh well, in the interest of enlightenment (pfft), itâÂÂs worth noting that Wigan have lost only one game in their last eight, and drew with Arsenal at the Arthur-esque DW Stadium days before the New Year, the last time the Gunners conceded in the Prem. Still, theyâÂÂve never lost to Wigan at home...
Not-quite-disastrously-for-them-but-still-very-annoyingly, Wigan are still without Tom Cleverley, Victor Moses and James McCarthy, all missing various limbs. Arsenal could welcome back Abou Diaby.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Wigan put in the performance of their season to win by three goals
What will happen: Honestly? Thumping home win
Blackpool v Sunderland (3pm)
Probably the simplest way of looking at the Darren Bent transfer saga is that Sunderland did have him, and now they donâÂÂt. For all the rage, fury and impotent (though largely justified) whining, Steve Bruce should remember that self-evident fact. ItâÂÂs happened now. Move on.
That said, likely new signing Ricardo Fuller is a good player who will chase every cause and run all day but compared with natural goalscorer Bent, itâÂÂs not quite the same...
What wonâÂÂt happen: Bruce to answer loaned-out David Healy MBEâÂÂs calls, even with Bent betraying him and Welbeck out injured
What will happen: A readymade Blackpool take their chance with a typically unchanged squad
Can David Healy fill the Bent-shaped void at Sunderland? Errrrm, probably not...
Everton v West Ham (3pm)
January sure is a busy month for West Ham: theyâÂÂre scheduled to play eight games in all, with this being no6. Luckily, they have a talented, sizeable squad capable of...oh, that sentence isnâÂÂt even worth finishing.
Much like Avram GrantâÂÂs tenure, perhaps â though thanks to some dithering from the West Ham board, after weeks of disgraceful speculation and backbiting started entirely by themselves, heâÂÂs still hanging on to the ledge of Premier League management by his fingernails. HeâÂÂs surviving game by game, it seems, but a defeat here would still be unlikely to see him ousted from that ledge and plummet to the ground below.
Everton, meanwhile, may miss Steven Pienaar more than they realise at first, even if the Saffa has contributed a total of zero assists this season. With Tim Cahill knobbing about in the Asian Cup, they look a little underpowered in midfield.
What wonâÂÂt happen: The Hammers to nab their first win at Goodison since 2005
What will happen: Arteta does the job: 1-0
Fulham v Stoke (3pm)
Impressively, StokeâÂÂs combined defenders have scored more times this season than FulhamâÂÂs combined strikers, and even had more shots at goal. That probably says more about the Cottagersâ bad run of injuries, but still.
The Potters, in fact, are eighth and on the verge of signing John Carew; while the Norwegian may be no Demba Ba, heâÂÂd be an excellent player to fit into StokeâÂÂs system, especially one losing Ricardo Fuller to Sunderland. All these good signings are really putting paid to that prediction of relegation. *shakes fist in general direction of bookies*
What wonâÂÂt happen: Fulham, with a 50% draw record thanks to 11 stalemates in 22 games, go all out and record a thumping 4-0 victory
What will happen: Steve Sidwell could make his home debut, meaning heâÂÂll most likely get injured or score an own goal or something. The game heads for a bore draw until Stoke sneak a late winner
Manchester United v Birmingham (3pm, 5 Live Radio)
As much as we want to invigorate excitement and debate, look: Man United have won the title.
At least, thatâÂÂs this bloggerâÂÂs pessimistic opinion, and interestingly, itâÂÂs one thatâÂÂs not shared by many others. Some think itâÂÂll go right down to the wire; some are firmly behind Arsenal claiming the title; others think Man City will sail away with it. The best we can all hope for is a close finish.
This is the kind of game that could theoretically derail Manchester UnitedâÂÂs campaign briefly, if it wasnâÂÂt for the fact that SrralexâÂÂs former charges genuinely roll over and die for him.
Still, Ben Foster could be key here: despite that horrific error in the Carling Cup semi, heâÂÂs been one of the most impressive keepers in the Prem this season. But then heâÂÂs had to be â despite playing just two more games than opposing number Edwin van der Sar, heâÂÂs had to make 104 saves to the DutchmanâÂÂs 42.
ItâÂÂs pressure that wonâÂÂt let up with the terrible news for Birmingham that ultra-reliable Scott Dann is out for the season.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Alex McLeish to be fired â a ridiculous claim if ever there was one
What will happen: Dull, boring, predictable home win
Did Ben Foster's performance vs West Ham impress old boss Fergie? Errrrm, probably not...
Newcastle v Spurs (3pm, Absolute Radio)
Random stat of the day: the average time Newcastle score their first goal in a game is on 40 minutes. The average time Spurs score their first goal in a game is on...40 minutes.
So there you go.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Stevie P to slot into the Tottenham team straightaway, though his inclusion should remind âÂÂArry he has at least three midfields to get rid of...
What will happen: Frustrating draw for âÂÂtitle-chasingâ Spurs (come on, really?)
Aston Villa v Manchester City (5.30pm, ESPN & ESPN HD, TalkSPORT Radio)
So THATâÂÂS why Villa signed Darren Bent in such a hurry: heâÂÂs scored three goals in his last four appearances against Man City. Blimey, football really is becoming a short-term results business.
Bad news for Houllier, then, as Villa have taken only five points from 30. However, the side is turning a corner, and Bent will certainly help. But will it be long before he becomes a Scott Parker, carrying a team on his back?
ThatâÂÂs an exaggeration, of course â VillaâÂÂs squad is too big for Geoff Capes to carry â but he may end up regretting a move from European challengers to safety-chasers. ItâÂÂs like when he left Spurs: maybe he just really hates playing abroad.
What wonâÂÂt happen: City and Villa to âÂÂtry somethingâ and agree a Dzeko-Bent swap at half-time
What will happen: Bent to score on debut but City to triumph
SUNDAY
Blackburn v West Brom (4pm, Sky Sports 1 & HD1, 5 Live Radio)
Steve Kean could turn out to be a very good manager, but right now heâÂÂs a very good lucksmith. With Big Sam fired for no discernible reason except a lack of attractive football being played, caretaker man Kean was strangely given until the end of the season by chicken vendors VenkyâÂÂs, who have now extended his contract until 2013.
Utterly, utterly bizarre. Still, good luck to him.
Boaz Myhill will continue in goal for West Brom, as Welsh keepers carry on deposing first-choice glovesmen in the top flight (well, Myhill and Wayne Hennessey, anyway). TheyâÂÂll be feeling a bit better about things now theyâÂÂve ended that horrible run of six straight defeats with a last-gasp win against Blackpool.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Fabio Capello to be sacked next week and Steve Kean to be given the England job â but only because the even luckier Alan Pardew gets there first, looking around him dazed and confused at his own fortune
What will happen: A struggle for all involved. Draw
Could Blackburn's Steve Keane be the next England manager? Errrrm, probably not...
MONDAY
Bolton v Chelsea (8pm, Sky Sports 1 & HD1, 5 Live Radio)
This is a potentially excellent tie for Monday night footbaaaall, which means itâÂÂll inevitably turn out to be awful.
Wanderersâ Wheater-wangling is a shrewd bit of business, especially as their centre-backs numbered two before his arrival, and their subs bench rarely more. The ex-Boro man will have to deal with a rejuvenated Frank Lampard straightaway, who is back from injury and has scored seven goals in 11 games against Bolton. Chelsea havenâÂÂt lost to the Trotters in 14 meetings.
And while weâÂÂre statting, AncelottiâÂÂs charges have the highest pass completion ratio this season while CoyleâÂÂs side have committed the most fouls, the dirty beggars.
What wonâÂÂt happen: A Bolton clean sheet â strangely, theyâÂÂve not made a successful shut-out against any London side in 20 Premier League matches
What will happen: Score draw
TUESDAY
Blackpool v Manchester United (7.30pm, ESPN & ESPN HD)
Oh go on then, letâÂÂs carry on into the overflow games.
I rued how unfortunate ESPN were to miss out on this fixture when it was cancelled, forgetting, of course, theyâÂÂd have it back â albeit not straight after the 3pm kick-offs, but at the less friendly time of Tuesday night when Holby City is on.
Verdict: away win
What wonâÂÂt happen: Blackpool to hold onto Charlie Adam beyond this year, though he may stay for the season
What will happen: We told you already!
Wigan v Aston Villa (7.45pm, 5 Live Radio Extra)
The 5 Live website originally claimed the station was covering this game Monday night, which was impressive, it being a full 24 hours before kick-off.
Unfortunately, itâÂÂs only covering it live, rather than pre-live. The Latics-Villa match-up is just on 5 Live Radio Extra, though â the main thing is covering the Arsenal-Ipswich Carling Cup second-semi second-leggy.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Charles NâÂÂZogbia to be tapped up by Houllier during the game, kidnapped during distraction from a corner, and to reappear in injury time in an Aston Villa shirt, ala Dzeko in the Villa v Man City game
What will happen: Wigan win. If we keep predicting it, one day it will actually happen
WEDNESDAY
Liverpool v Fulham (8pm)
When this fixture was meant to have been played (18th December), it would have been a fascinating insight into how Fulham were progressing without Hodgson, as much as how Liverpool were progressing with him. The two would come head-to-head in a fiery but friendly encounter, with tributes paid by away fans to the jowly oneâÂÂs achievements at Craven Cottage while supporters of his current club steadily ignored him, and Mark Hughes looked on wondering what heâÂÂs meant to be doing to get out of this mess...
Oh well, never mind.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Anything but a home win, as King Kenny breaks his duck
What will happen: DonâÂÂt know. Look, itâÂÂs on bloody Wednesday...
