PREMIER LEAGUE AND FA CUP PREDICTIONS

SATURDAY - PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal v Burnley

Home win - everyone knows about Burnley's away form, they've only got one point on the road and they've started to lose home games too. Their away form was like that when Owen Coyle was there too, so I'm not worried about them getting on to the slippery slope - they're already on it. They're going to be reliant on other teams as their form has dipped.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have got the bit between their teeth and are still in title race, as they will think Manchester United and Chelsea will drop points.

What happened to Aaron Ramsey last week will have no impact on them at all. Players get injured all the time, it just gives a chance to someone else and is part and parcel of football.

Of course it's a nightmare for Arsene Wenger, but he needs to remember William Gallas's tackle on Bolton's Mark Davies which could easily have broken his leg. Football is far cleaner now than it's ever been and you hardly see any bad tackles.

Verdict: 3-0
Match preview

West Ham v Bolton

Bolton got that much-needed win over Wolves last time out, but West Ham at home are a much better side.

They've got quite a few injuries back and now they've got some competition for places, which is good for them. I don't think the ownership thing will have bothered them at all, the only thing players are bothered about is getting paid every month, so it doesn't matter if David Gold or Donald Duck owns the club.

They've got players back and they've got the nucleus of a decent team, and I certainly think there are three worse teams in the Premier League.

I think Bolton will be alright too - Owen Coyle got his first win against his old club Burnley in his third Premier League game in charge but they've got enough aggression, and he's trying to turn them into a better footballing team which is fine, although he needs to mix that with getting results quick. It'll be close, but they'll escape.

Verdict: 2-1
Match preview

Wolves v Man Utd (kick-off 1730 GMT)

This is the rematch of the game where Wolves got in trouble for fielding a weakened team - I've no problem at all with that and it was ridiculous that they were given such a hard time over it, it's your team so you're entitled to do what you want.

Wolves don't have a problem creating chances, even against teams who've beaten them, but the opposition also always create chances - and take them.

United will come in all guns blazing and they know what to expect against Wolves - we're talking about a team who are one point off Chelsea, have just won the Carling Cup and are on the verge of going into the next round of the Champions League.

Wayne Rooney has got the Midas touch at the moment and if anything happened to him, it'd be a huge loss, but good teams know how to get over the line, and United will be able do that, with or without Rooney.

Verdict: 0-2
Match preview

SATURDAY - FA CUP

Portsmouth v Birmingham (kick-off 1230 GMT)

From the Portsmouth point of view, there's no pressure at all. If they can get through this tie, it'll be more money for the club, and a lot of them are in the shop window, playing to go other clubs - it'll be interesting to see how many of them are there next year.

Alex McLeish has done a superb job at Birmingham, he's making his players into much better players and a lot of them have proved people wrong, which tells you a lot about his man-management, but with the pressure off and a home crowd behind them, I'll go for Portsmouth.

Verdict: 2-0
Match preview

Fulham v Tottenham (kick-off 1720 GMT)

Fuham have had a good February and done very well in the Europa League and they're very hard to crack at home.

Tottenham have got lots of injuries in midfield, and although it's great for Harry Redknapp that Roman Pavlyuchenko has found such good form, you wonder where the Russian was months ago.

I'm always a bit worried about someone who just turns up like that, he didn't start a lot of games away from home, which tells a story. And it'll be interesting to see how he does without those injured midfielders to supply him. I tip Spurs to leave town with a draw - well, go back across town, anyway.

Verdict: 1-1
Match preview

SUNDAY - PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton v Hull (kick-off 1600 GMT)

One week Everton are capable of beating Chelsea or Manchester United, then they go and mess up in Europe. They need to bounce back a bit, but they'll finish in the top 10.

Hull went for the tactic of signing a striker in the transfer window, because we all know they can't afford to be relegated. They've got a chance of staying up, and having Jimmy Bullard back will certainly help - he's arguably one of their best players, but it's going to need a run of really big performances not just from him but from all of them for Hull to stay in the Premier League.

Verdict: 2-0
Match preview

SUNDAY - FA CUP

Reading v Aston Villa (kick-off 1345 GMT)

Villa's reaction to their defeat in the Carling Cup final will be interesting - having had a taste of Wembley, I'm sure they'll want to go there again.

Reading are the Championship team in the Cup this year, with great wins over Liverpool and Burnley, and their league form has picked up too, but I think Villa will have too much for them, especially on the counter-attack.

Verdict: 1-2
Match preview

Chelsea v Stoke (kick-off 1600 GMT)

For all their problems, Chelsea can still put out a great side and could still have a great season. One thing that could prove decisive is who they pick in goal - Hilario really was hilarious last week against Manchester City last week. He wasn't up to it at all so will they give Ross Turnbull a start?

As for Stoke, they probably think they can get a draw and do them at home - they've only had one defeat so far this year and will certainly get the ball in the box, but I think Chelsea will just have too much for them. Stoke need to concentrate on how high they can finish up the table. They'd have been worried about that at the start of the season, but they don't need to worry about it now - that shows how far they've come.

Verdict: 2-0
Match preview

MONDAY

Wigan v Liverpool (kick-off 2000 GMT)

Wigan are struggling for goals at the moment, but it's not just about that - their problems are down to all-round weakness.

We're at a stage at the moment where one of the teams who go down will have an awful run, and the important thing is the timing of it. I've no doubt Wigan's players are all good athletes, but I'm not sure how much of a team they are. It's just not working for them - certain individuals are good, but they're just not working collectively. They used to get beaten, then win the next week, but they've had too many defeats now.

The pitch at Wigan has been relaid, which I think will help Liverpool. Steven Gerrard seems to have found his form and Fernando Torres is back, and they'll take thousands of supporters with them, which will make it seem like a home game for them.

Verdict: 1-2
Match preview

Mark Lawrenson was speaking to BBC Sport's Julian Shea