English Premier League Predictions (Jan. 1-Jan. 5)

It's been tough for me getting my rankings together, so give me another week to get it all together!

Four of the next five days have games, so I'm going to break the games down by day, giving you a game to watch each day.

Manchester City and Manchester United are at the top of the table (United has two extra games to play) and are looking to build a lead at the top of the table.

Let's get to it!

January 1st

Clive Rose/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal is tracked by Alexander Hleb of Birmingham City during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Birmingham City at Emirates Stadium on October 16, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Cli

Match of the Day:  Arsenal @ Birmingham City

Birmingham are extremely tough at home, and Arsenal are playing well on the road this year. Something's got to give. While a draw is possible, I expect Arsenal to come out "gunning." They know they need to win to stay in the Top Three, so I think that will give them enough to manage a victory.

Arsenal 2 Birmingham City 1

Other Matches (home team on left)

West Brom 1 Manchester United 3

Liverpool 1 Bolton 2

Manchester City 3 Blackpool 1

Stoke City 1 Everton 0

Sunderland 2 Blackburn 0

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Fulham 1

West Ham 1 Wolves 0

January 2nd

Michael Regan/Getty Images

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: John Obi Mikel of Chelsea is challenged by Stephen Ireland and John Carew (L) of Aston Villa during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park on October 16, 2010 in Birmingham, Engla

Match of the Day: Aston Villa @ Chelsea

At the beginning of the season, this game looked like it was going to be meaningful. Now, it still is, kind of. Rather than the two teams battling at the top of the table, Chelsea are trying to climb back into the title conversation while Villa are trying to avoid falling into the relegation zone. Chelsea looked good last week, and Villa haven't looked good all year, so the Blues shouldn't have too much trouble.

Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 3

Other Match:

Wigan Athletic 0 Newcastle United 2

January 4th

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United gets away from Abdoulaye Faye of Stoke during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Britannia Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Stoke on Tren

Match of the Day: Stoke City @ Manchester United

This match would probably be more competitive if it were at Britannia Stadium. The Potters are always competitive, but they are much tougher at home. Similarly, United are nearly unbeatable at home (I partially say that to jinx them). It's tough to see United falling at home, but the game will definitely be close enough to be possible. I think the Red Devils should take care of business.

Stoke City 1 Manchester United 3

Other Matches (home teams on left):

Blackpool 3 Birmingham City 2

Fulham 1 West Brom 0

January 5th

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Carlos Tevez of City in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at City of Manchester Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Ima

Match of the Day: Manchester City @ Arsenal

This game will help solve some problems at the top of the table, maybe. If City wins, they will be five points clear of the Gunners (depending on the weekend's matches); however, if Arsenal wins, they will be one point clear of City and just cloud up the table even more. As for me, I would love to see a five-team race to the finish, so I'm pulling (and picking) for the home squad.

Manchester City 0 Arsenal 1

Other Matches:

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1

Newcastle United 2 West Ham 1

Wolves 1 Chelsea 2

Blackburn 1 Liverpool 2

Bolton 3 Wigan Athletic 1

Everton 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2