It’s all systems go for a great weekend of Barclays Premiership Football as the snow drifts subside and the temperatures return to normal for January in the UK, but the temperature in the Liverpool boardroom will certainly be a little frosty after Liverpool joined Man United as spectators for this year’s FA Cup and to make matters worse for Rafa, he has lost Gerrard for couple of matches, Torres for 6 weeks with a damaged knee and Benayoun with a broken rib, so they will all be missing for the match against Stoke City kicking off at 2.45pm (12:45 GMT)

Like any good manager a bit psychology never hurts so Potters boss Tony Pulis is heaping praise on Rafa ahead of their clash, probably in the hope of making his opposite number complacent. Tuncay is doubtful for Stoke, which is a great pity as he is always a threat. Expect some sort of backlash from the Reds but I smell more woe for Rafa at the Britannia Stadium.

There are 5 matches kicking off at 5pm (15:00 GMT) starting with Chelsea against the Black Cats at the Bridge. If ever there was a lucky manager it has to be Carlo Ancelotti, every time his charges drop points, so do Man United and Arsenal, so he manages to stay ahead of the pack. Missing a couple of his star players, including Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou so Steve Bruce will be keen to take advantage of this weakness caused by the African Cup of Nations in Angola. Sunderland have an excellent record against the top clubs, having beaten both Arsenal and Liverpool this season and coming within a whisker of taking United’s scalp as well. This is tight one to call if you look at Chelsea’s recent form. The Blues should be victorious but a draw could be the result.

The Red Devils host the Clarets at the Theatre of Dreams and with Wayne Rooney in top form with 14 goals one cannot see Burnley having a snowball’s hope on a heated pitch. Owen Coyle has moved to Bolton and has been replaced by Brian Laws who immediately tried to “out psych” Sir Alex by telling the media that all the pressure is on the Old Trafford Club, what with their exit from the FA Cup, mounting debt and injury problems, while all Burnley have to do is repeat their historic 1-0 win back in August. The only good news for Sir Alex, is that Edwin van der Sar should be back in goal after missing 12 matches due to injury and his wife having suffered a stroke. I don’t give the Lancashire outfit much hope of a double against United who should bag all 3 points.

Birmingham City travel to Portsmouth and will want to continue on their record unbeaten way against bottom club Pompey. Avram Grant will have his hands full to contain a Blues outfit that is riding high in 8th spot and with rumours of David James moving to Stoke, he will have to do some really hard talking in the dressing room if he wants to see a point from this clash. LATE NEWS: This match has been called off!

One of most interesting matches of the afternoon sees Spurs take on Hull City at White Hart Lane. With the beleaguered Harry Redknapp being hounded by the Taxman, he faces the prospect of 5 matches in two weeks, so he will want to dispatch Phil Brown’s Tigers with another clean sheet. Hull on the other hand, have a habit of putting a spoke in the wheel of big clubs and they will be hoping to repeat that at White Hart Lane. Spurs should win, but don’t be surprised by another Hull upset.

The last of the 5pm (15:00 GMT) kickoffs, sees Wolves take on Wigan at Molineux. The only objective for both managers is 3 points. Both are on 19 points and hover just above the relegation zone and 3 points would see them jumping to 13th. Mick McCarthy has the home advantage and two wins in his last 5 outings against Wigans’s nil, so I see 3 points for Wolves.

The final match this afternoon sees Everton at home to Manchester City. Roberto Mancini’s outfit have turned their fortunes around since the Italian’s arrival, but the Toffees will be a stern test. David Moyes’ outfit have 4 draws and a win in their last 5 matches they will produce a little stiffer opposition for the Mancini Machine, which has won their last 4 on the trot. Carlos Tevez has eventually found the form that inspired Sparky to sign him and he has lifted his tally to 12.

Adebayor is still in Togo after the squad returned from Angola following the terrorist attack on their team busses that left 3 dead, while new signing Patrick Vieira is still injured. Everton have far more problems with injuries and players off in Angola but one good bit of news is that Lucas Neill is available to play this afternoon.

If City click, as they have in recent matches, then Everton will be hard pressed to earn a point.