Happy Blue Year

The Premier League returns for the New Year's weekend and, as ever, you can follow all the action on Sky Sports.

We asked Soccer Saturday expert Paul Merson to look at the fixtures and give us his verdict on where the games will be won and lost.
As usual, he's taking a close look at the live games and this season he's also having his say on all of the other matches. 

Man City will probably start the New Year three points behind Man United - and they'll be wondering how that's happened.

They've only lost one game, they've beaten their rivals 6-1 and they couldn't have played any better - and yet they'll start 2012 in second place!

However, I fancy them to win the league as long as they stay in touch with Man United until February. They've had some tough fixtures in December and January, but then they get a nice run and if they keep going over the next month then I fancy them to be champions.

It will be tough going to the Stadium of Light because Sunderland have had a couple of good results lately. That's bought them the right to play at home with 11 men behind the ball, like West Brom did on Boxing Day.

If they try to attack Man City it will be at their peril because they can pick you off. Sunderland need to play on the counter-attack and if they come away with a draw it will be a great result.

There wasn't much wrong with Steve Bruce's team. I watched them a few times and all they were lacking was confidence - and Martin O'Neill seems to have given them that.

But I expect City to be too strong. They have to win and will go there with all guns blazing.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3