We're top of the league, and we're having a laugh

The great thing about football is we all have an opinion. Alan Hansen, Gary Lineker and Andy Gray among others make it look effortlessly easy every night of the week on television. And I'm sure you're not alone in thinking: "I could do that."

Let's be honest, the financial services industry is not often shy in coming forward on giving its opinion on many thing, the Premiership included.

So we thought, if it's that easy it was about time we put a few necks on the block.

We've asked four well-known characters in the industry to be a pundit for the week.

On a regular basis Michael Warren, managing director of DWS Investments, Andy Clark, head of distribution, and Lawrence Gosling, founding editor of Investment Week and now publishing director of the weekly football newspaper Football First, will go head to head in predicting the results. Each week they will joined by a guest pundit. This week it is the turn of Darius McDermott from leading London IFA Chelsea Financial Services. We asked the four 'pundits' (as they now think of themselves) to predict the results a week ago for the Premiership games being played over last weekend (15 and 16 January). By the time you read this, you'll be able to tell how well they fared.

In the true spirit of 'compliance', to make sure there were no hidden interests, we asked the pundits to lay their cards on the table and tell you which clubs they support - so you can see the bias in their comments.

Andy Clark describes himself as a 'Gooner', the delightful nickname for Arsenal supporters, and he finds himself up against three Chelsea fans, including Darius, a season ticket holder who has not missed a Chelsea game for years. Lawrence is a third generation Chelsea supporter, currently trying to indoctrinate his son in to the ways of the Blues, while Michael is a regular visitor to Chelski.

Aston Villa v Norwich

Overview: Aston Villa missed out on signing James Beattie, which would have helped ease their goal scoring problems this season. While Norwich, the Premier League's draw specialists, have just signed Dean Ashton from Crewe to solve their own goalscoring problems.

AC: It's got a draw written all over it for me. DRAW

MW: Both teams are struggling to score goals, and Villa have a lot of injuries and a small squad, as O'Leary keeps reminding everyone. A 0-0 draw seems likely. DRAW

DM: This is just mid-table mediocrity as far as I'm concerned. DRAW

LG: It has the makings of a bit of a grinding game. I hate to agree with the others but it is a draw all the way for me. DRAW

Bolton v Arsenal

Overview: Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is currently wheeling and dealing in the transfer market to try and reignite Wanderer's season which started so well, while Arsene Wenger has to keep his side hard on the heals of Chelsea who went into the game seven points clear.

AC: My heart says I want Arsenal, but my head says Bolton have been our bogey team, and I think it is a home win. HOME

MW: Obviously I'd like to agree with Andy's sentiments on the result, but I think I fancy a draw, as Bolton are still stuttering a bit. DRAW

DM: It pains me to say it, but with Bolton still in patchy form, and Arsenal motoring, I think Arsenal will roll them over. AWAY

LG: I've got my fingers crossed on this one, as it will help Chelsea, I'm going for a draw. DRAW

Charlton v Birmingham

Overview: Two of the most highly rated English managers battle it out, with Charlton showing good current form and a good home record, and Birmingham are improving after a poor start to the season.

AC: For me Charlton are my nap of the week. Very good home form and I think they'll win comfortably. HOME

MW: I'll go opposite to Andy. I think Brum will get a boost from the post-Savage era and will nick this one. AWAY

DM: Improving Birmingham versus a Charlton side that is good at home. Should be a decent game, but I fancy a draw. DRAW

LG: I can't see anything but a home win here. Birmingham are struggling to score goals and the Robbie Savage affair hasn't helped. Charlton to land this one. HOME

Liverpool v Man Utd

Overview: Traditionally, one of the most bitterly fought games of the season, with both clubs realistically just fighting it out for third and fourth place to ensure Champions League football next season.

AC: These are always tight games and although Liverpool are playing well, I can't see United yielding much. DRAW

MW: Although they gave Chelsea a good game at home and were probably a little unlucky, in terms of the penalty, I still think United will be too strong for them. AWAY

DM: I'm going for a home win. Not just because I want the Scousers to win, because it will be good for Chelsea, but they have been up for the big games. HOME

LG: Being married to a Scouser, I can only say Liverpool.

As well as wanting to avoid getting it in the neck from the in-laws if I said Man United, I also think Liverpool inspired by Gerrard are a hard nut to crack at home. DRAW

Man City v Crystal Palace

Overview: City have shown good home form, while Palace's away form is not great, but both teams have to bounce back after poor FA Cup results the previous weekend.

AC: I can't see anything but City's strong home form winning the day. HOME

MW: I know City's home form is good, but Palace are an underrated side, I think it will be even. DRAW

DM: Got to be a home win for me. City are strong, and if Andy Johnson doesn't score for Palace, then no-one will. HOME

LG: Not a game which fills me with a lot of excitement, but I think Palace can nick this, particularly with Johnson up front. They will spoil the good home record of City. AWAY

Newcastle v Southampton

Overview: Southampton's Harry Redknapp has said saving the Saints from relegation is his biggest job to date, while the same could be said of the level of expectation under which Graeme Souness has to operate at Newcastle.

AC: If I was a gambling man, and I have been known to have the odd wager, I'd go for a shock on this one, and the odds will have been attractive. AWAY

MW: I think Andy's in fantasy land, it can only be Newcastle on home soil. HOME

DM: I can only see a home win for Newcastle. The Harry Houdini show looks like it's finally going to run out of steam and Southampton could go down this season. HOME

LG: Southampton are a poor side, and while Newcastle are not exactly world class they are easily good enough to beat the Saints. HOME

Portsmouth v Blackburn

Overview: Pompey are very good at home and ran both Chelsea and Arsenal close at home in December, while Blackburn have become very hard to beat under Mark Hughes, although they are not winning a lot of games.

AC: This is almost my nap of the week, after Charlton to win. Can't see Blackburn doing anything in this game. HOME

MW: I don't think it will be quite as easy as Andy is trying to make out, but still agree it's a Portsmouth win. HOME

DM: Interesting game this. Improving Blackburn under the former Chelsea legend Mark Hughes against Pompey, who aren't missing Redknapp. DRAW

LG: Blackburn are proving very difficult to beat, but Portsmouth are strong at home. 2-1 to Pompey for me. HOME

Tottenham v Chelsea

Overview: One for the stattos this, with Spurs' last league win over Chelsea way back in 1990 when Gark Lineker was playing. He in fact scored the winning goal that day. Spurs have massively improved under Martin Jol, but Chelsea are rumoured to be after their best striker Jermain Defoe.

AC: Mixed feelings on this one. As a Gooner, I never want to see Spurs win, but hope they do. Although this might prove a bit tricky for Chelsea I can't see them losing. DRAW

MW: I know all the history says that Spurs must beat us at some point in the league, but not this season. AWAY

DM: I think this is the game that could potentially cause us (Chelsea) the biggest problems between now and the end of the season. It has been a long time since Spurs beat us in a league game and now could be the season. But saying all that I have to go for Chelsea. AWAY

LG: I can't help but agree with Darius, on everything but the score. I find it a hard game to call and I'm going for a draw, with the hope that Arsenal and United also drop points so it doesn't cut Chelsea's lead. DRAW

Fulham v West Brom

Overview: Chris Coleman's second season in charge has been tough, while West Brom, under new boss Bryan Robson entered the new year bottom of the table, which means statistically they will be relegated.

AC: I think Fulham are going to spank West Brom, I agree with Lawrence on the scoreline and result. HOME

MW: It's going to be the classic bore-draw for me. DRAW

DM: Although Fulham are very up and down, it has to be a home win. HOME

LG: West Brom are as good as relegated as far as I'm concerned, and at home Fulham are a good propostion. Easy 3-0 home win. HOME

Middlesboro v Everton

Overview: Everton have surprised everyone this season, including themselves, while Boro started well but have struggled in recent weeks due to several injuries.

AC: Not the most inspiring game. And although Everton have been the surprise package of the season, I don't see them really troubling the top three sides. DRAW

MW: Everton have been hard work to watch this season, while Boro have been very attractive for periods, but I think they will cancel each other out. DRAW

DM: Has to be a draw. Boro are quite useful and Everton are grinding out results. DRAW

LG: A difficult one to call. Boro are struggling a little with injuries after a good start to the season, while Everton are not the most attractive team in the world,. Even with the addition of James Beattie they don't look like scoring many goals. That said I think Everton will nick it 1-0. AWAY

Lawrence Gosling is publishing director of Football First, the national sunday football paper