h Albion I always think West Brom will be okay because of Tony

The Chicago Bulls are still trying to figure out how good they can be amid a whole lot of positive early season signs. Theyll receive an awfully good barometer reading when they see the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.The Bulls, riding a four-game winning streak, will play the third of six consecutive games on the road during their annual circus trip. Theyll venture into the home of the NBAs best team this season, and one of the best early season clubs ever to take the floor.The Clippers (11-2) extended the best start in franchise history with a 121-115 road victory at the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. They took control early, led by 20 points early in the fourth quarter and held off a furious Sacramento rally.But for a team outscoring opponents by an average of 14.2 points per game this season, among the best 10 teams in NBA history through 13 contests, it was not a result that made them happy.No question, guard Chris Paul said. Its nice to look at film of a game and see what you did wrong and still be able to talk about a win. But we expect to be better that that.The Bulls (8-4) have been better than anticipated during the seasons first month, but whether its a springboard to better things remains to be seen.The early results have been encouraging. Chicago has won its past four by an average of 14 points per game, leads the NBA in rebounding and is sixth in preventing opponents from scoring.In doing so, theyve taken some heat off second-year coach Fred Hoiberg, who survived a tumultuous debut campaign in 2015-16 that ended with only 42 victories and Chicago watching the playoffs.Theres great accountability in the locker room with these guys, Hoiberg told the Chicago Sun-Times before the teams 85-77 victory over at Utah on Thursday. It starts with our veterans. ... Ive been so impressed with the way our veterans have handled things and hopefully we can keep moving in the right direction.Sixth-year guard Jimmy Butler leads the Bulls in scoring at 24.2 points per game. Free-agent acquisitions Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have added 17.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, respectively. Rondo is questionable to play because a sprained left ankle; second-year guard Jerian Grant has started the past two games in his place.Wades presence also has healed a clubhouse that was fractured a season ago but received a facelift after the the departures of guard Derrick Rose and center Joakim Noah.I wouldnt have come here if I didnt think I could help this organization and help Jimmy, Wade told the Chicago Sun-Times. This organization to me is important. Its my childhoods favorite organization. I knew I could help from what Ive learned in this league.Chicago makes most of its hay on the boards. Theyve outrebounded opponents by an average of 49-31 this season, including 52-42 in their eight victories.Against the Clippers, theyll face a team that ranks fifth in scoring at 109.6 per game and is second in rebounds at 53.2.Clippers guard J.J. Redick will be seeking to extend his consecutive-games streak with at least one 3-pointer to 70, the longest active run in the NBA. Nike Vapormax Naiset . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Nike Vapormax Tukku . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. http://www.vapormaxsuomi.com/ . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Vapormax 97 Suomi . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Suomi . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals.The Premier League throws up a midweek football feast as clubs return from FA Cup action to play the corresponding set of Boxing Day fixtures. And Sky Sports football expert Paul Merson has cast his expert eye over the latest round of top-flight games as the battle for silverware and safety continues. Last weeks PL predictions Result Merses prediction Norwich 4-5 Liverpool 1-1 C Palace 1-3 Spurs 1-2 Leicester 3-0 Stoke 2-2 Man Utd 0-1 Soton 2-1 Sunderland 1-1 Bmouth 2-1 Watford 2-1 Newcastle 0-1 West Brom 0-0 Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham 2-2 Man City 1-1 Everton 1-2 Swansea 4-0 Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea 3-1 Read on to see what the Magic Man is predicting in Wednesdays fixtures - and how he got on on Tuesday... Watford v Chelsea (Wednesday, 7.45pm) Odion Ighalo holds off Cesc Fabregas in Boxing Day draw at Stamford Bridge Chelsea should win this one. Theyve got the players to do just that and they seem up for it now. The players may be the same but Chelsea are a different team to when Jose Mourinho was there. Since Guus Hiddink has come in the players have really upped their games. Cesc Fabregas looks like the player he used to be, as does Diego Costa. If Chelsea can keep Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo quiet they win this game. Its quite simple. I see a 2-1 Chelsea win with Costa scoring first.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)Everton v Newcastle (Wednesday, 7.45pm) Tom Cleverleys late strike snatched Everton victory at St James Park on Boxing Day You just dont know what you are going to get with Everton. Last week I went with them to beat Swansea 4-0 and look what happened. I really thought Roberto Martinezs side would dominate Swansea, but they just didnt turn up. Theyve got star players but they just dont win football matches. It must be so frustrating to be an Everton fan. You look at the team when it comes out onto the pitch and think its a tremendous side.There are not many of those players that do not get in other teams in the Premier League. On the other hand, Newcastle have bought well this month and have played well in patches. But Everton have got too many good players and sooner or later they have to start winning football matches. Im backing Everton again, this time by a score of 3-1 with Romelu Lukaku scoring first.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)Arsenal v Southampton (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Cuco Martina celebrates stunning opening goal against Arsenal This is a difficult game for Arsenal. Southampton have really turned a corner. They had a bit of a dodgy patch but theyve got a run going. Theyre not letting in too many goals and are very hard to beat making this one a potential banana skin for Arsenal.Having Alexis Sanchez back is a real boost for the Gunners and I also think the fact Per Mertesacker is suspended is a bonus too, because we all saw what Shane Long did to him in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day. Thats the way Southampton would have tried to play again, hitting long balls over the top of Mertesacker for Long to chase.Still, its a difficult game for the Gunners but one they will win because of the return of Sanchez. He will score the first goal for me in what will be a 3-1 home win.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (12/1 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 0-0Leicester v Liverpool (Tuesday, 7.45pm)Kasper Schmeichel was on Soccer AM saying Leicester are not talking about the title. For me, they should be talking about it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the club, the players and the supporters. They are where they are at the top because they are a good team and they are playing well.These opportunities dont come along that often. I won the league at Arsenal one year, didnt win the next but then won it again the year after. After that we never looked like winning it again. Thats how quickly it changes. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they are speaking about not talking about it. Its beyond me. Christian Bentekes late strike saw Liverpool inflict Leicesters second PL defeat on the season in December The next three games define them. If they win all three they will be Premier League champions. If they lose all three they will be fightting to stay in the top-four.dddddddddddd If you are not talking about winning it surely that makes you lackadaisical and it makes you think youve got a free swing at it.Its not a free swing. We are 23 games in, not five. However, I see them winning this game. They can beat Liverpool, who I think are a bit all over the shop at the moment. Im going for a 2-1 home win and Im also backing Jamie Vardy to be first goalscorer. I just cannot see how Liverpool will cope with Vardy.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 2-0Norwich v Tottenham (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Spurs will be looking for a repeat of their 3-0 victory over the Canaries I dont see anything other than a Tottenham win. They are absolutely flying at the moment. If you take a look at Norwich and their result the other week against a Liverpool side, who are not finding it easy to score goals and they let in five against them. Ive watched a lot this season and they create a lot of chances but just cannot put the ball in the net.Thats why the result against Liverpool was a real hammer blow for them. The one day they score four they let in five. Then you dont have a game for a while and thats even worse because you have a long time to stew over it. I just think Tottenham, who will miss Jan Vertonghen, are on fire. They have too much fire power and Im backing Spurs to win 3-1 with Harry Kane to grab the first goal.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (14/1 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 0-3Sunderland v Man City (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Yaya Toure starred in Man Citys victory over Sunderland I remember when Sunderland beat Man City 1-0 back in 2012 when Ji Dong-won went round Joe Hart to score the winner in injury time. However, it could have been 100-0 to City. It was one of the most one-sided games Ive seen but Sunderland popped up with the winner. Sam Allardyce is in a bit of a tricky position at the moment. Hes got four incredibly hard games coming up against some of the top teams in the league.Sunderland have to pick up a couple of points here or there and sweat on a few other teams down there dropping points, otherwise they could be well adrift by the end of this month. Anything is a bonus for Sunderland against City, whose away form has not been great in recent times. However, with Sergio Aguero, who I am backing for the first goal, rested at the weekend I will have to side with City in a 3-1 win.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (10/1 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 0-1West Ham v Aston Villa (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Aston Villas Jordan Ayew scores his sides first goal from the penatly spot against West Ham West Ham are a very good football team. Aston Villa were on a good run but after getting hammered by Man City 4-0, and now theyve got to travel to Upton Park, I think they are in trouble. With the likes of Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia in their ranks West Ham are a top team and Id be shocked if Villa got anything from this game. I cant see anything but a home 3-0 win with Valencia the man to open the scoring.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (14/1 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 2-0Crystal Palace v Bournemouth (Tuesday, 8pm) Adam Smith challenges Pape Souare (R) and Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace Crystal Palace had an excellent result at the weekend and I can see them going all the way in the FA Cup. If they can have a bit of luck they can have a real good crack at lifting the trophy this year. I think they can beat Bournemouth. Eddie Howes side played well the other week at Sunderland and should have won the game. They didnt and thats a real worry for me.Crystal Palace will be a lot more ruthless and I can see the home side winning 3-2. Emmanuel Adebayor has come in but he hasnt had any football. I would be surprised to see him involved so Im going for Wilfried Zaha to score the first goal.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2 (40/1 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 1-2Manchester United v Stoke (Tuesday, 8pm) Stoke heaped the pressure on United with a 2-0 Boxing Day win at the Britannia Derby played into Manchester Uniteds hands on Friday. The Championship side sat back and played the name rather than playing against the players at the club currently, who are not doing so well. Derby showed United far too much respect.When you play United you have to have a real go at them but Stoke have hit a brick wall all of a sudden. Going out of the Capital One Cup and then the FA Cup has been a real blow for them. Now they go to Old Trafford thinking their season is virtually over.Stoke have played some great stuff this year and have had a great season but in the blink of an eye they are out of everything. Im really not sure why, but I have a feel United will win this one. Its been a bad week at Stoke and I think it continues for them at Old Trafford. Im going for 2-1 United with Wayne Rooney scoring first.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 3-0West Brom v Swansea (Tuesday, 8pm) Ki Sung-Yueng of Swansea City scores against West Bromwich Albion I always think West Brom will be okay because of Tony Pulis. Hes too good at what he does for them to go down. Im not saying the players are too good, Pulis is too good. West Brom very rarely lose games when they cant afford to lose. Against Aston Villa the other week they were poor, but they did not lose. They got a point and those points add up in terms of a relegation battle.On the other hand, Swansea have turned a corner. They rode their luck against Everton but fair play to them, they got the result. Im backing a 1-1 draw here. I dont see West Brom losing games to the teams in and around them. Salomon Rondon can get the first goal for the hosts.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet) - RESULT: 1-1Think you know better than Merse? Take him on at Super 6 for the chance to win £250,000! Also See: Everton v Newcastle preview Watford v Chelsea preview Table Live on Sky Get Sky Sports ' ' '