SATURDAY
Chelsea v Newcastle Chelsea will have had many players in action across the globe during the week, but they are a team that seem to get the job done with ease. They are also up against a team who have been struggling on their travels. Comfortable win. Verdict: 3-0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Liverpool v Fulham The problem with Fulham is that they have only been picking up their points at home. This weekend they are up against a team who are playing very well. Liverpool are doing well across the whole of the team - it's not just Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres producing the goals. Fulham need to start improving their away form. Verdict: 2-0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Man City v Arsenal The Gunners have to hit back after their Aston Villa loss, but there's no doubting that Arsene Wenger's side is still a very good one. Manchester City are looking very vulnerable when they haven't got the ball and Arsenal should be able to control this game. It's also a big pitch at Eastlands, which will help the visitors. Verdict: 1-2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Middlesbrough v Bolton This is a home win for Boro. Like Everton, they are unbeaten in five games, have great competition for places and are still improving. Bolton's two good wins were followed last week by a defeat to Liverpool and I am a little bit worried about where their goals are coming from. As long as Boro can deal with the physicalities of Bolton I think they will sneak it. Verdict: 2-1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Portsmouth v Hull Hull have struggled recently - they haven't won a league game for nearly a month - but they had a real go against Manchester City last week. I like all the positive changes Phil Brown makes during a game though, which are designed to win games. Portsmouth are slowly but surely getting back on track with Tony Adams in charge. Portsmouth is a really tough place to go and I think they will get the points. Verdict: 1-0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stoke v West Brom Both teams will be hugely aware that a win will feel like six points because of their lowly position in the table. The general problem for West Brom is not being able to stop their opponents. I think it will be a draw and that will be frustrating for both teams. Verdict: 1-1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Aston Villa v Man Utd (1730 GMT) Aston Villa haven't got a great record against United. As good as their result was last week beating Arsenal, I still fancy United. And there's also the fact that one or two members of United were getting a rest during the week of international duty. Verdict: 0-2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- SUNDAY Tottenham v Blackburn (1330 GMT) Paul Ince's Blackburn team have been trying to play more football recently, but they seem to have lost their difficulty to play against. They have also been struggling on the road. Everyone knows how well Harry Redknapp has done at White Hart Lane so far - they've had their problems with goalkeeping but all they need to do is play with the ball down the other end. Verdict: 2-0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Sunderland v West Ham (1600 GMT) Roy Keane's Sunderland side had a great win last week beating Blackburn away and the good work should continue this weekend. West Ham are really struggling in all areas and it has been a very tough introduction for boss Gianfranco Zola. Problems to continue. Verdict: 2-0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- MONDAY Wigan v Everton (2000 GMT) Wigan are doing well - they could and should have won at Newcastle. But Everton are proving very difficult to beat - unbeaten in five - and also have strikers Louis Saha and Yakubu in good form. This should be an entertaining draw. Verdict: 2-2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
