A look at this weekends games in the English Premier League.
Blackburn v Man United
Manchester United seem to be getting into form with Ronaldo back and healthy and that is bad news for a Blackburn team that is still finding its way under new boss Paul Ince. I cannot see anything other than a United win here.
Sunderland v Arsenal
Last week’s loss at home to Hull was a major shock for this young Arsenal team. I do not expect a repeat of that performance this weekend. Sunderland have yet to show the sort of home form that helped them stay up last year and Roy Keane has to regain that winning form at home. It just will not happen this week. Arsenal win this one.
West Brom v Fulham
This is a real 6 pointer for two teams who will spend the season in the bottom half of the league. The hope for any team fighting relegation is that they win their home games and this is a game that West Brom have to win. Fulham are improving but they need to pick up some points on the road before I will consider them better than last year. This one ends up as a home win.
Wigan Athletic v Middlesbrough
I like what Steve Bruce is doing at Wigan and the loan signing of Amr Zaki looks to be the deal of the summer. Middlesbrough have struggled since the International break with injuries and form and I cannot see them getting anything from this game. Wigan wins this one.
Chelsea v Aston Villa
This is the game of the weekend. Both are playing well and enjoying playing attacking football. This is a real test for Villa. They have made a really good start to the season and this will be an important measuring stick for them. Chelsea area little banged up at the moment and are relying too much on goals from the midfield. In an exciting game, this game ends up as a draw.
Everton v Newcastle
This is a game that both teams need to win. Everton needs to get back to winning games at Goodison while Newcastle is in a free-fall. I expect that Everton bounce back from getting knocked out the UEFA cup with a win here, heaping more pressure on Joe Kinnear.
Man City v Liverpool
What Manchester City team will show up this week? The team that hammered Portsmouth of the one that lost to Wigan last week? Man City are a different team playing at the Eastlands and I expect them to play much better against a Liverpool side that has learned how to grind out results this season. This one looks like a draw to me.
Portsmouth v Stoke City
Huge win for Portsmouth in mid-week but that defense of theirs is much weaker than last year and that will give Stoke fans hope that they can score at Fratton Park. Games come down to who can make the most of their chances and Pompey have more quality up front than Stoke and that will matter here as Portsmouth win this game.
Tottenham v Hull City
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is in danger and they desperately need a win here against a Hull side that shocked Arsenal last week. Winning back-to-back road games in North London is to big a challenge for Hull and I expect Spurs to get their first win of the season and move away from the bottom of the table.
West Ham v Bolton
West Ham are picking up wins without being too convincing while Bolton were robbed at Old Trafford last week. You know that West Ham under Gianfranco Zola will attack and create chances but you cannot say that about a Bolton team who are really struggling to score goals. This will be a long season for Bolton fans and I cannot see them getting anything from this game. This is a West Ham victory
