The Premier League comes back from the International break with some fascinating matches at both ends of the table.
Blackburn v Arsenal
Arsenal has looked really good at home this season, with their only loss coming away to Fulham. Arsenal is not the same team away from the Emirates and I can see them struggling here at Blackburn. Arsenal will win the game but not convincingly.
Fulham v Bolton
A critical game for two teams that will be in the bottom half of the table this year. Fulham, like Arsenal, are a much better team at home than away and I expect the home team to prevail here with Fulham winning this game.
Liverpool v Man Utd
One of the two blockbuster games on this week’s fixture list. Rafa has never beaten Sir Alex and without Stevie G and Torres I cannot see Liverpool winning this one. United have struggled for goals this year and it will take Berbatov a couple of weeks to get adjusted to his new surroundings. This game has a low scoring draw written all over it.
Man City v Chelsea
This game might be the first match up between billionaire owners in EPL history. The Robinho transfer saga will get a lot of press this week, but the big news is that Michael Essien will be out of action for several months.
Chelsea has looked hot and cold this season and with little time to prepare I expect them to struggle at Eastlands. In what will be an entertaining game I expect Chelsea to do just enough to get all three points.
Newcastle v Hull City
Newcastle is in complete disarray with the resignation of King Kev. Whoever replaces Keegan will have a really hard time wining over the home fans. With a hostile home crowd I expect Hull to go to Newcastle and get a critical point away from home.
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
This is a good early season test for the Gareth Southgate and a Boro team that has already taken 6 points this season. Portsmouth have a little more quality throughout the pitch than Boro and Fratton Park is never an easy place to go. I expect Pompey to win this one by a couple of goals.
West Brom v West Ham
West Ham have made a good start to the season and must be relishing going to bottom team West Brom, regardless of who the Hammers manager is. West Brom are missing that bit of class in the last 3rd of the park that is the difference between staying up and going down. I expect West ham to heap more misery on West Brom fans by winning this one.
Wigan Athletic v Sunderland
Good battle between former Manchester United stars. Both clubs will be disappointed that they only have 3 points from their first three games, but Wigan was been impressive against Chelsea and Stoke. Sunderland do not travel well and I expect Wigan to grab all three points here.
Stoke City v Everton
Everton has already dropped 6 points so far this season and if they are to be serious European contenders then they need to win at Stoke. Stoke will have a full house cheering them on, but I cannot see them breaking through Everton’s defense.
Tottenham v Aston Villa
This looks like a good battle between two teams who have European ambitions but have gotten off to slow starts. The revolving door at Tottenham has closed with the end of the transfer window and Juande Ramos can finally get to know all his new players.
Villa would be top if they had not had a bad away loss to Stoke and Martin O’Neil will be looking for a better road performance this week. This should be an entertaining game that ends in a high-scoring draw.
