Another exciting weekend in the Prem. Man U could be top of the tape by Saturday night, Chelsea have a chance to do a thrashing of their own, and on Monday the battle between the Red half and the Blue half of Mersey resumes.Saturday
Newcastle United at Blackburn - Big Sam faces his old club, and he really wants this one. Don't be surprised if Roque Santa Cruz is suddenly fit, to help Sam get all three points, and to fetch a higher price for Blackburn. Newcastle have a host of injuries(surprise), and predicting this game is like predicting the wind(can you predict the wind?). Tie 1-1
Man U at Bolton - Man U has a chance to go top of the table if they win this game. Bolton beat them last year, and United have Rooney, Evra and Rio out for this match. Bolton will rely on set pieces, but with Nolan and Elmander out they'll have their own problems. Look for a bit of class from Berbatov, Tevez and Ronaldo to make the difference in this match. Man U 2-0
Stoke at Chelsea - This is the kind of game you would circle as a gimme, but due to Chelsea's current form and their home problems, things may not be so simple. Drogba is supposed to come back, but Joe Cole is injured and Deco has fortuitously picked up a calf injury. With Malouda fit, it will be interesting to see who starts, and who comes off the bench for Chelsea. James Beattie will start for Stoke, while Fuller is still suspended for hitting Andy Griffin. Stoke will want to play physical, and take advantage of throw ins and free kicks. Last week's loss was bad, but anything less than three points from this match would be apocalyptic. Chelsea 3-0
Wigan at Man City - Wigan are the in form team, and they travel to a Man City team that is having all sorts of problems. Kaka, Bellamy and the rest of the world have been linked with the club, so their is probably a lack of confidence in the side. Wigan played a tight game with Man U, and as long as Valencia is still in their side they should be confident. Robinho is fit, but Ireland is out and Wright-Phillips has a knock. If Wigan's defense can hold, they should grab a point. Tie 1-1
Aston Villa at Sunderland - Villa are unbeaten in their last nine, and there's no reason they shouldn't make this ten. Carew and Bouma are both close to coming back, but expect Agbonlahor, Young and Milner to lead the line. Malbranque is suspended, while McCartney and Gordon are still injured. Villa have been as lucky as they have been good, and they'll need that luck against a physical Sunderland side. Villa 2-1
Middlesbrough at West Brom - Middlesbrough have looked the opposite of confident(unconfident?), while West Brom are playing with the house's money(definitely not a sponsor's). Morrison is injured for the Baggies, while Teixeira could start and loan signing Fortune could factor. Gareth Southgate is relying on the class of Downing, Alves and Mido to push Boro through. West Brom have gotten four of their five wins at home, and will be hoping for another, and this one could go either way. Tie 1-1
Arsenal at Hull - Hull defeated Arsenal at the Emirates to begin the Gunners slide, and they'll be wanting revenge. Hull have looked a shell of their former selves, but new signings Kilbane and Manucho could start. Arsenal are still dealing with injuries, and have Gallas and Silvestre on the short term list. This should be similar to their game against Bolton, and Arsenal will be relying on some brilliance to put them ahead. RVP or Nasri should supply it. Arsenal 2-1
Sunday
Fulham at West Ham - A London derby, with both teams doing pretty well. Fulham's defense has become one of the league's best, while Bellamy and Cole have been pouring it in for the Hammers. A number of West Ham players are linked with moves away, while Bullard could shortly leave the Mighty Whites. If Bullard is fit, this could be a good battle of the Hammers counter attack versus the back to front build up of Fulham. Tie 1-1
Portsmouth at Tottenham - Harry's revenge, or is it Pomepy's revenge? It will be a battle of former strike partners, as Defoe leads his line against Peter Crouch. Each will want to prove their supremacy, and 'Ansome 'Arry 'Oudini will want to show why he was worth all that money. Tottenham have been struggling late, and if Portsmouth can hold it tight, they might be able to nick one. Tottenham 2-1
Monday
Everton at Liverpool - Everton have been playing a 4-6-0(Cahill isn't really a striker), and will be without Fellaini this game. That should really hurt them, as Torres and Alonso are both expected to start, and Kuyt will be able to use his aerial ability. Liverpool will know what they need to be in first place at this point, and if Man U wins, three points is all that will suffice. Liverpool 2-0
