The headlines this week will be dominated by Chelsea-Man U at Stamford Bridge. I won't have time to review all the games, as I am concerning myself with a big move this weekend. I will make some quick predictions though.
Prediction Tally to Date: 11 out of 19 (58%) correct, with 4 exact.
Last week: 6 out of 10, with 4 exact!
Saturday
Liverpool v Stoke
It's always a fun little game, waiting to see what lineup the ridiculous little Rafa will put out on the pitch. And by fun little game, I mean a gut wrenching, anxious wade out into the lake of expectation. Benitez should have Torres and Gerrard at his disposal with improving health, and this weekend looks as good as any to get Robbie Keane going. Stoke has been more game than people expected, but look for them to take a hit this week.
Liverpool 3 – 0 Stoke
Blackburn v Fulham
Blackburn has struggled since their first game, realizing life without one of the League's top keepers is no fun. Friedal is gone, but Roque Santa Cruz should be back after being taken out with an injury last weekend. I haven't given Fulham enough respect to pick them as yet. It may come back to bite me again this week.
Blackburn 1-1 Fulham
Bolton v Arsenal
Wenger has Arsenal playing at a high level with a finishing presence in the PL this year. But, a lackluster performance at home against Dynamo in the CL may dampen some of their momentum. Bolton will have to overachieve this year to stay in these types of games.
Bolton 0 – 2 Arsenal
Sunderland v Middlesbrough
The Black Cats were a good home squad last season under Roy Keane. Keane hasn't found the right combinations with their new talent up front, so they will be looking to get right against 'Boro. Middlesbrough has looked like a top half team, and Mido is playing up to his talent, which he hasn't done often in the past couple of seasons.
Sunderland 1– 1 Middlesbrough
West Ham v Newcastle
Here we have a battle of two clubs in disarray. While the Hammers have named a permanent replacement in Zola, the Magpies have yet to settle anything outside the fact the fans are decidedly pissed off at Ashley and company. I thought Newcastle could put it behind them and go out and play balls out last weekend. I was wrong. They have off the field turmoil and a slew of injuries to deal with, including Guitierrez, who after some impressive games, is now out for at least a couple of weeks.
West Ham 2 – 0 Newcastle
Sunday
Chelsea v Manchester United
As with many Liverpool-Chelsea matches, these affairs end up being closely contested battles in which neither team want to make a mistake, and as a result, they both play very tight. Unlike Liverpool-Chelsea, let's hope it is not 90 minutes plus of sloppy, boring football (a trend those two teams reversed in the CL last year). Ronaldo will be back and fired up against the Blues. Both teams have a lot to prove in this one. Man U could be a dangerous hole with a loss at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 2-1 Man United
Manchester City v Portsmouth
Pompey has looked like a fifth place contender since dropping their first two against Chelsea and Man Utd. Man City is going to be a quality team, but I expect more inconsistency than anything else, early on this season.
Man City 2 – 3 Portsmouth
Tottenham v Wigan
Tottenham did get a win this week, but we will see if the PL is a different story. You've gotta like how Amr Zaki and Wigan have come out this year. They are the type of team that is easy to root for. I don't think I can go in fully for Spurs until I see them starting finishing against a Prem squad.
Tottenham 2 – 2 Wigan
Hull v Everton
Everton looked better last week, and David Moyes can only hope that is a sign of things to come. The Toffees looked like an uninspired, dreary squad from the preseason forward, but the injection of some new blood along with Aussie Tim Cahill should liven them up. Hull has been entertaining, whether it is winning in an offensive back and forth, or getting racked up by Wigan.
Hull 1 – 3 Everton
West Brom v Aston Villa
Ashley Young is more and more impressive each time he hits the pitch. I expect some big clubs to come calling this summer, making it nearly impossible for Villa to hold onto their star winger. For now, he and the Villa attack are rolling right along, and hopefully for Martin O'Neil, the loss of John Carew isn't too much of a hit. West Brom got a big win last week against a team in crisis, don't expect a repeat performance.
West Brom 0 – 2 Aston Villa
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