Prognostications
Time to start doing something new, predicting the future. Here are my guesses for the weekend.
Portsmouth v Bolton
Bolton has started poorly, and this looks like a tough place to get back on track. Can Portsmouth get their first win? Portsmouth 2-1
Tottenham v Derby
Tottenham has also started poorly, but they also have to fight higher expectations. Derby is going to be fighting for their lives all season, but I think Tottenham will reward their home fans. Tottenham 1-0
Birmingham v West Ham
West Ham looked dreadful against Man City, while Birmingham put in the goals against Chelsea and Sunderland. Will West Ham turn it around? I don't think so. Birmingham 3-1
Wigan v Sunderland
Wigan has fought hard in their two games and earned a valuable 3 points. But Sunderland has had a dream start and must be flying high. Smells like an entertaining match. Draw 1-1
Fulham v Middlesbrough
Neither team has much to hang their hat on. Fulham beat Bolton, but that doesn't convince me of anything right now, but 'Boro doesn't even have that. Fulham feels the better team. Fulham 1-0
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Newcastle ran rampant over Bolton, but that's not looking as impressive as it would have last year. Aston Villa fought hard against Liverpool, but came up short in the end. Hard to say who is better right now, but Aston Villa has history and the home pitch on their side. Aston Villa 2-1
Reading v Everton
Reading continues the rough schedule to start their season. Everton is playing well and taking care of business. Two missing players because of red cards will hamper Reading. Everton 2-0
Blackburn v Arsenal
Good start for Blackburn, but nothing impressive. Arsenal took care of business, but I don't know what their team is like. Draw 1-1
Man City v Man United
Eriksson has City clicking, but Ferguson must be hating the start United has put together. This is the type of game that Eriksson relishes, but will he fall into a defensive shell? No Rooney and no Ronaldo will test United's depths, and I don't know if they have enough. Man City 2-0
Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool still isn't scoring lots of goals, but Chelsea is giving up more goals than usual. I wonder how Benitez will approach this match - conservative like their Champions League matches, or more attacking to try and expose Chelsea and give Mourinho more to think about? Can Liverpool hold off Drogba, who always gives them fits. My heart says Liverpool, but my head doesn't know. Chelsea 2-1
Portsmouth v Bolton
Bolton has started poorly, and this looks like a tough place to get back on track. Can Portsmouth get their first win? Portsmouth 2-1
Tottenham v Derby
Tottenham has also started poorly, but they also have to fight higher expectations. Derby is going to be fighting for their lives all season, but I think Tottenham will reward their home fans. Tottenham 1-0
Birmingham v West Ham
West Ham looked dreadful against Man City, while Birmingham put in the goals against Chelsea and Sunderland. Will West Ham turn it around? I don't think so. Birmingham 3-1
Wigan v Sunderland
Wigan has fought hard in their two games and earned a valuable 3 points. But Sunderland has had a dream start and must be flying high. Smells like an entertaining match. Draw 1-1
Fulham v Middlesbrough
Neither team has much to hang their hat on. Fulham beat Bolton, but that doesn't convince me of anything right now, but 'Boro doesn't even have that. Fulham feels the better team. Fulham 1-0
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Newcastle ran rampant over Bolton, but that's not looking as impressive as it would have last year. Aston Villa fought hard against Liverpool, but came up short in the end. Hard to say who is better right now, but Aston Villa has history and the home pitch on their side. Aston Villa 2-1
Reading v Everton
Reading continues the rough schedule to start their season. Everton is playing well and taking care of business. Two missing players because of red cards will hamper Reading. Everton 2-0
Blackburn v Arsenal
Good start for Blackburn, but nothing impressive. Arsenal took care of business, but I don't know what their team is like. Draw 1-1
Man City v Man United
Eriksson has City clicking, but Ferguson must be hating the start United has put together. This is the type of game that Eriksson relishes, but will he fall into a defensive shell? No Rooney and no Ronaldo will test United's depths, and I don't know if they have enough. Man City 2-0
Liverpool v Chelsea
Liverpool still isn't scoring lots of goals, but Chelsea is giving up more goals than usual. I wonder how Benitez will approach this match - conservative like their Champions League matches, or more attacking to try and expose Chelsea and give Mourinho more to think about? Can Liverpool hold off Drogba, who always gives them fits. My heart says Liverpool, but my head doesn't know. Chelsea 2-1