Tottenham V Chelsea
The return of the Special one, well part two anyway. AVB who was nicknamed the second coming of the Special One when he arrived at Chelsea before his ill fated spell at the London club and now he takes charge of a club not that far away in the form of Spurs. AVB's men are unbeaten since the loss at Newcastle in the opening game of the season and have beaten Manchester United, Villa and QPR.
The problem is that they come up against A Chelsea side in the same kind of form who are sitting pretty at the top of the table as well. Chelsea are unbeaten in the league and have notched up wins against Arsenal, Newcastle and Stoke this season so the scene is set. Defoe, Bale, Lennon and Dempsey up against Torres, Hazard, Oscar and Mata. It's the early Kick off so expect fireworks at lunchtime and a cracking game of football.
Players to Watch - Eden Hazard/Gareth Bale 0 - Players in top form right now
Predicted Scoreline - 2-2
Fulham v Aston Villa
In contrast this match looks the most odds on for a draw if you were a betting man. Fulham are a force on their own patch but defensive frailities continues to haunt them, Whilst Paul Lambert's side are showing signs of a mini revival after their early woes. Fulham at 9th are a few places above Villa at 15th, Villa got thumped 4-1 away to Southampton last week so expect a response here. Fulham lost their last game at home to Manchester City which is no disgrace so expect them ready to fire here, with goals expected this could be an exciting game on the eye.
Players to Watch - Dimitar Berbatov/ Christian Benteke
Predicted Scoreline 3 - 1
Liverpool v Reading
With all respect to Reading, I think this will be on the most one sided games of the weekend. Liverpool at home are always a mixed bag with a great performance normally resulting in a disappointing result. They have lost at home to Arsenal and Manchester United which isn't really a bad result but they really are unpredictable this season. Liverpool have one 3 pointer under their belts this season and that was a 5-2 win away to Norwich. Reading on the other hand have not won at all this season and I don't see this changing anytime soon with a draw probably their best option if Liverpool struggle to get over their psychologic problems at Anfield. The Brendan Rodgers era is definitely starting to show promise with Rodgers getting the best out of players like Shelvey, Sterling, Kelly and co.
Players to Watch - Luis Suarez/ Alex McCarthy
Predicted Scoreline - 2-0
Manchester United v Stoke City
United could be in for a long afternoon if they don't try to negate Stoke's aerial bombardment, United struggled against Stoke last season home and away and have struggled to hit any kind of form this season amidst defensive frailties. The win at Newcastle last game could be where they kick on from now. After losing to Spurs at home they outclassed Newcastle at the Sports Direct Arena which is no easy fate. Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney are slowly starting to find a partnership which will worry Stoke because whilst they might match United in height and physical stature, movement off the ball and composure is something the Potters severly lack. Creativity also.
Players to Watch - Wayne Rooney/ Michael Kightly
Predicted Scoreline - 3-1
Swansea City v Wigan Athletic
Swansea are on a barren run of late, Their opening 3 fixtures yielded 7 points and some classy performances, however their other 4 have yielded 1 point against sides who they should have been taking more against which is worrying considering the big boys are in town next week. The Liberty was a fortress last season where they only got beat 4 times last season and need something along the same lines again this season.
They got soundly beat at home by Everton recently and just about managed a draw last despite being 2-0 down at home to Reading. Wigan despite lacking quality since the departure of Victor Moses to Chelsea still have some exciting talent in the forms of Shaun Maloney and Franko Di Santo. Last time out they held Everton at home 2-2 which if you consider Leighton Baines nicked a late penalty it could have been a bit better. Swansea need this game more than Wigan and need better protection at the back with the back four constantly changing.
Players to Watch - Michu/Shaun Maloney
Predicted Scoreline - 2-1
West Brom v Man City
A potential banana skin here for the reigning champions. West Brom under Steve Clark are a complete package this season and the signing of Lukaku from Chelsea on loan. The home side sit comfortably at 6th in the league and only a point behind their fabled counterparts. West Brom's defeat at home to Liverpool remains their only blemmish in what has been a particularly exciting opening from the Hawthorns outfit. Man City on the other hand have had two wins recently which came after two draws so not all doom and gloom for a side who have been deemed a little underprepared this season. West Brom have promised goals this season and Man City always manage to score goals wherever they go.
Players to Watch - Romelu Lukaku/ Carlos Tevez
Predicted Scoreline - 1-3
West Ham v Southampton
West Ham are a mixed bag this season, they were simply beaten by Arsenal at home last game, Beat QPR and drew to Sunderland so you can't really predict this one in fairness. Southampton are actually in the same boat, early performances yielded attractive games but not attractive points on the board. The boys from St Mary's drew at Fulham recently which is surrounded by a pretty standard defeat to Everton and yet put 4 past Villa so it's hard to guage where they are right now. This result could simply could either with James Collins and Hooiveld on each sides having numerous lapses at the back costing their sides so expect a fair few goals here.
Predicted Scoreline - 2-1
Players to Watch - Andy Carroll/Adam Lallana
Norwich City v Arsenal
Last season in this fixture RVP showed his class with a performance of pace and precision. The Gunners came out 2-1 winners here and drew 3-3 at the Emirates so we know goals are a given. Arsenal look steely at the back but have yet to truly continue to click over numerous games. They won away in their last outing against West Ham and lost at home against Chelsea so i think Arsene Wenger will be happy his team are on the travels again this time out. Arsenal are at 7th whilst Norwich are contrasting whilst sitting in 19th place and have struggled to find anything from last season which served them well but it is early days so far.
Predicted Scoreline - 0-2
Players to Watch - Grant Holt/ Santi Cazorla
Sunday fixtures - 21/10/12
Sunderland v Newcastle United
The other derby of the weekend tales place in the north with the Tyneside bragging rights up for sale as well as the valuable 3 points. The two clubs are only 2 points at this stage with Newcastle in 10th and Sunderland in 13th which means if Sunderland win this weekend then they will overtake their neighbours which as all rivals will say is a huge psychological boost over the other. Both clubs come into this game on heavy defeats against the Manchester clubs with Newcastle's game more worrying since it was at their own stomping ground. This game is known for bad blood and sendings off. You can bet Lee Cattermole will be somewhere around the action. Having already been sent off 5 times in his Sunderland career. He has built a reputation for an uncompromising player.
Predicted Scoreline - 1-1
Players to Watch - Stephane Sessegnon/ Demba Ba
QPR V Everton
The last game of the weekend features two sides essentially on the opposite ends of the form spectrum, QPR sit rock bottom of the Premier League with a solitary 2 points. Whereas Everton on the other hand sit in 4th after some terrific early season promise slowly halted with the draw away to Wigan recently although remember Everton have only lost once this season away to West Brom. QPR always seem to manage goals, the problem is that it's normally against them which is the problem whilst Everton have plenty of attacking options which is worrying for a QPR side whose home form is also questionable. Baines and Piennarr to cause huge problems down the left.
Predicted Scoreline - 1-2
Players to Watch - Junior Hoilett, Marouane Fallaini
Much Appreciated
D.John
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