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The Weekender: Premier League previews and predictions

Premiership Preview
Liverpool take on Chelsea in the game of the weekend while Manchester City host fierce rivals United on a Sunday that could definitively shape the title race. Elsewhere, Tottenham need points and fast - they play Derby - Newcastle are up against Aston Villa, and high-flying Everton go to Reading. Footballing World previews and predicts the outcome of all ten clashes.

Portsmouth v Bolton (1245 UK)
A relegation struggle is looming for Sammy Lee’s Bolton after defeats to Newcastle and Fulham, but while their own defence is struggling, they face a Portsmouth side potentially without Sol Campbell, Noe Pamarot, Gary O’Neil, Dejan Stefanovic and Lauren, while Sulley Muntari’s suspension could leave Harry Redknapp with just 16 senior players.

It already seems imperative that Bolton take at least a point from this encounter as Lee struggles to work his 4-4-2 formation, a change from Sam Allardyce’s successful 4-3-3 tactic. Portsmouth’s half-time adjustments versus Manchester United triggered a much-improved performance, which gained them their second point of the season, and eyes will be on goalscorer Benjani and expensive new striker signing David Nugent to provide the impetus.

Prediction: 1-1

Birmingham v West Ham
An early relegation ‘six-pointer’ against Sunderland yielded only one point following a stoppage time equaliser from old boy Stern John and while their fellow promoted club have picked up four points, Steve Bruce’s side look set for a difficult campaign. They will have midfielder Olivier Kapo and central defender Johan Djourou back, and after West Ham’s sluggish start to the new campaign, there is hope and expectation that Birmingham will pick up their first victory.

The Hammers were expected to challenge for a Uefa Cup position, but the loss of Carlos Tévez – due in some part to manager Alan Curbishley, claim reports – and Yossi Benayoun may have tarnished that dream. Despite preserving West Ham’s top-flight status, there is pressure growing on Curbishley to demonstrate that he has the ability to lead the club into the top six, something he never achieved at Charlton. Kieron Dyer will play in a match both sets of supporters believe is winnable.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v Middlesbrough
Lawrie Sanchez has spent £24m, so relegation ought to be off the cards but optimism is hardly rife at Craven Cottage. Yet an unexpectedly close match at the Emirates Stadium in the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal gave credence to the manager’s policy of signing players who are familiar with English football, and the subsequent 2-1 win against Bolton has initiated Fulham’s season. Sanchez has no new injury worries, with Antti Niemi expected to miss out again, and he has the predatory David Healy up front – he has scored two in two matches.

Middlesbrough, and manager Gareth Southgate, are finding Premier League life gruelling. Defeats at home to Blackburn and at Wigan have cut the odds on Southgate being the first boss to get the boot and on Boro to be relegated. Stewart Downing may miss out but Mido could start after his £6m transfer from Tottenham, and the visitors desperately need to find form and goals if they are to climb away from the relegation zone, but they look directionless after a tough summer in the transfer market, which looks set to end with the exit of Yakubu.

Prediction: 1-0

Reading v Everton
Everton have continued from where they left off last season, and seem set to challenge the top six again. Victory over Tottenham on Tuesday made it six points from six and early form bodes well for the impending Uefa Cup campaign. Mikel Arteta once again is the brain and delivery behind Everton’s attack – which has scored five goals in two matches – and the squad’s togetherness is both palpable and important in what promises to be a marathon season.

Steve Coppell takes pride in his side having a good disciplinary record, but a red card in each of the first two matches have intimated that Reading’s bid to avoid ‘second season syndrome’ will mean they are more physical and less likely to play the exciting football of last season. The dearth of transfer activity has its pros and cons, but a draw against Manchester United suggests the work ethic has been retained, and the nightmare fixture list resumes when they host Everton, an equally hard-working side and just as keen to pick up maximum points in order to continue building momentum.

Prediction: 0-2

Tottenham v Derby
Whereas Reading’s fixture list inspired trepidation, Spurs’ was far kinder. Martin Jol’s side faced two promoted clubs in their first three matches, as well as a seemingly winnable home tie against Everton, but again it has been a slow start by a club with lofty expectations. Many predicted Spurs would steal fourth position from Arsenal, but such a climax already looks improbable after consecutive defeats. Injuries to star man Dimitar Berbatov and new signing Younes Kaboul have further dampened the pre-season anticipation, but even with the likes of Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon injured, Spurs should be strong enough to see off Derby.

Derby, the weakest of the three promoted clubs, earned a respectable draw at home to Portsmouth on the opening day but their lack of quality was exposed in a tame defeat at Manchester City. Giles Barnes, their most creative player, is still unavailable and Billy Davies must be wary of a slow start, as Watford had a year ago, which can make survival look impossible just a few months in.

Prediction: 3-0

Wigan v Sunderland
Antoine Sibierski is proving an astute signing by Chris Hutchings; the striker, who arrived on a free transfer, has scored twice, including the precious winner against Middlesbrough. Wigan, however, remain relegation candidates and Hutchings’ managerial ability will be tested in the home encounter with high-flying Sunderland. Carlos Edwards is out for a month but the hero of last Wednesday, Stern John, could earn a start.

Sunderland appear to be belying the fate traditionally handed out to promoted clubs by scoring late goals rather than conceding them. Roy Keane’s side are highly motivated, and have earned three points with goals in stoppage time, stealing a march on Birmingham and Derby in the league table. The omens are good for Keane’s first season as a top-flight manager, and expect their unbeaten run to continue at the JJB Stadium.

Prediction: 0-0

Newcastle v Aston Villa (1715 UK)
Despite coming close to taking a point off Liverpool, Aston Villa were unimpressive in their opening match and Martin O’Neill’s hopes of another managerial miracle look distant. Newcastle, conversely, hammered Bolton and Sam Allardyce looks capable of guiding the club back into Europe.

Michael Owen will return to the squad, joining an imposing group of strikers at St James’ Park, while Scott Carson could deputise in goal for Villa. Sometimes a new face is enough to transform a sleeping giant, and Newcastle’s support certainly believe Allardyce is the man to carry out the revolution.

Prediction: 3-1

Manchester City v Manchester United (Sun, 1330)
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s first serious test as a club manager in England is against the out-of-form Manchester United, who after only two matches, trail Chelsea by four points. A dour draw with Reading was hardly the ideal start, and though the performance at Portsmouth was superior, United failed to kill the game off and were forced to settle for a point. Without suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, some of United’s flair will be missing, and with Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville unavailable once more, Sunday’s match poses a perfect opportunity for City to stun their rivals.

Eriksson has no new injury frets, but he acknowledges that his squad will have to be on top form against a United side desperately in need of a win. From Sir Alex Ferguson’s perspective, champion’s form is needed on Sunday to keep United in the championship race.

Prediction: 1-2

Blackburn v Arsenal (Sun)
Mark Hughes’ side started their campaign early in the Intertoto Cup, and chalked up an impressive victory at Middlesbrough last Saturday. Roque Santa Cruz provides a big threat in front of goal, though the home support will be praying Benni McCarthy has recovered in time to play – the South African netted a fantastic winning strike in last season’s FA Cup replay to beat Arsenal.

Eduardo Da Silva is ready to debut in a match sure to rekindle the frosty relations between the two sides, who faced each other four times in the 2006/7 campaign. Gilberto was sent off in last season’s corresponding fixture – though Arsenal won 2-0 – while Cesc Fàbregas irked Blackburn manager Hughes when the Gunners drew 0-0 at the Emirates, provoking a foul-mouthed reaction from the Welshman. With Blackburn playing on Thursday, Arsenal should ensure they attain maximum points again after a narrow win at home to Fulham last Sunday.

Prediction: 0-2

Liverpool v Chelsea (Sun, 1600)
This clash is being played far too early in the season, but it will nevertheless offer an insight into Liverpool’s bid for the league championship. Manchester United’s slow start means a win for either of these sides on Sunday will propel them into an early advantage, and after an unconvincing start at Aston Villa, the hosts must up their game if they are to repeat last season’s 2-0 victory and finally demonstrate that they have the means to challenge for a league crown. Steven Gerrard will take painkillers to play, and Jermaine Pennant may start, with memories of his fantastic goal against Chelsea in January still vivid.

After being knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool – again – at the end of last season, José Mourinho will want vengeance. Scoring goals appears less of a problem now, with five scored in two matches, and Mourinho will look to Didier Drogba to provide the firepower, alongside Claudio Pizarro or Salomon Kalou, and supported by the excellent Florent Malouda. Chelsea’s defence, however, has been erratic, potentially leaving room for Liverpool’s new-look strike-force to explode into action.

Prediction: 1-1

Will Man Utd pick up their first victory and will Chelsea secure a draw at Anfield? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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