Image Multimediaimpre – Flickr
After Champions League catastrophes for 3 of the 4 Premier League sides this week, they will be desperate for the Premier League to restart. Pressure is starting to mount for Reading, QPR and Southampton and both Arsenal & Spurs will be looking to kick-start their campaign to finish in the top 4. Lots to play for then……
Aston Villa v Norwich
Villa continue to struggle, whereas last weekend Norwich claimed their biggest scalp of the season against Arsenal. Villa must surely get something from this game if they are get any sort of momentum going this season. Norwich will be eyeing up a point here. Villa 2-1 Norwich
Arsenal v QPR
Arsenal continue to be an enigma – capable of destroying teams and making basic mistakes, often in the same 5 minutes. However, QPR look to be in real trouble. Hughes has failed to make his well-paid journeymen gel, and time may be running out for him. Arsenal 3-0 QPR
Stoke v Sunderland
Both sides having shown their battling capabilities this season. It will be interesting to see if there are still 22 players on the field at the end of 90 minutes. The Britannia Stadium is a tough place to go, but Sunderland have slightly more quality than Stoke. Stoke 1-1 Sunderland
Wigan v West Ham
West Ham have impressed this season. They seem hungry and well organised. Wigan remain hit and miss and already look like they will spend the season scrambling for points. Wigan 0-0 West Ham
Reading v Fulham
The Royals remain without a win after 7 games. Fulham are holding up well after losing some of their top performers. Both sides will be thinking this is a fixture where points can be won, but Reading just look short of quality and destined for the drop. Reading 1-2 Fulham
Man City v Swansea
Everyone is waiting Man City to click into gear and start behaving and playing like champions. Until then, any well organised side will fancy their chances against them. It may be to Swanseas detriment that they play football the right way – allowing City to do the same. Swansea got back to winning ways last week, but I dont see them making it two in a row. Man City 3-1 Swansea
Everton v Liverpool
Merseyside derbies are often fraught affairs, low on quality but high on endeavour. As such, Everton are the form team and better equipped for a battle. Liverpool’s problem remains putting the ball in the net and in a game like this, chances are at a premium. Everton 1-0 Liverpool
Southampton v Tottenham
Only 8 games into the season and The Saints are wobbling. They’ve lost 6 games have only recorded one win. Though Spurs will still be missing some key players, they should have too much quality and drive for the home side. Southampton 1-3 Tottenham
Newcastle v West Bromwich Albion
Last years surprise package versus this years. Newcastle have had a mixed season so far and West Brom will be no pushovers, even at St James’s Park. The Baggies were unlucky in defeat to champions Man City last weekend and will have no fear going into this game. That said, I still fancy this game as the point when Newcastle start recovering their form and confidence. Newcastle 2-0 West Brom
Chelsea v Man Utd
The big game of the weekend. Chelsea are the only title contenders to show any sort of decent early form, and have a midfield to die for. Alex Ferguson always makes his teams greater than the sum of their parts, but he can’t work miracles, and they will do well to get anything out of this game. Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd
Mark Cruise is a Soccer Writer for Rantsports. Follow him on Twitter – @chiefhairyman #rantsoccer
