Premiership Preview

Saturday

Fulham Vs Arsenal   (BT Sports 12.45 ko)

After their loss last weekend to Villa and all the negativity about their lack of signings at the club fans and manager alike were relived of the three-nil win against Femerbache which will get Arsenal into the champions league proper for the sixteenth time in a row which is some sort of achievement. The problem over lack of signings is still there and business will need to pick up next week if there is any chance they will win anything this season. They face a tricky tie against a Fulham side which recorded a rare away against Sunderland and with Dimitar Berbatov in their side against a patched up Arsenal defence in particular they will prove a threat and traditionally these are tight derby matches. I would still fancy an Arsenal win though but it will not be easy.

Prediction: Fulham 1 Arsenal 2

Everton Vs West Brom (Setanta Sports 1 3.00 ko)

Everton should be favorites for this one as they would have been disappointed about dropping two points to Norwich last weekend. West Brom struggled last week in losing to Southampton and even though it was a last minute penalty and goal they conceded it was deserved victory for Southampton and Roberto Martinez's first home game in charge the Everton team should be motivated and too good for West Brom.

Prediction: Everton 2 West Brom 1

Hull Vs Norwich (3.00 ko)

Hull would not have probably learned much in their loss to Chelsea last week except maybe the much higher quality of the better teams in the Premiership. They will be up for this, their first home game against a team they will probably think they can beat . A good draw for Norwich in their first game with Ricky Van Wolfswinkel scoring on his debut and also the arrival of Johan Elmander has boasted their striking options even further. A high scoring contest is on the cards I would reckon here.

Prediction: Hull City Tigers 2 Norwich 2

Newcastle Vs West Ham (3.00 ko)
Newcastle's first home game of the season should be interesting with the turmoil over Joe Kinnear's appointment, and the absence of Yohan Cabaye after Arsenal's bid and subsequent improved bid from Paris St. Germain raises questions as to if Cabaye is staying at the club. They need a win here to get the fans on their side and the way the fans react to to the team could be important in this match. West Ham got off to a solid start against Cardiff last weekend and looking to extend their good run this weekend. Their away form was poor last season and with only one fit striker at the moment they could struggle to score at St. James Park. I do think West Ham can win this one simply because Newcastle have worst problems.

Prediction: Newcastle 1 West Ham 3

Southampton Vs Sunderland (3.00 ko)
Southampton had a good win over West Brom last weekend and have since added Daniel Osvaldo from Roma which could be a very good signing indeed. Sunderland were poor against Fulham and Paolo Di Canio might take a while to figure his best team out since there are a lot of new faces at the Stadium of Light and I think Southampton can take all three points in their first home game of the season.

Prediction: Southampton 2 Sunderland 0

Stoke Vs Crystal Palace (3.00 ko)
Stoke were decent and compact in their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool but were lightweight upfront. Palace struggled against Spurs and one-nil was quite flattering to them. Stoke if they reproduce their intensity of the Liverpool performance with a bit of better quality in the final third will surely win this one out.

Prediction: Stoke 2 Crystal Palace 0

Aston Villa Vs Liverpool (5.30 ko Sky Sports 1)
Villa have been good in the first two games and look a very decent side judging by the first two performances. Liverpool were also good although they should have put the game to bed and nearly lost two points but a Mignolet save, saved the win for the reds. Villa could have a real good chance of getting the three points but if Liverpool do improve in the finishing department it could be a very good game indeed. Villa to edge it but I could not say that to a reasonable degree.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Liverpool 1


Sunday

Cardiff Vs Man City (4.00 ko Sky Sports 1)
Cardiff had a bit of a struggle last weekend against West Ham not registering a single shot on target. Their new signing Andreas Cornelius might get a run out this weekend and could help them up front. City were very good against Newcastle and I think if they play to the same level against Cardiff there is only going to be one winner.

Prediction Cardiff 0 Man. City 3

Tottenham Vs Swansea (4.00 ko)
Tottenham had a good European victory during the week to go along with the victory against Crystal Palace and they are in good shape. With the inevitable departure of Gareth Bale Spurs are planning the future without him although it looks as though Willian deal has fallen though which will be a blow to them although if they do get Eric Lamela it will still be a boost to them. Swansea want the transfer window to end now as there is a still a threat of them losing both Michu and Ashley Williams which will be a blow to them. They were unlucky losing 4-1 to Man Utd last weekend and a good European victory has showed what a good team they are but I do think Spurs will be too good for them on the day.

Prediction: Spurs 3 Swansea 1

Monday
Man Utd. Vs Chelsea (8.00 ko Sky Sports 1)
I always hate the fact that big games like these are on very early on in the season as I do not think they mean as much as if they played it lets say middle of October. A loss for either side wont really do either any harm. United have Robin Van Persie on fire as usual. Chelsea might jig their team a little bit. It will not surprise me if this is a draw and both teams move on a quickly as possible.

Prediction: Man Utd 1 Chelsea 1

Goal(s) of the week. Real Sociedad scored two crackers in Lyon to nearly guarantee them qualification into the group stage in the Champions League.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUNZW6fgo9k

See ya Monday enjoy the action over the weekend. Also looking forward to the return of Formula One as well. I hope Fernando Alonso pulls something out of the bag but it is probably between the Red Bulls and Mercedes again.