CHRIS-TAL BALL: Weekly EPL preview and picks
by CHRISTIAN MILES, FOXSports.com
In a sing-along the operative rule is to follow the bouncing ball.
Musical metaphors permitting, a similar case can also made for the Chris-tal Ball. For those of you who followed the 'Ball last weekend (thanks Mom and Dad), you would've found seven correct predictions proven true after ten matches.
It's about time!
I am aware that predicting Arsenal to shoot past Bolton, or Liverpool to out-wrangle West Brom doesn't turn you in Nostradamus, so as a precautionary warning and a personal disclaimer, follow the bouncing 'Ball at your own risk.
Leeds United vs. Arsenal
FSW - Saturday, Noon ET - LIVE
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale originally hired Terry Venables to alleviate some of the inconsistencies of the David O'Leary regime. While there is no doubting TV's pedigree, there's also no doubt that Ridsdale and Leeds supporters are largely unimpressed with the coaching messiah's track record thus far.
Yes, there are wins over Newcastle and Manchester United, but losing at home to Sunderland and suffering embarrassing defeats to newly promoted Birmingham City and to Blackburn are not the way to make an entrance.
Now they face a potentially harrowing clash with one of the best teams on earth, Arsenal.
The Gunners are as lethal as their moniker. Nothing can seem to stop the Harlem Globetrotters of football, as sexy passing, sublime finishing and stubborn defending have become trademarks of England's best.
Freddie Ljungberg's return adds even more movement to Arsenal's slick midfield, while Wiltord, Henry, Bergie and Kanu supply plenty of venom to the Gunners' deadly bite.
A word of warning for TV's crew; look sharp because Arsenal is coming for the points, and rest assured they will leave with one.
Charlton Athletic vs. Manchester United
PPV - Saturday, 10AM ET - LIVE
He's one of my favorites, but Charlton manager Alan Curbishley must get it together. 'Curbs' is coming down hard on his players this week and with good reason. The Addicks have failed to score in their last three, amassing a mere six goals in seven games.
This si due mostly to a goal-shy strike force that has seen Jason Euell emerge as the only Charlton forward to score in league play.
Euell's Manchester United counterpart, Ruud van Nistelrooy, is having no problem finding the back of the net. He's fully emerged from an early-season slump after grabbing his fifth Champions League goal in Tuesday's win over Bayer Leverkusen. But for all the Dutchman's European exploits, United is still struggling to score in the league, equaling the Addicks anemic total.
Van Nistelrooy is suffering from a bad hamstring, but with or without the Ruud boy I still expect the Red Devils to make life miserable for Charlton by taking a share of the points.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool
FSW - Saturday, 6PM ET
Evidently 'carpe diem' is not in City's vocabulary, as last weekend the Mancunians became the only team that has failed to score on West Ham. Kevin Keegan may want to include some latin lessons in Saturday's tactical game plan, because a failure to seize the day against Liverpool will spell disaster.
The good news for Keegan is that the Red's once impregnable defense is not what it used to be; at least by Liverpool standards.
Gerard Houllier's back four have been fairly charitable while their attack has not. Most striking is the glaring omission of Michael Owen's name from the scoresheet; a result of the England forward's recent inability to score from open play in nine games.
But don't bet against Owen and the boys. If Michael can't get the job done, Czech phenom Milan Baros, Emile Heskey and El Hadji-Diouf are standing by to ensure Liverpool will.
Birmingham City vs. Newcastle United
FSW - Sunday, 2PM ET
"G'wan you Brummies," was the nirvana-like chant heard around the West Midlands following Birmingham's massive derby win over rival Aston Villa.
After having their parade rained on by 'Boro, Birmingham needs to regroup against another side equally as elated about local supremacy.
Local bragging rights aside, neurotic Newcastle can't seem to get a grip on consistency. Sir Bobby's boys look lethal going forward, but a heavy European burden has rendered Andy O'Brien and the rest of the defense useless as a feather paperweight.
If Robbie Savage still insists on taking the piss out of the referee and using Graham Poll's toilet, the Magpies should fly home with a draw.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Blackburn Rovers
FSW - Monday, 3PM ET - LIVE
Before I go any further, a quick raising of my glass to Gary Megson. Seven games into the season, the Baggies boss is proud owner of three victories in his club's first season in the Premiership. The only teams to have beaten West Brom so far are Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpool.
Graeme Souness knows all too well that his Birmingham adversaries can overtake his club with a win. Luckily this encounter suits Blackburn perfectly. Rovers shouldn't have too much to worry about in the back, while Tugay, Garry Flitcroft, David Dunn and David Thompson should easily control the midfield.
However, I don't see the Lancashire Lads getting past West Brom's stingy defense. This one will end all even.
The Best of The Rest:
Chelsea vs. West Ham United
East meets west when the East Enders travel to West London to meet Chelsea. Despite a promising start, the Blues band of cosmopolitans failed to impress at Fulham on Monday. This may be bad news for Chelsea, as that performance could light the fuse of their disappointing annual implosion. Fortunately, the schedule presents the perfect tonic.
The rough boys of West Ham have been anything but this season. The Hammer's are feeding at the bottom of the Prem and are the only team yet to taste victory. Glenn Roeder is beginning to tread on thin ice, but he did manage to get some positive footing in last week's scoreless draw with City.
Both teams play attractive football, however, I am banking on Chelsea self destruction, as the Blues can only manage a draw at the 'Bridge
Everton vs. Fulham
The David Moyes honeymoon is over. After a sweet start, the Scot has guided the Toffees to a sour record with three losses in their last four games. The back line has been about as organized as an Italian train schedule, hopefully for Everton fans the debut of Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo will add a little more steel to the defense.
Meanwhile Fulham have been this year's surprise package. Make no mistake, the Cottagers' sixth place standing is no fluke. The goals are flying in up front, but not in the back. In fact, Jean Tigana's side has allowed just five in six games, which equals the best in the Premiership.
With Fulham reaching unprecedented heights the Toffees have to scale their own tall bounds to reach another victory, which I am confident they will.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Middlesbrough
Equally as impressive are the unexpected exploits of Tottenham and Middlesbrough. Glenn Hoddle's throw-all-caution-to-the-wind style has blown in some good results, while Steve McClaren's compact side continues to churn out good performances.
Despite a massive injury list, Spurs' are vastly improved in midfield. They still give away too much at the back though, even with the incomparable Kasey Keller in goal. Middlesbrough may not be as good going forward, but I think they have much more balance in every aspect.
Spurs' perfect home record will be blemished by a draw.
Bolton Wanderers vs. Southampton
Inspired Bolton has become accustomed to playing the role of David in a Premier League full of Goliaths. If it weren't for some late game heroics by Liverpool and Arsenal, the Old Trafford conquerors could have taken points from each of the big three title contenders.
Southampton has taken just six points and is lying dormant near the bottom. Gordon Strachan can't seem to wake up a Saints' attack that has been held scoreless in four of their seven games. The fiery Scot claims it's because his strikers can't shoot straight.
Whatever the reasons for Southampon's shortcomings don't expect the Saints to march into the Reebok and take any points.
Sunderland vs. Aston Villa
The hotseat is now beginning to scald Peter Reid's backside. If Sunderland fail to beat Villa and win over the Stadium Light, Reidy's charred bum will be sitting at the neighborhood local watching the Black Cats' next match on the telly.
If you?re a Sunderland supporter stop reading, because it just gets worse.
In addition to last weekend's embarrassing effort, or lack thereof, in the Tyne and Wear derby, Sunderland's pathetic attack ranks as the league's worst. The awful Wearsiders have failed to find the back of the net in the last 289 minutes of Premiership football.
The only reprieve for Peter Reid is Villa's horrific away form. Besides the Birmingham blunder, the Villains have yet to claim any points in enemy territory this season. Defensively the Villains can be formidable if they choose to be, but all too often they lose focus.
If Villa don't take anything from this fixture Peter Reid's job may not be the only one hanging in the balance. I'm going with the Flo (Tore-Andre) and sticking with Marcus Stewart to keep Reid in business and Villa pointless away from home.
Chris Miles can be reached at cmiles@foxsportsworld.com
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